What is “Saponified”?

What “Saponified” Means

Saponified means that fats or oils have been chemically reacted with sodium hydroxide (lye) to create soap.

During this process—called saponification—the original oils and the lye are transformed into soap molecules and glycerin. Once saponification is complete, neither the original oils nor the lye remain in their original form.

When an ingredient list shows names like sodium olivate or sodium cocoate, it indicates the oil was saponified to make real soap.