Teach Soap

I'm not quite sure of definitions now. The reason is that the shaving gel I use (commercial product, Edge) has as its main component according to the label, palmitic acid.
Now, it obviously isn't palm oil because that wouldn't create a massively thick lather, as it does.
And it doesn't say sodium palmate or potassium palmate, although obviously it does act as a soap.
Also, it isn't easily available. I looked in the catalogue of my most-useful supplier and it's not listed. What is listed is oleic acid, "base to make soap for detergents", translating the description. Now what is that? Could I substitute it for palmitic acid?

Maybe this will help?
http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary ... gi?cid=985

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!