The Sudsverse Standard: Why We Use This Specific Blend of 5 Oils

If you look at the back of a Sudsverse soap bar, you won’t find a list of unpronounceable detergents. You’ll find a short list of plant oils. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. The specific combination of these oils is the result of rigorous testing and formulation science.

We don’t just throw oils in a pot. We engineer our recipe based on fatty acid profiles. Every oil contributes a specific property; hardness, bubbles, creaminess, or conditioning which ultimately contributes to the final bar.

Here is the deep dive into the five oils that make the Sudsverse signature blend, and the science behind why we chose them.

1. Coconut Oil: The Bubble Engine

• The Science: Coconut oil is unique because it is rich in Lauric Acid (C12:0). Unlike most oils which have long carbon chains, Lauric acid is a "medium-chain" fatty acid.
• The Benefit: Solubility. Sodium Laurate (saponified coconut oil) dissolves quicker than any other soap molecule. This creates the "flash foam" which are those big, fluffy bubbles that appear the second the soap touches water.
• Why We Use It: Without Coconut Oil, a natural soap might feel like a lotion bar that refuses to lather. We use just the right amount to give you explosive bubbles without drying out your skin.

Learn More: (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19387482/)

2. RSPO Palm Oil: The Structural Skeleton

• The Science: Palm oil is high in Palmitic Acid (C16:0). This is a saturated fat that forms a rigid crystal lattice within the soap bar.
• The Benefit: Longevity. Palmitic acid is what makes the bar hard and smooth. It prevents the soap from turning into "mush" in your shower and ensures it lasts for weeks.
• The Ethics: We strictly use RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified oil. This ensures that our palm oil is produced without contributing to deforestation or habitat destruction. It allows us to make a high-quality, hard bar responsibly.

Learn More: (https://rspo.org/)

3. Refined Virgin Olive Oil: The Gentle Giant

• The Science: Olive oil is the king of conditioning, composed of 80% Oleic Acid.
• The Sudsverse Difference: Many handmade soaps use Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is green. While healthy, that green chlorophyll can interfere with colors and turn a blue soap murky teal. We use Refined Virgin Olive Oil.
• The Benefit: It retains all the moisturizing squalene and polyphenols of olive oil but has been filtered to remove the heavy pigments. This gives us a neutral, creamy off-white base that lets our artistic colors pop, while still delivering that legendary "Castile" gentleness to your skin.

4. High Oleic Sunflower Oil: The Secret Weapon

• The Science: Standard sunflower oil is high in Linoleic acid, which can spoil quickly. We use a special non-GMO agricultural variant called High Oleic Sunflower Oil (HOSO).
• The Benefit: HOSO is genetically similar to Olive Oil (high in Oleic acid) but lighter in texture. It is packed with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps maintain skin health.
• Why We Add It: This is our "synergy" oil. By pairing it with Olive Oil, we reduce the "drag" or "sliminess" that can sometimes happen with pure olive soaps. HOSO makes the lather feel silky, silky smooth and helps the bar rinse clean.

Learn More: (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22995032/)

5. Castor Oil: The Foam Booster

• The Science: Castor oil is a botanical anomaly. It is comprised of 90% Ricinoleic Acid, a fatty acid found in no other commercially available oil.
• The Benefit: Ricinoleic acid is a humectant (it draws moisture to the skin). But in soap, its magic power is lather stability. It takes the big, fleeting bubbles from the Coconut Oil and transforms them into a thick, dense, creamy foam that lasts.

Learn More: (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11200362/)

Ready to feel the 'Sudsverse Standard' difference we’ve detailed above? Experience these perfectly balanced oils in action and Shop Our Soap Bar Collection today.