Cold process soap is made by combining oils and sodium hydroxide lye, which causes a chemical reaction called saponification. In the process, you get to choose the oils, scents, colorants, and any other ingredients. It's a great way for someone to master the art of soap-making.
Why Cold Process Soap?
t's a time-tested technique: The art of soap-making can be traced as far back as ancient Babylon when archaeologists, during an excavation, first discovered a soap material inside clay cylinders dating as early as 2800 B.C. Inscriptions on the cylinders described a process of fats boiled with ashes, the world's first soap-making method. But the Babylonians weren't the only ones who benefited from this idea. Today, the cold process method of soap-making evolved to rely on a different ingredient called sodium hydroxide or commonly known as lye.
Some of the world's best soap makers use the cold process method. For instance, Savon de marseille was one of the best-kept secrets of southern France, and only in recent history have these artisanal soaps found their way to other parts of the world. Its superb qualities—from olive oil, marine ash, and sea saltwater—are praised for gently nourishing the skin. This is because each ingredient is carefully sourced, and the process controlled from beginning to end.
First and foremost, we need lye that requires utmost caution when handling. Always add lye to liquids (instead of the other way around or it may have a volcanic effect). When mixing lye into liquid, it gets hot quickly.
Next, we need oils. Shea butter, argan oil, olive oil, and other ingredients provide a creamy lather for deep moisturizing of the skin. We use the one that is specified in our recipe, or experiment with ones we like. We can also add fragrances and colorants using organic ingredients and cold-pressed carrier oils to ensure the best quality for your skin. We also advise using them sparingly. Because the soap takes weeks to cure, the scent intensifies over time. To color soap naturally, try clays and botanicals such as French green clay, rose kaolin clay, or indigo powder. Be sure to test the ingredients of our homemade soaps on a small area of your skin first (the inside of your elbow, for example) to make sure that you are not allergic.
