In the world of personal care, soap is a daily essential, used by virtually everyone across the globe. While commercial soaps and shower gels line the shelves of major retailers, there has been a growing shift towards handmade soap, often crafted by local artisans or small businesses. This shift is not just a passing trend—it's driven by an increased awareness of what we put on our skin and how it impacts both our health and the environment.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why handmade soap is far superior to commercially produced bars of soap or shower gels, not only in terms of ingredients and skin benefits but also in its positive environmental impact. We’ll also dive into the process of soap making, comparing the craftsmanship behind handmade bars to the mass production of commercial soaps, supported by industry data and studies.
What Is Soap and How Is It Made?
To appreciate why handmade soap stands out, it’s essential to understand how soap is made. The basic soap-making process has remained unchanged for centuries, involving a chemical reaction called saponification, which occurs when fats (or oils) combine with an alkali (such as lye or sodium hydroxide). The result is soap, along with glycerin—a moisturizing byproduct. This basic method can be enhanced with various natural additives, such as essential oils, herbs, and plant-based colorants.
Handmade Soap Process
Handmade soap is usually crafted using the cold process or hot process methods. The cold process method involves mixing oils and lye without external heat. The mixture is poured into molds and left to cure for 4-6 weeks. Hot process soap uses heat to speed up saponification, and the soap is ready for use much sooner, often within a few days.
Ingredients in Handmade Soap:
- Natural Oils (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter, etc.)
- Essential Oils for fragrance
- Herbs, Clays, and Botanicals for added benefits (lavender, rosemary, activated charcoal)
- Natural Colorants like turmeric or spirulina
Unlike handmade soap, which is full of nourishing oils and natural ingredients, commercial soaps are often made from synthetic detergents and may contain harsh chemicals.
The Problem with Commercial Soap and Shower Gels
Commercial soaps and shower gels are a far cry from traditional, nourishing handmade soap. Despite often being marketed as "moisturizing" or "natural," most mass-produced soaps contain additives that can strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to irritation over time. These soaps are often produced in enormous batches to keep costs low, sacrificing quality for quantity.
Ingredients in Commercial Soap:
- Surfactants and Detergents: Commercial soaps often contain synthetic surfactants (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS) which can irritate the skin.
- Petroleum-Based Ingredients: These are cheap and effective cleansers, but they are harsh and environmentally damaging.
- Artificial Fragrances and Colors: The synthetic fragrances used can trigger allergies or skin sensitivities, while artificial colors may contain potentially harmful chemicals.
- Preservatives: Parabens and formaldehyde-releasing agents are common preservatives used to extend shelf life, but they can disrupt the body’s endocrine system.
Commercial Shower Gel: The Liquid Problem
Shower gels are another widely used product in personal care routines. They often come in plastic packaging and are filled with chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives. Like commercial bar soap, shower gels rely on synthetic detergents to clean the skin, which can dry out the skin over time, despite their claims of being hydrating.
Statistics on Commercial Soap Use:
According to market research by Grand View Research, the global market for bar soap was valued at $19.5 billion in 2020, with a forecasted growth rate of 5.8% from 2021 to 2028. However, within this market, there is growing demand for more natural, eco-friendly alternatives, especially among consumers who are concerned about health and environmental impact.
Why Handmade Soap Is a Better Choice
So, why is handmade soap a better option? Let’s explore its benefits across various dimensions.
Natural Ingredients
The most significant difference between handmade and commercial soap is the ingredients. Handmade soaps are crafted from natural oils and butters, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, which are excellent for nourishing the skin. These oils contain vitamins and antioxidants that help moisturize, protect, and repair the skin.
Key Ingredients Found in Handmade Soap:
- Olive Oil: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it provides deep hydration and improves skin elasticity.
- Coconut Oil: A natural moisturizer with antibacterial properties.
- Shea Butter: High in fatty acids and vitamins, it promotes skin healing and protects against dryness.
- Essential Oils: Lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, and other essential oils offer natural fragrance and therapeutic benefits.
Skin Health and Moisturizing Properties
One of the primary advantages of handmade soap is that it retains its natural glycerin content. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air into the skin, helping to keep it hydrated throughout the day. In contrast, most commercial soaps remove glycerin during processing to use it in other products like lotions. This leaves the soap more drying to the skin.
How Handmade Soap Feels on Skin:
- Gentle: Handmade soap is typically much gentler on the skin, especially for those with sensitive or dry skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
- Moisturizing: Thanks to the natural oils and glycerin, handmade soap helps maintain the skin’s natural barrier, leaving it soft and moisturized after every use.
- Customizable: Because artisans can tailor their soap recipes, customers can choose products suited to their skin type or condition.
According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, patients with sensitive skin saw significant improvements in skin hydration and reduced irritation after switching from commercial cleansers to natural, oil-based alternatives .
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
Handmade soap often comes with minimal or no packaging, making it a much more sustainable choice than commercial soaps and shower gels. Many handmade soap producers opt for biodegradable or recyclable packaging materials, and the soap itself often contains fewer chemicals, reducing its environmental impact when washed down the drain.
Environmental Benefits:
- Biodegradable Ingredients: Handmade soap is typically free of synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment.
- Less Plastic: Unlike shower gels that come in plastic bottles, handmade soap is often sold with no packaging or wrapped in biodegradable paper, reducing plastic waste.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Many small soap makers prioritize ethically sourced, organic ingredients, supporting sustainable farming practices.
A report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated that by 2050, the ocean will contain more plastic by weight than fish unless drastic measures are taken to reduce plastic use. Choosing handmade soap, which often uses zero-waste packaging, is a small but impactful way to combat this growing problem .
Comparing Handmade Soap to Commercial Soap
Let’s break down the differences between handmade soap and commercial soap side by side:
| Feature | Handmade Soap | Commercial Soap |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Natural oils, essential oils, botanicals | Synthetic detergents, petroleum, SLS |
| Glycerin Content | Retained for moisturizing | Often removed to sell in other products |
| Skin Feel | Gentle, moisturizing | Can be drying and irritating |
| Fragrances | Essential oils | Synthetic fragrances |
| Environmental Impact | Low, biodegradable, zero-waste packaging | High, plastic packaging, non-biodegradable chemicals |
| Customization | High—tailored to different skin types | Low—mass-produced for generic skin types |
The Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of personal care products has become a significant concern in recent years. Commercial soap production, especially liquid soap and shower gels, contributes heavily to environmental pollution, from the plastic packaging to the chemicals that enter waterways.
Commercial Soap’s Environmental Footprint:
- Plastic Packaging: Most liquid soaps come in plastic bottles, contributing to the 300 million tons of plastic produced annually, a large percentage of which ends up in oceans .
- Chemical Pollution: Synthetic ingredients like surfactants, parabens, and triclosan do not break down easily and can persist in the environment, harming aquatic life.
- Carbon Footprint: The industrial production of commercial soap requires more energy and resources, resulting in a larger carbon footprint.
Handmade Soap’s Environmental Benefits:
- Plastic-Free: Most handmade soaps come without plastic packaging, reducing waste.
- Natural Ingredients: Biodegradable oils and additives are safer for the environment when washed down the drain.
- Energy Efficiency: Small-batch production uses far fewer resources than mass-produced soap, resulting in a smaller environmental footprint.
Why Handmade Soap Is the Superior Choice
Handmade soap is undeniably the better option compared to commercial soap and shower gel, for a variety of reasons. Its natural ingredients, rich in vitamins and antioxidants, provide superior skin care, leaving your skin feeling moisturized and healthy. It avoids the harmful chemicals and drying effects found in many commercial products. Moreover, handmade soap is more environmentally friendly, both in its ingredients and packaging, contributing less to pollution and waste.
By choosing handmade soap, like those offered by Sea Spray Soap Company, you’re not only treating your skin to a luxurious, nourishing experience but also making a conscious decision to reduce your environmental footprint. Whether you’re looking for a gentle option for sensitive skin or simply want to support sustainable, small-batch products, handmade soap is the way to go.
Sources:
- Grand View Research (2021), "Bar Soap Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report"
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2016), "The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics"
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2019), “The Benefits of Natural Oils for Skin Conditions”