Handmade Soaps vs Chemical Soaps

Walk down any soap aisle and you will find hundreds of bars. Most look the same. Underneath, they are very different.

What commercial bars are made of

Many mass-market bars are really detergent bars. They use harsh synthetic cleansers that remove dirt, but also the natural oils your skin needs, which can leave it tight and dry.

What happens in handmade soap

True soap is made by combining plant oils with an alkali, a process called saponification. It naturally leaves behind glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin. Large factories often remove it to sell separately; small-batch makers leave it in.

What to look for on a label

• Plant oils (coconut, olive, shea) near the top of the list.
• Natural actives you can recognise, like turmeric or aloe.
• No parabens, sulphates or artificial dyes.

The bottom line

Handmade soap is not magic, but it is gentler, simpler and kinder to skin than a typical detergent bar.