Why Handmade Soap?
Handmade Soap is actually soap!
As you stroll down the aisles of the supermarket or drug store you will see an assortment of body cleansers to choose from that are labeled as body bars, body washes, cleansing bars, skincare bars, deodorant soaps, and even beauty bars. They are nothing more than detergents in disguise.
Most of the soap you purchase today is a commercially manufactured chemical cocktail of ingredients. It is not natural and is not even really “soap.”
Here is what the FDA has to say:
“Today there are very few true soaps on the market. Most body cleansers, both liquid and solid, are actually synthetic detergent products. Detergent cleansers are popular because they make suds easily in water and don't form gummy deposits. Some of these detergent products are actually marketed as "soap" but are not true soap according to the regulatory definition of the word.” Source
At one time all soap was handmade. The traditional soapmaking method was and still is mixing a lye and water mixture together with oils and butter, called the cold process method. This is the method we use to make soap here at Harvest Soap Company.
Handmade soaps retain their natural moisture.
Glycerin is not added to a handmade soap recipe for moisture – it is created during the natural soap making process! The chemical reaction of making soap is called saponification. Once saponification is complete, the ingredients have combined and chemically changed into soap, glycerin, and a bit of water. There is no lye in the finished product because of this chemical reaction, but you can’t make soap without lye.
Glycerin, a precious and gentle emollient, is a humectant that draws moisture from the air to the skin creating a moisturizing protective layer.
Soaps without glycerin can be drying and often contribute to itchy skin. Handmade soap retains all the moisturizing natural glycerin which also helps produce a rich luxurious lather.
Some people with sensitive skin really do not have sensitive skin at all.
Their skin is simply reacting to some chemical irritant in their soap or other skincare product. Simple traditionally handmade soaps tend to be more soothing for many skin types.
Everyone wants healthy skin and your skin is not a fan of synthetic chemicals. If you struggle to find a soap that does not irritate your skin, switching to the daily use of a simple handmade soap is an easy place to start. Your skin can tell the difference.
Everyone can use it.
Are you allergic to most fragrances? That’s alright, we have an unscented bar called “Basic”. It has all the quality oils in our standard soap recipe but it’s made without any colorants or fragrances. Do you have allergies to a specific oil or additive? No problem. We do custom orders. Just email me admin@harvest-soaps.com and we can see what we can do!
Our soap is made with high quality ingredients.
Everything in our indigents list has a purpose (and is easily recognizable), go ahead and ask what something is for! On our other bath and beauty products, we do have to follow the FDA rules and list things using their International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) name but ask what the common name of any ingredient is and you'll be sure to recognize it.
You are supporting your local community.
When you purchase anything, including a bar of soap, from a local small business like Harvest Soap Company you are encouraging the dream of business freedom and community pride. Think of it as a personal investment in a strong, vibrant community!