Our process

The certification of the lab

Seamuse is certified by the National Agency for Medicinal Products and follows strict GMP practices in accordance with ISO 22716: 2007. All our products are notified to the European Cosmetics Platform (CPNP) and have been laboratory tested for quality assurance.

The design of the handmade soap recipe

The process begins with careful planning of the recipe (formula) of the soap. The use of special software (algorithm) ensures the correct ratio of the components. Essential oils and aromatic oils, special additives, and color combinations are also part of the design.

 

Our handmade soaps have a balanced combination of 7 quality oils: virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter. The recipes differ in the combination and proportion of these oils. Palm oil (from suppliers that adhere to the principles of sustainability) is sometimes used in specific bars. We buy palm oil from reputable suppliers who state their sources. Each recipe is carefully designed, depending on the desired properties of the soap.

We greatly appreciate the euphoria that the perfumes that are added to the body products give. We use pure essential oils and carefully selected aromatic oils from reputable suppliers.

 

We also use additives for specific purposes. For example, we have a soap bar with Greek yogurt and honey, which stands out for its soothing and moisturizing properties. We also make soap from Greek Saffran and beetroot, soap with tomato and thyme, soap with poppy seeds. In each, the ingredients are added after extraction into oils or by simply adding them to the recipe.

The quantities of oil, soda, aromatics and additives are weighed carefully and accurately and then transported to the place of preparation.

The Cold Process Method, the Hot Process Method and the combination of the two for the production of handmade soaps

There are three ways for the production of our handmade soaps: The Cold Method, a combination of the Cold & Hot Method & the Warm Method.

In the Cold Process Method, all of the ingredients, oils, water, and soda are mixed together at room temperature. Stirring is done with a high-strength shaker until the point of light coagulation of the mixture (trace). At this point, the various herbs, dyes, and aromatics are added.

 

Τhe recipe that has been designed is followed according to the desired properties of the final soap and has been tested for safe use in a certified laboratory.

If we want the final soap to have two colors or three colors, the basic mixture is separated and the coloring is done in separate containers. The mixtures are then poured into a liquid form in the mold. The soap has active soda at this stage and needs a lot of care not to come in contact with bare skin. That’s why we always wear a suit, goggles, and gloves.

We choose the Hot Process method when we want to speed up the maturation process and we do not want to wait 40 days to sell the product. The production is carried out at high temperatures of 70-80 degrees Celsius and the mixture is stirred with the shaker while it is fluid.

It goes through various stages of saponification until it results in complete saponification and inactivation of caustic soda. In the form of a thick mixture, it is poured into the mold and cut into bars the next day. The hot method soap can be used immediately after cutting after the soda has been completely inactivated, but we keep it on the shelves for a few days to perfect the drying.

In some cases, we use the double method, starting with stirring at room temperature, and then the liquid mixture with the mold is placed in the oven for 8-10 hours to accelerate the completion of saponification.

Drying and pH measurement

For the next 24 hours, the soap is removed from the mold and cut into bars of 3 sizes: 140 gr, 70 gr, and 35 gr. which are placed in the drying selves. The necessary measurements are made for the pH which should be around 8.5-9.

After cutting, the soap bars are placed on shelves in a well-ventilated room for curing and drying. The climate in Greece is fortunately dry and helps in the maturation process.

Cold method soaps remain in the dryer for 35-40 days and are regularly checked for final weight and alkalinity. The hot method and mixed-method soaps are kept in the dry for about a week.

Always keep a copy of the batch produced, marked with the number and date. The batch number is unique and follows the pieces until their final sale.

Handmade soaps are checked for their pH value (ie alkalinity) both during the production process and at the end of the maturation period, to make sure that they are ready for use on the skin. After being sealed, they are wrapped by hand and packed for shipment. The process is handmade at every stage from beginning to end.

The production of creamy products

During the production of creams and lotions for the body, hair, and face, a very strict procedure is followed to prevent any contamination of the materials at all stages of production and packaging.

Everything is meticulously disinfected, counters, utensils, tools and containers, by spraying a germicidal solution, 94 degrees alcohol.

Creamy products should be protected from the growth of microorganisms due to their water content. The water we use in the laboratory is deionized and passed through a UV device, but prevention with the use of a preservative is necessary for the safety of the product that will be on the shelf at room temperature. You can read our related article about preservatives in cosmetics here.