Table 1.

The most commonly used ingredients in the soap along with their function and typical range.

Ingredient functions	Ingredient	Typical range (%)
Saponified oils	Tallow, stearic acid, palm kernel oil, olive oil, palm oil	15–80%
Emollienting agent	Glycerol stearate, glycerine, castor oil, silicone fluids	1.0–3.0%
Colorant	Dyestuff, beta-carotene, chromium hydroxide green, carbazole violet	0.001–0.1%
Chelating agent	EDTA, hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid	0.005–0.2%
Bleaching agent	Titanium dioxide	0.1–2.0%
Water	Water	5–30%
Antioxidants	Butyl hydroxy toluene, 2-t-butylbenzene-1, 4-diol	0.005–0.01%
Crack resistance agent	Coconut fatty acids	1.0–3.0%
Antibacterial agents	Tricloson, trichlorocarbon	0.3–1.5%
Anti-acne compounds	Sulfur, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide	0.5–10%
Secondary surfactants	Sodium lauryl ether sulphate, lauramine oxide, cocoamidopropyl betaine, disodium cocoyl glutamate, TEA oleate	0.5–5.0%
Moisturizing agent	Lactose, propylene glycol, urea, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract	0.1–10.0%
Thickening agent	PEG-40 hydrated castor oil, benzoic acid	0.5–0.6%
pH-buffer	Citric acid monohydrated, polycarboxylates	0.5%
Fragrance	Perfume, vanillin	0.5–1%