Pure Ingredients

What's in Cold Process Soap?

The main ingredients used in most popular cold-processed soaps typically include oils or fats, water, lye (sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide), and additives for fragrance, color, and additional benefits.

Oils or Fats:

Soap is made by combining oils or fats with lye through a process called saponification. Common oils used include olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, castor oil, and various vegetable oils. These oils provide the moisturizing and cleansing properties of the soap.

Water:

Water is used as a solvent and helps dissolve the lye, allowing it to react with the oils or fats. The amount of water used varies depending on the recipe and desired consistency of the soap.

Lye:

Lye is a strong alkaline substance that is essential for saponification. It reacts with the oils or fats to create soap. Sodium hydroxide is typically used for solid soap bars, while potassium hydroxide is used for liquid soaps.

Additives:

Fragrance: Essential oils or fragrance oils are added to provide scent to the soap.

Colorants: Natural colorants like clays, herbs, or plant-based powders can be used to give the soap its color. Synthetic colorants may also be used.

Exfoliants: Ingredients like oatmeal, coffee grounds, or seeds can be added for exfoliating properties.

Moisturizers: Additional oils or butters such as shea butter, cocoa butter, or jojoba oil may be included to enhance the moisturizing effects of the soap.

Additional additives: Other ingredients like aloe vera, honey, or goat's milk can be added for their specific properties, such as soothing or nourishing the skin.

Oils, Butters, Waxes and their Health Benefits

Olive Oil

Moisturizes and nourishes the skin
Contains antioxidants and vitamins
Creates a mild and gentle soap
Helps promote skin softness and elasticity
Suitable for dry and sensitive skin
Can help soothe eczema and psoriasis

Coconut Oil

Provides cleansing and lathering properties
Adds hardness and stability to the soap
Creates a rich and bubbly lather
Suitable for all skin types, especially oily skin
Can help reduce acne and breakouts
Effective for moisturizing dry and flaky skin

Sweet Almond Oil

Nourishes and moisturizes the skin
Rich in vitamins and fatty acids
Helps soothe dry and irritated skin
Provides a gentle and silky feel to the soap
Can alleviate itching and inflammation
Suitable for sensitive and aging skin

Castor Oil

Provides creamy and moisturizing lather
Enhances the soap's conditioning properties
Boosts the soap's cleansing abilities
Helps stabilize and emulsify the soap formulation
Can be beneficial for acne-prone and oily skin
May assist in soothing dry and itchy skin

Mango Butter

Moisturizes and nourishes the skin
Contains vitamins and antioxidants
Helps promote skin elasticity and suppleness
Adds richness and creaminess to the soap
Can provide relief for dry and sensitive skin
Suitable for eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis

Avocado Oil

Moisturizes and nourishes the skin
Rich in vitamins A, D, and E
Helps soothe and heal dry or damaged skin
Adds a creamy and conditioning feel to the soap
Can assist in relieving inflammation and itching
Suitable for eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis

Shea Butter

Deeply moisturizes and conditions the skin
Rich in vitamins A, E, and F
Soothes and calms dry and irritated skin
Helps improve skin elasticity and firmness
Can alleviate symptoms of eczema and dermatitis
Suitable for sensitive and dry skin

Jojoba Oil

Balances and moisturizes the skin
Resembles the skin's natural sebum
Helps regulate oil production
Adds a silky and luxurious feel to the soap
Can assist in controlling acne and oily skin
Suitable for sensitive and inflamed skin

Beeswax

Provides natural hardness and stability to the soap
Helps retain moisture in the skin
Adds a subtle honey scent to the soap
Suitable for all skin types
Promotes a moisturized and nourished complexion
May aid in soothing dry and irritated skin

Clays, Spices, Add Ins and their Benefits

Bentonite Clay

Cleanses and detoxifies the skin
Helps remove impurities and excess oil
Provides a smooth and creamy texture to the soap
Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin
Can assist in treating dermatitis and eczema
Promotes a soft and refreshed complexion

French Green Clay

Absorbs excess oil and impurities
Helps tone and tighten the skin
Provides a natural green color to the soap
Suitable for oily and combination skin
Can assist in reducing the appearance of pores
Promotes a refreshed and rejuvenated complexion

Kaolin Clay

Softens and purifies the skin
Gentle and suitable for all skin types
Provides a creamy and luxurious feel to the soap
Helps soothe and calm irritated skin
Can assist in balancing oil production
Promotes a smooth and radiant complexion

Rose Clay

Gently exfoliates and cleanses the skin
Helps improve circulation and skin tone
Provides a soft pink color to the soap
Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin
Can assist in reducing redness and inflammation
Promotes a refreshed and radiant complexion

Moroccan Red Clay

Mild and gentle clay
Cleanses and purifies the skin
Helps improve skin elasticity
Enhances the natural glow of the skin
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin

Cinnamon Powder

Warm and spicy fragrance
Adds a natural brown color to the soap
Can assist in improving blood circulation in the skin
Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin
Promotes a vibrant and refreshed complexion
May aid in stimulating the senses

Turmeric Powder

Provides a warm and earthy scent
Adds a vibrant yellow color to the soap
Can assist in brightening and rejuvenating the skin
Suitable for all skin types
Promotes a healthy and glowing complexion
May aid in reducing inflammation and promoting healing

Oatmeal

Soothes and moisturizes the skin
Relieves itching and inflammation
Provides gentle exfoliation
Suitable for sensitive and dry skin

Aloe Vera Gel

Hydrates and soothes the skin
Offers anti-inflammatory properties
Helps promote wound healing and skin repair
Provides a cooling effect on the skin
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin

Honey

Provides natural antibacterial properties
Moisturizes and nourishes the skin
Helps soothe and heal dry or damaged skin
Adds a natural sweetness to the soap
Suitable for all skin types