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

Ingredients in Life of the Party Soap Bases

Ever since I took my first Melt & Pour Soapmaking class in April 2002, I have been using the Life of the Party brand soap bases. And since I have been teaching classes in this method of soapmaking I have been using it because of the ease for the students. Recently one student asked if I used animal products in my soap and told her that I did not. But I wanted to make sure I know that there are superior brands out on the market that may contain animal products or even detergents (which can dry out the skin). I wanted to provide this information for you so that you can decide if you want to purchase this particular soap base or not. If you are interested in purchasing another brand of soap base, check out Opalz Zoaps in Palo Alto. They are selling the clear and opaque soap base for $4.00 per pound and it is a great base. Also check out Juniper Tree in Berkeley.

Clear Glycerin Soap Ingredients:
Aqua, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Stearate, Glycerine, Sucrose, Sodium Laurate, Sorbitol, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Vitamin E, Aloe, Pentasodium Pentetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate

White Glycerin Ingredients:
All of the above with the addition of Titanium Dioxide. This soap base does not include Vitamin E or Aloe.

Olive Oil Suspension Soap Ingredients:
All of the above with the addition of Inert Suspending Agent, Olive Oil. This soap base does not include Vitamin E or Aloe.

Avocado/Cucumber Suspension Soap Ingredients:
All of the above with the addition of: Inert Suspending Agent, Titanium Dioxide, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Cucumber Oil. This soap base does not include Vitamin E or Aloe.

Non-vegan soap bases:

Goats Milk Suspension Soap INGREDIENTS:
Water, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Stearate, Glycerin, Sucrose, Sodium Laurate,Sorbitol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Goat Milk, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Silica, Titanium Dioxide,Pentasodium Pentetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Methylchloroisothiazoline, Methylisothiazoline