Saponification

What is Saponification?

Saponification is the chemical reaction created by combining oils or fats with an alkali and water. We use the Cold Process method. The heat produced by combining the precisely weighed oils, alkali and water is sufficient to initiate the chemical reaction. Saponification is complete after the soap mixture has been poured into molds, cut into bars, and allowed to cure for several weeks.

Why is Glycerin Important?

Glycerin is a humectant. One molecule of glycerin is created for every three molecules of soap. Commercial soap makers remove the glycerin from their soap and then sell it to the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. With Handmade Soap, however, all of the naturally occurring glycerin remains intact. Handcrafted Soap is naturally softer. You may be able to “dent” the soap with your finger. You will also notice that when handcrafted soap is fresh it will draw moisture from the air into small beads that will make the soap bar’s surface wet. Both of these traits indicate that the soap has a high glycerin content.

Each bar of soap will be unique. This is due to them being handmade and handcrafted. No two batches will look alike. As each batch is made by hand, some soap bars may differ slightly from what is pictured. But they will all feel the same, and have the same lather, cleansing, and conditioning properties.

The benefits of using handmade soap are many. The reasons to use a more natural product is not always obvious, however.

We live in a day and age where the technological advances are many. Many of these advances are there to make our lives easier. When it comes to skin care, and the ingredients you put on your skin, technology is probably not what you had in mind.

Commercially made soap usually contains detergents, fillers, chemicals, petroleum, high animal fat content, and irritants. Commercially made soap tends to be less eco friendly as well. While commercially manufactured soap usually costs less, the impact on your skin and the environment is less than desirable.

Natural handmade soaps are made with natural oils, have a high glycerin content, are better for the environment with no detergents or phosphates, and are never tested on animals.

Why handmade soap?

More natural. Handmade soaps are made with natural ingredients, not petro-chemicals or cheap additives. Glycerin. Handmade soap has a naturally occuring glycerin which is known to be beneficial to the skin. Many soap manufacturers remove this valuable glycerin and repackage it within their more expensive line. As a matter of fact, we are not aware of any handmade soap manufacturers that remove beneficial ingredients. You get this skin loving glycerin in the handmade soap process - Almost like getting a 2 for 1. Why pay twice for something that you should only pay once for?

Luxury. Once you try handmade soap, you may never go back. Handmade soap is very luxurious, has a creamy lather.

Environmentally friendly: Creates a mild soap that is tested on willing human participants. No phosphates or detergents!

As you can see, using a natural product makes sense - Many of the ingredients are food grade, the soaps are highly aromatic with a wide variety of scents and essential oils to choose from.

*Handmade soaps are made with NaOH (lye) which is not to be eaten. This is the ingredient which combines with the oils to create a mild soap.