Soaps

Soaps are fatty acid salts with a polar head group and a hydrocarbon tail. They are produced by the saponification of triglycerides. Soaps have numerous uses, the most common being washing the body and dishes, however they are also used as emulsifiers, surfactants and for creating foam. Soap molecules are amphipathic, meaning they have both a hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-fearing) component. This allows them to adhere to dirt and grime, and then be washed away by water. Soaps are an invaluable part of everyday life, allowing us to easily remove dirt without causing any harm to our skin or the environment.