Saponification (meaning "to turn into soap") is required in the process of making natural bar soaps. As a result of saponification, the soap hardens, lathers and cleanses. Without the saponification process, there is no soap. In regards to natural bar soap, saponification is the reaction resulting from mixing a sodium hydroxide (lye) solution and natural oils.
Is there lye in natural soap?
No! During the saponification process, all of the lye is consumed and none remains once the soap cures (when properly made). The natural oils react forming glycerin and soap, which add to the overall moisture of the bar (making the bar less stripping). The cured natural bar soap is all-natural because no lye remains and is extremely beneficial for your skin. The properties of the natural oils don't completely transfer to the final cured bar and most natural bar soap makers end the process there, but we take it a step further...
What makes our bars unique?
We ensure that the natural colorants, bases, and essential oils do not interact with lye. All of these essential ingredients are added once our bars are completely cured and all the lye is consumed! The natural colorants we use include different variations of clay (ex. green clay) as well as other natural botanicals such as calendula. The bases we use vary between aloe vera and other aloe combinations with natural juices (ex. lemon juice). We only use essential oils to scent our soaps which are extremely beneficial for aromatherapy, scalp, and skin health. Hand-crafting soap with natural, high-quality ingredients is needed to maximize the benefit of these ingredients, which is the goal of our all-natural soaps.
