🌿 Vegetable Soap Production (Marseille Type) – Production, Formulation and Properties
Overview:
Vegetable Soaps (Marseille Type) are traditional yet modernized formulations made from natural plant oils and botanical extracts.
They are crafted through a gentle saponification process using oils such as olive, laurel, coconut, palm, and castor, resulting in biodegradable, skin-friendly soaps.
This category includes various specialized types such as Olive Oil Soap, Laurel Leaf Soap, Nettle Soap, Lavender Soap, Rosemary Soap, Tar Soap, and Chamomile Soap, each offering unique skincare and therapeutic properties.
Marseille-type vegetable soaps are highly valued for their purity, mildness, and rich creamy lather, making them ideal for personal care, cosmetic, and herbal applications.
Production and Formulation:
Vegetable soaps are produced by hot or cold saponification of natural oils with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide solutions.
During the process, glycerin—a natural moisturizer—is retained, while plant extracts, essential oils, and active herbal ingredients are added for enhanced performance.
The mixture is carefully blended until full saponification occurs, then poured into molds, cut into bars, and cured for several days to achieve optimal hardness and texture.
Depending on the oil blend, soaps can be transparent, opaque, or creamy, and may include exfoliating particles, essential oils, or natural colors.
Final formulations are pH-balanced, ensuring gentle cleansing suitable for all skin types.
Properties:
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Appearance: Solid bar or molded form
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Color: Natural green, beige, brown, or white depending on botanical type
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Fragrance: Natural, herbal, or floral scent
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pH Range: 8.0–9.5 (mildly alkaline)
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Foam Level: Medium to high, creamy
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Solubility: Water-soluble, forms rich lather
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Active Ingredients: Olive oil, laurel oil, coconut oil, herbal extracts, essential oils
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Shelf Life: 24–48 months
Advantages:
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Made entirely from renewable plant-based ingredients
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Free from animal fats, parabens, and synthetic detergents
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Rich in natural glycerin for moisture and softness
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Contains therapeutic herbs and essential oils for targeted skincare
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Gentle cleansing without stripping natural skin oils
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Biodegradable and environmentally sustainable
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Customizable for fragrance, texture, and botanical type
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Suitable for sensitive skin, babies, and daily hygiene
Summary:
Vegetable Soaps (Marseille Type) represent the perfect balance of traditional craftsmanship and natural chemistry, combining plant oils, herbal actives, and eco-conscious formulations.
From Olive Oil Soap’s nourishment to Laurel and Tar Soap’s purifying effects, each type provides unique benefits while maintaining high natural integrity.
These soaps embody authentic, sustainable skincare, offering gentle cleansing, natural fragrance, and timeless quality in every bar.
