What is the function of sodium tallowate in cleansers?

Washing your face involves using a concept that dates back over 3,000 years. While ancient soap differed significantly from modern versions, the core components—fat and alkali—remain unchanged. Historically, people combined fat with ashes to create soap [source: Soap and Detergent Association]. Today, soap production is a detailed process utilizing either natural or synthetic ingredients. Sodium tallowate is one such natural ingredient often found in soap formulations.

Sodium tallowate is a traditional soap created by reacting animal fat (tallow) from cattle or sheep with lye, usually sodium hydroxide [source: Cavitch]. This process, called saponification, transforms the fatty acids into soap. As the soap solidifies, the fats neutralize the lye, ensuring no irritants remain when used [source: Field]. Acting as a surfactant, sodium tallowate reduces water's surface tension, allowing it to bind to dirt and oils on your skin. Rinsing removes both the soap and impurities, making skin cleansing more effective than water alone.

If you're concerned about the safety of using animal fat derivatives in soap, rest assured that tallow has been a staple in soaps and cleansers for centuries [source: Soap and Detergent Association]. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforces rigorous standards regarding the types and quantities of tallow permitted in cosmetics [source: FDA].