Base Oils

Olive Oil - natural moisturizer, produces a hard bar of soap

Coconut Oil - cleanser, contributes to a hard bar of soap and bubbly lather

Castor Oil - humectant, contributes to a creamy lather.

Fruit/Nut Oils - moisturizer, stabilizes lather.

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Stearic Acid - Surfactant, emulsifying agent

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Butters/Waxes

Shea Butter - moisturizer, improves skin elasticity

Cocoa Butter - moisturizer, packed with natural antioxidants

Nut/Fruit Butter - rich in antioxidants and healthy fats

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Beeswax - emollient, humectant

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Emulsifying Wax - vegetable derived wax used to blend oil and water solutions

Additives/Botanicals

Herbs - Rosemary, Peppermint, Lemon Balm, Spearmint

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Plants - Chamomile, Lavender, Pot Marigold (Calendula), Rose Buds, Pea Flowers, Arnica Flowers, etc.

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Roots - Dandelion, Marshmallow, St. John's Wart, Comfrey, Plaintain

Sugar - exfoliant

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Sea Salt - exfoliant, also used to thicken aqueous solutions

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Citric Acid - preservative, PH adjuster

Clays and Colorants

Rose and White Kaolin Clay, French Green Clay - mild clay, removes impurities, mild exfoliant

Charcoal - detoxifier, removes impurities

Natural Colorants - Various herbs and spices: Paprika, Turmeric, Indigo, Spirulina, etc

Micas - Colorful or transparent shiny silicate minerals

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Oxides - Man-made pigments from natural elements

Liquids

Distilled Water - solvent, free of toxins, pollutants and microbes; provides hydration

Milks  - Coconut, Oat, Rice, Almond, Hemp;

Glycerin - sugar alcohol; humectant which prevents the premature loss of moisture

Tea - Black, Green, Red Rooibos, packed with antioxidants

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Honey - humectant, hydrates the skin

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Coffee - exfoliant, increases circulation

Fragrances

Essential Oils - natural oil obtained by distillation of botanicals or other sources.  Usually carries the fragrance of the source.

Fragrance Oils - mechanically created fragrance composed of natural and chemical components.

Lye

Sodium/Potassium Hydroxide - hydrolyzes fats and forms soap, controls PH