Cold press soaps

If you’ve ever wondered how soap is made, enough to do some research, then you have probably come across the cold process and a hot process method of soapmaking. 

At Kanda we use the cold process method to make our soaps. What this simply means is that we make our soaps at room temperature or slightly above, without the use of heat.

Cold process soap making is the original traditional method of soap making which combinesfats or oils (animal or plant based) with sodium hydroxide (lye) and blends of essential oils and additives as required. 

This chemical reaction is called saponification which takes up to 48 hours, so no lye is left in the final soap product and glycerin is released which aids in the nourishment of the skin.

The soaps have a curing period of about 4-6 weeks which enables the soaps dry and this allows the soap’s pH to slowly decrease as it hardens. This “slow” aging process yields a lovely lather and a longer-lasting gentle soap bar.

THE BENEFITS OF COLD PROCESS SOAP: WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THE SWITCH

• Natural ingredients: Cold process soap is made from natural skin loving and nourishing ingredients such as oils, butters, and herbs, making it gentler on the skin, compared to commercial soaps which contain artificial ingredients.The natural ingredients in cold process soap provide nourishing benefits to the skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and refreshed.

• Health benefits: Our skin is our largest body organ and is highly absorbent. This means the type of products we use can affect our overall health.  A well hydrated and refreshed skin is very important in this regard. The essential oils, clays and botanicals used in cold process soaps have therapeutic benefits and can address many skin concerns while having a nice lasting scent.

• Synthetic Chemical-free: Commercial soap often contains harsh chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which can dry out and irritate the skin. Cold process soaps arefree from these harmful chemicals, making it a safer and more natural option.

• Customisable: Handmade soap can be customised to suit your specific skin type and preference, with the option to add preferred carrier oils, butters, essential oils, claysand herbs for added benefits. Whether you have dry, oily, normal or sensitive skin, you can find a cold process soap that is right for you.

• Environmentally friendly: Cold process soap is made in small batches and does not contain harmful chemicals, making it a more environmentally friendly option compared to commercial soap. Additionally, many soap makers use sustainable biodegradable plastic-free packaging, further reducing any negative impact on the environment.

You can use cold process soaps in many different ways. It is an excellent option for anyone who wants to use natural ingredients and is looking for gentleness. It also helps with acne problems or skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea, and dry skin due to its moisturizing properties and other added ingredients that cater to specific needs.

At Kanda we use cold pressed oils, butters, botanicals, clays and essential oils in our soaps to ensure the skin benefits from these nature derived ingredients.

We have a wide range of cold process soaps that cater to different skin needs:

o The CONFETTI soap- This soap gives you a taste of all things “Kanda” and is perfect for all skin types and everyday use.

o The GHEE soap- Our Ghee soap is handcrafted with the highly nourishing and moisturizing Ghee (known as Man shanu in Northern Nigeria)

o The ROSE soap- It promotes the skin’s rejuvenation and acts as a natural toner

o The LAVENDER soap- Our lavender soap is made with healing, stress relieving and calming lavender, suitable for those with dry skin.

o The SHEA soap- Our Shea soap is made with raw unrefined skin loving, luxurious, and moisturizing Shea butter locally handmade and processed in Nigeria.

o The BOABAB soap- Baobab is moisturizing, rich in omega fatty acids and vitamin Cand has anti -aging proprieties.

o The NEEM soap- It is made with Neem oil, which has antioxidant, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties which help support healthy skin.

o The CHARCOAL soap- Our Charcoal bar is made with purifying and exfoliating activated charcoal and bentonite clay which helps absorb excess oil from the skin.

o The MINT soap- Our Mint Soap is made with mint which helps revive the skin, giving it a refreshed look, and is suitable for people with oily and acne prone skin

o The TEA soap- Made using hydrating green tea herbs and the lovely dirt-busting green tea essential oil.

o The BABY soap- Our unscented gentle baby soap has deeply nourishing cocoa butter, colloidal oatmeal (which soothes skin conditions), moisturizing olive oil, deep cleansing coconut oil (which also adds a rich lather), and castor oil (helps draw moisture to the skin, so it stays smooth).

With these few points of ours we hope we’ve been able to convince and not confuse you that cold process soaps are the way to go and Kanda has you covered!😁