Cold process soap is a traditional method of making soap from scratch using oils, lye, and water. Unlike hot process soap, which is cooked in a crockpot or oven, cold process soap is made at room temperature and allowed to cure over several weeks. The result is a luxurious, moisturizing bar of soap that is gentle on the skin.
One of the benefits of cold process soap is that you have complete control over the ingredients. You can customize the recipe to suit your skin type and personal preferences. For example, you can use olive oil for a mild, gentle soap, or coconut oil for a rich, creamy lather. You can also add essential oils, herbs, or other natural ingredients for fragrance and texture.
Throughout history, people have found clever ways to keep things clean, including the use of soap. In fact, an early version of soap was discovered in Mesopotamia and was used mainly for cleaning cooking utensils, textiles, and for medicinal purposes. As time progressed, soap ingredients of fats, oils, and alkaline salts were refined and adapted based on what resources were available.
For example, the Phoenicians and Celts used animal tallow and plant ashes, while the Romans found urine to be a key ingredient. However, the Romans were also the first to use soap as a means of personal hygiene.
Making soap was a craft reserved for the wealthy and a small number of skilled soap makers for most of history. It wasn't until the 13th century that soap-making became more industrialized in the Middle East, with new vegetable-oil soaps becoming popular among the upper classes for their mildness and aromatic fragrance. It was the Christian crusaders and traders who brought these soaps back to Europe to share their benefits.
As a result, France, Italy, Spain, and England began developing their own soap-making techniques. However, it wasn't until the chemistry behind soap-making was widely understood that production became more mainstream. Major discoveries in the late 18th century on how to make the common soap ingredients less expensive also helped, and the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century allowed soap-making to become even more widespread. Today, soap is an everyday commodity that we use for personal hygiene and other cleaning needs.
