How Soap is Made
SOAP is MADE OF THREE PRIMARY INGREDIENTS…
WATER, LYE, + FAT.
When combined, these ingredients cause a chemical reaction called “saponification” —creating, you guessed it, bar soap!
It’s easy as that! Right?
Well… Sort of.
The fats used in a soap recipe can vastly alter the quality of the soap itself.
Here are a few common oils I use in my formulas + why…
Oil Properties in Cold Process Soap
ALMOND OIL
Highly conditioning + great for dry skin.
APRICOT KERNEL OIL
Extremely nourishing + conditioning.
AVOCADO OIL
Adds structure to the bar of soap. Very conditioning + perfect for those with dry skin or eczema.
BABASSU OIL
A handy substitute for coconut oil + used for bubbly lather + hardness. Extremely cleansing. This is my go-to oil for soap recipes for those allergic to olive + coconut oils.
CASTOR OIL
Supports lather. Highly conditioning.
COCOA BUTTER
Adds hardness to the soap as well as a creamy lather.
COCONUT OIL
Highly cleansing + the best oil for making fluffy bubbles!
GRAPESEED OIL
Wonderly conditioning neutral oil. Occasionally used for T+T herbal infusions.
HEMP OIL
Helpful to dry or problem skin types. Extremely conditioning.
KOKUM BUTTER
Similar use to cocoa butter. Used for structure and conditioning properties.Mango Seed Butter
Adds hardness to the soap as well as a nourishing feel.
OLIVE OIL
Highly conditioning oil that is easily accessible. It creates a hard bar of soap the longer it cures, which adds to the longevity of the soap.
RICE BRAN
A helpful substitute for olive oil. Used in formulas for allergy-prone skin.
SHEA BUTTER
Equally nourishing as it is structural. Use for hardness in the bar.
SUNFLOWER OIL
Creates a low + silky lather. Great for sensitive or dry skin.
This article has been a personal reference for different soap-making oils + their properties. Thanks, Jan!
