Soap has been around for centuries, but can be harsh on skin. This has caused chemists to search for an alternative. Due to their studies, chemists designed detergents. Their creation acts in the same way as soap, but they are less caustic and do not produce insoluble salts as soaps tend to do. Detergents are more versatile than soap because they are able to function normally even with the interference of outside chemicals where soap is not.
Recently, products have been substituting detergents for soap. In fact, most soaps on the market are not really soap at all, but are really the newly engineered alternative. For items such as facial cleansers and shampoos, detergents are being used to create a less harsh cleansing agent.
Soap molecules are produced from the reaction of fatty acids with an alkali base (lye.) Detergents, however are not made from fatty acids, but are instead, created from the petroleum industry. Detergants are produced from the reaction of either sulfer trioxide or sulfuric acid with petroleum.
Liquid soap is a watered down solution of ordinary bar soap. However, to achieve a desired consistency, chemists use preservatives. Along with this, colors and fragrances are more common in liquid soaps, though they are sometimes used in bar soaps as well.
Benefits of liquid soaps include more cleanliness because it reduces the spread of germs. It also is easier and faster to produce a lather, due to its high percentage water content.