Going Beyond The Dairy: Exploring Plant-Based Milks in Soapmaking

The rise of plant-based alternatives has been a significant movement in recent years, driven by various factors including dietary preferences, environmental concerns, and ethical considerations. This shift extends beyond food and beverages and has also impacted the world of soapmaking.

Milk is the liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals, including humans. It's primarily designed to nourish young mammals before they can digest solid food. Though, the term "milk" can also refer to plant-based milk alternatives, such as almond milk or oat milk, which are beverages made from plants and designed to resemble dairy milk in taste and texture.

A Brief Look at the Non-Dairy Movement

While the modern non-dairy movement has gained momentum in recent decades, plant-based milk alternatives have a long history. For centuries, cultures around the world have utilized plant sources like soy, almonds, and oats to create nourishing beverages. In recent years, advancements in processing and technology have led to a wider variety of plant-based milks becoming readily available.

Incorporating Plant-Based Milks into Soap

Many soapmakers are now exploring the use of plant-based milks like almond, coconut, soy, oat, and rice milk in their creations. These milks can offer unique properties and benefits.  Plant-based milks often contain natural oils and emollients that can contribute to the moisturizing qualities of soap.  Many plant-based milks can add a luxurious creaminess to a soap's lather.  Some plant-based milks may impart subtle flavor notes to the soap.

Experimentation is Key:  Consider the milk as different plant-based milks have varying fat and protein content, which can influence the soap's hardness and lather.

By exploring the use of plant-based milks, soapmakers can create innovative and unique products while embracing a more sustainable and compassionate approach to ingredient sourcing.

JD

Skin Sensitivity: Always do a patch test on a small area of skin before using any new soap.

Side Note: This blog post focuses on the use of Plant Based milks and their history. It does not delve into the specific properties of any soap itself, as those would fall under the purview of the FDA as cosmetics or drugs.

This blog post aims to inform it's readers about the use of plant based milks, it's history, and the craftsmanship involved in creating a natural and luxurious product.