Calculate INS value and soap property percentages (hardness, cleansing, conditioning) for your cold process oil blend.
The SoapMetric INS/SAP Value Calculator is a powerful predictive tool that allows you to 'test' your soap's performance before you ever touch a bottle of lye. By analyzing the fatty acid profile of your oil blend, the tool calculates the theoretical quality of the finished bar. It provides insights into essential soap characteristics such as hardness, cleansing power, conditioning ability, and lather quality. This tool is indispensable for formulators looking to create unique, high-performance recipes that go beyond standard olive and coconut oil blends, allowing for scientific experimentation with exotic butters and oils.
The calculator utilizes a database of over 100 lipids, each with a pre-defined INS (Iodine and Saponification) value and a breakdown of eight key fatty acids (Lauric, Myristic, Palmitic, Stearic, Ricinoleic, Oleic, Linoleic, and Linolenic). The overall INS of your recipe is calculated as a weighted average: Recipe INS = Σ(Oil Percentage_n * Oil INS_n). Hardness and cleansing are primarily derived from the saturated fatty acids (Lauric, Myristic, Palmitic), while conditioning and creaminess are derived from the unsaturated acids (Oleic, Linoleic). By balancing these ratios, the tool helps you hit the 'sweet spot' of a 145-165 INS score.
Design a recipe with a focus on 'Conditioning' and 'Creaminess' by selecting oils high in Oleic and Ricinoleic acids (like Shea Butter and Castor Oil). Use the tool to ensure the INS remains above 140 to prevent the bar from being too soft.
Optimize for 'Cleansing' and 'Hardness' by increasing Coconut and Palm oil percentages. The tool will show a higher INS (closer to 170), indicating a bar that will effectively strip away grease and last a long time in the shower.
Use the tool to fine-tune a 'Trinity' blend of Olive, Coconut, and Palm oil. Aim for the classic 160 INS score, ensuring a bar that bubbles well, cleanses effectively, and doesn't get soft on the soap dish.
An INS value between 145 and 170 is considered ideal for a balanced, hard bar of soap with good lather and cleansing properties.
Increase the percentage of saturated oils like coconut oil, palm oil or lye. These have high INS values and contribute to a harder bar.