Ingredient Expertise in Skincare, Haircare, Soapmaking and Candles

When it comes to making gentle, effective shampoos, there’s one ingredient that stands out for its unique qualities: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, or SCI for short. But what exactly is SCI, and why is it so popular in shampoo formulations? Whether you’re a DIY soap and shampoo maker, a skincare formulator, or just curious about the science behind your favorite hair care products, this blog will guide you through the essentials of SCI, its uses, and why it might be the perfect choice for your shampoo. A Small Story: The Shampoo Switch Imagine someone switching from a regular shampoo that left their hair dry and itchy to a shampoo made with SCI powder. After just a few washes, they noticed their hair felt softer, cleaner, and didn’t dry out their scalp. That’s the kind of gentle yet effective cleansing SCI offers—making it a go-to surfactant for sensitive scalps and natural formulations alike. What is Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)? SCI is a mild surfactant derived from coconut oil fatty a...

If you’ve ever searched for a way to make soap at home, you’ve likely run into one big question that stops people in their tracks: Do I really have to use lye? It sounds harsh. It even has a scary reputation. But here’s the truth: all real soap needs lye. That doesn’t mean your soap has to be dangerous or complicated, though. Let’s break it down, talk about what lye (sodium hydroxide) actually is, and whether there’s such a thing as “lye-free” soap. We'll also help you understand how to use food-grade sodium hydroxide safely, the science behind it, and smart ways to create clean, skin-loving bars. That Time the Soap Split… It started with a simple recipe. Oils? Check. Scents? Check. Colorants? Check. But then came the word “lye.” And that’s where everything paused. Too nervous to use it, the batch was swapped with a store-bought melt-and-pour base. The result? A pretty bar, but it melted away quickly, didn’t clean well, and left skin feeling dry. The next try was different, using...

There’s something timeless about working with natural ingredients. Whether you’re blending your first small batch of soap or creating a salve that’s been passed down through generations, the power of nature is always at your fingertips. One such ingredient, often overlooked but incredibly effective, is sulphur powder. Used for centuries in traditional healing, skincare, and agriculture, sulphur powder is now gaining traction again with DIY soapmakers, herbal salve creators, and garden enthusiasts. But what exactly makes this fine yellow powder so versatile? And how can you use it safely and effectively in your own products? Let’s dive into the gentle science of Sulphur Powder (99.9% minimum purity) and how it supports your handmade creations. A Moment That Changed Everything Imagine this. You’ve been making soap for months. Maybe even years. But something keeps bugging you, your handmade bars don’t always clear up the itchy, dry skin that your customers mention. You’ve experimented w...