Lesson 1Common contaminants and their chemical impacts (metal ions, residual acid)Spot common contaminants like metal ions, leftover acids, and impurities in water or raw materials. See how they cause rancidity, DOS, texture problems, and colour shifts, and learn ways to stop or fix them.
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 longevityDiscover how various oil mixes control hardness, lather quality, conditioning sensation, cleansing power, and bar lifespan. Link fatty acid info to actual bar results and build balanced recipes for specific purposes.
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 the saponification process from triglycerides to soap and glycerin. Explore how NaOH strength, temperature, stirring, and curing time shape trace, gel phase, reaction completeness, 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 butterExamine the chemistry and traits of key soaping oils and butters like olive, coconut, palm, shea, castor, sunflower, and cocoa butter, so you can swap wisely and adjust 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 useSee how soap pH shifts from pour to full cure, how to test it right, and safe ranges for skin. Master titration basics to check neutralisation and sort out harsh or dodgy 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 impact gentleness, lather, oxidation, and DOS risk. Create plans balancing 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 at main fatty acids and their roles in lather, hardness, solubility, and conditioning. Read fatty acid profiles and turn them into expected results when making or tweaking cold process recipes.
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's role and swaps like milk, tea, hydrosols in dissolving lye, managing trace, gel, and heat. Learn how water amounts and changes 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 compatibilityDelve into soap as a surfactant: its structure, micelle formation, and how pH, water hardness, and recipe affect gentleness and skin fit while keeping strong cleansing.
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 such interact with lye and fats, affect trace, colour, lather, and bring preservation or spoilage risks needing careful handling.
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
