Lesson 1Common contaminants and their chemical impacts (metal ions, residual acid)Identify common contaminants like metal ions, residual acids, an impurities in water or raw materials. Learn how dem trigger rancidity, DOS, texture issues, an color changes, an how fi prevent or correct dem.
Sources of metal ions in typical soap studiosChelators to bind metals and prevent DOSResidual acid or lye imbalance problemsEffects of impure water and storage conditionsTesting and documenting contamination issuesLesson 2How oil blends affect hardness, lather, conditioning, cleansing and longevityLearn how different oil blends control hardness, lather type, conditioning feel, cleansing strength, an bar longevity. Yuh wi connect fatty acid data to real bar behavior an design balanced, purpose-driven recipes.
Balancing hard and soft oils in a base recipeDesigning for creamy vs bubbly lather profilesManaging cleansing vs mildness in daily soapsFormulating for longevity and low mushinessUsing calculators to predict bar propertiesLesson 3Principles of saponification: triglycerides, fatty acids, NaOH reaction, heat and timeUnderstand di saponification reaction from triglycerides to soap an glycerin. Study how NaOH concentration, temperature, mixing, an cure time influence trace, gel phase, conversion efficiency, an final bar quality.
From triglycerides to soap and glycerinEffect of lye concentration on trace speedTemperature control, gel phase, and insulationTime, cure, and completion of saponificationRecognizing and avoiding false trace issuesLesson 4Common oils and butters: detailed properties of olive, coconut, palm, shea, castor, sunflower, cocoa butterStudy di chemistry an behavior of major soaping oils an butters, including olive, coconut, palm, shea, castor, sunflower, an cocoa butter, so yuh can substitute intelligently an tailor recipes to cost an performance.
Olive oil grades and their soaping behaviorCoconut oil levels and skin tolerance limitsPalm and alternatives for sustainable hardnessShea, cocoa, and luxury butters in formulasCastor and sunflower as supporting liquid oilsLesson 5pH testing, titration basics, and typical soap pH ranges during cure and at useExplore how soap pH changes from pour to full cure, how fi test it correctly, an what ranges are considered safe fi skin. Learn titration basics to verify neutralization an troubleshoot harsh or unstable batches.
Using pH strips and meters correctly in soapInterpreting pH during gel and cure stagesSafe pH ranges for body, face, and household barsSimple titration to check excess lye or fatCorrecting batches with off‑spec pH readingsLesson 6Superfatting: purpose, free oils, choice of superfatting agents, effect on shelf life and rancidityLearn why soap makers superfat, how fi choose suitable superfat oils, an how level an timing affect mildness, lather, oxidation, an DOS risk. Develop strategies dat balance skin feel wid shelf stability.
Reasons to superfat and typical usage rangesChoosing which oils to reserve as superfatsIn‑the‑pot vs lye discount superfat methodsSuperfat level, oxidation, and DOS formationDesigning stable superfatted commercial barsLesson 7Fatty acid profiles and functional contributions: lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, ricinoleicExamine key fatty acids an how each shape lather, hardness, solubility, an conditioning. Learn fi read fatty acid profiles an translate dem into predictable performance when building or adjusting cold process formulas.
Lauric and myristic acids for cleansing latherPalmitic and stearic acids for hardness and longevityOleic and linoleic for conditioning and glideRicinoleic acid and its lather boosting roleReading and comparing fatty acid chartsLesson 8Role of water and liquid substitutes (milk, tea, hydrosols) in trace and reaction rateUnderstand di role of water an alternative liquids like milk, tea, an hydrosols in dissolving lye, controlling trace, gel, an heat. Learn how water discounts an substitutions affect safety, texture, an cure time.
Lye solution strength and safe mixing ratiosWater discount and its effect on trace speedUsing milks and teas as full or partial waterManaging heat, gel, and potential overheatingAdjusting cure time for different water levelsLesson 9Soap molecules: surfactant structure, micelles, pH and skin compatibilityDive into soap as a surfactant: molecular structure, micelle formation, an how pH, water hardness, an formulation influence mildness an skin compatibility while still providing effective cleansing action.
Hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tailsHow micelles lift and suspend soilsImpact of pH on skin barrier and feelWater hardness, scum, and chelating agentsFormulating for sensitive or dry skin typesLesson 10Role of additives (clays, botanicals, milks, sugars) on chemistry and preservation concernsInvestigate how clays, botanicals, milks, sugars, an similar additives interact wid lye an fats, influence trace, color, an lather, an introduce preservation or spoilage risks dat mus be managed carefully.
Clays for slip, color, and oil absorptionBotanical powders and risk of discolorationUsing milks safely without scorching or spoilageSugars, honey, and heat management in moldsWhen and how to use preservatives or chelators
