[glachney]

Very interesting. I often wonder about the effect of pH in soap. I make and sell artisan shaving soap on a hobbyist level and often hear the praises of “high quality, handmade shaving soap” over modern alternatives. I’ve wondered how much is the placebo effect after buying a product with better packaging, a more “fun” shaving routine, and a higher price. (That said, shaving cream from a can contains stuff that isn’t good for your skin too). 

I wonder if it’s possible to make traditional soap but bring the pH down with citric or something similar and throw some preservatives in it. 

[glachney]

@ngarayeva001 you’re a rockstar, thanks! Kindred spirits we are. It’s really fun finding hobbies so far out of your area of exposure that the only option is to start researching like a mad man. 

I’ll definitely check out PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and also be sure to keep an eye on pH. Thank you for that feedback. What’s the practical reason for shampoo needing to be on the acidic side? Shampoo bars for example are up near 9-10+, right? 

Where did you learn some of the foundational stuff? Like understanding Chemistry 101. I somehow made it through my whole schooling career without a single Chem course, so I often find myself researching something and easily getting tripped up in the nomenclature and explanations.