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Ingredients & science

Saponification, superfat, trace and what each oil does, in plain English.

Lye and the reaction

Four handmade herbal soap bars rest on a slatted wooden drying rack by a bright window.Lye and the reactionCuring soapPurple soap batter fills a lined wooden loaf mold with a dark circle poured in the center.Lye and the reactionGel phaseA glass bowl filled with white lye beads rests on a stone slab beside a measuring spoon.Lye and the reactionLye for soap makingA gloved hand lifts a spatula of thick soap batter dripping into a stainless steel bowl.Lye and the reactionSaponificationA handmade soap bar tied with twine stands next to a bottle of golden oil on stone.Lye and the reactionNaOH vs KOHA gloved hand drizzles thick soap batter from a spatula into a stainless steel bowl.Lye and the reactionTrace

Formulating

A bar of natural soap beside a corked glass bottle of golden oil on a wooden counter.FormulatingUsing a lye calculatorA beaker of golden oil sits on a digital scale beside a bar of handmade soap.FormulatingSAP valuesA rectangular bar of cream-colored soap with orange flecks rests on a wooden slatted drying rack.FormulatingShelf life and DOSA rustic bar of handmade soap sits next to a small glass bowl of golden oil.FormulatingSuperfatTwo natural soap bars on a white dish beside a small glass beaker containing clear liquid.FormulatingWater discount

Ingredients

Handmade soap bars tied with twine sit beside an amber dropper bottle and fresh lavender sprig.IngredientsEssential oils for soapA handmade soap bar stamped with a fern sits beside two amber dropper bottles on a wooden surface.IngredientsFragrance oils vs essential oilsThree handmade soap bars in pink, sage green, and charcoal black sit on a wooden board.IngredientsNatural soap colorantsA glass bottle of golden oil stands beside a bar of handmade soap on a countertop.IngredientsOils for soap makingA rustic bar of handmade oatmeal soap next to a small ceramic bowl of rolled oats.IngredientsSoap additives