Soap & Lotion?
Key Terms
Soap Safety
Formulation
Molding & Curing
100

Define: Soap 

Define: Lotion

Soap: A substance used for washing and cleaning. 

Lotion: A smooth oil and water based cream used for moisturizing and healing.

100

Define: Cold Process

The process of making soap by mixing lye, water, oil and fat.

100

Why must you be extremely cautious and safe when working with Lye?

Lye is an EXTREMELY dangerous chemical. It is corrosive & caustic and can cause extreme damage if swallowed, inhaled or comes in direct contact with the skin.

100

Essential oils & Fragrance oils are vastly differently.

Explain 1 key difference between the two




Essential oils are natural, coming from plants; while fragrance oils are synthetically made.


100

What type of mold is used to pour soap batter in?

A silicone mold

200

Who were the first people to invent and use soap and lotion? 

The Ancient Egyptians & Babylonians

200

Define: Curing

Allowing the soap to sit in a well ventilated space to firm up and to allow the lye and water to be processed and evaporated out of the bar.

This ensure that soap is firm and safe to use.


200

What are the items you MUST wear when making soap and working with Lye?

Face Mask/Covering, Safety Goggles, Gloves, Long Sleeves, Long Pants

200

What ingredients make up the foundation of lotion?

Butter/Oil and Water

200

How long does it take for soap to fully cure?

4-6 weeks

300

What are the key components of soap and lotion?

Bonus (200 Points) What percentage of water and oil is lotion?

Soap comprises of lye, water, some sort of fat and oil. 

Lotion is comprised of water and oil. Lotion is 70% water and 30% oil. 

300

Define: Saponification 

A chemical reaction where a fat and oil interact with a strong base to produce suds.

300

What type of room should you work in when making soap? Why?

A well ventilated room. This helps to prevent inhaling any fumes created by the lye. 

300

What instrument(s) can use to create swirls in soap?

Chopstick, Hanger tool, Any flexible and lye safe object. 

300

What can happen if a bar of soap is used before fully curing?

You can experience soap that will leave your skin dry and itchy or worse case scenario, soap that burns your skin.

400

Name 1 natural soap & lotion making ingredient 

Name 1 synthetic soap & lotion making ingredient 

Natural: Shea Butter, Coco Butter, Oil, Water, Lye, Clay, Essential Oil, Herbs & Flowers

Synthetic: Synthetic Fragrances, Artificial Colors, Parabens, Sulfates



400

Define: Emulsion

When two or more substances that normally wouldn’t mix (i.e. oil & water) bind together in stable way that prevents separation.

400

What is the correct way to mix lye & water? 

Lye should be added to water. 

Water should never be added to lye. 

400

When making lotion, which ingredient is essential in order for water and oil to mix?

What ingredient is critical to ensure stable shelf life of lotion?

Emulsifying Wax

Preservative


400

What type of environment does soap need to cure in?

To properly cure, soap needs a cool, dry room with good air circulation, ideally out of direct sunlight; a basement, garage, or a large cabinet with a rack are good options for storing curing soap.

500

What is Lye? What is its chemical formula?

Lye is an alkali compound necessary to soap making.

 NaOH

500

Define: Trace

The custard like texture that occurs when lye, oil, fat and water are mixed and emulsified beyond the point of separation.

500

What type of equipment should you NEVER use when making soap?

When making soap, you should never use equipment that you use to make food or other products with.

500

What is the standard water to lye ratio?

2 : 1

500

How long after pouring into a mold should you take soap out of the mold before cutting it?

24-48 hours

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