Converting Liquid Cleansing Base to Solid Bar Soap
Question
I have a liquid cleansing base formulation and would like to convert it into a solid soap bar. Is it possible to achieve this by adding solidifiers like Sodium Lactate or Sodium Cocoamphoacetate to the liquid base? What are the challenges involved in making a solid cleansing bar, particularly a "soap-free" one suitable for facial skin?
Answer
Based on the conversation, it's not possible to simply convert your existing liquid soap base formulation into a solid bar by just adding a solidifier like Sodium Lactate or Sodium Cocoamphoacetate.
Here's why:
- Different Chemistry: Your provided formula is a liquid cleansing base made from a blend of surfactants, thickeners, and other ingredients. Traditional solid soap bars are typically made through a saponification process involving fats or oils and a strong alkali like Sodium Hydroxide (lye). The chemical structure and properties are fundamentally different.
- Sodium Hydroxide Requirement: To create a traditional solid soap bar, Sodium Hydroxide is usually necessary to react with fatty acids. However, as mentioned in the conversation, Sodium Hydroxide is very alkaline and can be harsh, especially for facial skin.
- Complexity of Alternatives: While "soap-free" solid cleansing bars exist, they are complex formulations that require a specific balance of different ingredients (emulsifiers, thickeners, surfactants) to achieve a solid form without using Sodium Hydroxide. You cannot achieve this by simply adding something to your existing liquid base.
Therefore, you cannot convert your current liquid formula into a solid soap bar. If you want to make a solid cleansing bar, you would need to follow a different formulation specifically designed for solid bars, keeping in mind the considerations for facial use (avoiding harsh alkalis if possible, which leads to more complex formulations).