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So Why Choose Handmade Soap?
Before making and using handmade soaps I had no idea that there was really any distinct difference between the two, apart from and one was mass produced and the other was handmade.
How wrong I was !
They have the same name but that is where the similarities end.
Despite sharing the name “soap,” they are worlds apart.
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While the basic process of soap-making may seem similar, the ingredients and methods used greatly affect the final product’s qualities, particularly how it interacts with your skin.
Ingredients Matter: Quality and Impact
The journey to a harsh, drying soap starts with poor ingredients. Many commercial soaps rely heavily on cheap oils, such as palm oil and its derivatives. Although palm oil contributes to a hard, lather-rich bar of soap, it does not offer the moisturizing benefits your skin needs. Additionally, the large-scale production of palm oil is tied to environmental concerns, including deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
The harshness of commercial soap doesn’t end there. The manufacturing process often prioritizes cost efficiency and shelf stability over skin health, leading to products that function more like detergents than nourishing cleansers.
A Quick Tour of Soap Making
Handmade Soap
Traditional handmade soap is created through a simple but fascinating process. Sodium hydroxide (lye) is dissolved in water (or a chosen liquid like herbal tea or goat milk) and combined with a blend of oils or butters. The mixture is blended until an exothermic chemical reaction, called saponification, begins. This reaction transforms the fats and oils into soap and produces natural glycerine as a by-product.
The soap batter is poured into moulds, where it thickens and solidifies over 18 to 24 hours. After unmoulding, the soap is cured for four to six weeks to improve hardness, longevity, and gentleness on the skin.
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Commercial Soap
On the other hand, commercial soap often undergoes a different, more industrialized process. Many companies extract the naturally occurring glycerine from the soap mixture, repurposing it for higher-margin skincare products like lotions and creams. This practice leaves the resulting bar devoid of glycerine, making it harsher and more likely to strip your skin of its natural oils.
Moreover, commercial soaps frequently include synthetic additives—such as detergents, preservatives, and artificial fragrances—that can irritate sensitive skin. The focus here is not on nourishing or protecting your skin but on creating a cheap and effective cleansing agent.
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The Benefits of Handmade Soap
1. Natural Ingredients: Handmade soap makers carefully select oils and butters, each chosen for its skin-loving properties. Olive oil, for example, is known for its moisturizing effects, while coconut oil adds cleansing power and a bubbly lather. The result is a gentle, nourishing soap that leaves your skin feeling hydrated.
2. Glycerin Content: Handmade soaps typically retain all the natural glycerin produced during saponification. Glycerin is a powerful humectant, drawing moisture from the air into your skin. This means handmade soap is inherently moisturizing, leaving your skin soft and comfortable rather than tight and dry.
3. Customization: Handmade soap makers often use high-quality, plant-based vegetable oils and essential oils for fragrance and natural botanicals for colour. This gives you a product free from artificial additives that could aggravate your skin.
Commercial Soap Ingredients to
Watch Out For
Here's a list of common ingredients in commercial soap and why they may be concerning:
- Parabens: Preservatives that mimic oestrogen and have been linked to potential hormonal disruptions.
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: A synthetic detergent that, while milder than traditional sulfates, can still be irritating for sensitive skin.
- Sodium Isethionate: Another detergent and emulsifying agent that can strip your skin of moisture.
- Synthetic Colors: These can interfere with your skin’s natural oil balance and block pores, potentially leading to irritation.
-Tetrasodium EDTA: A preservative made from formaldehyde, which may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
- Artificial Fragrances: Often contain phthalates, chemicals that may disrupt hormone function and have been linked to reproductive health concerns.
- Stearic Acid: Used as a stabilizer in plastics, this compound may irritate sensitive skin, causing redness and inflammation.
- Triclosan: An antibacterial agent associated with immune system disruptions and endocrine disorders. It is particularly concerning for children, who may experience increased eczema or allergies.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): A well-known skin irritant linked to potential organ toxicity and endocrine disruption.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): A detergent that can irritate the skin and eyes.
- Formaldehyde: A known allergen that may lead to dermatitis and skin sensitivity.
- Toluene: A petroleum-based solvent that can cause skin irritation and other health issues.
The Takeaway
Most commercial soaps are designed purely to cleanse, often at the expense of skin health. The detergents, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances used can be drying or even irritating, especially for those with sensitive skin. Given that your skin is your largest organ and is porous, it’s wise to consider what you’re exposing it to.
Handmade soap, by contrast, offers a gentle, natural alternative. Packed with moisturizing glycerin and beneficial oils, it nurtures your skin without the need for additional moisturizers or harsh chemicals. Plus, the eco-friendly and ethical practices often adopted by handmade soap makers can provide peace of mind for environmentally conscious consumers.
Why buy two products—a soap to cleanse and a moisturizer to repair—when one well-made bar of handmade soap can do it all?
On a personal note regarding JacqsArtisan Soapery Soaps naturak ingredients and palm oil in soap
If you are interested I have blog post regarding the use of palm oil in soapmaking and the effects and demands on virgin rainforests , the resulting deforestation and the impacts on the wildlife that are displaced in the process.
I chose at the start of my soapmaking journey to stop using palm oil and any of it's derivatives and find alternative oils and have been palm oil free for more than ten years now.
I also choose to use natural colourants, and spa clays and botanicals to not only colour the soaps but add wonderful soothing, cleansing or other beneficial qualities to the soap.
A lovely double win. Again if you are interested the addition of botanicals and clays to soaps maybe check that blog post also
Thanks for reading this blog post and I hope that you found it interesting and or helpful,
May God bless you , Jacqui of JacqsArtisan Soapery x
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