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History of Soap

Soap has an ancient history dating back thousands of years and remains vital for self-care and wellness today. Cold process soap, crafted by hand, uses time-honored methods and natural ingredients to create a gentle and luxurious cleansing experience.

Soap originated as early as 2800 BCE, with evidence of soap-like materials in ancient Babylon and Egypt. Initially, soap was made by combining animal fats or plant oils with wood ash, used mainly for cleaning textiles and medicinal purposes. By the Middle Ages, soapmaking became established across Europe, particularly in regions like Southern France and the Mediterranean, where olive oil soaps such as “Castile soap” were prized for their quality.

  • Ancient Greeks and Romans improved soap formulations using scented oils for bathing rituals.

  • Artisanal soapmaking flourished alongside wellness and self-care traditions, supporting both health and luxury rituals throughout history.

How Cold Process Soap Is Made

Cold process soapmaking is a traditional technique that blends plant-based oils or butters—such as olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter—with a sodium hydroxide (lye) solution. This method is valued for its ability to preserve the nourishing properties of natural ingredients.

  • Oils and lye are mixed, triggering the soap’s chemical transformation.

  • The mixture is poured into molds and allowed to cure for several weeks, creating a firm, gentle bar.

  • Cold process soap allows for artisanal touches such as essential oil blending, botanicals, and aromatic Mediterranean-inspired scents.

Chemistry of Soapmaking: Saponification

The key chemical process in cold process soapmaking is called saponification. During saponification, plant oils or butters react with sodium hydroxide (lye), producing soap and glycerin.

  • Oils contain triglycerides, which are made of fatty acids bound to glycerol.

  • When lye is added, it breaks these bonds, combining the fatty acids with sodium ions to form soap, while releasing naturally hydrating glycerin.

The full reaction can be described as:

Fat+NaOH→Soap+GlycerinFat+NaOH→Soap+Glycerin

Cold process soaps from Aurum Garland are thoughtfully crafted to honor these traditions, blending Mediterranean-inspired oils and essential oils in every bar for a naturally luxurious experience.

References:
General soap history and origins
Cold process soapmaking overview
Saponification chemical explanation