Making Cold Process (CP) Soap and pH Adjustment

Making cold process (CP) soap from scratch involves a chemical reaction called saponification, where oils or fats react with a strong alkali (Sodium Hydroxide or lye) to create soap and glycerin. The type and ratio of oils used significantly affect the soap's properties, including lather.

Common oils and fats used in CP soap making include:

• Coconut Oil: Provides excellent lather and hardness.
• Olive Oil: Known for its mildness and conditioning properties.
• Palm Oil or other solid fats (like Shea Butter): Contributes to bar hardness and stable lather.

The basic process involves carefully mixing the lye solution with the melted oils/fats at specific temperatures until "trace" is reached (when the mixture thickens). The mixture is then poured into molds and left to saponify and harden.

Regarding adjusting the pH of CP soap to reduce curing time, it is generally not possible or advisable. Cold process soap naturally has a high pH initially due to the Sodium Hydroxide. The curing period (typically 4-6 weeks) is crucial for the saponification process to complete and for excess water to evaporate, which results in a harder, milder bar with a lower, safer pH. Attempting to lower the pH prematurely by adding acidic substances would interfere with the saponification process and could result in a soft, unstable, or even unsafe product that doesn't fully saponify. As mentioned by the staff, trying to lower the pH of soap made with Sodium Hydroxide will cause the soap to become liquid and not harden. If you need a soap with a lower pH that doesn't require a long cure time, consider alternative soap types like syndet bars (synthetic detergent bars) which are formulated to be pH 5.5 and are much milder on the skin from the start.