top of page

"Why Homemade Soap Trumps Store-Bought: 5 Compelling Reasons for Your Skin's Sake

Writer's picture: Liz AvilesLiz Aviles

Soap is an essential part of our daily hygiene routine. While commercial soaps are widely available, handmade soaps offer unique benefits for skin health and overall well-being. These artisanal products are crafted with care, using natural ingredients that nourish and protect the skin.


Handmade soaps contain glycerin, a natural humectant that helps attract moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple. This key ingredient is often removed from commercial soaps and sold separately, leaving the skin feeling dry and stripped. In contrast, handmade soaps retain this beneficial compound, providing a more luxurious and skin-friendly cleansing experience.

Choosing handmade soap can be a game-changer for those seeking to improve their skincare routine. These soaps are often made with high-quality natural and organic ingredients, carefully selected for their beneficial properties. From nourishing oils to soothing botanicals, each ingredient serves a purpose in promoting healthier, more radiant skin.


Customized Ingredients for Skin Health

Handmade soaps offer tailored formulations to address specific skin needs. Artisanal soapmakers carefully select ingredients to create products that nourish and protect various skin types.


Rich in Glycerin for Natural Moisturizing

Glycerin, a natural byproduct of the soap-making process, remains abundant in handmade soaps. This gentle humectant attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple.

Commercially produced soaps often remove glycerin for use in other products, leaving skin dry and stripped. Handmade soaps retain this valuable compound, providing deep moisturization.


Glycerin's benefits include:

  • Improved skin elasticity

  • Reduced appearance of fine lines

  • Enhanced barrier function


For those with dry or sensitive skin, glycerin-rich handmade soaps can offer significant relief from irritation and flakiness.


Beneficial Oils and Butters for Nourishment

Handmade soaps incorporate a variety of nourishing oils and butters to support skin health. These natural ingredients provide essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that commercial soaps often lack.

Common beneficial additions include:

  • Shea butter: Rich in vitamins A and E, promotes collagen production

  • Coconut oil: Antimicrobial properties, deeply moisturizing

  • Olive oil: Packed with antioxidants, soothes and softens skin

Artisanal soapmakers can adjust oil ratios to create bars suited for different skin types. For example, a soap with more coconut oil may benefit oily skin, while one with higher olive oil content could be ideal for dry skin.


Absence of Harsh Chemicals

Handmade soaps prioritize gentle, natural ingredients that nourish the skin without causing irritation. This focus on skin-friendly components sets them apart from many commercial alternatives.


No Synthetic Fragrances or Dyes

Natural handmade soaps often rely on essential oils for fragrance, avoiding synthetic scents that can trigger allergic reactions or skin sensitivities. These essential oils not only provide pleasant aromas but may also offer therapeutic benefits.

Many commercial soaps use artificial dyes to achieve vibrant colors. In contrast, handmade soaps typically derive their hues from natural ingredients like clays, herbs, and plant extracts. These natural colorants are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic responses.

By eschewing synthetic fragrances and dyes, handmade soaps reduce the risk of skin reactions and provide a more authentic, nature-derived cleansing experience.


Lack of Harmful Preservatives

Handmade soaps generally have a shorter shelf life than their commercial counterparts due to the absence of synthetic preservatives. While this might seem disadvantageous, it actually benefits skin health.

Many preservatives used in commercial soaps can disrupt the skin's natural balance and potentially cause long-term harm. Handmade soaps, however, rely on natural preservation methods or omit preservatives entirely.

The lack of harsh preservatives means handmade soaps are less likely to strip away beneficial skin oils or disturb the skin's protective barrier. This gentler approach helps maintain skin health and hydration, making handmade soaps particularly suitable for those with sensitive or reactive skin types.


Gentle Exfoliation

Handmade soaps offer gentle exfoliation benefits for smoother, healthier-looking skin. Many artisanal soap makers incorporate natural exfoliants that effectively remove dead skin cells without causing irritation.


Natural Exfoliants for Smoother Skin

Handmade soaps often contain natural exfoliating ingredients like Himalayan salt, coffee grounds, and oatmeal. These additives provide a gentle scrubbing action that helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.

Unlike harsh synthetic exfoliants, natural ingredients in handmade soaps are typically biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Coffee grounds, for example, can stimulate circulation and temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Oatmeal is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin types. It soothes irritation while gently buffing away impurities. Some artisanal soap makers also use finely ground nuts or seeds for exfoliation.

The exfoliating properties of handmade soaps can help improve skin texture and promote a brighter complexion. Regular use may lead to smoother, more radiant-looking skin over time.


Support for Sensitive Skin

Handmade soaps offer unique advantages for those with sensitive skin. Their carefully selected ingredients and production methods provide gentle cleansing without harsh irritants.


Non-Irritating Ingredients

Natural handmade soaps often contain plant-based oils, butters, and essential oils that are gentle on sensitive skin. These ingredients provide nourishment without the harsh chemicals found in mass-produced soaps.

Common non-irritating ingredients in handmade soaps include:

  • Oatmeal

  • Honey

  • Shea butter

  • Coconut oil

  • Goat's milk

These natural components help soothe and moisturize sensitive skin, reducing the risk of irritation or allergic reactions.

Handmade soap makers can also tailor their formulas to exclude common irritants like artificial fragrances, dyes, and preservatives. This customization allows for products that cater specifically to sensitive skin needs.


Hypoallergenic Benefits

Handcrafted soaps are often hypoallergenic, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin or allergies. The limited ingredient list and absence of harsh chemicals reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions.

Key hypoallergenic benefits include:

  • Fewer potential allergens

  • Gentler cleansing action

  • Reduced risk of skin irritation

Many handmade soap makers use cold-process or hot-process methods, which preserve the natural glycerin in soap. Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the skin, further benefiting those with sensitive skin.

By choosing handmade soaps, individuals with sensitive skin can enjoy effective cleansing without compromising their skin's health or comfort.


Environmental Impact

Handmade soap production offers significant environmental advantages over commercial soap manufacturing. These benefits stem from eco-friendly processes and biodegradable ingredients.

Eco-Friendly Production Process

Handmade soap production typically has a lower environmental footprint. Small-scale producers prioritize eco-friendly practices, reducing energy consumption and waste generation. Many artisanal soapmakers use renewable energy sources and implement water conservation measures.

The production process often involves cold or hot processing techniques that require minimal equipment and energy. This contrasts with large-scale commercial soap manufacturing, which often relies on energy-intensive machinery and processes.

Handmade soap usually comes with minimal packaging, further reducing its environmental impact. Artisans frequently opt for recyclable or biodegradable packaging materials, contributing to waste reduction.


Biodegradable Ingredients

Handmade soaps typically contain natural, biodegradable ingredients that break down easily in the environment. Common components include:

  • Plant-based oils (olive, coconut, palm)

  • Essential oils for fragrance

  • Natural colorants (clays, herbs, plant extracts)


These ingredients pose minimal risk to aquatic ecosystems when washed down the drain. In contrast, many commercial soaps contain synthetic detergents, preservatives, and fragrances that can persist in water systems and harm wildlife.

Handmade soap makers often source ingredients locally or sustainably, further reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. This practice supports biodiversity and promotes responsible resource management.

0 views

Lala's Soaps

  • alt.text.label.Facebook
  • alt.text.label.Instagram
Proudly made  in Bloomingdale, Il

©2023 by Lala's Soaps. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page