Commercial Soap vs Handmade Soap

You might wonder about the difference between commercially manufactured soap and handmade soap as you reach for that bar in your shower. This simple choice affects your skin more than you realize. Commercial soaps are packed with synthetic ingredients like parabens, petrochemicals, and phosphorus that can leave your skin dry and irritated. Natural handmade soaps take a different approach. Indie “makers” use raw ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter to nourish your skin instead of stripping it.

The evidence points to handmade soap being better for your skin. The battle between natural and commercial soap shows a clear winner for moisture retention. Most soap companies remove glycerin, a natural soap-making byproduct that pulls moisture from the air to keep your skin hydrated. Handmade soaps keep this valuable humectant, which explains why your skin feels more moisturized after use. Your skin can develop irritation from long-term use of commercial products that might even affect your eyes and lungs.

Commercial soap manufacturers have made the skincare industry more glamorous with expensive advertising, but they trade skin health for extended shelf life and cheaper production costs. In this piece, we'll explore these soap types' differences, examine your soap bar's ingredients, and guide you toward the best choice for your daily skincare routine.

Handmade Soap vs Commercial Soap: What’s the Real Difference?

Commercial and handmade soaps differ mainly in their production process. Commercial manufacturers mass-produce soap.  While all soap is created through saponification (where fats and oils react with lye), many commercial companies take this process a step further.  They remove glycerin—a natural moisturizing agent—and sell it separately for use in cosmetics. Without the moisturizing effect of glycerin, commercial soap can be harsh and drying to your skin.

Artisan soap makers take a different approach. They work in small batches and carefully control their ingredients. The natural glycerin stays in the soap through the cold process method, which keeps the oils' good properties intact. Some makers use specialty oils with beneficial properties to improve the condition of your skin, or may even use a method called “superfatting” to maintain a higher level of beneficial ingredients in their soaps.

The quality of ingredients makes a very important difference between these soaps. Commercial versions are full of synthetic detergents, preservatives, and artificial fragrances. These ingredients help the soap last longer but might irritate your skin. You'll also find antibacterial compounds like triclosan in commercial soaps, and research shows these could lead to antibiotic resistance.

Artisanal soap makers choose natural oils like olive, coconut, and castor instead. Each oil serves a purpose - olive oil makes the soap gentle, coconut cleans well, and castor creates a rich lather. Some handmade soaps contain specialty oils with naturally antibacterial properties.   As one maker put it “I have yet to find a natural ingredient that can’t beat a synthetic one!” 

These soaps are different in other ways too. Everything from ethical practices to environmental effects and skin benefits should shape your soap-buying decisions.

Natural Soap vs Commercial Soap: Health and Safety

Your skin absorbs up to 60% of what you put on it. It is the largest organ of the human body.  This makes your soap's ingredients a vital health factor to think over. Commercial and handmade soaps differ in more than simple cleanliness.

Research shows that 37% of tested commercial soaps proved toxic to human keratinocytes in vitro. The most toxic soaps led to higher rates of erythema and water loss than less toxic options. These products can aggravate existing skin conditions and cause irritant contact dermatitis.

You'll find problematic ingredients in commercial soaps like parabens that disrupt hormones, triclosan that could lead to antibiotic resistance, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) that strips away natural oils. The FDA confirms that many commercial "soaps" aren't even real soap - they're synthetic detergent products.

Small indie makers who create natural handmade soaps with plant-based oils and essential oils, avoid harsh chemicals. These soaps keep the natural glycerin - a humectant that pulls moisture into your skin and protects its barrier, and include ingredients beneficial to your skin.

Why More People Are Switching to Handmade Soap

People's growing environmental awareness has led to a remarkable transformation in handmade soap popularity. Research shows 82% of consumers prefer organic products, which reflects a clear shift in buying habits. We've seen this change because people now understand how everyday products affect our environment.

The handmade soap market keeps growing as buyers learn more about soap ingredients. People now look for products without harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives. Their concerns go beyond personal health to include environmental protection.

Handmade soaps are much better for the environment than commercial ones. These soaps' biodegradable ingredients break down naturally and don't harm water systems or aquatic life. Cold process soap making stands out as the quickest way to make soap. It needs minimal heating and reduces carbon emissions.

Artisans' packaging choices make a real difference too. Most soap makers use minimal, plastic-free, or recyclable packaging to help solve the global plastic waste crisis. The soap makers' manufacturing process often includes environmentally responsible practices. They use energy-efficient appliances and renewable energy sources.

Handmade soap purchases support sustainable communities. These products use ethically sourced ingredients, and many makers focus on fair-trade materials. Choosing handmade soap shows care for both personal wellbeing and environmental protection.

Your skin deserves better than harsh, chemical-packed commercial soaps. At Lola James, our Handmade Soap Collection is crafted with natural oils, rich glycerin, and skin-loving botanicals — giving you the perfect balance of nourishment, hydration, and sustainability.

Explore our Handmade Collections today and experience the difference of pure, natural skincare that’s gentle on your skin and kind to the planet.

FAQs

Q1. Is handmade soap better for sensitive skin?
Handmade soap is generally better for sensitive skin as it contains natural ingredients and retains glycerin, which helps maintain skin moisture. Unlike commercial soaps, handmade soaps avoid harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin.

Q2. How does the production process differ between commercial and handmade soap? Commercial soap is mass-produced through saponification, often removing glycerin in the process. Handmade soap is created in small batches using the cold process method, which preserves the natural glycerin and beneficial properties of the oils used.

Q3. Are there any environmental benefits to using handmade soap?
Yes, handmade soaps often have a lower environmental impact. They typically use biodegradable ingredients, employ energy-efficient production methods, and come in minimal or recyclable packaging, reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions.

Q4. What are some common harmful ingredients found in commercial soaps?
Commercial soaps may contain harmful ingredients such as parabens, triclosan, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). These chemicals can strip the skin of natural oils, cause irritation, and potentially contribute to long-term health concerns.

Q5. How does the lather of handmade soap compare to commercial soap?
While handmade soap may not produce as vigorous a lather as commercial soap due to the absence of synthetic foaming agents, it is equally effective at cleansing. The natural oils in handmade soap provide a gentler cleansing experience without compromising on effectiveness.