Hand Crafted Soap vs Mass Produced Body Wash

Countless times, I've purchased soap products from my local grocery store or pharmacy, only to be let down. My skin can become extremely sensitive for no clear reason, particularly as I age. Products I've used for years began to irritate my skin or make me so itchy that I felt like jumping out of it. I realized it wasn't necessarily the "good" ingredients causing the issue but rather the preservatives and fillers. Any liquid soap or lotion requires some preservative to prevent bacteria, mold, or fungi growth. Companies that mass-produce these products have significant overhead and need to continue production while making a profit to remain in business. Often, a preservative that negates the benefits of the "good" ingredients is used to keep costs low. This is understandable in mass production; otherwise, the product could become very expensive, passing that cost onto the consumer. Mass production requires these companies to remain competitive in pricing.

Currently, I'm unsure if I'll produce a liquid soap. The expense of using an all-natural preservative is high, and it wouldn't preserve the product as long as a synthetic one. Additionally, I'm concerned about more bottles ending up in landfills. However, I did create a shower gel for my father that turned out quite well. The downside is that it contains no preservative, so its shelf life is only about 2 months, which isn't ideal.

When I began making soap, I wanted to experiment and observe the effects of each ingredient. I discovered that I prefer cocoa butter over goat milk. I enjoyed the lather and how my skin didn't feel dry or tight after using it. However, I do NOT like the smell of unrefined cocoa butter. Refining a product removes unwanted scents and colors but also diminishes its benefits. I started using refined cocoa butter, which is great because it no longer smells like cocoa and is pure white, allowing me to create more vibrant soap colors with mica and a therapeutic aroma. Since I chose to use refined butter, I needed to enhance the skin benefits with additional ingredients. Coconut oil, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil are all excellent options. I love the idea of using natural ingredients, no preservatives, and very little packaging.

Next up, lotion bars! I adore a quality lotion bar! They're all-natural and package-free, reducing our carbon footprint.