What you put on your body matters. So, when it comes to soap, it’s important to know which is best for your body. If you’re exploring the aisles of the grocery store or local convenience store near you, you likely encounter many mass-produced soaps.
It’s no secret that mass-manufactured soaps are convenient. In fact, because they’re produced in such large batches, they’re often more accessible and less expensive. However, mass-produced soaps may not be the best option for your skin.
When it comes to the difference between handmade soap and other types of soaps, there are a few distinct qualities that set the handcrafted options apart. If you’re considering making the switch from conventional soaps to handmade soap, this guide is for you.
Let’s take a closer look at the top reasons to make the switch to handmade soap.
WHAT IS HANDMADE SOAP?
What is handmade soap? What’s the difference between handmade soap and conventional soap?
Handmade soaps are soaps made by individual artisans. These soaps are handcrafted as opposed to being mass-produced by machines. Handmade soaps tend to be made in smaller batches, use real ingredients, and avoid harmful chemicals. Handmade soaps are also good for the skin and the body.
WHAT IS SMALL-BATCH SOAP?
You may also hear the term “small-batch soap” when learning about handmade soaps and other handmade bath products. Small-batch soap is simply soap produced in smaller quantities.
There are many benefits to small-batch soap. Soap made in smaller batches receives individual attention from the artisans crafting it. Instead of buying soap that’s run through a machine, you can buy soap made by an attentive person. The time, attention, and detail devoted to the handmade soaps are a significant benefit.
HOW DO YOU MAKE SOAP BY HAND?
Handmade soap can be made in a few different ways. Three of the most common ways to make handmade soaps are with the melt and pour technique, cold pressing, and hot pressing. Each of these processes has been used for years to perfect the art of soap making. These methods have been passed down through generations, with each new generation honoring the past tradition while adding to the present technique.
MELT AND POUR
The melt and pour method of soap making is just like the name sounds. You begin by melting the soap base, which contains the hydrating product glycerin. Once melted, add other nourishing ingredients to the mixture. This can contain essential oils for fragrance, coconut oil for skin, and much more.
Once you complete your soap mixture, you can pour this into soap molds. Artisans will have handcrafted molds, but if you’re making handmade soap at home, you can use any container you have.
Allow your soap to cool and harden completely before removing it from the mold and packaging it or using it. You can cut your soap molds from here and decorate them however you like.
COLD PROCESSING
Cold processing is another popular method for making handmade soap. Cold processing involves the use of lye, oils, and sodium hydroxide. These ingredients cause a reaction known as saponification, which helps liquefy the soap materials.
You’ll start by melting lye and mixing this with water. Once this mixture cools completely, you can weigh and prepare the oils and moisturizing butters. Melt these and combine the lye and oils. Add all other ingredients and pour the soap mixture into a mold of your choice. Cover the mold with paper and a towel to keep the heat in.
Wait a few days or until your soap is completely cool and solid. After this, you can slice your soap into the shape you want and let the bars sit in the open air for at least one month before using them.
HOT PROCESSING
Hot processing is similar to cold processing, but it uses external heat to liquefy soap, whereas cold processing relies on saponification. In other words, this process is almost exactly the same as cold processing but relies on melting the oils first. Hot processing also doesn’t require a long cure time.
WHY IS SMALL-BATCH, HANDMADE SOAP SO GREAT?
Why make the switch to handmade soap? What makes small-batch, handmade soap such an excellent option? Handmade options are often much better than their mass-produced counterparts for a variety of reasons.
In a broad category, handmade products receive much more attention than products that are mass-produced. What about handmade soap?
The benefits of small-batch soap are numerous, but here are the top reasons why handmade soap is so great:
1. IT'S TRUE SOAP
One of the most significant benefits of handmade, small-batch soap is that it’s real.
Many mass-produced products and soaps are altered in ways that take away their soap-like qualities. For instance, commercial soaps may include artificial or synthetic ingredients that make them less like soap than their handmade counterparts.
The artificial ingredients in mass-produced soaps leave plenty to be desired; there is a reason that creating authentic soap is a highly prized practice.
2. IT'S EFFECTIVE
Another benefit of choosing handmade soap over conventional or commercial soaps is that they’re effective! Handmade soap contains a few key differences in effectiveness compared to commercial soap. First, it’s better for your skin and more moisturizing due to its glycerin content. It also contains real ingredients that tend to be more effective (and kinder) toward skin than artificial ingredients.
3. IT SMELLS GREAT
Soap not only smell great, but are also gentle on our skin. Depending on what kind of soap you use, you’ll be able to enjoy different fragrances. For instance, our handmade soaps are made with 100% essential oils that not only smell great but are gentle on our skin.
Choose from a variety of fragrances like chamomile, citrus, coconut, lavender, peppermint, rose, and vanilla. Each is made with essential oils and ingredients that are designed for sensitive skin.
When you choose handmade soap, you can feel great and smell great.
4. IT DOESN'T HAVE HIDDEN INGREDIENTS
It’s critical to understand what’s in a product before you use it. We practice this with food and other products, so why not practice it with our soaps too?
Mass-produced soap can contain hidden ingredients that are harmful to the planet and to the body. These include harsh chemicals, toxins, artificial ingredients, fragrances, parabens, and more. If you have trouble reading and understanding the ingredients in a label, that may be cause for concern.
Handmade soap, on the other hand, doesn’t contain any hidden ingredients. When you buy handmade, you know exactly what you’re getting. And, when you know what you’re getting, you can use handmade soap with peace of mind knowing your body is safe.
5. IT HELPS YOUR SKIN
Below are a few of the most significant reasons why handmade soap supports your skin:
Glycerin:
Many mass-produced soaps undergo a process that removes glycerin from them. Glycerin is an ingredient that helps hydrate and moisturizes the skin. In other words, using commercial soaps may actually dry your skin rather than moisturize it.
Keeping your hands smooth and hydrated is important. Luckily, handmade soaps retain their glycerin content and can help keep your hands smooth, moisturized, and feeling good.
Ceramides:
In addition, ceramides and hyaluronic acid are also common ingredients in handmade soaps that can support skin health. Ceramides are epidermal lipids that support the skin barrier’s proper functioning. These compounds are excellent ingredients in skincare products and soaps as they support overall skin health.
Hyaluronic Acid:
Hyaluronic acid is known to help the skin retain moisture and nutrients and even keep the skin looking and feeling youthful and refreshed. Together, the glycerin, ceramide, and hyaluronic acid content of handmade soap make it an excellent skincare option.
Other Helpful Ingredients:
A few other nourishing ingredients found in handmade soaps include the following:
Sorbitol: Known for its hydrating and moisturizing properties for skin, sorbitol is an excellent, safe ingredient in handmade soap.
Vitamin E Oil
Palm Oil
Coconut Oil
Honey
Mango Butter
Sodium chloride: This is another beneficial ingredient in handmade soap that promotes exfoliation, naturally preserves soap, and offers hydrating properties.
Not only do most commercial soaps lack these nourishing ingredients, but they can contain harsh chemicals. For example, mass-produced soaps may contain irritating ingredients like fragrance, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and cocamidopropyl betaine.
These can cause your skin to dry out when washing and lead to irritation.
6. IT'S GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Finding eco-conscious products is an easy way to support the environment and take care of the planet we live on.
How does handmade soap support environmental health? Natural, handmade soaps have a smaller environmental impact because they are made with natural, clean ingredients, like essential oils, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and glycerin.
Soap washes off the body and reenters the environment. So, the ingredients used ultimately find their way back to the ecosystem. Natural ingredients have a much smaller impact on animals, wildlife, and the environment than harmful chemicals in commercial soaps do. This is an excellent reason to choose handmade soaps over commercial options.
A CLEANER WORLD AND A CLEANER YOU
Using handmade soaps is an excellent way to support artisans across the globe, take care of the planet, and take care of your skin. With nourishing ingredients, our soaps are made in small batches and made with attention to detail.
Find a handmade soap today or give handmade soap as a gift this holiday season, like our Peppermint Soap or Vanilla Soap!