Most soaps are formulated with several different oils and waxes that allow us to finetune a recipe to be just right for washing your hair, your laundry, or your pets. Each oil and butter has unique benefits in soap and cosmetics, and we have listed the oils and waxes used the most in our workshop.
Scared of the long names on commercially produced products? They are not as scary as the long, scientific name looks. We have also included the scientific name used on our labels. The long, hard to pronounce names are international nomenclature to ensure that labeling is clear and understandable in anywhere in the world.
Argan Oil: Silky and moisturizing, and high in vitamin A, E, and antioxidants. We often use argan in our hair and skincare lines for soft, smooth skin and soft, shiny hair. In soap, argan oil hardens bars and helps to create a stable, rich lather. Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Avocado Oil: Rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E. The high levels of fatty acids make the oil perfect for moisturizing lotions, body butter, conditioner, and soap. Stabilizes and suspends lather. High vitamin E, other vitamins, and minerals. Great in facial bars and conditioner. Persea Gratissima Oil
Beeswax: We use natural, unbleached beeswax to harden soap bars, balms, and salves. Beeswax also helps to protect skin and lips while locking moisture in place. We source as much beeswax as possible from local apiarists. Cera alba
Canola Oil: Produces creamy lather from a well-balanced bar. Similar to olive oil in soap. Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Seed Oil
Castor Oil: Traditionally used in hair oils and treatments. Moisturizes by drawing moisture into the skin and hair. Makes for fabulous creamy lather with high, stable bubbles in soap. Traditionally used in hair oils and treatments. Makes soap more easily dissolved in water. Shampoo and shave bars feature a higher percentage of castor oil. Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Cocoa Butter: We use heavenly scented cocoa butter in many recipes. Cocoa butter is featured in lotions, creams, salves, ad shampoo bars. Makes hard, long-lasting, and mild bars with a stable, rich lather. Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil forms the base for the majority of our soaps. Coconut oil creates a hard white bar, very cleansing soap with a lot of lather, and large stable bubbles. We also feature coconut oil in our skin and hair care lines. Cocos Nucifera Oil
Hemp Seed Oil: Hemp seed oil is high in vitamins A and E and is a good source of fatty acids. Creates luxurious lather with mild cleansing properties. Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Jojoba Oil: Liquid wax that makes for a stable lather and a long-lasting bar. Jojoba is very close to our natural sebum and is lovely in skin and hair care. Hydrophilic. Stabilizes and suspends lather in bar soap. Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Kokum Butter: Kokum butter is similar to cocoa butter and is lightweight, moisturizing, and absorbs quickly. In soap, kokum butter creates a hard and gentle bar. Garcinia Indica Seed Butter
Lard: Lard has been used for making soap from the start. Our foremothers used lard to create lye-heavy soaps for cleaning and saved a bit for use in the bath. Herbs and extra fat were added to the soap paste to make soap balls not too far off from what we know today. Lard makes hard, creamy white that has a stable, creamy, and conditioning lather. Lard
Olive Oil: Castile, or 100% olive oil soap, is known around the world for making gentle soap with a creamy lather. Olive oil creates soft bars that require a long cure time for the bar to harden, with many choosing to cure Castille soap for a year or longer. Castille soap is gently cleansing, with small bubbles and slippery lather. High in vitamin E and polyphenols. Excellent for sensitive skin. Olea Europaea Oil
Palm Oil: Palm oil is often used to replace lard in vegan soaps for a hard and long-lasting bar with stable lather. Great for those that prefer to not use animal fats such as lard or tallow. We use brands that use sustainable husbandry practices. Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Rice Bran Oil: Rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. The smooth, thick consistency moisturizes and feels like olive oil. Creates a gently cleansing soap with medium lather and a gorgeous sheen. Oryza Sativa
Safflower Oil: Mild and skin-loving oil similar to canola or sunflower oil. Makes for a bar with medium lather, and mild cleansing properties. Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Sesame Oil: Light golden oil high in antioxidants and fatty acids. Moisturizes in soap. We are partial to toasted sesame oil for the moisturizing properties and a natural, smoky scent. Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil.
Shea Butter: Luxurious and moisturizing, shea is featured in the majority of our soaps. Shea creates a silky, rich lather that won’t strip your skin. High in vitamins A and E, fatty acids, and minerals. Ranges in color from cream to dark yellow. Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Sunflower Oil: Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E. Sunflower oil creates a very conditioning lather. The oil has a slow absorption rate on skin and hair. Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Tallow: Those foremothers? They sure did know a good thing when they had it. Tallow creates a hard, white bar that cleans well and has a creamy, stable lather. Tallow does equally well in soap bars as it does in our laundry soap. Tallow
