Cold Process Benefits & Customization

Like most soapers, I stepped my toe in using Melt and Pour and did what everyone does and tried to add organic materials to make it look and behave like all of the soap i saw online, not realizing that you can only use organic materials with cold and hot process soap methods. 

Once I discovered this, I delved into the research and in depth science that is cold and hot process soap making, which most people don't realize and it's pretty insane the deep level of customization you can achieve once you take the time, reseach and practice to master the science and art of natural soap making. 

When using cold or hot process soap making methods from scratch, a scientific reaction called saponification occurs when the oils and lye water are mixed turning it into soap. This is the process that preserves organic materials such as fresh fruits, herbs, milks, & other endless combinations allowing them to preserve for years!

This is the very process that helps provide us CP soapers with the ability to curate custom soaps specifically designed for every variety of skin condition/imperfection/age/goal/etc. This level of customization allows us to improve targeted conditions like excema, acne, cirrhosis, rosacea, & hyperpigmentation, to common imperfections such as dark spots, scars, fine lines, dry or oily skin, brightening & Lightening, dark circles.

We also focus on products for younger women to help maintain overall skin health & maintenance, helping to keep skin plump & youthful for as long as possible - these products include a variety of crucial skin loving vitamins and extracts including honeyquat, oat, calendula, aloe, squalene, chamomile, carrot, as well as skin hydrating, preserving, brightening, free radical protecting, & lightly exfoliating oils, butters, additives, extracts, & more designed for ages 35 and under.

We also create skin care products specifically designed for the skin and hair needs of those 65+. These products focus on additives rich in vitamins that women lose production of as they age, as well as our most hydrating, wrinkles smoothing, & tone evening extracts. 

SAPONIFICATION 

I exclusively work with cold or hot process soap making methods (versus melt and pour) which involves a scientific reaction called saponification. This occurs when the oils, butters, and/or fats and sodium hydroxide (lye) water are mixed together. Every oil has a unique combination of 3 fatty acids attached to a glycerol, which is why each soap recipe calls for more than one oil (other than castille) - each oil brings a different combination of fatty acids and reacts differently with lye.

Soap made with multiple oils will have multiple benefits (moisturizing & conditioning, cleansing, etc.). When lye and fatty acids are mixed, the fatty acids release glycerol molecules that bond with lye. This chemical reaction creates soap (technically a salt). The Glycerin releases when you use it and nourishes your skin. This is the process of saponification and helps explain just the basics of how and why cold processed bar soap is far superior for your skin than anything else you can use, especially when it's been designed to target and improve your specific needs and concerns. 

MUCH MORE TO COME - I am going to delve into thr level of customization and share some cp tricks, so stay tuned!