Melt and Pour Soaps: A Beginner-Friendly Option

Melt and pour soap is a popular choice for beginners and hobbyists because it is easy to make and requires minimal equipment. Melt and pour soap is made from a pre-made soap base, sometimes containing goat milk, that is melted and then poured into molds. Once the soap has cooled and hardened, it is ready to use. No curing time is required.   

The top benefits of melt and pour soap is that it is easy to make.  Melt and pour soap is very easy, even for beginners.  It requires minimal equipment, you only need a few basic supplies to make melt and pour soap, such as a microwave or double boiler, molds, and a few additives. It is very versatile in that melt and pour soap can be customized with a variety of colors, scents, and additives.

It is also quick to make.  Melt and pour soap can be made in just a matter of minutes.

However the main limitation of melt and pour soap is that it is less durable and may not last as long as cold process soaps.  It is also less customizable.  For example, you cannot add as many different types of oils to melt and pour soap. Be sure to check the ingredients for harsh chemicals.  Some melt and pour soap bases contain harsh chemicals, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

By contrast, cold process soap, another popular homemade soap, is made from scratch using a process called saponification. Saponification is a chemical reaction that occurs when oils and lye are mixed together.

A benefit of cold process soap is that it is more durable than melt and pour and will last longer.  Cold process soap is more customizable than melt and pour soap. You can add a variety of different oils, herbs, clays and other ingredients to cold process soap.  

The main limitation of cold process soap is that it is more difficult to make than melt and pour soap. A general knowledge of chemistry is helpful to ensure proper saponification. You will also need more equipment to make cold process soap, such as a scale, thermometer, and lye.  Cold process soap takes several weeks to cure before use. 

Melt and pour soap is a great option for even beginners who want to make their own soap. It is easy to make and requires minimal equipment. However, melt and pour soap is not as durable or customizable as cold process soap.  Cold process soap is a more advanced type of soap that is made from natural ingredients. Cold process soap may be more durable and customizable, but it is also more difficult to make and requires more equipment.

While melt and pour soap is a fun way to make soap, it's not as long-lasting as cold process soap. Cold process soap is made from scratch with raw materials like oils, butters, and lye, and it can be formulated to suit your skin type and other needs. 

Have you ever tried melt and pour or cold process soap? What was your experience like?  Leave a comment below, we would love to know more.   

JD

Side Note: This blog post focuses on the different process of making soap and the care involved. 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 saponification, highlighting the care and craftsmanship involved in creating this natural and luxurious product, goat milk soap.