Soap

The chemical structure of sodium laureth sulfate, a typical ingredient found in liquid soaps

Emulsifying action of soap on oil

Soap is a salt of a fatty acid used in a variety of cleansing and lubricating products.^[1] In a domestic setting, soaps, specifically "toilet soaps", are surfactants usually used for washing, bathing, and other types of housekeeping. In industrial settings, soaps are used as thickeners, components of some lubricants, emulsifiers, and catalysts.

Soap is created by mixing fats and oils with a base.^[2] Humans have used soap for millennia; evidence exists for the production of soap-like materials in ancient Babylon around 2800 BC.

^ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version: (2006–) "Soap". doi:10.1351/goldbook.S05721
^ "What's The Difference Between Soap and Detergent". cleancult.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.

[1] IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version: (2006–) "Soap". doi:10.1351/goldbook.S05721

[2] "What's The Difference Between Soap and Detergent". cleancult.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.

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