First-year and organic chemistry students will learn the chemistry of soap by making some of the eleven described formulations, which produce usable, quality bars of soap. Opaque and transparent soaps are made in two and three hours, respectively. With an introduction to formulation chemistry, organic chemistry students can devise a formulation to synthesize their own opaque soap. Many of the formulations use commonly-available fats and oils, while some formulations incorporate specialty fats and oils for therapeutic purposes, for example, to relieve dry skin or itching. After one week of curing, the effectiveness of the prepared soap and commercially-available surfactants are tested in hard and soft water. The pH of the prepared soap, commercial surfactants, and the students' skin are measured and compared. In laboratory sections where students make soaps from different formulations, students can wash their hands with a bar of each and compare the quantity and quality of lather, the size of the bubbles, and the feel of the soap on the skin. Using these data, students can identify the best formulation for their skin and explain their selection.

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