Yury Yarovoy

Soap Bar Performance Evaluation Methods

Abstract: This chapter surveys the assessment procedures that are practiced in soap bar factories or in development laboratories around the world to ensure that manufacturing standards are met and, ultimately, that consumers will be satisfied with the cleansing bars they purchase. In principle, the appraisal methods include analytical chemistry tests to evaluate raw materials and finished product, methods of materials science to assess product structure, and straightforward tests of the consumer-observable attributes like lather, wet-bar feel, and wear rate, either in the laboratory or by consumer panel assessment. The main focus in this chapter concerns the finished product, although characterization (rheology) of partially manufactured soap is also considered.