Difference Between Cold-processed Soap Vs Commercial Soap
Isn’t it all just soap? Isn’t it a cleanser? Does any difference really exist between them?
Natural soaps are made from materials in nature, like, plant oil, honey, goat milk, charcoal and other materials.
Difference Between Cold-processed Soap Vs Commercial Soap
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Cold pressed soap |
Commercial soap |
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Ingredients |
Typically made with natural ingredients such as vegetable oil, essential oil and lye. Additives like herbs, clays, natural clays are used. |
Contain detergents, petroleum based products and chemical additives. |
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Production process |
Made by mixing oil and lye at room temperature. |
Uses hot process and continuation process to speeden up the process. |
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Skin benefits |
More gentle and suitable for the skin. Natural oils and glycerin help in moisturising the skin |
May contain harsh detergents and synthetic ingredients. Sensitive skin is prone to allergies. |
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Environmental Impact |
More environment friendly. Sustainable and eco-friendly practices. |
Synthetic chemicals contribute to environment pollution and packaging can generate more waste. |
- Made with natural ingredients.
- Retains glycerin in its saponification process. Glycerin keeps the skin moisturised.
- It is gentler on skin. Suitable even for the sensitive skin type.
- They are often handmade in smaller batches. Allowing focus on details and focus on quality.
- Sustainable and eco-friendly practices in both making and packaging.
- Allows customisation for all skin types and their needs.
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Has a longer shelf life than other soap-making processes.
- They may be expensive due to high quality ingredients and labour intensive work.
- Though they are customisable, they are limited to a range of colours, scents and formulation.
- They require a longer curing time. Which means, a wait period exists between their production time and their use.
- Mass produced soaps maintain consistent characteristics from batch to batch.
- Allow a wide range of options to choose from. They have different scents, colours and formulations.
- Readily and easily accessible.
- Affordability. They are way more cost effective than hand made cold pressed soaps.
- They contain synthetic additives, fragrance and preservatives which makes it less appealing in the growing need for a sustainable and eco-friendly world.
- They get harsh on skin, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Glycerin which is a main component for soaps is removed.
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They impact the environment, with concerns over their packaging and non- sustainable ingredients.
- Base oil or fats: for example, olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil, palm oil.
- Lye: a need for a saponification process. A chemical reaction which turns oils and fats to soap.
- Liquid: water or milk is used as a liquid base for the lye solution. Milk is used for more creaminess.
- Additives: Ingredients like clay, herbs, charcoal and natural colourants are used for silky texture, exfoliation, detoxifying and colours respectively.
- Essential oils: Oils derived from plants are used for natural scent to the soap.
- Glycerin: It is a natural by-product of the saponification process which helps in moisturising the skin.
- Commercial Soap Ingredients
- Surfactants: They create lather and help in cleansing. They can be derived from coconut oil but are often synthesised. For example, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.
- Moisturisers: Various oils like palm oil and mineral oil are used for moisturising properties.
- Thickeners and stabilisers: Sodium chloride and Tetrasodium EDTA are used to harden and stabilise the soap respectively.
- Preservatives: Synthetic preservatives like parabens and phenoxyethanol are used to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Fragrances and colours: Synthetically processed fragrance and dyes are used.
- Humectants: It helps in retaining the moisture in the soap.
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Fillers and additives: Titanium dioxide id used as a whitening agent while talc or Kaolin clay is used to improve the texture of the soap.
