Name: Nor Shailanie R.

Nalam Score: ___

Year & Section: 1st Year – 2P Date: August 15, 2019
Group Number: __2 __
Title: Soap Making
Experiment #1

Objectives:
 To understand the rationale behind the use of the different types of ingredients in a
soap formulation.
 To understand the acid-base reaction (saponification process) by which soap is
produced.
 To evaluate the quality of the products that have been produced.

Summary of Procedure:
 We heated 200 ml cooking oil in a 500 ml beaker with a tripod and alcohol lamp.
 While waiting for the cooking oil to reach 55°C – 60°C, we weighed 28 g of NaOH using
weighing scale and set aside.
 Using graduated cylinder for measurement, we mixed the 75 ml aloe vera extract and
50 ml water with another 500 ml beaker.
 After measuring and weighing the NaOH, aloe vera extract and water, we slowly
poured the mixed water and extract to the NaOH while also stirring. Using
thermometer, the lye and extract should reached also to 55°C – 60°C.
 When the lye and cooking oil were all set, we slowly poured the lye to the oil while
stirring. We stirred it vigorously until it turned opaque.
 When the mixture turned mayonnaise-like thickening, we added 10 drops of citronella
oil then continued stirring.
 We poured the soap in small containers and wrapped it in plastic. We’ll wait for 2-3
weeks for the soap to become ready.

Questions:
1. Write the chemical reaction involved in soap making process.

Fat + Sodium Hydroxide saponification Glycerol + Soap

2. Why is it necessary to “age” the soap before it can be used?

- It is necessary to “age” or cure the soap for the water to evaporate and the soap to
harden. Water is needed to make soap but the extra water is not. Soap is like wine, it
gets better with time. As it ages, saponification has a chance to complete and this will
make the soap milder and soft on the skin. And lastly, the lather factor of the soap will
be better. So the purpose of curing the soap is to torture the age of it so it can perform
at its highest potential.
Name: Nor Shailanie R. Nalam
Course & Section: BS ABM – 2P

Soaps are carboxylate salts with very long hydrocarbon chains. Soap can be made
from the base hydrolysis of a fat or an oil. This hydrolysis is called saponification, and the
reaction has been known for centuries. The saponification reaction is exothermic in
nature, because heat is liberated during the process. The soap formed remains
suspension form in the mixture. Soap is precipitated as a solid from the suspension by
adding common salt to the suspension (Nedungadi et al. 2013). Traditionally, soaps were
made from animal fat and lye (NaOH). The soap molecule has two parts: a polar group
and a non-polar group. The polar group is called the head and the non-polar is called the
tail. Thus, the soap molecule has a polar head and a non-polar hydrocarbon tail.
Making soap requires two basic ingredients: oil or fat, and lye, typically dissolved
in water. There are elaborate soap making tutorials that insist on a very precise, scientific
approach and exact measurements of the oil and lye ratio. It is important to keep in mind,
however, that in the good old days, every household used to make its own soap from
leftover cooking fat and lye produced by seeping water through wood ash (Cavitch, 2015).
Having said that, a reliable recipe and a digital scale go a long way towards minimizing
frustration and giving consistent, predictable, uniform results.
Skin is the largest surface area and also the largest defense of bacteria. Soap can
have a critical role in survival, because it helps people fight infections and disease.
Harmful bacteria can gain direct entry into the body through a break in the skin, but can
wash them away with soap (Agarwal, 2019). This is especially important when there's
break in the skin. Soap cleans and also may hydrate the skin if it includes moisturizers,
which helps keep the skin healthy. Some soaps also include essential oils, such as
lavender, which can be beneficial to promote healthy skin. Lavender essential oil is an
antibacterial that can also combat ringworm and foot fungus, for example. Using soap can
help avoid a bacterial infection without the use of an antibacterial. The skin is under a
constant barrage and threat of bacteria from breaks in the skin and this is one of the main
reasons to use soap after getting a cut, scrape or abrasion to the skin (Agarwal, 2019).
Soap works like an antibacterial to lift and help flush the skin of the bad bacteria. Not all
soaps contain antibacterials, but all soaps help fight bacteria.
The plant of immortality, aloe vera, is no stranger in the skincare world. Although
it was only a few decades ago that we discovered this wonder ingredient for its umpteen
benefits, it has actually has been there in the beauty books for centuries. Aloe vera gel
has cooling properties which help soothe irritated skin affected by sunburn, rash,
infection, redness and itchiness. Thus, it makes for a super ingredient for sensitive skin.
Also, its antifungal properties help in handling inflammation skin issues such as heat boils
and cysts in summers. No wonder, aloe vera is a must-have summer skincare ingredient.
As the skin ages, skin loses its elasticity and smile lines, crow’s feet and saggy neck are
some of the ageing signs that become more noticeable on the face. Aloe vera gel can help
deal with that. It helps the skin in retaining its moisture and gives back its radiance. Not
Name: Nor Shailanie R. Nalam
Course & Section: BS ABM – 2P
only it reduces the visible wrinkles and fine lines on the face, but it also prevents
premature ageing of the skin by improving the elasticity of skin and repairing skin cells.
Aloe vera soap can truly be used for a lot of things. Many studies have also shown
that aloe vera can help speed up healing for cases such as burns. This is why some cultures
apply the sap from the plant to scrapes or burns on the skin, in an effort to help the wound
heal without a scar. There also cultures where it is used to prevent itchiness from
allergies, rashes, insect bites, and the like. Essentially, aloe vera soap can benefit a great
deal due to its many beneficial qualities.

References:

Cavitch, Susan M. The Natural Soap Book: Making Herbal and Vegetable-Based
Soaps. (2015). Retrieved from goodreads.com/book/show

Nedungadi, P. et. al. Saponification-The process of Making Soap. (2013). Retrieved, from
amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=73&brch=3&sim=119&cnt=1

Soap Recipes 101. (2015). Retrieved from www.soaprecipes101.com

Agarwal, Anjali. Reasons Why Aloe Vera Gel Is A Skin Care Must Have. (2019). Retrieved
from https://www.bebeautiful.in/all-things-skin/everyday/benefits-and-use-of-aloe-
vera-gel-for -face%3Famp&ved=2ahUKEwim7dT0qpTkAhUJ

Happy Preppers. Importance of Soap. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.happypreppe

rs.com/ importance-of-soap