Learn a little more about these humble yet terrifically skin-loving bath companions in this section. I’ll try to address as many commonly asked questions about my all-natural handmade soap here.
All Kinder Soaps Are Made From Scratch Using The Cold Process Method
Very simply put, the cold process method of soapmaking involves mixing fats (whether from animal or plant sources) with specific amount of a strong alkaline solution, usually sodium hydroxide. The chemical reaction between these two ingredients is known as saponification, which, if performed correctly, results in what we all know as soap at the end. Additives such as fragrance and colourants may be added to the liquid soap mixture before it hardens to enhance its beneficial properties, or to pretty it up.
At The Kinder Soap Company, I only use vegetable oils, pure essential oils and natural colourants such as clay. The main reason being is that I want to stay clear of known skin irritants which are so commonly found in commercially-produced ‘soap’ bars, which really are detergent-based.
Cold Process Soap Lathers Naturally Without The Need For Chemical Additives
The next time you pick up bar of soap from the pharmacy or supermarket, check its list of ingredients. You will probably spot this one: Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS), or its close relative, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. These are cheap foaming and cleansing agents that are also used to make household floor cleaners (but of course in higher percentages in such products). In order to make commercially-viable ‘soap’ products, companies opt to use these ingredients to cause their products to lather and cleanse. They do clean well, but for some of us who have more sensitive skin, we find that SLS strips off our skin’s precious natural oil barrier, leaving most of us with uncomfortably dry, itchy and red patches on our skin.
In my cold process soap, the saponified vegetable oils lather naturally, with different oils giving different kinds of lather and varying degrees of hardness to a bar of soap. For a quick overview of which oils produce what kinds of lather, read this article.
Prolong Their Lifespans By Keeping Them Dry
As cold process soap bars generally tend to be softer than most commercially-produced bath products, it’s best to rest your soaps on well-drained soap dishes in between uses. Don’t let them sit in a puddle of water, or your precious soap bars will melt down into forlorn-looking puddles of goo. They’re still usable, but nowhere near as pretty as when you first got them!
Essential Oils Not Only Smell Great, But Can Do Wonders For Your Skin Too
I am a firm believer of marrying form and function. A lot of customers have said things like, “Oh they smell/look so good, I almost can’t bear to use your soap!”. This is really flattering, thank you! 
But in all seriousness, the essential oil blends I have in my soap are there mostly for the purpose of addressing your skin’s needs. The fact that they smell divine is a nice bonus.
So I stay away from artificial fragrances in my soap, no matter how mild their manufacturers claim them to be—because first and foremost, my mission is to save our skins. If I do make the special effort to pretty up my soap bars, it will not be at the expense of this goal.
6 Comments
hi really admire ur effort in helping the others. ur articles are great & interesting. Actually where can i purchase sodium hydoxide(lye) in m’sia? thanking u in advance
Dear Michelle,
(My condolences to you and your family thru the situation you re facing now.)
It’s extremely refreshing and indeed blessed that I came across your page while sourcing some information on my soap making this past midnight . I am a lady who too am at the verge of startin up a soap company of my own and consider it a great blessing to come across ppl who share the same vision to of doing the best we can for the environment and for the the community. It will we great if we we could actually take an opportunity would love to meet up with you perhaps to discuss our passion and who knows we may see if we could work something out together in the near future . Do email me at shangjeen@hotmail.com. or you can reach me at my number 0173171377( Shang Jeen) Thnk you
Are the soaps OK to be used to cleanse the face? Would it be to harsh for the face?
I’ve just got back from Taiwan. There’s a famous soap shop there too, called 阿原肥皂. Hope your business can grow to that extent some day!
P/s: Just found out that you are my senior from Warwick!
Happy new year Ad! Heeeey, great to know you’re a fellow Warwickian! Which year were you in? I graduated in 2002.
Yes most all-natural soaps are gentle enough to use for the face, although I would advise against the more exfoliating ones that contain seeds or coffee grinds, for example. But to be safe you can stick to those which have essential oils like lavender, patchouli, tea tree (if your skin is the oily kind). Goat’s milk soaps in general are very mild too.
And thank you for your kind wishes for my business! I don’t read chinese, but I’m guessing that you’re referring to the Ah Yuan soap from Taiwan? I’ve seen them being sold in Malaysia too, mostly in organic stores. I’m glad they’re doing well!
Hello Michelle. I became a Warwickian in Sept 2002. So I guess I hadn’t seen you around in Warwick.
My aunt bought us some of your soaps to try. I’ve been using the Goats Milk and Patchouli Soap for about 2 weeks and I love it. A few ‘long term’ itchy spots on my legs cured and recovered. No more scratching!
I have a bar of Charcoal and Tea Tree with me. But, I don’t see it listed on the product page. Anyway, I will try it after using the Goat Milk one. As a suggestion, how about adding charcoal into current Tea Tree, Lemongrass and Lime Soap? Do you think it works?
Awesome! Glad to hear that the goats milk and patchouli bar helped clear up those itchy spots! Yeah I’ve been a little lax on updating my products page lately, that’s why you don’t see the Charcoal Tea Tree bar listed there (internet here can be painfully slow!
) That’s an interesting proposition on adding charcoal to the Tea Tree, Lemongrass and Lime bar (yes it’s feasible and would be effective in clearing up congested skin), but I’m actually testing out a new charcoal soap recipe with some other essential oils for another purifying type of soap. Will blog about that in the near future, watch this space! 
Oh do you know a Su Hsien from Warwick? What did you study there? I was a Management Science graduate. Bestest choose-what-you-want-to-study degree around, I think!
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