The History of Soap & Why You Should Choose Handmade Over Commercial Soap

Soap has been part of a human hygiene for thousands of years, evolving from simple mixtures of fat and ash to the beautifully crafted bars we use today.  However, not all soap is created equal.  While commercial soaps dominate store shelves, handmade soaps offer a far superior experience for your skin and the environment.  Let's take a deep dive into the history of soap and why switching to handmade soap is one of the best choices you can make for your skin.

A Brief History of Soap

The earliest evidence of soap-making dates back to around 2800 BCE in ancient Babylon, where a clay tablet was found with a recipe combining fats and ashes.  Ancient Egyptians also had their own version, using plant-based oils and alkaline salts for cleansing and medicinal purposes. 

The Romans took soap a step further, incorporating it into their famous bathhouses.  After the fall of the Roman Empire, however, Europe saw a decline in hygiene practices, leading to unsanitary conditions and disease outbreaks.

By the Middle Ages, Soap-making had become an artisan craft in places like Marseille, France, and Castile, Spain, where olive oil-based soaps became highly prized.  The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century made soap widely available but at the cost of traditional techniques.  This era saw the birth of mass-produced "soap" bars many of which were no longer true soaps but instead detergent-based products.

Today, while commercial soap is still the norm, more people are returning to the benefits of handmade, natural soap- and for good reason!

Why Choose Handmade Soap Over Commercial Soap?

  1. Handmade Soap Uses Natural, Skin-Loving IngredientsMost commercial soaps are filled with harsh detergents, synthetic fragrances, and chemical preservatives that strip your skin of its natural oils.  Handmade soap, on the other hand, is crafted with high-quality ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, which cleanse while keeping your skin soft and nourished. 
  2. Glycerin: The Moisture Magnet
    When soap is made the traditional way, it naturally produces glycerin, a powerful humectant that draws moisture to your skin.  Many commercial manufactures remove glycerin from their soap to use in lotions and other beauty products-meaning their soaps leave your skin dry and needing extra hydration.  Handmade soap retains its glycerin, helping your skin to stay hydrated and healthy.
  3. No Harsh Chemicals or Artificial AdditivesMost commercial soaps contain sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), parabens, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrances- all of which can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin. Handmade soaps use essential oils, plant based colorants, and natural preservatives, making them a gentler, non-toxic choice for your body. 
  4. Handmade Soap is Customizable & UniqueArtisan soap makers create a wide variety of formulas designed for different skin types and needs.  Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or acne prone skin, there's a handmade soap for you! Plus small-batch soap makers can get creative with beautiful swirls, exfoliating ingredients, and luxurious scents that mass-produced soaps simply can't match.
  5. Eco-Friendly & SustainableMany handmade soaps are made with ethically sourced ingredients, biodegradable packaging, and sustainable practices.  On the other hand, commercial soaps often contain palm oil sourced from deforested areas and come wrapped in layers of plastic. By choosing handmade soap, you're making a greener choice for the planet.
  6. Handmade Soap is Simply Better for Your SkinThe combination of rich butters, nourishing oils, and natural additives like oatmeal, honey, and botanical extracts makes handmade soap a luxurious and therapeutic experience.  Whether you're looking for a gentle everyday cleanser or a special treat for self-care, handmade soap delivers in ways commercial soaps never could. 

Final Thoughts

Soap is one of the most essential products in our daily routine-but not all soap is created equal.  While commercial soaps may be cheap and convenient, they often come with a hidden cost: dry skin, synthetic chemicals, and a lack of real nourishment. 

Handmade soap, crafted with care and high-quality ingredients, is a better, healthier, and more sustainable choice.  Your skin is the largest organ on your body, and it deserves the best-so why not treat yourself to a bar of goodness?

 

References

Ashenburg, K. (2008). The Dirt on Clean: An Unsanitized History.  North Point Press. 

Ebnesajjad, S. (2013).  Handbook of Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics. William Andrew Publishing

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2019). The Case for Plastic-Free Personal Care Products. Retrieved from https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org. 

Global Palm Oil Research Institute. (2021). The Environmental Impact of Palm Oil in Soap Manufacturing.

Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild (HSCG). Why Handmade Soap? Retrieved from http://www.soapguild.org.

Lush, R. (2020). The Modern Soap Industry and the Glycerin Debate.  Journal of Consumer Products, 12(4), 223-238. 

Moore, G. (2019). Soap in Antiquity.  Journal of Archaeological Science, 45(2), 129-142

National Organic Program (NOP). (2022).  Organic & Natural Soap: Understanding the Labeling and Ingredients. 

Sabban, F. (2006). Handmade Soaps in the Middle Ages.  Food and History, 4(1), 67-85

Shapiro, L, (2021). The effects of Glycerin on Skin Hydration: A Comparative Study.  Journal of Dermatological Science, 78(3), 310-319

Smith, A. (2013). Clean: A History of Personal Hygiene and Purity.  Oxford University Press. 

Toxics Use Reduction Institute. (2017).  Understanding the impact of Sulfates and Parabens on Skin Health.  University of Massachusetts. 

 

 

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