OILS &

BUTTERS
PROPERTIES
insoapnatural
making
 SOAPS &
FATTY ACIDS HOW DO FATTY ACIDS
DETERMINE SOAP CHARACTERISTICS

Soap is the result of the reaction (also called saponification) between the fatty
acids (contained in oils/butters) and an alkaline solution (sodium hydroxide, also
called lye/lye solution or caustic soda - NaOH).
Each oil is formed by a unique fatty acid profile. Fatty acids are the building
blocks of the fat contained in the oils and butters.
Fatty acids determine the consistency of the fat or oil, and the consistency,
lather type and cleansing ability of your soap. Therefore, when selecting an
oil/butter you can effectively decide what characteristics you want to give to a
soap.
Let's explore which qualities each oil will give to your soap thanks to its unique
fatty acid profile!
 Fatty Acid Profiles
Lauric Acid Myristic Acid
hardens, cleasing, fluffy lather hardnes, cleasing, fluffy lather

Linoleic Acid Oleic Acid

light conditioning high conditioning

Palmitic Acid Ricinoleic Acid

hardness, creamy lather softens, conditioning, creamy and fluffy
lather

Stearic Acid Linolenic Acid

hardness and creamy lather conditioning
 Fatty Acid Profiles
Avocado Oil Mango Butter
Palmitic 20% Linoleic 12% Palmitic 7% Stearic 42% Oleic
Oleic 58% Stearic 2% 45% Linoleic 3%

Babassu Oil Olive Oil

Lauric 50% Palmitic 11% Palmitic 18% Stearic 5%
Myristic 20% Oleic 10% Oleic 50% Linoleic 13%
Stearic 4%
Castor Oil Rice Bran Oil
Ricinoleic 90% Myristic 1% Palmitic 22%
Oleic 4% Linoleic 4% Stearic 3% Oleic 43% Linoleic 26%

Cocoa Butter Rapeseed/Canola Oil

Palmitic 28% Stearic 33% Palmitic 4% Stearic 2% Oleic 61%
Oleic 35% Linoleic 3% Linoleic 21% Linolenic 9%

Coconut Oil Shea Butter

Lauric 48% Myristic Palmitic 5% Stearic 40%
19% Palmitic 9% Stearic Oleic 48% Linoleic 6%
3% Oleic 8% Linoleic 2%
Grapeseed Oil Sweet Almond Oil
Palmitic 8% Stearic 4% Palmitic 7% Oleic 71% Linoleic 18%
Oleic 20% Linoleic 68%

Jojoba Sunflower Oil

Oleic 12% Palmitic 3% Stearic 4% Oleic 83%
Linoleic 4% Linolenic 1%

Please note, the above are approximate values since they vary from source to source.
Soap
Making
Oil
Chart
LATHER

BUBBLY & FLUFFY, SILKY

CLEANSING & SKIN
Coconut oil SOFTENING
Castor oil Sweet almond oil
Babassu oil Sunflower oil
Grapeseed oil
Rice bran oil
Rapeseed oil
Canola oil
Avocado oil
CREAMY LOW & SKIN
Cocoa butter SOFTENING
Shea butter Olive oil
Mango butter Jojoba
 Soap Making
for Zero Wasters
The online course

Discover The Closest Thing To Magic: Soap Making

Soap Making for Zero Wasters is the most comprehensive beginner's course on
how to make natural palm oil free soap, sustainably. It is designed to help you
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Throughout the online course you will be guided through understanding the
basics behind soap making and learning how to formulate your very own
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own zero waste journey with soap making.

DISCOVER MORE

© Bottega Zero Waste 2021

www.learn.bottegazerowaste.com