Understand what actually goes on your skin
Sun Gold Soaps is an educational resource for people who want to know what is in their soap, shampoo, and skincare products. We break down ingredients, explain formulation science, compare popular brands honestly, and help you choose products that actually work for your skin type. No affiliate bias, no marketing fluff. Just clear, research-backed answers from a soap maker who has been behind the bench for years.
A place to explore soap beyond the label
Most people pick up a bar of soap or a bottle of shampoo without thinking twice about what is inside. Sun Gold Soaps exists to change that. We are a free educational resource covering everything from cold process soap ingredients and pH balance to shampoo bar comparisons and skin-specific product recommendations. Whether you have sensitive skin and need to avoid sulfates, or you just want to know why your homemade soap keeps turning brown, this is where you get answers. Our content is written by Betty Gordon, a hands-on soap maker with years of formulation experience, not a copywriter guessing from the sidelines.
Browse Topics
What are you curious about?
Six ways to explore soap, from daily use to deep ingredient science.
Usage & Application
How to use soaps properly for face, body, laundry, dishes, and more.
Hair & Body
Shampoo bars, body washes, and what works best for different hair types.
Ingredients & Formulation
What goes into soap and why it matters for your skin.
General Soap Queries
Everyday questions about soap types, shelf life, storage, and alternatives.
Skin Concerns
How different soaps affect acne, eczema, dry skin, and sensitive skin.
Product Comparisons
Side-by-side breakdowns of popular soap and shampoo brands.
Latest Reads
Fresh from the soap bench
Recent guides and deep dives into what your soap is really made of.
How Do You Properly Use Murphy’s Oil Soap for Cleaning?
A complete guide to using Murphy’s Oil Soap on hardwood floors, cabinets, and furniture – including dilution ratios, common mistakes, and surfaces to avoid.
Read more →
How Should You Properly Dispose of Old Shampoo and Conditioner?
Read more →
What Are Castile Soap Towelettes Used For and How Can They Benefit You?
Read more →The Soap Lab
Explore by what matters to you
Whether you want to understand what is in your soap, find products for a specific skin condition, or compare different types of cleansers, this is your starting point. Browse by ingredient, skin concern, or product type to find exactly what you need.
Olive Oil Soaps
How olive oil affects lather, moisturizing, and bar hardness in cold process soap. Understand why Castile soap is the gold standard for sensitive skin and what makes a true olive oil soap different from a blend.
Coconut Oil
Why coconut oil creates big bubbles and when too much can dry your skin out. Learn the right percentage to use in cold process recipes and how it interacts with other fats in your formula.
Shea Butter
The conditioning powerhouse that adds luxury to any bar. Learn how to use shea butter without making mushy soap, and the difference between refined and unrefined in soap making.
Honey & Oats
Natural humectants and exfoliants that make soap gentle on sensitive skin. Discover why honey accelerates trace and how to add oats without clogging your drain.
Essential Oils
Which essential oils hold up in soap and which flash off in minutes. We cover safe usage rates, anchor notes for fragrance retention, and which oils to avoid on sensitive skin.
Natural Colorants
Turmeric, clay, activated charcoal, spirulina, and other natural ways to color your bars without synthetic dyes. Includes stability tips so your colors do not fade over time.
Dry Skin
Soaps that will not strip moisture, and the specific oils, butters, and humectants that actually hydrate. Learn why most commercial soaps make dry skin worse and what to look for instead.
Acne-Prone Skin
Which soaps help with breakouts and which ones make things worse. We cover comedogenic ratings of common soap oils and the role of pH in acne management.
Sensitive Skin
Fragrance-free, gentle formulas that calm irritation instead of causing it. Understand which preservatives and surfactants to avoid, and why “hypoallergenic” does not always mean safe.
Eczema & Psoriasis
What dermatologists actually recommend for inflammatory skin conditions and what soap makers commonly get wrong. Includes ingredient watchlists and gentle cleansing alternatives.
Scalp Health
Shampoo bars, dandruff soaps, and how pH affects your scalp. We explain the transition period when switching from liquid shampoo and how to avoid waxy buildup.
Sun-Damaged Skin
Soothing ingredients for post-sun recovery and long-term skin repair. Learn which plant oils have natural SPF properties and which after-sun soap ingredients actually help healing.
Bar Soap
Cold process, hot process, melt-and-pour, and rebatch. The classics explained, including cure times, superfat percentages, and how to read a soap ingredient label properly.
Liquid Soap
Body washes, hand soaps, and the real difference from bar soap. We cover the KOH vs. NaOH distinction, preservative requirements, and why liquid soap needs a different formulation approach.
Shampoo Bars
The zero-waste alternative to bottled shampoo, and how to pick one that actually works for your hair type. Includes guidance on the vinegar rinse debate and hard water compatibility.
Dish Soap
What makes dish soap chemically different from body soap and why you should never use it on your skin. We explain surfactant strength, grease-cutting chemistry, and safer alternatives.
Laundry Soap
Homemade vs. commercial laundry detergent, and which ingredients actually clean clothes effectively. Covers the borax debate, washing soda ratios, and HE machine compatibility.
Brand Comparisons
Honest, side-by-side reviews of the most popular soap, shampoo, and body wash brands. We compare ingredient lists, pricing, skin compatibility, and actual performance in real use.
Behind the Bench
Written by someone who makes soap, not just writes about it
Common Questions