What is cold saponification?
The manufacturing process
Cold saponification is a solid soap making technique that has been used for a very long time. As its name suggests, this artisanal production is made cold. The only heat emitted comes from the saponification process itself.
To make it, we combine a fatty substance (vegetable oil or vegetable butter) and a strong base. For a solid soap, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) is used as a strong base. Potash (potassium hydroxide) is used to make pasty or liquid soaps.
Following the chemical reaction of saponification between these ingredients, the block is left to dry at room temperature. It will thus harden away from light and humidity for 4 weeks: this is the "curing phase". The end result is a superfatted solid soap rich in glycerine, naturally produced during the various stages.
Despite its many advantages, this method remains increasingly neglected. The soaps found in supermarkets or even in organic stores are generally made from noodles. These are small grains very often based on palm oil. In this case, the heating and the intensive techniques used tend to eliminate the goodness present in the ingredients. Additionally, chemical agents can be added. They make it possible to colour, perfume or foam, for example. Glycerin is also removed.
However, we must not forget that some soaps need to be made hot: this is the case of Marseille soap and Aleppo soap. For the latter, it remains preferable to choose artisanal and local production, the manufacture of which will surely be more natural and more respectful for the skin.
The benefits of cold saponification
Cold saponification has many advantages. First of all, this method of preparation retains all the benefits of the oils or butters used to create a surgras soap. Depending on the properties of the fatty substances used, it will therefore be more or less nourishing, antioxidant, emollient, protective, etc. The glycerin present in large quantities also has moisturizing properties.
A handmade soap made in this way will therefore be more suited to the needs of your skin, much more than industrial soaps denatured by their method of production and their more chemical composition, which are by definition more drying and aggressive for the epidermis.
Good for the skin... but not only !
100% eco-friendly
The ingredients used being natural, these soaps are not only virtuous for the skin but also for the environment since they are 100% biodegradable. Their use does not pollute water or land.
The ecological impact of this technique is very low: this confection does not require a lot of energy since it is made at low temperatures. Thus, the energy used is mainly that of the soap maker.
Similarly, while the industrial way requires a lot of water in the manufacturing process to remove all the impurities of the non-"noble" oils used (and with them, the glycerin), cold saponification has almost no no need for water.
The absence of synthetic products and synthetic fragrances further reduces the energy consumption necessary for the manufacture of natural soap.
Bringing our craftsmen to life
The manufacture of a cold soap is artisanal, impossible to manufacture it in an industrial way. Thus, using such soap makes the local economy work. It relies on the know-how of our artisans such as the Brune and Isaure sisters of La Manufacture du Siècle in Carpentras.
Cold saponification for every skin type
Oily skin prone to imperfections (acne, dilated pores, shiny skin) will appreciate soaps based on essential oils of tea tree, laurel, lavender or rosemary with purifying properties.
A cold saponified soap can also be used for baby's toilet. But, favor a formulation without essential oils just like for pregnant women, and with a soothing natural vegetable oil: calendula, sweet almond, shea.
Donkey's milk is also widely used in this type of soap for its soothing and gentle properties, which are ideal for reactive and sensitive skin.
Although they are less aggressive than industrial soaps, cold saponified soaps still have a basic pH (around 9). As a result, skin requiring neutral pH cleansing (7) does not always tolerate it. However, being superfatted and enriched with glycerin, they sometimes have a miraculous effect on eczema. In particular those based on calendula, shea or sweet almond.
Finally, some of these soaps can also be used for the hair. In this case, favor those rich in clay, rhassoul, silk or rice starch.
How to choose your cold soap?
As with any cosmetic treatment, you need to consider your skin type and the benefits you are looking for when choosing your soaps. Due to their overgreasing, they can be considered as a natural treatment in their own right during your shower or your bath.
This type of saponification is primarily ideal for dry skin. The latter usually fear solid soaps because they are often drying. Cold soaps are superfatted and therefore very nourishing. Those richest in rapeseed, rosehip, borage, evening primrose or shea have many benefits when the skin begins to lack suppleness and the first wrinkles and fine lines appear on the body.
Our Geranium Bar Soap adapts to all skin types, without the risk of skin feeling tight after cleansing.
Made with 100% ingredients of natural origin and 97% French ingredients, it combines three vegetable oils:
- Olive Oil: Rich in vitamins A, C, D and E and essential fatty acids. It softens, protects and participates in cell renewal.
- Rapeseed oil: rich in omega 3, it is a moisturizing active of choice
- Sunflower oil: tolerated by all skin types, even oily skin, it maintains the suppleness and ensures the elasticity of the skin thanks to its richness in omega 9.
These oils are combined with geranium leaves grown in the King's Vegetable Garden of Versailles. They are harvested by hand with respect for the environment and according to the principle of agroecology. Geranium leaves have purifying and antioxidant properties, ideal for the most capricious skins
This detox soap with a delicious floral scent fulfills one simple need: gentle cleansing.
On the face or on the body, you can use it daily without risking sensitizing your skin.
Take care of your cold saponified soap
The cold saponified soaps come from local productions. They are more fragile and require more care than industrial soaps. To store your soap bar, place it on an open support such as a rack. Leave it away from splashes to dry between uses.
So, ready to make the switch to cold saponified soap?