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What's in the soap?

I am often asked about what is actually in Fragrant Soaps. This is a great question because it’s really important to know what we’re putting on our skin and the impact of the products we use on the world around us.

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If you have any questions which are not covered below, do get in touch by emailing contact@fragrantsoaps.co.uk or by using the contact form and I will be happy to help.

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Rachel

HOW IS SOAP MADE?

Soap is produced when sodium hydroxide (also known as lye or caustic soda), diluted in water, undergoes a chemical reaction with oils and butters. The sodium hydroxide is all used up in this reaction, leaving saponified oils and butters: soap.

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There are a wide variety of oils and butters which can be used, and they all have different properties. For example, some are particularly good at cleansing, others may be moisturising and nourishing, or they might make the bar firmer or softer.

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Colourants and fragrances are added during the process so that the final soap is scented and we can make beautiful designs. Fragrant soaps use essential oils rather than fragrance oils to keep the ingredients as natural as possible and avoid the chemicals which are necessarily part of fragrance oils. Our colourants are cosmetic micas, again choosing those made from naturally occurring minerals rather than chemical dyes.

 

Other ingredients can also be included to contribute to the overall qualities of the soap. Fragrant soaps include two such ingredients, namely white kaolin clay and sodium lactate for a silky smooth texture and firm, long lasting bar.

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The soap remains in the mould for 1-2 days while the saponification process takes places. It can then be cut into bars. The bars are left to cure for around a month. This allows the excess water to evaporate from the soap before it is ready to use.

SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE INGREDIENTS?

All the ingredients in Fragrant Soaps have been chosen carefully for their individual properties and benefits. Together, they make up a unique formulation for to produce soaps which are long lasting, bubbly, cleansing, moisturising and have a lovely luxurious feel to them.

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SODIUM HYDROXIDE: reacts with the oils and butters to create soap

 

WATER: deionised, purified water is used to dilute the sodium hydroxide

 

COCONUT OIL: excellent cleansing properties; produces a lovely bubbly lather

 

OLIVE OIL: attracts and locks moisture into the skin; makes a hard, long lasting soap;

 

SHEA BUTTER: luxurious creamy and moisturising properties

 

RICE BRAN OIL: a nourishing oil that is rich in vitamins and antioxidants; contributes a silky feel to the soap

 

WHITE KAOLIN CLAY: a natural mineral which anchors the fragrance so that the scent lasts longer

 

SODIUM LACTATE: a salt produced through fermentation of sugars, which makes the soap harder

 

ESSENTIAL OILS: blends of various essential oils create the distinctive scents for each soap variety. Essential oils do contain naturally occurring allergens so please check the individual product ingredient lists if that is something you need to be careful of.

 

COSMETIC MICAS: natural colourants made from minerals from the earth

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Are Fragrant Soaps palm oil free?

  • Yes. Palm oil is often used in soap making and there are sustainably produced palm oils on the market, but I have chosen to avoid it entirely in my recipe.

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Are Fragrant Soaps vegan friendly?

  • Fragrant Soaps have not been specifically certified as vegan. However, they do not contain any ingredients derived from animal sources, and there is no animal testing of the ingredients or the finished products. 

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I’m sensitive to lanolin. Is there any in Fragrant Soaps?

  • No, there is no lanolin in my recipe.

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How do I check if there are specific allergens in the soap?

  • Each soap has its ingredients and allergens listed as part of the product information. Please see the individual soap listings for details. You can get in touch by emailing contact@fragrantsoaps.co.uk or by using the contact form if you need further information.

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Have the recipes been assessed for safety?

  • Yes. All of our soaps are made using recipes which have been assessed by a chemist. We have a Cosmetic Product Safety Report in place and are compliant with UK legal requirements for selling soap.

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