Why Use Natural Soap

Soap is the final result of a chemical process known as saponification. Saponification occurs when acids are combined with an alkali base, a mixture of sodium hydroxide (called lye) and water. The saponification process changes the molecular structure of the lye into what we call soap. While the recipe seems straight forward enough there is still room for changes. Many of these changes in the exact recipe are the differences between natural soaps and most commercial soaps.

In natural soaps fats and oils are used as the acids in the process. It is the various fats and oils that can be used that give each soap it's special characteristics. Sometimes extra is added to the soap such as natural colorants, essentials oils, or botanicals to enhance the soap's natural characteristics. Creating soap this way produces a natural glycerin that is wonderful for your skin. Glycerin allows the moisture to stay in the skin without clogging pores or irritating.

With most commercial and mass produced soaps today you do not get true soap. It is often a detergent made from petroleum distillates and synthetics rather than from natural fats and oil. The petroleum products used in commercial soaps acts like a de-greaser removing the skin's natural moisture and oils. Unlike the glycerin used in most natural soaps to add moisture, commercial soaps strip moisture away. The glycerin created by most mass produced soaps is often removed to be used separately in lotions and creams promising to add moisture back to the skin.

Commercial soaps also contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, or SLS. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is used generally because it is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent in soaps. It is this chemical that gives the rich lather most people are used to. SLS however can be damaging to people with sensitive skin or prone to dermatitis, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It is also very drying and removes the moisture from the top layers of skin. In natural soaps specific oils are used for their foaming abilities. Coconut oil is one such oil that gives natural soap a rich lather.

As more people become aware of the differences between commercially sold detergent soap bars and natural soap they are choosing the natural products more. Avoiding the harsh chemicals used in detergent soaps is one of the benefits to choosing a natural soap. Having soft, silky skin without spending extra money on moisturisers is another benefit that is drawing people in. The question is becoming not why use natural soaps, but why not.