The Cold Process Soapmaking Journey
How Wild Roots Artisan Soaps Are Made
At Wild Roots Artisan Soaps, every bar is crafted with care, using high-quality natural ingredients and traditional methods. One of the most rewarding aspects of our process is creating soap from scratch using the cold process method. This age-old technique allows us to control every ingredient, ensuring a soap that is both gentle and luxurious. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we transform simple oils and butters into beautifully handcrafted soap.
Step 1: Choosing the Ingredients
The foundation of any great soap is its ingredients. We use nourishing plant-based oils and butters like:
Olive oil – for a creamy, conditioning lather
Coconut oil – for cleansing and bubbles
Shea & mango butters – for added richness and skin-softening properties
Avocado oil – for a silky feel
Castor oil – to boost lather
Scents and Colors
To enhance each bar, we incorporate essential oils for scent and natural colorants like clays, herbs, and plant-based powders. We never use synthetic dyes or fragrances, ensuring that every bar is as pure as possible.
Step 2: Mixing the Ingredients
The magic of cold process soapmaking happens when oils and lye solution are combined. This reaction, called saponification, transforms the oils into soap and glycerin, resulting in a cleansing yet moisturizing bar.
We carefully measure and heat the oils to the right temperature before blending them with the lye solution. Once mixed, the soap batter thickens into what’s known as "trace", the point when the ingredients are fully blended and ready for the next step.
Step 3: Adding Scents & Colors
At this stage, we mix in our chosen essential oils and natural colorants. Whether it’s the bright citrus notes of orange and litsea cubeba or the calming scent of lavender, each blend is carefully crafted for a beautiful sensory experience.
For color, we use natural ingredients like:
Turmeric (golden hues)
Indigo powder (blue tones)
French green clay (soft greens)
Activated charcoal (deep blacks & grays)
Step 4: Pouring & Molding
Once everything is blended, we pour the mixture into molds, where it takes shape. Some batches are swirled for a marbled effect, while others are layered for a more structured design. After pouring, the soap rests for 24 to 48 hours to harden.
Step 5: Cutting & Curing
After unmolding, the soap is cut into individual bars and set aside to cure for 4 to 6 weeks. This curing process allows excess moisture to evaporate, making the bar harder, milder, and longer-lasting.
Why Cold Process Soap?
Unlike mass-produced soaps, which often strip the skin of natural oils, cold process soap retains its natural glycerin, a humectant that helps maintain moisture. This means a soap that cleanses without drying, perfect for those who prefer a gentler, more natural alternative.
Every bar of Wild Roots Artisan Soap is made with love, from carefully selected ingredients to the final cure. Whether you choose a citrusy, floral, or earthy scent, you can trust that your soap is crafted with the utmost care and attention.
