Handmade Soap vs. Commercial Soap
Why you should use handmade soap
A large majority of people have never used handmade soap before. In fact, most people have never used “soap” before. Wait? WTF?
It you look at commercial beauty products sold in stores, it’s likely you won’t find the term “soap” on the package. Commercial soap sold in stores is often made with chemical detergents, hardeners, and synthetic lathering agents. Some of these ingredients can be drying or irritating to the skin. The ingredients in some commercial soap makes them ineligible to be actually called soap. They’re called beauty bars, body wash and body cleanser but rarely ever soap.
Handmade soap is created with oils, liquid and lye and does not contain harsh ingredients. This makes it genuinely soap. Handmade soap also contains glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture from the air to the skin. It’s produced naturally during the soap making process. It’s one of the things that make handmade soap so amazing. Some commercial soaps remove glycerin from their bars and sell it to make lotions and creams.
Soap is made with skin-loving oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil and avocado oil. This combination of oils is what makes each bar completely unique. The great thing about homemade soap is that you can find it exactly how you like it. And many wonderful small soap businesses can create soap customized just for you!
In additional to creating soap with soaping oils and butters for you skin, handmade bars are customized with exfoliants, fragrance, color and more. It is especially important to use natural ingredients. Handmade soap also contains essential oils derived from plants and natural colorants like clays. Other fun natural ingredients, like milk and purees, can be added to handmade soap. You won’t find these luscious ingredients in mass produced beauty bars from the big box stores.
Natural handmade soap purchased from local soap makers is not only a great way to support local business, but also a great way to express yourself. Handmade soap is a creative outlet and way to de-stress for soap makers. Those who buy it have happier and more moisturized skin. That’s enough reason to start purchasing handmade soap from local artists who make soap in small batches. This way each bar of soap is unique and a great gift idea!
The best way to support your community is to purchase products made by people who live in that same community. Neighbors helping each other. And most local soap makers take great pride in their homemade soap, each bar is considered a work of art! Support your community and get your skin nourished and refreshed at the same time.
At Shmutzies, we make each bar of soap with love and laughter. No two are ever alike and we are constantly coming up with new ideas and ways to make our soap better than the batch before it. We are committed to making the best soap around.