Question

What is the active component in soaps ?

Answer 1

Answer:

Sodium and potassium ions dissolve easily in water, leaving the soap as a long chain with a negative end. The long hydrocarbon tail is hydrophobic ("hates water") [also lipophilic ("loves oil")] while the ionic end (carboxylate/sodium or potassium ion) is hydrophilic ("loves water").

Answer 2

soaps are made from fats and oils that react with lye (sodium hydroxide). Solid fats like coconut oil, palm oil, tallow (rendered beef fat), or lard (rendered pork fat), are used to form bars of soap that stay hard and resist dissolving in the water left in the soap dish.