Soap and Detergents
Castile soap - your natural skincare soap.
What is soap?
Soap making is actually chemistry. Soap is the result of a full chemical reaction in which a section of an oil molecule (or fatty acid) attaches to a sodium ion. By choosing oils that have specific molecular properties (in other words, choosing the right oil) and blending them in the right proportions, it’s possible to create the results we want in our soaps – creamy, fluffy lather that’s extra moisturizing in a long-lasting bar.
What happens if you don't get the chemistry right?
This chat came up in my previous class.
Someone's complaining of getting pimples when she made her soap
This happened because he got his soap foundation/soap base wrong
What is the foundation am talking about?
The mixing up or chemical reaction between the lye solution and your chosen oils.
With this, when done right - you've already made a soap by the definition of FDA.
*To meet the definition of soap in FDA’s regulations, a product has to meet three conditions:*
What it’s made of: To be regulated as “soap,” the product must be composed mainly of the “alkali salts of fatty acids,” that is, the material you get when you combine fats or oils with an alkali, such as lye.
What ingredients cause its cleaning action: To be regulated as “soap,” those “alkali salts of fatty acids” must be the only material that results in the product’s cleaning action. If the product contains synthetic detergents, it’s a cosmetic, not a soap. You still can use the word “soap” on the label.
How it's intended to be used: To be regulated as soap, it must be labeled and marketed only for use as soap. If it is intended for purposes such as moisturizing the skin, making the user smell nice, or deodorizing the user’s body, it’s a cosmetic. Or, if the product is intended to treat or prevent disease, such as by killing germs, or treating skin conditions, such as acne or eczema, it’s a drug. You still can use the word “soap” on the label.
You can read the entire regulation at 21 CFR 701.20
So by *FDA definition*
You mixing your lye solution and oils will result in you creating or making a soap.
Yes because it will do the basic action of cleaning.
The other additives(fragrance, colour, etc) is to achieve some additional comfort like smell, moisturizing effect and appearance.
So here is the question
*Is soap base good for skin?*
Yes, as I previously mentioned *soap base* (lye solution and oil mix) have gone through the saponification process, making them safe for the skin. Soap bases are basically your raw material that comes in a block. All melt and pour soap bases contain lye, water, oil and glycerin (which is a byproduct as a result of saponification process)
Now we have an idea of what a soap is.
