Cold process soap
All our soaps are cold processed by hand in our workshop in Avry-sur-Matran, near Fribourg. The method is slow. It keeps the glycerine formed during saponification in the soap.
How we make it
We dissolve the sodium hydroxide in water.
We melt the plant oils and butters, then pour in the lye solution.
We mix until trace, when the batter thickens. That’s when the essential oils go in.
The batter is poured into moulds and unmoulded the next day.
The bars then cure for three to four weeks.
Glycerine and superfat
The oils and the lye react to form soap and glycerine. As the batter is neither cooked nor washed, the glycerine stays in the soap. We also allow a little extra oil, the superfat. It doesn’t turn into soap and leaves skin soft after rinsing.
Why soap cures for several weeks
During curing, saponification finishes and the water evaporates. The soap becomes harder, milder and lasts longer.
What about Savon de Marseille?
It follows another tradition: it’s boiled in a cauldron, then washed to remove the lye and glycerine. We also sell the one made by the Marius Fabre soap works in Salon-de-Provence.
See the Savon de MarseilleFrequently asked questions
Is there any lye left in the soap?
No. During saponification, the lye reacts with the oils. The recipe allows a little extra oil, the superfat, so no free lye remains.
How long does curing take?
Three to four weeks, depending on the recipe.
Do all your soaps contain essential oils?
No. Several recipes contain none: they suit anyone who prefers an unscented soap.
Soaps without essential oils