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Honeybee Organic Soap is formulated in small quantities utilizing the traditional Cold Process Method, which means that no external source of heat is used to prepare the soap mixture.

Real soap is the outcome of a natural chemical process known as saponification, in which an acid (fats, oils, and butters) and a base or alkaline (sodium hydroxide--which is lye) that dissolves in a liquid are mixed to generate a salt (soap), glycerin, and a little amount of water. The saponification process produces the naturally occurring glycerin that helps moisturize your skin.

Consumers who are unfamiliar with the chemistry of soap production may be concerned about substances such as "lye" and "sodium hydroxide." As a result, some soap manufacturers will exclude these terms from their ingredient list. Instead, the term "saponified oils" is used, which merely implies that the oils have been combined with a lye liquid solution.

I know what you're thinking: "Is there lye in my soap?" The answer is a resounding NO!

At Honeybee Organic Soap, we are of the opinion that today's consumers are well-informed, and that the best strategy is to educate them. Furthermore, as an Organic business, we must list every component on our product labels.

What exactly is Sodium Hydroxide?

The saponification process, which is at the very core of soap-making, requires sodium hydroxide, generally known as lye.

True soap cannot be made without lye. Always keep in mind if there is no lye, there will be no soap!

Hardwood ashes, a barrel or ash hopper, and rainfall were used to make traditional lye. Tragically, there was no way to tell if the lye water was adequate in strength because there was no established standard dilution. As a result, Auntie's traditional "lye soap" was frequently lye-heavy and had a bad rap for being harsh and irritant to the skin.

If you're a scientific formulating freak like me, here's a very simplified chemical description of how sodium hydroxide is generated nowadays.

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which is composed of sodium ions (Na) and hydroxide ions (OH), is produced from salt water.

We have two elements that exist in salt water: salt/sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (HOH). Using a current of electricity conducted through the salt water, the water is divided into hydrogen gas (H) and hydroxide ions (OH-), while the salt is separated into chlorine (Cl) gas and sodium (Na+) ions.

The positively charged sodium ions (Na+) are now able to combine with the negatively charged hydroxide (OH-) ions to yield NaOH. Presto! You formed sodium hydroxide from plain salt water.

Saponification: Soapmaking's Chemical Reaction (The Nurse in me couldn't resist this easy explication)