Saponified Coconut Oil

Sodium cocoate is the result of reacting coconut oil with sodium hydroxide and water.  This process is called saponification and is the traditional method of soap making.  There is no sodium hydroxide (lye) left in the bar once this process is complete.  All soap is made by reacting oils/fats with lye.  Unfortunately some folks say that they make soap without using lye which is impossible.  Melt & pour soap base is also made using this process. Various cleansers can absolutely be made utilizing surfactants/detergents, but a true "soap" is made via the saponification process described above.