Sunday, September 6, 2009

Common MP Soap Ingredients

From Debbie May, President of Wholesale Supplies Plus (http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/), has kindly listed of Common MP Soap Base Ingredients on her soap making forum.

If you are a melt and pour soapmaker and you are wondering what are some of the ingredients in your soap bases, you may find the following:

Propylene Glycol – A natural humectant that acts as a wetting agent for certain ingredients. It assists certain ingredients to mix with water.

Sorbitol - A natural humectant that is used to improve the clarity of the soap.

Glycerin – A natural humectant and emollient used to improve the clarity of the soap.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLeS)- A very popular ingredient based on lauric acid. Lauric acid is the main acid in coconut oil and palm kernel fatty acids and is believed to have antimicrobiral properties. SLeS allows for better distribution of soap while cleansing. It is a foaming agent (increases lather), detergent (compound intended to assist with cleansing) and surfactant (lowers surface tension thus a grease cutter). Aids in the rinsability of soap. Is not natural.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) - A very popular ingredient based on lauric acid. Lauric acid is the main acid in coconut oil and palm kernel fatty acids and is believed to have antimicrobiral properties. SLS allows for better distribution of soap while cleansing. It is a foaming agent (increases lather), detergent (compound intended to assist with cleansing) and surfactant (lowers surface tension thus a grease cutter). Aids in the rinsability of soap. Is not natural.

Sodium Stearate – Natural cleansing agent which is the result of saponifying palm vegetable fatty acids with caustic soda.

Sodium Myristate – Natural cleansing agent which is the result of saponifying coconut and/or palm vegetable fatty acids with caustic soda.

Sodium Cocoyl Isothianate – Man made mild surfactant that is derived from coconut oil. It produces a dense creamy foam.

Triethanolamine – A man made pH adjuster. It aids in the clarity of the soap by neutralizing the excess free fatty acids in the soap base.

Water – A natural solvent for soap making and saponification process.

Sorbitan Oleate – A natural emulsifier for vegetable oils.

Sodium Cocoate – A natural cleansing agent that is the result of the saponifying coconut oil with caustic soda.

Sodium Laurate - A natural cleansing agent that is the result of the saponifying lauric acid with caustic soda.

Lauric acid – A man made cleansing agent and surfactant. It is the main acid in coconut oil and palm kernel fatty acids. Allows for better distribution of soap while cleansing, increase lather and helps cut greasy dirt. Aids in the rinsability of soap.

Titanium Dioxide – A natural opacifier. It makes white soap white.


Source: http://forums.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/index.php?showtopic=636&pid=3171&st=0&#entry3171

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