The Magic of the Saponification Process

Soap making is an age-old tradition that has been used for centuries to keep our skin clean and healthy. One of the most important ingredients in soap making is sodium hydroxide, also known as NaOH or lye. NaOH is an essential and beneficial component of soap making. In this blog post, we'll explore the positive aspects of using NaOH in soap making.

Before we get started, did you know that we call ourselves NAOH Skincare as this is the ONLY chemical that we use within our Body Bar and Face Cube range.

NaOH is a strong alkali that is essential in the saponification process, which is the chemical reaction that transforms oils and fats into soap. Without NaOH, soap cannot be made. When NaOH is mixed with water and added to oils, it causes a chemical reaction that breaks down the oils into their fatty acid components. These fatty acids then react with the NaOH to form soap.

The NaOH is essentially used up in this reaction and is no longer present in the soap once it has been fully saponified. The NaOH dissipates leaving no chemical compound behind.

One of the benefits of using NaOH in soap making is that it produces a hard, long-lasting bar of soap.

NaOH is a natural and sustainable ingredient. It is derived from the electrolysis of salt water, making it an environmentally friendly and renewable resource. Unlike synthetic ingredients, NaOH is biodegradable and does not harm the environment.

Overall, the use of NaOH in soap making is essential and beneficial. It allows for precise control over the soap making process, is a natural and sustainable ingredient, which we love. This vital ingredient helps us here in the NAOH Lab to create the perfect bar of soap for you to enjoy.