
Cold Process - High Glycerine, what do you mean?
All Elicious soap is made according to the traditional "cold method" and has a high glycerine content.
I know we are always talking about the high glycerin content and how good it is for your skin. But what exactly does that mean? A logo is nice, but it doesn't say much.
So; what exactly is glycerine? Glycerine, also called glycerol, is derived from vegetable oils. It also occurs naturally in fermented goods, such as beer, wine and bread. This ingredient was "accidentally" discovered in 1779 by a Swedish chemist heating an olive oil mixture. He identified the resulting fat as glycerine.
So let's start by explaining what the "Cold Process Soap" is. It is the most traditional method of making soap. It gives the soap maker (soap maker) full control over the finished bar of soap. Cold Method soap is made from a combination of fats or vegetable oils (eg palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil….) With an alkali (sodium hydroxide) and water solution. The oils and alkali are heated, combined and stirred. This is where the necessary chemical reaction takes place and each alkali molecule binds with a fat / oil molecule to form soap.
Then the other ingredients are added by us for each specific soap and the soap batter is gently poured into special molds to cure for several days. Once the soap has been removed from the mold and cut into the correct shape, it can take 4 weeks to several months for the soap to "cure" and reach the correct pH value. Then enjoying the soap begins. Our handmade soaps contain extra oils or butters, which provides additional hydrating benefits.
We carefully choose our blend of base oils and ingredients depending on how we want the finished bar of soap to be. Like baking a cake to get different textures and flavors, favorite soap recipes are often passed down to families for generations.
A natural byproduct of cold process soap making is glycerine. Glycerin molecules are left over when the fatty acids react and combine with the alkali molecules. Large and industrial soap manufacturers remove glycerine from their soaps for use in high-end cosmetics. Our cold method soap retains all of its natural glycerin and always has a creamy, rich and decadent lather that nourishes your skin while cleansing. A small side note is that if you see "soap" in the store with names like "beauty bar", "bad bar" etc. it is actually not soap at all. Those products are actually chemical detergents made in a lab (think dish soap and you have the right idea). The fancy names only mask the fact that it is not legal to call it soap!
Now finally about that glycerine, what does that do for you?
First of all, our soap is vegan and a great option for those with sensitive skin. The natural oils from your skin are often removed during a shower or bath. This may be due to the "soap" used and / or hard water. Glycerin helps you retain your skin's natural moisture and prevent dryness. This is especially beneficial if you suffer from skin problems such as acne - dermatitis (eczema) - dry skin - psoriasis - rosacea. At the same time, glycerine is not fat. So also a great choice for anyone with oily or combination skin. Glycerin also has anti-aging benefits. According to a study reported in Science Daily, the ingredients can help even out your skin tone and texture. This can reduce the appearance of fine lines and other surface imperfections.
Glycerin is considered non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
Are there any negatives to consider?
While our soap is safe for all skin types, the moisturizing effect of glycerine can be a nuisance for those with particularly oily skin. By doing a patch test on a particularly oily area, you can determine how it will affect your skin. However, we have not received such feedback from any of our customers so far.
If you have extremely oily skin, we recommend that you give our soaps with active charcoal a try. Chances are you will get hooked.
Another tip: if you want your handmade soap to last a long time, use a soap dish or soap dish to keep the soap nice and dry. That way, your soap will last more washes than you thought possible. Look here for good solutions.
->Do you want to stay informed?
From our Minimal Waste Lifestyle, new products, fun promotions and blogs? Register now!