Introduction to Handcrafted Soap
WHAT IS HANDCRAFTED SOAP?
Handmade soap exemplifies an artistic and innovative approach, combining fatty acids and alkali through the saponification process. This technique yields a gentle, pH-neutral product that is well-suited for skincare. Historically, soap production involved labor-intensive methods utilizing animal fats and wood ash, but contemporary methods have enabled efficient mass production. At Drunken Bee & Co., all our products are free from animal ingredients.
Contrarily, commercially available bar soaps found in supermarkets are predominantly machine-manufactured (milling), prioritizing superb smooth textures and visual appeal. In contrast, authentic handmade soaps offer a distinctive touch, texture, fragrance, and skin-specific benefits. While mass-produced soaps strive to replicate the characteristics of handmade varieties, they fall short in capturing the genuine artisanal craftsmanship and often contain synthetic components.
COMMON INGREDIENTS IN HANDMADE SOAPS
Handcrafted or handmade soaps often feature a diverse selection of ingredients, meticulously chosen by individual soap makers based on specific desired traits in the end product, personal preferences, and potential skin benefits. Below are several frequently utilized ingredients in artisanal soap production:
Oils & Butters - The essence of handcrafted soap is rooted in its blend of natural oils and butters like olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, shea butter, mango butter and cocoa butter. These elements not only provide essential nutrients but also enhance the soap's moisturizing, cleansing, and lathering qualities, ensuring a delightful and efficient cleansing experience. In the initial stages of our soap production, we conducted extensive trials with different oils and butters to ascertain the ideal combination.
At Drunken Bee & Co. our range of primary oils and butters comprise of Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Responsibly Sourced Palm Oil, and Castor Oil. Depending on the specific soap variations, alternative oils and/or butters may be utilized as needed.
Lye also known as Sodium Hydroxide - In our handcrafted soap business, we cannot produce soap without the use of Lye. Lye plays a pivotal role in the soap-making process by reacting with oils and butters, initiating the saponification process. This chemical reaction converts raw ingredients into a gentle, solid soap known for its skin-friendly, nourishing and cleansing attributes.
Essential Oils - Extracted from plants, it serves as the special ingredient in handmade soaps, infusing a hint of nature's fragrance. Beyond lovely scents, these oils provide a spa-like experience to your soap, offering calming effects and leaving your skin feeling luxuriously smooth, all thanks to their enchanting properties!
Herbs, Botanicals, and Clays - Incorporating dried herbs, flowers, and clays into soap formulations can enhance their properties. These elements introduce color, texture, and supplementary skincare benefits to the end product. For instance, the inclusion of ingredients such as calendula flowers, chamomile, or lavender can imbue the soap with soothing and calming properties. Additionally, the integration of clays such as kaolin or bentonite can assist in skin purification and complexion enhancement.
Natural Colorants - Artisanal soaps get their snazzy colors from nature's artistic palette - think activated charcoal, spirulina, or turmeric! These natural colorants don't just jazz up the soap's look but also gift your skin detox and anti-inflammatory perks.
At Drunken Bee & Co., we're all about whipping up cold process soap that's basically a glycerin goldmine! Glycerin, the unsung hero of skincare, is born during the soap-making magic when fats and oils turn into a clear, gooey liquid. This superhero ingredient locks in moisture like a boss, especially saving our skin from dryness and cranky patches.
But hold on tight, because despite the name "cold process," things can get steaming hot in the soap kitchen! Picture a fiery chemical tango that needs protective gear to avoid any surprise burns. Once the soap mix is done playing with fire, it's poured into molds to chill out and become the soap of our dreams. Who knew making soap could be such a sizzling adventure?
HANDCRAFTED SOAPS ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
If Mother Earth is your BFF, then handmade eco-friendly soaps are like music to your green-loving ears! These soaps are the rockstars of the eco-world, breaking down into nature-friendly bits and bobs. Made from all things natural, they're like forest fairies that vanish into the environment, leaving behind a sprinkle of sustainability magic.
And hey, here's the cherry on top: we follow a strict no-animal-testing rule. Some even whip up vegan versions, perfect for the ethically and dietarily inclined. By waving the cruelty-free and vegan flags high, we are waving goodbye to animal testing and ushering in a kinder era for personal care goodies.
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