Absolutely. For natural soap, all soapmakers must use lye (aka caustic soda or Sodium Hydroxide). Sodium Hydroxide is utilized in many industries, including the food industry! In particular, it's used in making Bavarian Pretzels, curing lutefisk or olives, removing vegetable skins for canning, as well as sometimes a part of preserving agents! In natural soapmaking, Sodium Hydroxide is the catalyzing agent triggering the Saponification process which converts fatty triglycerides (all those delicious oils & butters that are so good for your skin) into soap! Some natural soaps may show their ingredients as "Sodium Olivate" or "Sodium Cocoate"....these are the resulting sodium salt names of Olive Oil and Cocnut Oil, after they've been saponified by Sodium Hydroxide. We prefer to show the original names on our ingredient lists as they are more recognizable, especially for someone checking for allergen concerns. As part of our craft, we have chosen to "SuperFat" our soaps, which leaves a chosen percentage of the original oils & butters UNsaponified, which ensures full neutralization of Sodium Hydroxide in the Saponication process. Superfatting also results in a much richer, luxurious bar of soap....perfect for dry or tight skin, and enhancing hydration.