How we make our soap
Quintessentially English is a family run business working to traditional recipes and methods. Our Artisan products are made in carefully calculated batches. This means that we can control our process with high quality, pure ingredients and an attention to detail that enables the hand finishing of every bar.
COLD PROCESSED SOAP
Soap is made by mixing lye and water with vegetable fats and oil. Through a chemical reaction, sodium hydroxide which is often called lye, converts the oil (an acid) to soap. This is what is known as saponification. The process changes the two substances into a thicker and more stable solution which slowly sets to become soap. At the thickened, trace stage the soap is poured into molds where it will continue to harden on our drying racks for upto 4 weeks.
Although called a cold process, heat is generated by the reaction of the water and the lye and their incorporation into the oils. The constant stirring of the mixture helps this process.
HOW SOAP CLEANS
Soap cleans by acting as an agent between water and dirt allowing the water to wet the surface. This soapy solution allows water to wash away the dirt by soaking into the surface being cleaned, allowing the water to get hold of the dirt and wash it all away.
Our soap contains the natural pure glycerin which draws moisture to the skin. Most soap sold has had its glycerin removed but the process we use retains all the wonderful benefits and results in a creamy luxurious soap. It's SLS and SLES FREE and contains no Parabens. We use clays and vegetable extracts to colour our soaps.