Why make the change to handmade natural soap?
By: Lyndy
Some people believe that when it comes to soap, the only thing that matters is to get the job done. However, a growing number of people are coming to the conclusion that natural soap is a better option.
We care about what we eat and drink, but why not take the same care when cosidering what we put on the largest organ in our body, our skin? In this article I explore why you might consider making the swap to handmade natural soap.
Reduced exposure to chemicals and harsh ingredients
One way to reduce exposure to the chemicals and other harsh ingredients contained in some mass-produced soap is to use a handcrafted natural soap. Wild and Myrtle's soap is made with natural plant-derived ingredients, which are believed by some to be better for the skin.
Some commercial soaps are known to regularly contain parabens, sulphates and even triclosan, which some believe can cause skin irritation, influence hormone levels and possibly even increase the risk of some cancers. Not to mention that they can dry your skin! Many natural soaps also add other beneficial ingredients, such as clays, salts, essential oils and botanical extracts.
Moisturising and gentle
When produced using the traditional cold process method, soap retains glycerine, which is a by-product of the soap-making process. Glycerine is a natural humectant, which keeps the skin hydrated.
In contrast, many commercially manufactured soaps undergo a process designed specifically to remove the glycerine! Why? Because removing it extends the shelf life so that it can sit in a warehouse for longer. The extracted glycerine is also used in other products, such as moisturisers which ironically you may need more of, if you use that soap! Soap devoid of glycerine can leave skin dry, itchy and looking far from its best. The gentle pH levels of natural soaps (usually between 9 and 10) help care for your skin in the long term, as well as keeping you looking and feeling clean and fresh right now.
The ethos of Wild and Myrtle is to retain the glycerine, care for the the skin and to maintain freshness by producing small unique batches. The soap may cost a bit more, but will cost less than a mass-produced bar of soap plus a good moisturiser!
A unique handmade product
Handmade soap, including Wild & Myrtle’s product range, is often made in small batches, and by an artisan who really cares about every ingredient used and how that will make you feel when you use that product.
Handmade bars vary from bar to bar, just as natural ingredients vary slightly depending on a given year’s weather and other conditions. This means that you can find unique and interesting varieties of handmade soap, which can be a great way to try new things.
Mass-produced commercial soaps, however, are made very efficiently by producing many units of the exact same size and composition. The focus is on profit.
Higher quality, natural ingredients
Natural soaps take longer to produce and usually use higher quality natural ingredients like olive and coconut oils and shea butter. These are believed to be very healthy and nourishing for the skin.
When a company manufactures hundreds of thousands of bars of soap at a time, part of the profit margin is gained from mass production, and part is gained from using the cheapest products available for colour and scent– and these are frequently synthetic substitutes for the real thing! Wild and Myrtle soaps are produced in super small batches (usually only 10 or 15 at a time) using only natural essential oils, clays and botanicals to produce gorgeous natural colours in a bar that is kind to the skin.
Better for the environment
Natural handmade soaps do not produce harmful environmental poisons or toxins. The soap breaks down more easily after use and does not harm the water cycle or the wildlife that shares the water in our rivers, lakes and oceans. If you factor in the wonderful quality and efficacy of natural soaps, and the pleasure you get from a more unique product, handmade soaps are a clear winner!
By purchasing a handmade soap, not only are you likely to be supporting a small local business with strong eco-friendly ethics, you are also helping to reduce your carbon footprint and the amount of single use plastics that have such a devastating effect on our beautiful planet!
Aromatherapy and antibacterial properties
Some essential oils used in natural soap can help to soothe your mind and body through aromatherapy. The chemical composition of essential oils cannot be recreated in a laboratory. When natural products are replaced with synthetic versions of them, the therapeutic aspects are lost. Natural essential oils are known to cause the release of neurochemicals in the brain that can benefit your mind, body and spirit. And don’t forget, some essential oils such as tea tree, lemongrass, eucalyptus and peppermint not only smell amazing but are believed to have natural antibacterial properties!
So, if you’re looking for a soap that is of higher quality and made with more care than commercial soaps, then handmade soap may be the right choice for you and is definitely worth checking out!