Soap is an essential item that we use daily to keep ourselves clean and healthy. While most of us may not pay much attention to the ingredients that make up our soap, it’s essential to understand what goes into it. The ingredients in soap can affect its cleansing ability, fragrance, and even its impact on our skin. In this blog article, we’ll take a closer look at the different soap ingredients, what they do, and how they can impact our skin and the environment.
What Are the Basic Ingredients of Soap?
Soap is a basic cleaning agent that has been around for thousands of years. It’s a product of a simple chemical reaction between fat or oil, an alkali, and water. The basic ingredients of soap are:
- Fat or oil: This is the primary ingredient in soap-making. Common fats used include animal fats like tallow or vegetable oils like olive oil, coconut oil, or palm oil.
- Alkali: This refers to a strong base that is needed to react with the fat or oil. Historically, people used lye (sodium hydroxide) or potash (potassium hydroxide) as the alkali, but nowadays, sodium hydroxide is commonly used in modern soap-making.
- Water: Water is required to dissolve the alkali and to make the chemical reaction between the fat or oil and the alkali possible.
In addition to these basic ingredients, other ingredients such as fragrances, colourants, and exfoliants can be added to soap to make it more appealing or effective for specific skin types. However, these additional ingredients are not essential to the soap-making process.
What Makes Soap High Quality?
The quality of soap can be determined by several factors, including its cleansing ability, its impact on the skin, and its overall performance. Here are some of the factors that make soap high quality:
- The type and quality of fats and oils used: The type of fats and oils used in soap-making can affect the quality of the soap. High-quality soap is typically made with oils that are high in fatty acids and other beneficial compounds that help to moisturise and nourish the skin.
- The ratio of fats and oils to alkali: The proper balance of fats and oils to alkali is essential in making high-quality soap. A soap that has too much alkali can be harsh and drying, while a soap that has too much fat or oil can be greasy and not lather well.
- The curing process: The curing process is the period of time that soap is left to dry and harden before use. High-quality soap is allowed to cure for several weeks, which helps to remove excess water and makes the soap harder and longer-lasting.
- The absence of harsh chemicals: High-quality soap is free from harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin. It should be made with natural ingredients and free from synthetic fragrances and preservatives.
- The performance: High-quality soap should lather well, cleanse effectively, and leave the skin feeling soft and moisturised.
Which Ingredient in Soap is Good for Skin?
One ingredient in soap that is good for the skin is natural oils. Natural oils like olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil are rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that can help nourish and moisturise the skin. These oils can help improve the skin’s natural barrier function, preventing moisture loss and protecting the skin from environmental stressors.
Another beneficial ingredient in soap is glycerin. Glycerin is a natural by-product of the soap-making process and is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture to the skin. Glycerin helps to keep the skin hydrated and can help improve the appearance of dry, rough skin.
Some soaps also contain natural exfoliants like oatmeal, ground coffee, or sea salt, which can help to remove dead skin cells and improve the texture and appearance of the skin. Exfoliating ingredients can also help unclog pores, which can reduce the occurrence of acne and other skin blemishes.
In general, soaps that are made with natural ingredients and free from harsh chemicals are good for the skin. Look for soaps that contain natural oils, glycerin, and exfoliants to help nourish, hydrate, and improve the appearance of your skin.
What Ingredient in Soap to Avoid?
There are several ingredients that you should avoid in soap, as they can be harsh on the skin and can cause irritation, dryness, and other skin issues. Here are some ingredients in soap to avoid:
- Synthetic fragrances: Synthetic fragrances can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and other health issues. Look for soaps that are fragrance-free or that use natural fragrances.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES): SLS and SLES are surfactants that are commonly used in soap and other personal care products. They can be harsh on the skin, causing irritation and dryness. Look for soaps that are free from SLS and SLES.
- Parabens: Parabens are preservatives that are commonly used in soap and other personal care products. They have been linked to health concerns, including hormone disruption and breast cancer. Look for soaps that are paraben-free.
- Triclosan: Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that is commonly used in soap and other personal care products. It has been linked to health concerns, including hormone disruption and antibiotic resistance. Look for soaps that are triclosan-free.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is commonly used in soap and other personal care products as a solvent and preservative. It can be drying and irritating to the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin. Look for soaps that are alcohol-free or that contain natural alcohols like cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol.
Which Ingredients Are Used at My Cottage Cosmetics?
At My Cottage Cosmetics, we use a wealth of natural ingredients in our soap-making process. Discover our soapmaking process.