Why Handmade Soap?
- Christie Merrill
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
Handmade soap tends to be a bit pricier than mass-produced soap. So why choose to spend more? Did you know that the soaps available at drugstores from major brands aren't actually soap? They're classified as detergents. Genuine soap includes glycerin, which large corporate brands remove during the "soap" making process and then sell back to you in lotions and hair conditioners. Glycerin is a humectant which draws in moisture and what is responsible to keeping your skin from drying out. Even the mildest soaps from big brands can often be irritating, as they strip your skin of its natural moisture. I've had numerous people with eczema and skin issues who switched to my soap tell me that their skin problems either improved or completely disappeared after use.
Handcrafted cold-processed soap involves the use of lye, which can make some people uneasy. Lye is essential for the saponification process, where fats (such as oils and butters) are converted into soap. Without lye, there is no soap. In the final product, no lye is present as it is completely used up during the soap-making chemical process.
Handmade soap is crafted using a range of oils including olive, coconut, castor, palm (I ensure that any palm oil I use is sustainably sourced), sunflower, and avocado. I incorporate plants into all of my soaps, so you can be sure that each bar contains plants! Many of my soaps also feature tallow and plant butters like cocoa, kokum, illipe, and mango. With these moisturizing and nourishing components, it's clear why these soaps are much better for your skin.
The scents in my soaps come exclusively from essential oils. I avoid using fragrance oils because they can cause irritation and their ingredients are often unclear. I believe it's best to steer clear of them. For coloring my soaps, I rely on natural ingredients like clay, seaweed, and various plant materials. Often, if you notice a green hue, it's likely due to a plant infused in oil that imparts the color.
If your handmade soap becomes sticky or diminishes rapidly, consider keeping it dry between uses. I place mine behind the shower curtain to prevent moisture, or you can cut the bar in half with a knife and store one half outside the shower. Handmade soap is not only beautiful, but also beneficial for your skin. It keeps your skin hydrated, and with regular use, you might find you no longer need a moisturizer, as the soap doesn't strip away moisture like detergents do.
If you've never used handmade soap, and don't care about imperfections, have no allergies and don't care about the scent, my Misfit Soap Collection may be a good place for you to start.
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