1. Ingredients
Handmade soap is made with ingredients you're probably already familiar with. Ours, for instance, starts with a base of plant oils and butters; nutrient rich olive oil being the primary ingredient.
2. It's the real deal
Ever notice the bars on the shelf at the "big stores" aren't actually called soap? It's because they're not really soap. The FDA strictly regulates what can be called soap. And to be called soap, the product must be composed mainly of the “alkali salts of fatty acids,” that is, the material you get when you combine fats or oils with an alkali, such as lye. The bars you see on the big shelves are usually a cocktail of detergents and chemical surfactants plus other stuff you've probably never heard of.
3. Glycerin: the Unsung Hero
Glycerin occurs naturally, as if by magic, when soap is made. It's a precious emollient and humectant, meaning it locks in moisture and pulls moisture from the air to your skin. Glycerin is such a beneficial ingredient that it is often extracted from mass produced "soap" to be used in other, higher quality cosmetics. In handmade soap, glycerin remains to produce unparalleled rich and luxurious lather.
4. Quality
There’s something special about having, and using, an item that was made by hand. It used to be that we knew where our dairy came from, who our cobbler was. It was known who to go to for medicinal herbs and ointments. And these makers were trusted, because it was known that they chose their ingredients and materials with great care. There was pride in making a quality product. In fact, there was no other way.
5. Variety
Makers are creative by nature. Which means we can't help but experiment and explore. That also means, you have a wide variety of scents and benefits available at your fingertips when you choose handmade soap.
