Soap is created through a simple chemical reaction known as saponification. This occurs when oils (or fats) are combined with an alkaline substance like lye. The oils react with the lye to form soap and glycerin. The more oil you use than needed to fully react with the lye, the more moisturizing properties are left in the soap, as the excess oil remains unsaponified.
Soap-making dates back thousands of years, with evidence of its use as far back as Ancient Babylon. The earliest soaps were made from animal fats, often from sacrifices, mixed with alkaline substances like lye derived from ashes. These rudimentary soaps served essential purposes in cleaning and skin care. Over the centuries, soap evolved, and by the time of the Roman Empire, it was used for bathing, cleansing, and even for medicinal purposes.
However, as the centuries passed, soap underwent significant changes in both formulation and production, particularly during the industrial revolution.
In the 20th century, with the mass production of commercial soap, a shift occurred in the way soaps were made. Manufacturers began using synthetic detergents, which were cheaper and more efficient. These detergents replaced the natural fats and oils traditionally used in soap, leading to the removal of glycerin and other beneficial ingredients from the final product. While detergents could clean quickly, they stripped the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated.
This marked the beginning of a growing disconnect from the natural, beneficial ingredients of soap and a preference for convenience over quality.
In response to this shift, there has been a resurgence of interest in handcrafted soaps. Consumers began seeking alternatives to mass-produced products, and artisans started to craft soap in smaller batches, using natural oils, butters, and herbs. Soap makers began experimenting with various oils, discovering how each influenced the properties of the soap. For instance, coconut oil produced a hard bar with a deep cleansing action and a rich, bubbly lather, while castor oil softened the bar and enhanced its moisturizing and conditioning qualities. Modern soap makers are deeply indebted to those early pioneers who meticulously tested different oil combinations and proportions, documenting and passing down their invaluable knowledge.
The cold process method became a favorite of soap makers, offering the ability to create luxurious bars with beautiful colors and intricate designs. This method allows soap makers to blend oils with lye at low temperatures. This method successfully retains the natural glycerin produced during saponification, which is great for the skin. The soap cures over time, and makers can create vibrant colors and swirls: veritable works of art.
However, a key limitation with cold process soap is the unpredictability of which oils saponify and which remain in their pure, unsaponified form. For example, if you add argan oil, it’s uncertain whether it will remain intact in the final soap, as some oils may fully saponify while others remain as moisturizers. This means the beneficial properties of premium oils might not always be preserved.
The hot process method is another traditional approach to soap making. Here, the soap mixture is heated to speed up saponification, meaning the soap is "cooked" and becomes ready to use much faster than cold process soap. This method results in bars that cure quickly and require minimal waiting time. And, like cold processed soap, the bars retain their nourishing glycerin content.
However, hot process soap does not lend itself well to the same vibrant colors as cold process soap. The heat involved in the process can dull or alter the appearance of natural colorants, limiting the aesthetic possibilities for soap makers who want to create intricate designs.
At Pure Serenity Soap, we’ve perfected a process called NurtureLock, which is a hot process method that gives us complete control over which oils remain unsaponified. Unlike cold process soap, where the saponification of oils is unpredictable, NurtureLock allows us to add premium oils such as argan, hemp seed, avocado, and almond after the cook. This ensures these oils retain their full, nourishing benefits, as they are not exposed to the heat and lye that would normally cause them to saponify.
But we don’t stop there. In addition to using premium oils, we infuse them with herbs, extracting the nourishing properties of the herbs into the oil. Oil infusions allow the herbs' natural vitamins, antioxidants, and soothing properties to be absorbed into the oil, which then becomes an integral part of the soap. This results in a product that not only contains the richness of the oils but also the healing benefits of the herbs, providing a truly luxurious experience for your skin.
NurtureLock represents the evolution of handcrafted soap, offering the luxury of premium, unsaponified oils, infused with the best of nature’s herbs, while maintaining the efficiency of the hot process method. The result is a soap that is not only effective at cleansing but also delivers the full moisturizing power of premium oils and the healing properties of herbs, leaving your skin feeling soft, nourished, and rejuvenated.
At Pure Serenity Soap, our NurtureLock process allows us to create soaps that are rich in premium oils, ensuring your skin gets the full benefit of their nourishing properties. The addition of herb-infused oils provides an extra layer of care, delivering even more natural goodness to your skin. Experience the future of handcrafted soap with Pure Serenity Soap, where nature meets innovation.