There are 3 main different processes to soap making such as the melt and pour process, hot process, and cold press process. There are advantages for each one. Let's dive right in to which one Toujours Fleurs Naturals uses and why.
The first one is the melt and pour process. In this process, the soap is already made/pre-made and has already undergone the saponification process, which is the mixing of fats and alkali (lye). It is the perfect choice for beginners as it is fun, easy, and ready to use for adding any scents or colorants they may want. One can easily purchase this pre-made base online or from a retailer, which may have unwanted additives that may affect your specific skin type.
The second soapmaking process is the hot-processing soap and it is the least commonly used. It takes longer to make soap upfront and allows no time to create swirls or desired decor. Even though the soap batter has been fully cooked on a pot, and would be ready to mould, it takes about 1 hour to cook the soap in order for the soap to fully saponify.
Lastly, the cold-processing soap is the most commonly used process for soap makers. With this method, soap makers mix lye with water, then combine the lye-water solution with one or more fatty oils until it reaches a thin "trace." Trace is the phase the soap batter turns into throughout the mixing and turns into a pudding-like consistency.
Can you take a guess which process I use for TF Naturals? I make soap though the cold-process because just like the hot-process I have control of what goes into my soap recipes. Cold-process soap allows more flexibility when dealing with soap decor or finishing touches. This method is ideal for intermediate soapmakers as it may take 25-30 minutes preparation time before putting it onto the mould.
The difference between TF Naturals Soaps and other soap brands is that I use all natural products from natural plant-based oils to essential scent oils that mix well for a well-hydrated skin. With the purpose of fulfilling a self-healing bathing experience, I aim to emphasize scents and satiating oils that form a warm lather to all skin-types. If you are interested in purchasing a soap packed with plant-based oils and self-healing abilities, you may visit our products here.