Maker Notes: Behind Our Cold Process Liquid Soaps
Earlier this year, we introduced our first liquid soaps to our collection of natural soaps. Like our bar soaps, our liquid soaps are made using a cold process method to be more hydrating and moisturising, and designed with sensitive skin in mind — but that’s where the similarities in formulation end.
Liquid soaps are typically made through hot process, and many formulations include artificial ingredients. These soaps can be drying and harsh on sensitive skin, which is why we often seek lotion or moisturiser as a balm for our dry hands after washing with a generic liquid soap. As a soapmaker and crafter, I began to be curious about the process behind liquid soaps, and set out to create a cold process liquid soap that was just as nourishing and moisturising as our bar soaps.
Putting our ideas to the test
Our first opportunity to experiment with liquid soaps came in the form of a collaboration with Arc-en-ciel Pâtisserie. Creating a soap for the patisserie’s washrooms, we wanted to develop a unique scent that reflected the spirit and atmosphere of the space.
What we found was that it was difficult to infuse scent into liquid soaps, especially since we opted for a cold process route, and only use essential oils in our soaps. After many rounds of research and experimentation, we finally found a formulation that was both sensitive skin-friendly and had a lasting scent.
Fun fact: each bottle of our liquid soap includes at least 5ml of pure organic essential oil!
Image c/o Arc-en-ciel.
A silky smooth formulation
For our liquid soap base, we use rich natural butters like shea butter and cocoa butter. These butters contain many unsaponifiables — parts of butters and oils that do not dissolve during the soapmaking process — which help to moisturise, hydrate and soothe the skin, and are a rich source of antioxidants.
They also help create a luxurious lather, which make up for the absence of thickeners in our soap for now. While soap thickeners do have their advantages, we haven’t found the right fit for our formulas yet, and we love that our liquid soaps are much easier to lather in the current form.
Keeping packaging circular
Liquid soaps generally require more packaging compared to bar soaps. When we started producing liquid soaps, it was important to us that we continue to eliminate unnecessary packaging, reduce disposable packaging, and allow existing packaging to be reused as much as possible.
We decided to make our liquid soaps available to purchase as 500ml or 1L refills, all packaged in upcycled glass jars. When your glass jars are empty, we encourage you to repurpose them for your personal use. You’re also welcome to return them to us so that they can be used in future refill orders — find out how to return jars and packaging here.
From our hands to yours
Because of the cold process and essentials oils we use, our liquid soap is sensitive to light and heat. We use amber bottles to protect them from the light, but make sure to keep your liquid soaps away from direct sunlight and warm surfaces to keep them at their best for longer.
So far, our formulation has been well-received, and many of you have told us that your hands feel soft and silky after using it — one of the best compliments we could hope to hear!
We’re excited to continue refining our liquid soap recipe and crafting more unique scent blends, so look out for the next iteration.
— J, maker and founder of at Plural Supply
