Other studies acknowledge Sodium Hydroxide as a strong irritant that is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, but that the severity of the effects are related directly to concentration and pH levels, as well as the length of exposure and skin type. Drain cleaners that contain sodium hydroxide convert fats and grease that can clog pipes into soap , which dissolves in water. It is true that the words "lye" or "sodium hydroxide" do not appear on the Dove ingredient label. Cold process soap requires sodium hydroxide lye. Concentrated Sodium Hydroxide is a strong irritant and corrosive to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal system if ingested. As a consumer, you will never come in contact with it unless you buy the lye solution for your own product manufacturing process. Does your bar of "soap" contain ingredients such as... We once had a customer who returned a bar of our natural Olive (Castile) & Shea soap because her dermatologist told her that she should not use a soap made with lye. Yes, Dove is made with lye! Saponification of glycerol tristearate (a triacylglyceride) with NaOH (lye) yields a soap consisting of one part glycerol (shown in red) and three parts sodium stearate (shown in blue). Use restrictions (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), and Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low) denaturant, ph adjuster, and buffering. It can burn skin, cause blindness, and even cause death if ingested. We at MSC decided to include sodium hydroxide in our ingredients list because you deserve to know how your soap was made. I hope that it is now evident that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and have chemically changed into soap and glycerin. Or, as UCLA Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry puts it, "The process in which a triacylglyceride is reacted with aqueous hydroxide ion to form a mixture of glycerol and fatty acid salts (soaps). All skin types except those that have an identified allergy to it. How to Melt Shave Soap Puck in Any Bowl or Mug, How-To Head Shaving Guide for Balding Men, Medicines such as aspirin, anticoagulants, and cholesterol-reducers, Water treatment process to control water acidity and remove heavy metals, Food and vegetable deskinning and canning process. Any skin or hair cleansing product made without sodium hydroxide is not soap, it is detergent. To this day, the origins of Aleppo soap remain unclear. No lye -- No soap! But it is possible to make soap … Sodium hydroxide is used to manufacture soaps and a variety of detergents used in homes and commercial applications. These alternative words are not always used to deceive consumers! The severity of effects caused by Sodium Hydroxide is a function of the concentration, the pH, the length of tissue contact time and local conditions and skin type. Won't It Harm My Skin? And yet, this dangerous chemical is one of the main components of all soaps, both homemade and store bought. Any spills on your skin and eyes should be flushed with water for 30 minutes. Is There Lye In Natural Soap? Let's learn what it. The answer is -- of course. Protective equipment such as rubber gloves, safety clothing, face mask and eye protection should always be used when handling Sodium Hydroxide or its solutions. Lye, sodium hydroxide, is a necessary component of soap making. A piece of hot soap flew into my eye: O U C H times 1000! If you are still not convinced, here is an example of another chemical reaction. The mineral form of Calcium Hydroxide is called portlandite. It is a colorless liquid, denser than water, and a highly caustic substance that is used to neutralize acids. The element chlorine (Cl) is a deadly poisonous gas. Read more about "Aren't all handmade soaps the same?". It has been known to make the skin appear young and fresh. Lye gives pretzels their characteristic flavor, crispiness, and glossy finish. Dove. The reaction mechanism follows the nucleophilic carbonyl substitution pathway.". Simple Soap Can Help Decrease The Spread of Viruses. ), If you dig deep back to your high school chemistry days, you may remember learning about acid-base reactions. However, the ingredient lists in soaps are usually listed as the raw ingredients that were mixed together to make the soap, so sodium hydroxide will be at a disturbingly high position. If the soap is made properly, the lye is used up in the saponification process to turn oil into soap. Any spills on your skin and eyes should be … Lye sold at Bramble Berry is 98% pure. But even natural soapmakers know that consumers are afraid of the word "lye.". 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