What is a natural soap?
A natural soap is a body cleansing product made mainly from saponified vegetable or animal oils and fats, without resorting to the synthetic detergents common in many industrial formulas. It's usually presented in solid bar form and naturally retains the glycerin generated during the manufacturing process, a humectant component that in conventional soaps is often extracted for other uses. This simpler composition, with few recognisable ingredients, makes natural soap generally gentler on the skin than a standard industrial soap.
How to choose a natural soap for your skin
Dry skin
Soaps enriched with shea butter, olive oil or vegetable glycerin give a less tight feeling after washing.
Sensitive skin
It's best to prioritise formulas with few ingredients, free from synthetic fragrances and added colourants.
Oily or blemish-prone skin
Soaps with activated charcoal or clays help achieve a slightly deeper cleanse without being harsh.
Types and formats of natural soap
- Solid bar soap, the most traditional format and also the most sustainable.
- Handmade cold-process soap, a process that better preserves the properties of the oils used.
- Natural-based liquid soap, a convenient alternative for those who prefer a dispenser format.
- Soaps with built-in exfoliant, which combine cleansing with gentle skin renewal.
Ingredients to look for on the label of a natural soap
- Olive or coconut oil, common bases in traditional saponification.
- Shea or cocoa butter, which provide extra nourishment during cleansing.
- Vegetable glycerine, naturally present and highly valued for its moisturising effect.
- Essential oils, which provide natural fragrance, though it's worth watching their tolerance on reactive skin.
Benefits of switching to natural soap
Beyond how it feels on the skin, choosing a natural soap offers other advantages that many people value when making their choice. By avoiding harsh synthetic detergents, it tends to be gentler on skin that reacts easily to other cleansing products. The solid format also generates much less packaging waste than a conventional shower gel, as it's often sold without plastic or with minimal wrapping. Finally, since it lasts longer than an equivalent amount of liquid soap in terms of washes, it also ends up being a more long-lasting option for everyday use.
Natural soap versus handmade soap: is it the same thing?
Although they're often used as synonyms, not all natural soaps are handmade, nor vice versa. A natural soap refers mainly to its composition, based on plant- or animal-derived ingredients without synthetic detergents. A handmade soap, on the other hand, refers to the production process, usually made in small batches and often through cold-process saponification, a technique that better preserves the properties of the oils used by not subjecting them to high temperatures. It's common for a good handmade soap to also be natural, although it's always worth checking the ingredient list to confirm.
How to use and store natural soap
Natural soap is used just like any bar of soap: wet it, rub it between your hands or directly on your skin until it lathers, then rinse with warm water. To make it last longer, keep it away from direct contact with water between uses, on a soap dish with holes that allows it to drain and dry. Storing it in a humid, poorly ventilated environment speeds up its wear and can cause it to lose its consistency sooner than expected.
Common mistakes when choosing natural soap
- Relying only on the word “natural” on the packaging without checking the ingredient list.
- Using the same soap on face and body without taking into account that facial skin is more sensitive.
- Leaving it constantly soaking, which unnecessarily shortens its lifespan.
- Ruling out bar soap for convenience without first trying its texture and how it's used.
Choosing a natural soap suited to your skin type is a simple way to simplify your hygiene routine without giving up effective, skin-friendly cleansing, while also gradually reducing the number of containers that pile up in the bathroom.
