Question:
What is handmade soap and how is it different from store bought
soap?
Answer:
The process that results in soap is called saponification. True soap is made
by combining sodium hydroxide (lye), oils and or fats, and water or milk in a
process known as saponification. This process takes several days to
complete. A natural byproduct of saponification is glycerin. Handmade,
cold process soap retains this naturally occurring, moisturizing glycerin,
which is a wonderful skin softening emollient. Almost all commercially
manufactured soaps that we buy today remove the glycerin and contain
cheap fillers, detergents, and preservatives.
Question:
Why are handmade soaps more expensive than store bought
soaps?
Answer:
There are two reasons why handmade soaps are more expensive than
commercial soaps. Natural ingredients are more expensive than synthetic
ingredients. The prices of essential oils fluctuate from season to season
and crop to crop depending upon supply and demand. The quality of
natural ingredients also varies. Our handmade soaps are made from the
best natural ingredients available. We use the finest natural ingredients
available. The second reason handmade soaps are more expensive is that
handmade soaps are...handmade. Making soap this way takes time and
care. This care and personal attention produces a better bar of soap,
which does cost a little more.
Question:
How should I care for my handmade soap?
Answer:
Before use, keep your soap in a cool, dry place. You want to retain the
volatile components of the soap in the bar before you use it. After using
your soap, never leave it sitting in a puddle of water. The bar will become
waterlogged and soggy causing the soap to dissolve much faster.
Question:
Can you make soap without lye?
Answer:
It's impossible to make soap without lye (or some other caustic base
substance to turn the fat molecules into soap compounds). I have heard
other soap makers claim that their soap contains no lye. That is confusing
because it sounds like they're saying lye was not an ingredient. What they
mean is, when made correctly soap doesn't contain lye. Once the
saponification process is complete you no longer have lye, water and oils.
You have soap. Don't let lye scare you. Correctly made and cured
handcrafted soap is milder than the "detergent bars" we're used to.
Question:
Why do most store bought soaps give me dry skin?
Answer:
A lot of companies will extract the glycerin found in soap at a certain stage
of the soap making process. It is then sold separately or added to other
products, such as melt and pour soap aka microwave soap. A lot of them
will even add harsh additives and fillers. This is usually covered up with
heavy perfumes and dyes. From now on when shopping for soap
look at the label, you probably won't be able to even pronounce the
ingredients in
commercial bars.
Question:
What is glycerin and why is it important?
Answer:
Glycerin, a natural by-product of soap making, is the magic ingredient in
handcrafted soap. Pound-for-pound, glycerin costs more than soap, which
is why many soap companies remove the glycerin from soap and sell it to
manufacturers of other products. With our handcrafted soap, you get a
soap and moisturizer in one!
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at
admin@southern-essence.com or Click Here.
What is handmade soap and how is it different from store bought
soap?
Answer:
The process that results in soap is called saponification. True soap is made
by combining sodium hydroxide (lye), oils and or fats, and water or milk in a
process known as saponification. This process takes several days to
complete. A natural byproduct of saponification is glycerin. Handmade,
cold process soap retains this naturally occurring, moisturizing glycerin,
which is a wonderful skin softening emollient. Almost all commercially
manufactured soaps that we buy today remove the glycerin and contain
cheap fillers, detergents, and preservatives.
Question:
Why are handmade soaps more expensive than store bought
soaps?
Answer:
There are two reasons why handmade soaps are more expensive than
commercial soaps. Natural ingredients are more expensive than synthetic
ingredients. The prices of essential oils fluctuate from season to season
and crop to crop depending upon supply and demand. The quality of
natural ingredients also varies. Our handmade soaps are made from the
best natural ingredients available. We use the finest natural ingredients
available. The second reason handmade soaps are more expensive is that
handmade soaps are...handmade. Making soap this way takes time and
care. This care and personal attention produces a better bar of soap,
which does cost a little more.
Question:
How should I care for my handmade soap?
Answer:
Before use, keep your soap in a cool, dry place. You want to retain the
volatile components of the soap in the bar before you use it. After using
your soap, never leave it sitting in a puddle of water. The bar will become
waterlogged and soggy causing the soap to dissolve much faster.
Question:
Can you make soap without lye?
Answer:
It's impossible to make soap without lye (or some other caustic base
substance to turn the fat molecules into soap compounds). I have heard
other soap makers claim that their soap contains no lye. That is confusing
because it sounds like they're saying lye was not an ingredient. What they
mean is, when made correctly soap doesn't contain lye. Once the
saponification process is complete you no longer have lye, water and oils.
You have soap. Don't let lye scare you. Correctly made and cured
handcrafted soap is milder than the "detergent bars" we're used to.
Question:
Why do most store bought soaps give me dry skin?
Answer:
A lot of companies will extract the glycerin found in soap at a certain stage
of the soap making process. It is then sold separately or added to other
products, such as melt and pour soap aka microwave soap. A lot of them
will even add harsh additives and fillers. This is usually covered up with
heavy perfumes and dyes. From now on when shopping for soap
look at the label, you probably won't be able to even pronounce the
ingredients in
commercial bars.
Question:
What is glycerin and why is it important?
Answer:
Glycerin, a natural by-product of soap making, is the magic ingredient in
handcrafted soap. Pound-for-pound, glycerin costs more than soap, which
is why many soap companies remove the glycerin from soap and sell it to
manufacturers of other products. With our handcrafted soap, you get a
soap and moisturizer in one!
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at
admin@southern-essence.com or Click Here.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Southern Essence Handcrafted Soaps & Gifts 109 White Oak Drive Youngsville, NC 27596 admin@southern-essence.com Call Toll Free: 1-877-800-0296 |
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