Listen, I need to talk about something that made me completely rethink my soap formulas: palm oil.
Not in a "let me lecture you about your choices" way. In a "I genuinely struggled with this and here's what I learned" way.
Because here's the thing: palm oil makes incredible soap. It's affordable, it creates a hard bar that lasts forever, and it gives you that luxurious, creamy lather everyone loves. It's literally the perfect soapmaking oil.
Except when it's not.
And figuring out where you stand on the palm oil debate? That's the kind of decision that keeps you up at night when you're trying to live intentionally.
Why Palm Oil Became the Soapmaking Standard (And Why That's Complicated)
Let's start with why palm oil is everywhere in handmade soap.
From a pure formulation perspective, palm oil is kind of a miracle ingredient. It's high in palmitic and stearic acids, which means it creates a hard, long-lasting bar that doesn't turn into mush after two showers. It's stable, it's conditioning, and it plays well with other oils.
Plus, it's cheap. Like, really cheap compared to alternatives.
For small batch soapmakers (hi, that's me), palm oil meant I could create professional-quality bars without charging $15 per soap just to break even. For commercial manufacturers, it's basically irreplaceable at scale.
But here's where it gets messy.
Palm oil production has devastated rainforests in Indonesia and Malaysia. We're talking about massive deforestation, habitat destruction for orangutans and other wildlife, and indigenous communities being displaced. The environmental cost is enormous.
And when I learned about that? I couldn't unknow it.
The "Just Use Sustainable Palm Oil" Argument (And Why It's Not That Simple)
Okay, so the obvious solution seems to be: just use certified sustainable palm oil, right?
Organizations like RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) exist to certify that palm oil is produced responsibly. No deforestation, no habitat destruction, fair labor practices. Problem solved.
Except... it's complicated.
Here's what I found when I dug into sustainable palm oil certifications:
The good news: Some producers genuinely are doing better. Sustainable certification has created accountability and pushed for improved practices.
The not-so-good news: Certification isn't perfect. There are documented cases of "sustainable" operations still causing environmental damage. Monitoring is inconsistent. And some certifications are more rigorous than others.
The frustrating news: Even with sustainable palm oil, we're still encouraging demand for a crop that requires tropical climates, meaning production will always be concentrated in biodiversity hotspots.
So what's a conscious soapmaker supposed to do?
I wrestled with this for months. I researched suppliers. I read sustainability reports until my eyes crossed. I joined soapmaking forums where people argued passionately about palm vs. palm-free formulations.
And here's what I ultimately decided: I'm going palm-free.
Not because I think everyone who uses sustainable palm oil is wrong. Not because I'm judging other makers' choices. But because for ME, it didn't feel right to keep using it when alternatives exist.
Creating Palm-Free Soap That Actually Works (The Formula Challenge)
Here's the dirty little secret about palm-free soapmaking: it's harder.
Palm oil does so much heavy lifting in a soap formula. When you remove it, you have to completely rebalance everything else to get a bar that:
- Stays hard and doesn't melt too quickly
- Creates good lather
- Feels luxurious, not stripping
- Cures properly and lasts long enough
I went through many failed batches figuring this out.
Some bars were too soft. Some took forever to cure. Some had amazing lather but dissolved in three days. Some felt like washing with a rock.
But eventually? I cracked it.
The result? Bars that rival anything I made with palm oil. Hard, long-lasting, beautifully lathering soap that doesn't compromise on quality.
It costs me more to make. My profit margins are slimmer. But I sleep better at night.
What This Means for You (And Your Soap Choices)
Here's what I want you to know: you're not a bad person if you use soap with palm oil.
Seriously. The world is complicated, and we're all doing our best with imperfect information and limited resources.
But if you're someone who lies awake thinking about these things (hi, fellow overthinker), here's what to consider:
If you're buying soap:
- Look for palm-free options when available
- If a maker uses palm oil, ask if it's sustainably sourced
- Support small batch soapmakers who prioritize transparency
- Remember that palm-free doesn't automatically mean "better" – formulation quality matters
If you're making soap:
- Know that excellent palm-free formulas exist (and I'm happy to share mine)
- If you use palm oil, invest in properly certified sustainable sources
- Be transparent with your customers about your choices
- Don't beat yourself up, making conscious choices is a journey
The truth is, there's no perfect answer. Sustainable palm oil helps support farmers in developing countries. Palm-free formulas can require other intensive crops. Every choice has tradeoffs.
But making an informed choice? That's what intentional living is all about.
Where We Go From Here
I'm not going to tell you what to do. You know your values, your budget, and what matters most to you.
But I will tell you this: it's okay to care about this stuff.
It's okay to read ingredient lists and ask questions. It's okay to want your purchases to align with your values. It's okay to choose the option that lets you look in the mirror and feel good about your decisions.
You're not overthinking it. You're being intentional.
And that? That's something worth celebrating.
If you're curious about palm-free soap options, I'd love for you to try our palm-free collection. Every bar is formulated without palm oil but with zero compromise on quality, longevity, or that luxurious lather you deserve.
Or if you want to see what all the fuss is about, the Sea Silk Buttermilk Soap is my pride and joy, completely palm-free, incredibly gentle, and proof that you don't have to choose between ethics and effectiveness.
Because you shouldn't have to compromise on either.
Want more honest conversations about natural living, sustainable choices, and products that actually work? Join the email list below for real talk, no greenwashing, and the occasional recipe drop that'll make you feel like a kitchen witch.
Already making the switch to more conscious products? Share your journey! Tag @SeaSpraySoap on Instagram and let's build a community of people who refuse to choose between quality and values.
