cold process

 

There are different methods used to make handcrafted soap. While the Hot Process and the Melt & Pour methods produce soap that can be used within hours of finishing the batch, Cold Process soap has to go through a curing period of 4-6 weeks. As the bars cure, water evaporates, the bars harden, and they become milder. The soap also retains its natural glycerin, which is wonderful for added moisture. 

Cold Process soap is made by blending oils/fats (plant, animal, or both) with a lye (sodium hydroxide) solution to create a solid bar of soap through a chemical reaction called saponification. Unlike the other methods mentioned above, cold process soapmaking doesn't require external heating. The heat is generated by the chemical reaction. There is no residual sodium hydroxide after the soap has saponified. 

Cold process soap batter is poured into molds - which come in many shapes and sizes. After a day or two the soap is removed from the mold, cut, and left to cure for 4-6 weeks until it is ready to find its way to you.