Understanding Saponification: How Soap is Made

Soap isn’t just a cleansing bar—it’s a fascinating blend of science and artistry. Every handmade soap starts with a carefully crafted formula, transforming natural oils and butters into a luxurious, skin-loving product. At the heart of this transformation is a chemical reaction called saponification. Let’s break it down.

What Is Saponification?

Saponification is the process where fats and oils react with an alkali (sodium hydroxide, or lye) to form soap and natural glycerin. This reaction changes the raw ingredients into something completely new—a gentle, cleansing bar that nourishes the skin.

The basic formula:

Oils + Lye Solution → Soap + Glycerin

Once the reaction is complete, no lye remains in the final soap—only the rich, moisturizing goodness of carefully balanced ingredients.

Why Do We Use Lye? Is It Safe?

Lye (sodium hydroxide) is essential for making real soap—without it, you’d simply have a mix of oils and water. While lye itself is a strong substance, it completely reacts during saponification, leaving behind only soap and natural glycerin.

In well-formulated handmade soap, every bit of lye is used up in the reaction, ensuring a gentle, skin-friendly bar that cleanses without stripping away moisture.

The Magic of Natural Glycerin

Handmade soap naturally contains glycerin, a powerful humectant that helps draw moisture to the skin. This glycerin is a natural byproduct of saponification and remains in cold process soap, contributing to its gentle, skin-nourishing properties. In contrast, some commercial soaps may have additional glycerin added, while others focus on producing detergent-based cleansing bars with a different composition.

The Beauty of Cold Process Soap

Cold process soapmaking allows us to carefully select premium oils, butters, and botanicals, crafting bars suited for different skin types. Once poured into molds, the soap sets for 1 to 2 days before being removed and left to cure for 4-6 weeks. During this time, excess moisture evaporates, making the bar harder, milder, and longer-lasting. This time-honored method ensures a well-balanced soap that delivers both effective cleansing and skin-loving nourishment.