The 35% Decision Most Soap Formulas Never Talk About

In skincare, the most important decisions are rarely the loudest ones. They don’t always show up on the front label, and they’re almost never explained in detail. But they matter—deeply. One of those decisions lives quietly inside our soap base: 35% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the highest percentage among all the oils we use, including Castor oil, Coconut oil, Palm oil, and Shea butter.

That number isn’t accidental. It’s the result of understanding how skin actually works—and how soap should work with it, not against it.

Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Leads Our Formula

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is fundamentally different from many oils commonly used in soapmaking. Its defining feature is its high oleic acid content, a monounsaturated fatty acid that makes up the majority of healthy human skin lipids.

Oleic acid plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s barrier—the outer layer responsible for keeping moisture in and irritants out. When a cleanser disrupts that barrier too aggressively, the result is familiar: tightness, dryness, irritation, or compensatory oil production.

By formulating our soap with 35% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, we allow EVOO to act as the structural anchor of the bar rather than a supporting character. At this level, olive oil meaningfully influences how the soap behaves on skin.

What that translates to:

• Gentler cleansing: Olive-oil-rich soaps are known to cleanse effectively while minimizing disruption to the skin’s lipid matrix.
• Better moisture retention after washing: Research on olive oil–based cleansers shows reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), meaning skin holds onto hydration more effectively.
• Built-in antioxidant support: Extra Virgin Olive Oil naturally contains polyphenols and vitamin E, compounds shown to help neutralize oxidative stress that contributes to irritation and premature skin aging.

This is why olive oil–forward soaps have long been associated with dry, sensitive, and mature skin—and why the percentage matters so much.

Why 35% Is a Meaningful Threshold

Many soap formulas include olive oil. Few allow it to lead.

At lower percentages, olive oil’s benefits are diluted by more aggressive cleansing fats. At 35%, its fatty acid profile becomes dominant enough to shape the entire washing experience—from lather feel to how your skin feels hours later.

This decision shifts the soap away from the “squeaky clean” model (often a sign of barrier disruption) and toward comfortable, conditioned cleanliness. The skin feels clean, but not stripped. Balanced, not tight.

That distinction is especially important for skincare-savvy users who already use exfoliants, acids, or retinoids—products that can challenge the skin barrier on their own. A cleanser should not add to that burden.

The Supporting Oils—and Why They’re Supporting

While Extra Virgin Olive Oil represents the largest share of our formulation, the other base oils play carefully defined roles.

• Coconut oil provides effective cleansing and contributes to lather, but is balanced to avoid excessive dryness.
• Castor oil enhances lather creaminess and stability, improving glide and feel during use.
• Palm oil adds structure and longevity to the bar, ensuring consistent performance.
• Shea butter contributes unsaponifiable compounds that support skin comfort and nourishment.

Together, these oils create a complete, functional soap—but it’s the 35% Extra Virgin Olive Oil that determines how skin feels once the water is gone.

A Choice You Can Feel—Not Just Read About

The 35% decision is one most soap formulas never talk about because it requires trade-offs: slower curing, higher ingredient costs, and a commitment to skin health over shortcuts.

But for those who notice the difference between a soap that merely cleans and one that respects the skin, it’s immediately apparent. This is a formula built on restraint, intention, and a deep understanding of skin physiology.

Once you experience a soap where olive oil truly leads, it becomes clear why this quiet decision matters so much—and why it’s one we’re proud to make.