This chart shows exactly how much Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) you should use in order to saponify a specific fat or oil used for cold process soap making! It also demonstrates the advantages of each oil so you can create the perfect oil combination for your handmade soaps.
| Oil/Fat (Acid) | SAP | Hard/ Soft | Harsh? | Fluffy Lather | Stable Lather | Skin Care |
| Avocado Oil | 133.7 | Soft | 3 | Yes | – | 5 |
| Coconut Oil | 191.1 | Hard | 5 | Yes | – | 3 |
| Castor Oil | 128.6 | Soft | 3 | Yes | Yes | 4 |
| Olive Oil | 135.3 | Soft | 4 | – | – | 4 |
| Cocoa Butter | 196 | Hard | 5 | – | Yes | 3 |
| Macadamia Nut Oil | 195 | Soft | 3 | – | Yes | 4 |
| Shea Butter | 178 | Hard | 4 | – | Yes | 3 |
| Almond Oil | 137.3 | Soft | 4 | – | Yes | 5 |
| Jojoba Oil | 69.5 | Soft | 3 | – | Yes | 4 |
| Palm Oil | 144 | Hard | 5 | – | Yes | 3 |
| Grape seed Oil | 193 | Soft | 2 | – | Yes | 4 |
| Wheatgerm Oil | 190 | Hard | 4 | – | Yes | 3 |
SAP This column is the saponification value (SAP value), it shows how many milligrams of lye (sodium hydroxide) are needed to saponify exactly 1 gram (1000 milligrams) of the fat or oil in question. Hard/Soft This is to show whether the oil will produce a hard or soft bar. If the bar is too soft your soap will dissolve prematurely, too hard the soap will not lather. Be sure to mix a hard and soft oil to create a balanced soap bar. Harshness This column shows how well the oils clean. Bear in mind all soaps are good cleansers; some are harsher than others to the skin. 5 = Harshest, 3 = Average. Fluffy Lather This column specifies whether the oil produces a fluffy and bubbly lather. If the oil creates a fluffy lather be warned it also washes away much easier. Stable Lather A stable lather has much less substance then a fluffy lather, but is more difficult to wash away. The key is to combine the correct oils to find a suitable lather balance. Skin Care This shows how beneficial the soap is to the skin. This takes into consideration the abundance of anti-oxidants in the oil, the availability of vitamins and the moisturising properties. 3 = Moderate benefits to the skin, 5 = Very beneficial to the skin.
Want to learn more about soap making? Check out our sister company The Soap Kitchen for an incredible range of products, recipes and more!