The Benefits of Handmade Soaps

In a world dominated by mass-produced, chemical-laden products, switching to handmade soaps offers an opportunity to embrace a more natural, eco-conscious lifestyle. Handmade soaps aren't just a luxury item — they're a thoughtful choice for your skin, your health, and the planet. If you’re looking to make a positive change in your skincare routine, handmade soaps are a fantastic place to start. Here’s why.

Why handmade soaps are worth switching to

Handmade soaps stand out from their commercial counterparts because they are crafted with care, using natural, botanical ingredients. These soaps are free from harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that can irritate sensitive skin. Instead, they are made with nourishing oils, shea butter, and natural additives like herbs, clays, and essential oils, which provide both cleansing and moisturising benefits.

For those with sensitive skin, handmade soap is a game-changer. The gentle, plant-based ingredients help to soothe irritation, reduce dryness, and maintain the skin's natural balance. Unlike commercial soaps that often strip the skin of its natural oils due to the inclusion of harsh detergents, handmade soaps cleanse while retaining moisture, making them ideal for all skin types, especially sensitive or dry skin.

The environmental benefits of handmade soaps

Handmade soaps are not only better for your skin but also for the environment. Commercial soaps are typically packaged in plastic: in contrast, handmade soaps, like these from Bloom In Soap, are packaged in eco-friendly, plantable wildflower seed paper. This innovative packaging not only eliminates plastic waste but also gives back to nature, allowing you to grow wildflowers and support local ecosystems.

Moreover, the ingredients used in handmade soaps are often sustainably sourced, organic, and biodegradable. By choosing handmade soaps, you're reducing your environmental footprint and supporting small businesses that prioritise ethical and sustainable practices.

The chemistry of making soap

True soap is made through a chemical process called saponification, where fats or oils are combined with an alkali, typically sodium hydroxide (lye). This reaction transforms the fats and oils into what we all know as soap, along with glycerin.

First, the oils or fats are heated and mixed with the lye water solution. As the mixture thickens, it undergoes saponification, creating soap molecules that have a hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) end, allowing them to clean effectively. Once the mixture reaches "trace" – the point where it thickens – it's poured into molds. The soap is then left to cure for several weeks, during which it hardens and any remaining lye is neutralised. This curing process enhances the soap's longevity and effectiveness.

It's impossible to make true soap without sodium hydroxide. You may be wondering why this ingredient doesn't appear on the ingredients list of handmade soap bars? Once the soap has fully cured, no trace of sodium hydroxide is present: it has been completely neutralised during the soap making process and therefore isn't present in the finished bar of handmade soap. It is only required for the chemical reaction which takes place during saponification.

Handmade soaps are naturally antimicrobial

One of the remarkable benefits of handmade soap is its natural antimicrobial properties. The pH of soap is too high for bacteria and germs to survive, making handmade soaps a healthier choice for daily use - so you don't need to worry about sharing a bar.

How to use handmade soaps and make them last longer

Handmade soaps are a treat for your skin, and with a little care, you can make them last for a long time. Here are a few tips:

How to use soap: Wet your hands or body with water, then rub the soap between your palms or directly on your skin to create a lather. Gently massage the lather over your skin to cleanse, ensuring you cover all areas. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove the soap, leaving your skin clean and refreshed. 

Keep soap dry between uses: Store your handmade soap in a soap dish with draining holes that allow air to circulate around it. This prevents the soap bar from sitting in water, which can cause it to soften and dissolve more quickly.

Cut larger bars in half: If you have a larger bar of soap, consider cutting it in half. This way, you can use one half while keeping the other half dry and ready for later use. We do not recommend cutting salt bars, however, as once cured, they become very hard and cutting them could cause you an accident. Shea butter soap, on the other hand, may be cut in half as it's softer.

Use a soap wash bag: A soap wash bag allows you to use up every last bit of your soap, even the small pieces that might otherwise go to waste. It also helps create a rich lather and gently exfoliates your skin.

Alternate soaps: Rotating between a few different handmade soaps can help each one last longer, as they will have more time to dry out between uses.

What is the difference between handmade soaps and commercial soap?

The key difference between handmade soaps and commercial soap lies in the ingredients and the soap-making process. Commercial soaps are often not true soap, but are instead made with synthetic detergents, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that can be harsh on the skin. These soaps are typically mass-produced, and during the manufacturing process of true soaps, the natural glycerin produced by saponification (the process of making soap) is often removed and used in other products such as face and body creams. Glycerin is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts moisture to the skin, so its removal can lead to a drying effect.

In contrast, handmade soap retains its natural glycerin, which helps to keep your skin soft and hydrated. Handmade soaps are also made in small batches with carefully selected ingredients, ensuring higher quality and a more personalised touch.

The different types of handmade soaps

Handmade soaps come in a variety of types, each offering unique benefits:

Shea Butter Soap: Known for its rich, creamy texture, shea butter soap is deeply moisturising and helps to nourish dry, sensitive skin. It's packed with vitamins and fatty acids that promote skin health and softness. The natural fatty acids in shea butter provide deep hydration, leaving skin soft, smooth, and protected. Additionally, its gentle formula supports skin elasticity and can help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Salt Bars: Salt bars, like these made with sea salt or Himalayan pink salt from Bloom In Soap, are excellent for exfoliating the skin. They remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth and refreshed. The natural antibacterial properties of sea salt helps to cleanse and detoxify the skin, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. Additionally, sea salt soap creates a creamy lather and is long-lasting.

Charcoal Soap: Charcoal soap is excellent for detoxifying the skin, as activated charcoal effectively absorbs impurities, excess oil, and toxins from the pores. It's particularly beneficial for acne-prone and oily skin, helping to reduce breakouts and control shine. Charcoal soap also gently exfoliates, leaving the skin feeling smooth and refreshed. Its natural antibacterial properties make it ideal for maintaining clear, healthy skin, and it's a great option for those seeking a natural skincare solution.

Clay Soap: Soap made with natural clays offers gentle exfoliation, helping to remove dead skin cells and impurities without stripping the skin's natural oils. Clays like kaolin are rich in minerals, which can help detoxify and balance the skin, making them ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin. These natural clays also absorb excess oil, reduce inflammation, and leave the skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed. Plus, they are eco-friendly and free from harmful chemicals.

Are all handmade soaps vegan friendly?

Not all handmade soaps are vegan friendly, but at Bloom In Soap, we believe that luxury skincare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of dietary preferences. That’s why all of our handmade soaps are vegan-friendly, free from animal products, and cruelty-free. We use only the finest natural ingredients to create handmade soaps that not only cleanse but also nourish and protect your skin.

Make the switch to handmade soaps

Handmade soaps are more than just a cleansing product — they are a celebration of craftsmanship, natural ingredients, and mindful living. By switching to handmade soaps, you’re choosing a healthier option for your skin and a more sustainable choice for the environment. Whether you’re looking for a moisturising shea butter soap, an exfoliating salt bar, or a detoxifying charcoal soap, there’s a handmade soap to suit everyone. And with Bloom In Soap’s commitment to eco-friendly packaging and vegan-friendly formulations, you can feel good about the choices you make for your skin and the planet.

Experience the benefits of handmade soaps and take a closer look at Bloom In Soap’s range of plastic-free handmade soaps - it's a good place to start.  Your skin — and the environment — will thank you.