Natural soap can be defined as one that is made from oils, butter, and fats that have been combined with lye. To be considered a natural soap, a completely natural soap base must also be naturally colored.
Saponification is used to make soap. This is lye, which is a mixture of either Sodium Hydroxide (or Potassium Hydroxide) and water. It is used to transform oils and fats into salts. This is a chemical reaction in which the triglycerides from fats and oils react with the lye.
This exothermic reaction produces heat. It is either hot or cold-process soap depending on how much heat was used. Most natural soaps are made using cold process methods.
Cold-process soap can be made by, as the name implies, keeping the soap cool. Cold process soap is typically around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It is still quite hot but it is cooler than the hot process.
Cold process soap is much easier to pour because it is still liquid after the soap has been mixed. This makes the soap look fresher and more pleasing.
Hot process soap, as the name implies, is made at a higher heat. Most soap makers use a temperature of around 150 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. It is extremely hot, and you will know if there is any spilled.
Hot process soap is more difficult to see because it takes longer to pour into a mold. Hot process soap is more rustic than cold process soap. Because most of the water has been removed from the soap, the hot process can be cured in 1-3 weeks. The cold process takes 4-6 weeks.
After the saponification is complete and the soap has been poured into a mold, the process will take approximately 24-48 hours. The soap must then cure for a certain time. This will vary depending on the process used, but it can take anywhere from one week to five years.
What Properties Are Natural Soaps?
Natural soaps will contain a wide range of ingredients. Because different oils, butter, and fats have different properties, soaps can be made with different ingredients. These properties are important in soap-making:
Hardness
If you make soap from pure cocoa butter (a very tough butter), your soap will be very difficult. But, if you make soap with pure sunflower oil, it will give you a soft bar.
Castille soap, which is traditionally made from pure olive oil, is the exception to this rule. The soap's name is derived from the Spanish region where it was made. This soap becomes extremely soft after it has been made. Traditional castile soap is typically cured for approximately five years.
Bars' hardness determines their durability. Bars with higher hardness will last longer, while bars with softer ingredients will be less durable. While it is important to have a balanced soap bar with a high level of hardness, this is not all that we need.
Cleaning
This refers to the soap's cleaning properties. This is an important function of soap. Some oils, butter, and fats used in soap have cleansing properties.
These cleansing properties leave your skin clean, unlike soaps that have sodium sulfate or its derivatives.
This natural grease plugs the pores between skin cells and prevents moisture loss. These chemical-based soaps can dry out your skin and cause dry skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. These soaps can cause skin irritation and increase the production of natural grease, which can clog pores and lead to acne.
