Ingredients in Pears Soap

Pears soap was first sold in London in 1789. The soap was aged for three months after being made to allow it to reach an amber-colored transparency. The aging process is still used today in India, where the soap is manufactured. Pears soap has sold for over 200 years, due in large part to its natural ingredients. Pears contains no artificial colors or scents and it is noncomedogenic so it will not clog pores.

Sodium palmitate is a sodium salt commonly used in soaps, body washes, shaving creams and deodorants. Sodium palmitate comes from fatty acids and is used to give soap its soapy lather and help it break down in hard water.

Sodium cocoate is another common salt derived from the fatty acid salts of coconut oil that is commonly used to make soap. Sodium cocoate and sodium palmitate are often combined in cleansing products, as they are in Pears soap. Coconut oil is mixed with sodium hydroxide to produce a chemical reaction that results in the production of sodium cocoate.

Natural rosin is a resin from pine trees. The quality of rosin varies depending on the age, species and size of the tree from which the resin was extracted. The rosin in Pears soap helps give it its amber coloring and fresh scent.

Glycerin is a natural byproduct of soap making. Many soap manufactures extract the glycerin for use in moisturizers and lotions. Pears soap retains the glycerin, which helps draw moisture into the skin and soften it. The glycerin in Pears soap also helps give the product its transparent appearance.

Pears soap contains rosemary, an evergreen herb with a strong fragrance. Rosemary is also used as an astringent to help clean and clear the skin. Rosemary is often used in aromatherapy to treat various illnesses and diseases. It is often used in skin moisturizers and natural acne products.

The thyme in Pears soap blends with the other ingredients to finalize the fragrance. Thyme has antimicrobial and disinfectant properties that help clean and clear the skin, leaving it fresh. Thyme has been used in aromatherapy to stimulate brain activity and memory and to help cure insomnia.