Why handmade soap?

Why should I buy handmade soap when I can get more soap for less money at the grocery store?

Generally, the commercial soaps carried at most chain stores are not soap, but yet detergents that are full of chemically derived synthetic additives that are difficult to pronounce.  Not only can you not pronounce the ingredients but they deplete your skin of moisture which can lead to rashes, irritations or other ill effects caused by these “fillers”.  Because most commercial soap manufacturers remove the glycerin from their soap and reuse it in high end cosmetic products, you are left to suffer the consequences of these large companies cutting on cost. 

The commercial soaps that are found in most chain stores are referred to as either a “body bar”, “cleansing bar”, or “beauty bar”, which simply means if it does not say “soap”, chances are it is probably a “detergent”.  We challenge you to read the labels on your commercial soap bar to see if you can pronounce any of the words.  Take your challenge one step further by Googling each ingredient you will be surprised at what you discover.  Keep in mind a detergent is great for cleaning the dishes, but not your body.

Handmade Soap is soap in its true, pure form.  It gently cleanses away excess oils and bacteria, but doesn't strip your skin of its natural oils.

Using commercial soaps over time leaves your skin dry, or way too oily and feeling like its never clean.  Natural handmade soap, that only uses natural ingredients, can restore the moisture to your skin, while still getting you clean.  You will be amazed at the difference!

Handmade soap is a cleanser made with simple ingredients that can be found in your local grocery store and are good for your skin.  In the handcrafted soap making process, oils and/or butters are combined with sodium hydroxide to produce bar soap and glycerin.  Some people may question the use of sodium hydroxide in handmade soap, but the fact is that all “real soap” is made with sodium hydroxide.  Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or soda ash.  What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the sodium hydroxide and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin. Saponification is the chemical reaction created by combining these oils and/or butters with sodium hydroxide and water. 

ALL bar soaps are made with sodium hydroxide and when made correctly, it does not remain in the final bar of soap.  Regardless, if your soap is manufactured by large corporations or smaller handcrafted soap makers, the above rings true.  Sodium Hydroxide must be used to make real soap and there should never be any remaining lye in the final bar to damage the skin. 

Usage and Storage

Proper storage of your handcrafted soap will ensure a long shelf life.  Handcrafted soap is best stored in environments void of moisture and humidity.  Place your soap on a draining soap dish or stand it on its side.  If left in aqueous environments, handcrafted soap tends to dissolve quickly due to the amount of glycerin molecules that wash clean with water.