Soap is a combination of water, lye and fats (oils). When the lye and water solution is combined with fats, a chemical reaction called “saponification” occurs – the reaction of hydrogen, oxygen, sodium and fatty acid molecules. The result is about 75% soap and 25% glycerin. Properly crafted handmade soap contains no lye, but cannot be made without it.

You will notice right away that your skin will feel softer and not dry after using handmade natural soap. Glycerin is a humectant, which means that it absorbs water from the air and draws it to your skin, making it feel softer and healthier.

The next time you walk down the soap aisle at your favorite store enjoying the fresh, clean scents and the bright colorful packaging, pay attention. Look at the labels. The vast majority of the products on the shelf don’t say ‘soap’ on their labels. They might be called beauty bars, moisturizing bars, or body bars, but not soap. That’s because these bars aren’t actually soap and can’t legally claim to be; they’re detergents. The manufacturers have removed most of the ‘good’ stuff that occurs in the soap making process, and replaced it with synthetic lathering agents and harsh chemicals. These cheap detergent bars are not only bad for your skin, but they’re also bad for the planet, too.