Here at The Bubble Sisterhood, we love talking about the magic of soap. Behind every bar is a little bit of art, a little bit of science, and a whole lot of love. But did you know there’s more than one way to make handcrafted soap? The two most common methods are cold process and hot process—and while both create beautiful, bubbly bars, the journey to get there is a little different.

Cold Process: The Slow & Steady Artist

Cold process is like letting your soap tell its own story over time. We carefully blend oils and lye water, then pour the creamy mixture into molds. After that, it’s all about patience. The soap goes through a natural chemical reaction called saponification and then needs to cure for several weeks.

Why do we love it? Cold process allows for gorgeous designs, swirls, and layers of color. The end result is silky, long-lasting bars that feel amazing on the skin.

Hot Process: The Rustic & Ready-Soaper

Hot process speeds things up by using heat—often in a crockpot—to “cook” the soap. This means the saponification happens right away, and the bars are technically safe to use much sooner. The texture is more rustic, and the look tends to be less polished, but many makers love the old-world, earthy vibe it brings.

Why do we love it? Hot process soap is fantastic for experimenting with unique ingredients since the higher heat makes it easier to add things like clays, herbs, or essential oils after the cook.

Which is Better?

The truth is—neither! Both methods make beautiful, skin-loving bars. It just depends on the maker’s style and what kind of soap they want to create. At The Bubble Sisterhood, we mostly use cold process because we adore the creative freedom and the silky finish it gives our soaps.

The Fun Part

Whether it’s hot or cold, soapmaking is always a blend of creativity and chemistry. And at the end of the day, what matters most is that every bar is made with care, high-quality ingredients, and a dash of bubbly joy.