Some time back we visited the south of France, a region that is famous for it’s savon de Marseille (Marseille soap). That soap has quite an interesting 600 year old history. Traditionally, handmade soap from Marseille has been created from Mediterranean salt water and olive oil from the region. The result is a prized, gentle soap that many swear by for all sorts of uses. You can use it wash both your body and your clothes!
Before that trip, I didn’t give much thought to the very real differences between mass produced, commercial soap and small batch, artisan, handmade soap. One of my favorite soaps is Dr. Bronner’s liquid peppermint soap (#mintybodyparts) but I’ve recently tried several different bar soaps that I now love just as much!
Why bother to seek out and buy handcrafted soap versus the commercial stuff readily available in the store?
1. Handcrafted soap retains the glycerin. Glycerin is a byproduct of the soap making process and is something that synthetic soap makers strip out to use in other products. Glycerin keeps moisture in! Natural soap is less drying for your skin as the ingredients help heal and protect. With regular use handmade soaps will allow your skin to feel great!
2. Commercial soaps contain synthetic, often harsh, chemicals. Commercial soaps use chemicals to enhance the lather and add scent to the product. True handmade soaps are scented with essential oils and the scent is not only pleasant but can offer the therapeutic effects of essential oils.
3. Handcrafted soaps are a wonderful combination of beauty and function. Functionally, they clean and moisturize your skin in a superior way. One of my favorite things about them is that the possibilities for the form they take seems to be endless! Custom soap makers are true artisans who create amazing designs and color combinations. My favorite soap maker (Nature’s Crush Handmade – she can be yours too!) can create customized products for pretty much any occasion: wedding favors, personalized gifts, baby showers, gender reveals, and more. Some soaps look good enough to eat!
Have you made the switch to handcrafted soap? If so – what are your favorite benefits? If you haven’t – try it out and let me know what you think!
I love Natures Crush. It’s so gentle on the skin. Amazing product. Good read on benefits of handmade soap.
I use goat milk soap! It works great for us.