For thousands of years, people have been using soap to clean themselves. However, in the last few years, commercially made soaps containing chemicals have been the trend. Fortunately, natural soaps have regained their popularity and there is a clear way for that!
Nature’s Delight for Your Skin
Natural soaps are made with plant-based oils such as olive, coconut, and shea butter and do not use harsh detergents and synthetic ingredients. This translates to several benefits
- Gentler on Skin: Natural soaps have glycerin, a byproduct of the soap-making process, which is a humectant and attracts moisture to the skin thus keeping it hydrated. This is particularly useful for people with dry or sensitive skin. Unlike commercial soaps that have detergents that can remove natural oils, natural soaps leave your skin feeling soft and supple.
- Customization Galore: In contrast to commercially made soaps with a restricted fragrance and function selection, natural soaps provide unlimited possibilities. You can customize them with essential oils for aromatherapy, include exfoliating substances like oatmeal or coffee grounds, or modify them to solve specific skin problems like acne or dryness. Think of a lavish lavender chamomile bar for a relaxing evening bath, or a refreshing peppermint rosemary soap to wake you up in the morning!
- Sustainable Choice: A large number of natural soaps are devoid of harsh chemicals and they employ little packaging which in turn makes them an eco-friendly choice. You are helping the planet to become healthier by supporting small soap makers who usually use local ingredients and sustainable practices.
Design Your Own Cleanliness
The charm of natural soaps is in their availability. Here’s a deeper dive into the world of soap-making at home
- The Science Behind the Saops
Soap making is a chemical reaction known as saponification. Through the combination of fats (oils) and a strong alkali (lye), the fats are broken down into their fatty acids, which then combine with the lye to form soap molecules and glycerin. Eye should be treated with care and the safety rules should be followed because of its caustic nature. There are a lot of online resources and beginner-friendly kits that come with detailed instructions and safety precautions.
- Endless Experimentation
After you’ve mastered the basics, you will be able to discover a world of opportunities! Try using different oils for their unique properties. For instance, shea butter is famous for its moisturizing properties, while coconut oil is known for its rich lather. Mix essential oils or botanicals for fragrance and function. Rosehip powder can make the face look more luxurious and possibly lighten the skin, whereas calendula petals are famous for their soothing effects. Natural soap making is not restricted to store-bought soap, you can make your own unique, personalized soaps that are designed for your particular needs and tastes.
Natural vs. Commercial
While commercially produced soaps might seem convenient, they often come with drawbacks
- Harsh Chemicals
A lot of them have detergents (sulfates) that can remove the skin from its natural oils, thus causing dryness and irritation. These severe chemicals can also interfere with the skin’s natural microbiome, which is the fragile ecosystem of bacteria that is essential for the skin barrier to be healthy.
- Limited Benefits
Commercial soaps are mainly about cleaning, and they do not pay attention to the possibility of nourishing the skin and providing targeted skincare benefits. Natural soaps, on the other hand, can be made with particular carrier oils and botanicals to solve the problems of dryness, acne, or other skin issues. For instance, oatmeal can be used for a gentle exfoliating effect and tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties, can be useful for acne-prone skin.
- Hidden Ingredients
Commercially made soaps usually have a long list of ingredients that are not pronounceable and may not be good for your skin or the environment. Some might even be made of synthetic fragrances or colors that can irritate sensitive skin.
Nature’s Soapbox
Natural soap contains a number of ingredients that are derived from nature.
- Carrier Oils: Olive oil (moisturizing), coconut oil (cleansing and lathering), shea butter (nourishing), cocoa butter (rich and luxurious)
- Essential Oils: Lavender (calming), tea tree (antibacterial), peppermint (invigorating), citrus (uplifting)
- Natural Exfoliants: Oatmeal (gentle), coffee grounds (invigorating), poppy seeds (a tiny bit of luxury)
- Clays: French green clay (detoxifying), kaolin clay (gentle) – Clays are especially good for oily or acne-prone skin.
The Natural Soaps’ Appeal
Natural soaps are not restricted to just the shower. They can be a delightful addition to your entire self-care routine
- Luxurious Lather for Hands
The dishwashing and the constant handwashing can be very tiring on your hands. Natural hand soaps made with oils such as almond or avocado oil can make your hands soft and pampered.
- Fizzy Fun for the Bath
Experience your bath to a new level with homemade bath bombs made from natural ingredients such as cocoa butter and Epsom salts. The options are limitless!
Finding Your Perfect Lather
The increasing popularity of natural products has led to a thriving community of small-batch soap makers that sell one-of-a-kind and handcrafted products. Here’s where to find them
- Farmers Markets
Support local artisans and find a world of handmade soaps at your nearest farmers market. Talk to the soap makers, get to know their ingredients and processes, and find a bar that is just right for you.
- Online Marketplaces
Search for places like Etsy or special soap-making websites and get to know a large number of natural soap makers from all over the world. You can filter by ingredients, and fragrance, and even find options for men or babies.
- Specialty Stores
A lot of health food stores and boutique shops have handmade soaps from local artisans in their stock. You can check their collection and choose the best gift for yourself or a dear one.
Through the use of natural soaps, you are not only taking care of your skin’s health, but also supporting the environment and the community of passionate artisans. Thus, get rid of the strong chemicals and indulge in the splendid lather of nature’s gifts. Your skin (and the planet) will be grateful to you for it!
