Different Types of Soap

Types of soap
Wonderfully colourful and beautifully scented hand-made soaps

In soap making there are four processes or methods that are used – cold process, melt and pour, hot process, and rebatch. I prefer to use the first three for my different types of soap. But if you are wondering what the differences are for each method, I have included a brief description below.

Cold Process Soap

Cold process soap is made without any external heat being applied to it. All the oils and lye are mixed together and this triggers the saponification process. Then, the colour and fragrance are quickly added so it can be poured into a mould.

The soap is heated from the inside out. Therefore we leave the soap to stand for at least 24 hours before taking it out of the mould. 

Once it is taken out of the mould it is cured for about 5 weeks before it can be used. And the longer the soap is cured the milder it becomes.

Hot Process Soap

Hot process soap is one of the more traditional ways of making soap. As the name suggests, the soap making process involves cooking the oils. After mixing all the required oils together in a large pot, they are cooked for about three hours. So they need to be checked frequently.

Once the soap mixture is cooked, colour and fragrances are added and the mixture is poured into a mould. Because cooking the oils speeds up saponification, hot process soaps can be ready 3 – 4 days after being produced. 

It is quite a rustic looking soap, but like everything we produce, only the best ingredients go into Pure RoK  handmade soaps.

Glycerin Soap

Glycerin Soap is also called ‘Melt and Pour’ soap.

I use a non-sweat base, which is white in appearance and is a specific formulated base for humid conditions. It lathers well and produces a rich foam. 

The last ingredients added to these soaps during our manufacturing process are colouring and essential oils. Because of the high glycerin content, these soaps have excellent moisturising properties that leave your skin feeling pleasantly soft. It is also vegan-friendly.

Benefits of using glycerin soap

​This type of soap is extremely popular with hotels and guest house owners. I offer glycerin soap in 15g or 25g bars, wrapped in cellophane and finished off with natural raffia and a handwritten label.

Not surprisingly, it is also one of our best-selling wedding favour soaps, as the colour and fragrance can be specifically chosen to compliment the whole wedding theme.

Ask us anything

Get in touch if you would like more details about any of our soaps, to ask about wholesale prices or purchasing glycerin soaps for Guest soaps or wedding favours. Use the Contact form or email me direct at purerok1@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

find out more about our different types of soap. Contact Katrina at purerok.com
Image credit : Rebecca Hannah Photo