Soap making is a unique opportunity for a person to create their own soap. Soap making allows you the chance to use the exact ingredients that you like, so you dont ever have to settle. Homemade soaps often have the same exact basic ingredients, but then there are certain differences that really set them apart from each other.
Glycerin Soap Most homemade varieties will be a form of glycerin soap. Soap making usually involves the cold process method, which does not remove glycerin. Commercial soaps may remove glycerin or not have it in it, depending on the process they use.
However, the type of glycerin soap that we are speaking about here is characterized as soap that is transparent. When you add extra glycerin to the mixture your soap will be more see-through. The reason people enjoy this type of soap is because glycerin soaps are supposed to be very moisturizing for the skin. Animal Fat-Based Soap
Animal fat is also used sometimes with soap making. You can add rendered animal fat with lye and water to make a soap. This is a basic homemade recipe, and is very inexpensive.
Vegetable-Based Soap Vegetable-based soap is considered better than animal fat-based soap. It is the more popular option because it doesnt clog pores the way animal fat-based soap does. Vegetable oils have been known to give off a rich lather to clean the skin, and are moisturizing so they dont dry out the skin.
Popular vegetable oils used in soap are almond, olive, coconut and avocado oil. Beeswax, palm oil, and olive oil are very popular choices for people with sensitive skin types. During the winter time vegetable-based oils are nice because they add moisture to over-dried skin.
Milk-Based Soap The difference with this type of soap is that you use milk instead of water. This type of soap is very creamy. Advanced soap makers do this type of soap making since it is a little more difficult to get right. Milk-based soap is perfect for moisturizing sensitive skin.
