DO YOU HAVE TO USE LYE TO MAKE SOAP?
- We handcraft our soaps predominantly by the traditional cold process method without harsh chemicals or hardeners. This process does require the use of lye but it is not present in the finished product that you use on your skin.
- Saponification is the chemical reaction where oils and fats are transformed into soap and glycerin by mixing them with a lye solution (sodium hydroxide). This process occurs at room temperature without external heat, gradually creating the soap's structure and saponifying the oils- it's all about chemistry.
- Saponification takes approximately 24-48 hours to complete. The soap however, without chemical hardeners will be a very soft product that will turn mushy and get washed away quickly so it needs to cure.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AND AFTER CURING:
- The main purpose of curing is to allow excess water to evaporate from the fresh batch of soap. This physical process causes the soap bar to lose water weight and harden in the process.
- Most cold process soaps require a cure time of 4-6 weeks depending on the ingredients used. If we were to make a pure olive oil soap known as a Castille soap, this would take approx. 12 months to cure so the ingredients are the determining factor in cure times.
- Most of our recipes are cured in the 4-5 week range. We use a dehumidifier in our temperature controlled curing area while waiting for the water in the cut bars to evaporate, coming to their final size.
- Allowing the bar to cure, adds longevity by creating a harder bar that dissolves slower and therefore lasting longer. Much like an aged bourbon or a fine wine, the longer you allow it to age the better it will be, this rings true with handcrafted soap bars resulting in a milder and more moisturizing bar that is better for the skin.
- Once cured, we weigh all the bars in the batch and take the lowest weight bar as the net weight we add to our labels, this is usually around 130g-150g.
WHY IS HANDMADE SOAP SO EXPENSIVE?
Handcrafted soap is typically more expensive than mass-produced soap because of several factors some of which include:
- Global price increases of ethically sourced products.
- Small batch soap makers like us, handcraft soap with high-quality, natural ingredients, such as essential oils, plant-based oils, and butters, which are more expensive than synthetic ingredients used in commercial soaps. We put time, care, and attention to detail into each batch.
- Craftsmanship and expertise are required to make handcrafted soap. We have invested in hours of training and education to perfect our recipes.
- Many times our soaps will feature unique designs, colors, and patterns that require additional time and resources to create, making them more expensive than plain, mass-produced soaps.
Overall, the combination of high-quality ingredients, small batch production, artisan skills, unique designs, and packaging make handcrafted soap more expensive but also more special and luxurious for those who appreciate the art of soap making.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE & USE HANDCRAFTED SOAP?
There are several contributing factors that determine the longevity of a bar of handmade soap such as how many people are using it, how often it is used (ie: simply for hand washing or used multiple times daily in a shower) and how the soap is stored between uses. Some may last a few weeks while others a few months.
Given the expense of your naturally made handmade soap, here are some tips to make it last longer:
- Always store your unused bars in a cool, dry, dark place with good airflow.
- Wet the soap bar and then use a washcloth, sponge, or soap saver bag to build up a lather and use the sudsy washcloth or sponge to gently clean your skin. After you're done, rinse the soap and your skin completely.
- To maximize its lifespan, keep the bar out of any prolonged direct stream of water or sitting in pooled water. Place the soap on a draining soap dish, a soap saver pad or use in a soap saver bag. These options allow air to circulate around it, preventing it from sitting in water and becoming soft and mushy. Remember there are no chemical hardeners in your handcrafted soap bars so they are prone to "melting" if not stored properly between uses and this shortens the life span of the bar.
- Our bars are a bit larger than many on the market, they can easily be cut in half or quartered and used that way extending their lifespan. If you have multiple bars of handmade soaps, you can also rotate between them allowing ample drying time. A soap saver bag is a great way to use up smaller soap scraps and can also offer a gentle exfoliating action.
NATURAL SOAPS & SKIN IRRITATION / ALLERGIES
- If you have sensitive skin or allergies, natural soaps can still be a trigger for irritation or a reaction. Our product label and website listings offer a list of ingredients, colourants, essential oils or fragrance oils that have been used in making that bar. This allows you to identify and avoid any ingredient that may not work for your skin.
- We do not make any claims of what the bar will or won't due for your skin other than act as a cleanser. Each ingredient can potentially contribute skin loving benefits and we have included a page on our website titled "Our Ingredients" for you to review.
- We can say our soaps will offer you a gentle cleansing experience but they should be used with caution if you are prone to skin irritation. Soap is a rinse off product, if irritation occurs run clean warm water over the affected area and discontinue further use. If irritation persists, please consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Pregnant women should consult with their physician prior to using Essential Oils.
- Our products are not meant for any specific skin problems, or to diagnose, to treat or to cure any medical conditions, our ingredients page is for awareness purposes only.