Superfat & fabulous: How Artisan Soap is Basially Skincare Royalty-- Episode 3

Superfatting means adding extra nourishing oils that don't saponify- turning your bar into a moisturizing masterpiece..

  If soap were a dessert, superfatting would be the whipped cream, sprinkles, and that little mint leaf that makes you feel fancy. It's the indulgent flourish that takes a bar from "cleans your bits" to "pamper-level perfection."

  But what is superfatting, and why does it make artisan soap the crowned monarch of your skincare routine? Pull up your bath stool and get ready to soak up some sudsy truth.

First, A Quick Flashback to Chemistry Class

  In its most basic form, soap is the result of a chemical reaction:

Fats (oils) + Lye (sodium hydroxide) = Soap + Glycerin.

This is called saponification, and yes, it sounds like a spell Hermione cast.

  But here's where things get fabulous" when a soapmaker "superfats" a recipe, they intentionally add extra oil-more than the lye can convert into soap. This excess oil doesn't saponify, so it stays in the bar as free, moisturizing goodness. Think of it as a built-in body lotion. Or a surprise love letter to your skin.

Why Superfatting is So...Super

• Moisture Magic - That lingering softness after you rinse? That's superfat doing it's thing.
• Skin Smooches - Especially good for dry, sensitive, or high-maintenance skin (we see you, winter elbows).
• Natural Nourishment - Superfats bring in all the nutrients of rich oils and butters- like shea, avocado, or cocoa butter- straight to your skin with zero drama.

But Like All Royalty... There's a Balance

  Too much superfat, and your bar becomes a mushy mess. Too little, and your skin feels like it lost a slap fight with a loofah. Artisan soapmakers carefully calculate just the right percentage (usually 5-8%) to keep your bar a firm, bubbly, and blissfully moisturizing.

  In other words: it's not just "dump" in the good stuff and hope for the best." It's math. With a tiara.

Common Superfat Heroes

Here are a few all-star oils that often make up the superfat lineup:

• Shea Butter - Deeply moisturizing with a rich, creamy feel
• Avocado oil - Packed with vitamins and skin-smoothing properties
• Sweet Almond Oil - Light, gentle, and great for sensitive types
• Coconut Oil - Adds lather and a tropical vibe, but can be drying in large does (hence...balance!)

Each oil brings its own flair to the bar, like a soap opera cast of skincare sensations.

Glycerin + Superfat = Your Skin's Dream Team

 Let's not forget the glycerin, a natural humectant created during saponification. It pulls moisture into your skin like a magnet with a moisturizing mission. Combined with the extra oils from superfats? Chef's kiss! You're practically bathing in a potion of soft, supple glory.

Final Lather

  Superfatting is one of the magical things that separated handcrafted artisan soap from commercial, mass-produced detergent bars. It's the skin-loving difference between "I guess this'll clean me" and "Excuse me while I ascend into bubbly bliss."

  So yes, artisan soap is skincare royalty- superfatting is its crown jewel. 

Stay tuned for Episode 4:  Soap Stars : The Colorants, Scents, and Sparkly Divas of Your Bar