I love to ask this question to my friends and customers and share our knowledge because one should know #whatweputonourskin?
There are different types of soaps people use while having a bath or in a shower; there are soap bars, liquid soaps, shampoos & conditioners, etc. With this, all various kinds of chemical composition are used, which people ignore to read.
First and foremost, if you cannot read what’s written on the ingredients list (if it goes ‘blah.. blah.. blahhh..’ ) then please leave the product down and go for all natural, organic handmade products instead of manufactured ones.
So why do people buy store-bought soaps?
That’s because there are only a few handmade companies to meet the demand. So let’s go soaping and make some soap.
Big brands with their big monies… use the white lie as their defense and lure the customers by misleading advertisements campaign so the person ignores asking questions. Unlike the word "organic" that is regulated by the USDA, the word "natural" does not have any quality check of the elements used while making the soaps. Artificial fragrances are being put in a large number of handmade soaps as well so please be more curious; and ask questions.
A great way to know what you are putting on your skin is to ask what method the soap maker uses to make their soap, what ingredients they use and what they use to scent their soaps. As we are talking about handmade soap here, we shall see what the real difference is between handmade soap and a store-bought soap.
So without further adieu let’s learn something more about handmade soaps.
#1:>> Fast and direct feedback from the soap maker.
When you buy a bar of handmade soap and if you have any questions then your question are answered directly (if you are in the store) or online as most of the soapers like to learn from the customer and get to know your requirements to make some soaps for them. When you buy a store-bought soap and have a question to ask, the stakeholders of the companies are not replying to each and every individual, there are IVR or call centers working for them. Now let’s go to the next point, where the real deal is.
#2:>> The Glycerin Game!
Glycerin is made by heating triglyceride-rich vegetable fats — such as palm, soy and coconut oils, etc.— under pressure or together with a strong alkali, such as lye. This causes the glycerin to split away from the fatty acids and mix together with water, forming an odorless, sweet-tasting, syrup-like liquid. It is a natural emollient that magnetizes water from the surrounding air into the skin. This the reason why manufacturers extract this glycerin from the soap mixture and use it to add it in the other products like creams & lotions because it keeps the skin moisturized throughout the day. Hence, an increase in their profit sharing ball game.
#3:>> The Soap Making Process, the historian way.
Egyptians used soaps not to have a bath but to clean the utensils and for medical purposes. They had cracked the code of mixing fats & oils with alkaline salts by hand for hours and hours.
There are mainly two main processes of soap making i.e. Cold Processed Soap & Hot Processed Soap.
Cold processed soap is made by mixing oils & butters with the lye water solution (an alkaline substance) and then adding additives such as colorants, clay, and essential oils and pouring the batter into the mould to let it go through the saponification process for 18-24 hours. After unmoulding, the loaf is then cut into bars and set them aside to cure for 4-6 weeks depending on the water density. Hot Processed Soap is also made in a similar manner but instead of the mould, the soap is saponified and cured on a heating pad in a crockpot and the soap is ready to use the next day.
The whole soap making process is like caring for a baby and nurturing it. They all just need love and attention and time. It is great to use a handmade made which is made with utmost care and affection as you can feel the energy in it.
#4: >> Customize your Soap
A skilled soapmaker makes soap with the basic recipe of oils, butters, and lye water solution to achieve the suds, texture, and density of soap; she/he will use different types of oils & butters and not any filter or any harsh detergent.
You can customize your soap by collaborating with the Soap Artist, if you have sensitive, oily, dry or normal skin or if you want to make any particular design soap for the special occasions. The manufacturer does not give you this option.
The best way to find out which one is the best is to put it to a test!
Buy a handmade soap from a local soap maker and give it a try and compare what is best for you.