The principles of making handmade soap are rather straightforward but it is nonetheless a craft worth admiring. These soaps are typically sold at premium prices and usually contain a relatively short list of ingredients. Since they have no unnecessary additives they are often a better choice both for the skin and the environment.

There are many reasons as to why a handmade soap could be considered superior to its commercial counterpart. For starters it has usually been made with the utmost care and the ingredients have all been picked for quality rather than cost effectiveness. Industrial soaps are often made up of a set of standardized ingredients that are very cheap, but aren't necessarily very beneficial to your skin. Sure, they will get you clean enough, but may also result in dry skin with regular use.

Handmade soaps are furthermore often very easy on the eyes, as their creator have used his or her imagination to turn them into a stunning work of art. The various shapes, designs and decorations can make such a soap an ideal present to give away.

Important for good health

It is generally believed that the first soap was developed about 5000 years ago in Egypt, but it wasn't until the nineteenth century it became a well known product used in homes everywhere. Today of course we take soap and many similar products absolutely for granted.

And for good reason too.

Because good hand hygiene is of paramount importance to good health and for combating diseases. We use our hands all day long and for a multitude of tasks, and when we touch things we may involuntarily spread and/or pickup various germs. When we then rub our nose with that same hand the germs may go into the mucous membranes and make us sick.

There is no need to get carried away however, and the trend of using strong disinfectants and antibacterial products all the time is under normal circumstances unnecessary according to most medical experts. In fact, some research even suggests that it may have the adverse effect of making bacteria more resistant over time.

Environmentally friendly ingredients

Handmade soap is primarily made from oils, various fats and lye (which is consumed in the saponification process). It naturally contains glycerin and may have various scents added. Color or decorations like flowers are sometimes also added. The soap making process is quite straightforward - everything is blended together in a suitable vessel and then poured into molds where it will solidify into the desired shape.

Commercial soap often contains many ingredients that are bad for the environment and that will contribute to eutrophication. It sort of goes with the territory that all soap residues are flushed directly down the drain and thus at least partially out into the environment, therefore selecting an eco friendly alternative is important for those who want to reduce their ecological footprint. Your own skin will also thank you, as you aren't clogging up the pores with all kinds of chemical substances.

You can either locate a small or medium sized manufacturer who makes handmade soap or you can learn how to make it yourself. The latter is in fact a lot easier than it sounds - a little bit like baking a cake - and then you of course have full control over what goes into your bar of soap.