Why Olive Oil Soap Lathers Less Than Other Soaps
When you think of soap, your first thought is probably of bubbles. Many mainstream and commericial soaps and detergent products produce a rich, foamy lather to which today's consumers have become accustomed. Many people interpret the presence of bubbles as a sign that their soap or detergent is doing its job and cleaning effectively. Since we've been conditioned to expect foamy soaps, if you’ve ever tried olive oil or Castile soap, you may have been surprised by the consistency of the lather. Rather than a thick foam, olive oil soaps produce a thin lather that is often described as slippery. This difference in consistency doesn’t mean that olive oil soaps are inefficient cleaning products; rather, their unique lather is based on their unique chemical makeup, which offers many benefits that mainstream soaps do not.
How does soap actually work?
In order to understand the different lathers produced by different types of soap, it’s important to understand how soap works. On a basic level, a bar of soap is made up of countless soap molecules. Soap molecules have two ends, one that is hydrophilic (water-loving) and one that is hydrophobic (water-fearing). When soap is combined with water, the water-loving ends of soap molecules can bond with the water molecules, whereas the hydrophobic ends bond with fat cells and other contaminants, allowing the soap and water mixture to whisk those dirty molecules away.
Soap bubbles occur when many soap molecules band together, using their hydrophilic ends to create a bubble-shaped barrier that protects their hydrophobic ends, which are tucked safely on the inside of the bubble. These bubbles are called micelles. Many bacteria and viruses have layers of membrane that work similarly to micelles. When viruses and bacteria encounter soap and water, the hydrophobic ends of the soap molecules try to evade the water by breaking into the micelle barriers of the virus and bacteria cells, essentially damaging them. So, soap not only washes away viruses and bacteria, but actively combats them while doing so.
How do different oils result in different lathers?
The consistency of a soap’s lather is highly dependent on the types and ratio of oil used to make the soap. The different oils used in soap making are all are made up of unique combinations of eight fatty acids. These fatty acids are what ultimately determine the qualities of the resulting soap. Fatty acids can be categorized as saturated or unsaturated. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are different in many ways, but for soap making purposes, the most important difference is that saturated fatty acids solidify into soap more quickly during the saponification process than unsaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids tend to produce harder, lathery, foaming soaps, whereas unsaturated fatty acids contribute to soaps that are softer and more conditioning. Many soap-makers use combinations of different oils to achieve a unique blend of features, such as moisturizing and foaming.
Olive oil soap is very high in oleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid that makes for a moisturizing, conditioning soap, as opposed to a foamy one. This soap doesn’t produce the lather that would be expected from a coconut oil soap rich in lauric and myristic saturated fatty acids. As a soap based on unsaturated fatty acid, olive oil soap can take a long time to cure. If it’s used before it’s fully cured, olive oil soap may feel slimy. To speed up production time, olive oil can sometimes be combined with coconut oil for a faster-curing, foamy soap that still offers moisturizing benefits.
Do foamier soaps clean better?
Soaps with more lather don’t clean any better or worse than soaps with less lather, despite what advertising executives may have conditioned us to think. Lather consistency isn’t an indicator of cleaning efficiency, and is rather a matter of personal preference. For example, coconut oil is known to create a rich lather that some people prefer whereas 100% olive oil soaps offer outstanding moisturizing benefits and are a gentle, albeit less bubbly, option for individuals with sensitive skin.
Keep in mind that many commercial soap products and detergents include a synthetic lathering agent that artificially increases the amount of bubbling experienced by the user. One of the most popular of these agents is sodium lauryl sulfate, a chemical that will not only remove viruses and bacteria, but will also remove your skin’s natural oils in the process. This chemical will leave skin dry and irritated, making it a poor substitute for naturally foaming oil-based soap.
Why is Olive Oil Soap So Good at Moisturizing?
When oils are turned into soaps, a process called saponification, a natural byproduct of the chemical reaction is glycerin, a compound best known for its moisturizing properties. Mass-producers of soap and detergent products often remove glycerin from soap in order to use it in other products, meaning that their soaps can actually dry skin and offer no relief. When natural olive oil soap is made, the soap retains its glycerin content, offering the user both hygeine and moisture, all in one bar.
In addition to natural glycerin content,olive oil soap is great for sensitive skin because it works with skin’s natural protective barriers rather than drying and damaging them.
100% Olive Oil Soap vs. Blended Olive Oil Soaps
If you’re looking to reap the moisturizing benefits of olive oil soap but also crave bubbles, try an olive oil soap that contains some coconut or castor oil, both of which support a rich lather. Frantoio Grove offers several homemade Castile soaps that leverage a combination olive oil, castor oil, and coconut oil:
We encourage you to try both our 100% Olive Oil Superfat Soap and a one of our combination soap to see which works best for your unique skin.
In the end, the right soap for you will come down to your preferences. How important is it to you that your soap nourishes and protects your skin? If your answer is “very,” then olive oil soap is a great option. If you’re less concerned with skin protection and simply need to see those bubbles, then we recommending opting for a blend. Regardless of which way you're leaning, avoid mass-produced soaps and detergents with artificial lathering agents and other harsh chemicals. Your skin will thank you!
