There are three (3) different ways to make soap. Each creates soap using the same base ingredients, however the procedures are a little bit different. While not all soap is the same, soap is-- well... soap. If made correctly, the soap should work just the same from any process or ingredient used. For instance, you would probably never know if you were using a CP/OP bar instead of a CP bar or vise versa.
Processes (Only applies to Lye Soap)
*Cold Process- This is the process most soapers use to make their soap. Oils are combined with Lye water until the mixture is "traced" (thickens up.) Once the soap has "traced," fragrace/essential oils and colorants are added in. Soap is then poured into a mold to harden up. Usually after 3-5 days, you can then unmold and cut the soap. Once the soap is cut, it must air dry for 4-8 weeks before being used. (This is to make sure the lye in the soap isn't caustic.) Yield- Nice, pretty, smooth bars
*Cold Process/Oven Process- Same as Cold Process except you pop your mold into the oven and let the soap heat for about an hour. Soap can be cut and used the next day. Yield- May have bubbles from boiling
*Hot Process- This one is different after you get to your "trace" phase. Once there you cook the soap until it liquifies and hardens up again, then add your fragrance/essential oils and colorants and pour into a mold. Once the soap has cooled off, you can cut it and use it. Yield- Possible ugly bars due to racing the clock to get the soap in the mold before it hardens
Ingredients
The biggest difference in ingredients is in the oil selection. Some soap makers use animal fat and some use vegtable oil. Every major soap manufacturer uses a form of tallow in their soap. (No wonder most of us have skin problems....)
*Vegtable Oil- Vegtable oil can include: coconut oil, palm oil, canola oil, hemp oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, etc... When soapers use all vegatable oil in their soaps, it's known as "Vegan"
*Tallow- Is animal fat. If a soaper uses lard, beef fat, or any other animal fat, it falls into this category.
Scents
Essential Oils- are pure distillations of flowers, herbs, roots, or resins that have not been cut with any kind of carrier oil. These oils are often expensive, and they are prized for their potent fragrances as well as their medicinal benefits.
Fragrance Oils- are almost always synthetic.
Types of Soap
*Lye- A dangerous substance that's made from burnt wood. Protective devices must be worn when dealing with lye. No lye = No soap Yield- No chemicals, completely natural soap
*Melt & Pour- A new way to make soap for people who don't want to mess with lye. All you do is cut it up and pop it in the microwave. Once it's melted, mix in fragrance/essential oils and colorant and pour into your mold. Soap will be done in a couple of hours. This type of soap is also referred to as Glycerin soap. One marketing slogan was, "So easy kids can do it!" Yield- 100% Chemicals
~ There are HUGE differences in lye soap and M&P soap. Please make sure you know what you're buying. Double and triple check the ingredients and if you're still not sure, ask the soaper. ~
