The art of cold saponification
Before industry took over, soap was a matter of art: a patient, precise, almost alchemical know-how, called cold saponification. At Apoticari, we have chosen to return to this ancestral method to make our soaps , not out of nostalgia, but because it is quite simply the most respectful, for the skin, for the plants, for the planet.
A natural reaction
Cold saponification is based on a simple chemical reaction: a fatty substance (such as an oil or vegetable butter) meets a base (caustic soda). Together, they transform into soap... and glycerin. This low-temperature process preserves the properties of the ingredients used. It's a gentle, almost living transformation that takes its time: each soap must then dry for four to six weeks before being used.
A treatment more than just a soap
Whereas industrial soaps are heated to high temperatures and stripped of their natural glycerin (sold separately!), cold-process soaps are superfatted, rich in active ingredients and benefits. They cleanse, of course. But above all, they nourish, soothe, and protect. This is why so many people with sensitive skin prefer them.
At Apoticari, we formulate each soap as a treatment in its own right, with medicinal plants grown or picked in France, often in Auvergne. Nettle , camelina , verbena ... Each plant is chosen for its virtues and delicately integrated into the formula, without ever being mistreated by heat.
An ecological and artisanal method
Cold saponification is also a militant choice. It requires little energy, produces no waste, and requires no plastic packaging. It's a slow, artisanal process that few soap factories have mastered today. We're proud to be part of it.
Our cold saponified soaps
- Nettle soap , purifying and toning, perfect for combination to oily skin.
- Camelina soap , very gentle, ideal for sensitive skin
- Verbena soap , toning and moisturizing, for all skin types.
All our soaps are handmade in small batches using the cold-process method. Because sometimes, getting back to basics means taking a step toward what truly heals.
