Lesson 1Common contaminants and their chemical impacts (metal ions, residual acid)Spot common contaminants like metal ions, leftover acids, and dirt in water or raw materials. See how dem dey cause rancidity, DOS, bad texture, and color change, and learn how to stop or fix dem proper.
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 mixes control hardness, lather kind, conditioning feel, cleansing power, and how long di bar last. You go link fatty acid info to real bar action and build balanced recipes wey fit di purpose.
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 timeGrasp di saponification reaction from triglycerides to soap and glycerin. Check how NaOH amount, temperature, mixing, and cure time affect trace, gel phase, conversion, and 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 and behavior of main soaping oils and butters like olive, coconut, palm, shea, castor, sunflower, and cocoa butter, so you fit swap dem smart and tailor recipes for cost and 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 useCheck how soap pH change from pour to full cure, how to test am right, and wetin ranges safe for skin. Learn titration basics to check neutralization and fix harsh or shaky 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 rancidityFind out why soap makers superfat, how to pick good superfat oils, and how amount and timing affect mildness, lather, oxidation, and DOS risk. Build plans wey balance skin feel with shelf life.
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, ricinoleicLook close at key fatty acids and how each one shape lather, hardness, solubility, and conditioning. Learn to read fatty acid profiles and turn dem into steady performance when building or fixing 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 water role and other liquids like milk, tea, hydrosols in dissolving lye, controlling trace, gel, and heat. Learn how water discounts and swaps affect safety, texture, and 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 surfactant: molecular structure, micelle formation, and how pH, water hardness, formulation affect mildness and skin fit while still cleaning good.
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 concernsCheck how clays, botanicals, milks, sugars, and similar additives mix with lye and fats, affect trace, color, lather, and bring preservation or spoilage risks wey you must handle careful.
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
