Jennifer (a.k.a KraftyChick)Handcrafted soap vs commercial soap isn’t just about luxury—it’s about quality, ingredients, and skincare benefits. It’s easy to grab a bar of commercial soap off the shelf while grocery shopping—I did it for years! But once I discovered handcrafted soap, the difference in how my skin felt was undeniable. If you’re wondering why so many people are making the switch, here are 7 compelling reasons to choose handcrafted soap.
Natural Ingredients in Handcrafted Soap
Handcrafted soaps are typically made with high-quality natural oils and butters, avoiding harsh synthetic detergents. I say typically, because handcrafted soap can be made with synthetic ingredients. This could be in the form of fragrance oils that are manufactured, in the form of a “soap” base, such as melt and pour soap which uses surfactants as the cleansing agent, or even a combination of the two. It is good practice to check how the soap is made. Most handcrafted soap makers will state what kind of soap they make, and what ingredients they use.
Handcrafted Soap is Gentler on Skin vs Commercial
Handcrafted soaps retain natural glycerin, a moisturizing agent that is commercial manufacturers remove. This makes them more hydrating and less likely to dry out skin. For the conspiracy theorists out there – can you imagine removing the naturally occurring glycerin from soap, which then makes the soap more likely to dry out the skin, AND THEN using that glycerin in other products to sell to you to bring moisture back to your skin. Hmmm…. I’ll leave that right there. Handcrafted soap makers do not remove the glycerin. It stays right in the bar of soap for your skin’s enjoyment.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals Found in Commercial Soap
Many commercial soaps contain surfactants and preservatives that can irritate sensitive skin. If this is a concern for you, handcrafted soap, made with the cold or hot process method can be a great option.
Support Small Businesses
Purchasing handcrafted soap supports local artisans and small businesses rather than large corporations. Not sure I can shout this one loud enough! Keeping your dollars in your local community can reap great economic benefits.
Artistic and Unique
Handmade soaps come in a variety of beautiful designs, colors, textures, and scents, making them a pleasure to use and display. One of the attractions of making soap is the creative and artistic nature of it. The colours and swirls… oh my! I just love them!
Handcrafted Soap is Rich in Nutrients
Natural oils, and butters, when made into soap, bring their own properties that help make it a great bar of soap. While we cannot claim that a soap can do anything other than clean your skin, handcrafted soap makers can certainly put their knowledge of oils and butters to use to make bars that are harder, longer lasting, more bubbly, more cleansing, less stripping… etc.
Customizable Formulas
Soap makers can create soaps tailored to specific needs – if you are looking for a soap that clean dishes for example, you want a soap that has a high percentage of coconut oil because that oil has high cleansing factors in it. If you want a bar of soap that is great for your skin (i.e. doesn’t strip it of moisture), you want a good combination of both cleansing properties and moisturizing properties. Maybe you are looking for specialized soap that includes or avoids certain ingredients, handcrafted soap makers can create a great soap around those wishes, e.g. using only plant-based ingredients to make a vegan friendly soap or not using lard for someone following kosher or halal practices.
Maybe you’re looking for specific ingredients that are known to bring great things to the skin – like tea! (just one of the many many customizable ingredients available for soap makers to use!) Check out these soaps I made in the fall with my favourite ingredient: tea! You can find more lovely beauties at my shop here: KraftyChick Studios and the wonderful tea I drink (and use to make soap) here: Breakwater Edge Tea
I could go on – but I think I’ll leave the list at seven. Suffice it to say, I am pretty smitten with handcrafted soap and all the benefits and pleasures that it brings. Are you convinced?
