Cold Process vs. Hot Process: Understanding the Craft Behind Your Bar
When you choose handcrafted soap, you’re not just picking a bar to cleanse your skin—you’re choosing an experience rooted in tradition, care, and quality ingredients. Two of the most beloved ways to make soap are cold process and hot process, and while the end result is always nourishing, each method gives the soap unique qualities.
Cold Process Soap: Smooth and Refined
Cold process soap is created by carefully blending oils or butters with lye (sodium hydroxide). The mixture is poured into molds and left to “cure,” or gently harden, over several weeks.
Why customers love cold process:
Smooth, Silky Finish – Cold process soaps often have a creamy, polished look and a gentle lather that feels luxurious on the skin.
Beautiful Designs – Because the mixture stays fluid longer, soap makers can create swirls, layers, and artistic patterns you won’t find in store-bought bars.
Ingredient Integrity – Sensitive ingredients like honey, milk, clays, and essential oils are preserved more delicately, so their natural benefits shine through.
Shop Bonnie’s favorite cold-process.
Hot Process Soap: Rustic and Wholesome
Hot process soap follows the same basic recipe but is gently heated during creation. This heat gives the mixture a thick, rustic texture that sets quickly into hearty bars.
Why customers love hot process:
Rustic Character – Hot process soap looks earthy and handmade, with a textured surface that feels authentic and artisanal.
Stronger Natural Scents – Because certain botanicals and essential oils can be added at the end of the process, their natural aromas come through more vividly.
Wholesome Additions – Ingredients like herbs, oatmeal, or botanicals are often folded in, giving the bar both beauty and gentle exfoliation.
At The Grit and Grace Collection, Gordon especially loves making hot process soap. He enjoys the hands-on, earthy feel of working with this rustic style, and the way it highlights the natural scents and textures of each bar.
Shop Gordon’s favorite hot process.
Choosing the Right Soap for You
Both cold process and hot process soaps are made with care, free from harsh detergents, and rich in natural oils that nourish the skin. The main difference is in the look and feel:
If you love a smooth, artistic bar, cold process might be your favorite.
If you prefer something rugged and rustic with bold natural scents, hot process may be just right.
No matter which you choose, you’re giving your skin the gift of handmade soap—a thoughtful, natural alternative that supports small makers and turns an everyday routine into something special.