The 8% Superfat: Science, Heritage, and Skin Barrier Health

In traditional soap making, the process of saponification converts oils and butters into cleanser. Most commercial "beauty bars" are formulated at a 0% superfat, meaning every drop of oil is converted, often resulting in a product that strips the skin’s natural lipids.

At baumé & co., we operate differently. We formulate every bar with an 8% superfat ratio.

In chemistry terms, this means we add 8% more luxury oils than the reaction requires. These extra oils—like our nutrient-dense Tallow and raw Shea Butter—remain in their pure state within the bar. As you cleanse, these unsaponified fats are deposited onto the skin, reinforcing the moisture barrier rather than removing it.

The choice of 8% is both a technical and a personal one. Rooted in my Chinese-Vietnamese heritage, the number 8 represents prosperity and luck. By marrying this cultural symbol with a high-performance superfat ratio, we have created a bar designed for "skin prosperity." It provides a decadently creamy lather that maintains skin integrity even in the harshest conditions.

- J💚