Melt and pour soap may look pretty, but what’s inside can be anything but clean. Often marketed as “handmade,” these soaps are made by melting down pre-manufactured soap bases, most of which contain chemical stabilizers, synthetic detergents, and petroleum-derived additives.
Why Melt and Pour Soap May Not Be Ideal for Skin:
- Loaded with synthetic ingredients like propylene glycol, sorbitol, and SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) to make it lather and stay solid.
- Can cause dryness, irritation, or sensitivity, especially for people with eczema, acne, or sensitive skin.
- Often contains artificial ingredients which can trigger allergic reactions or hormonal disruptions.
- No true control over ingredients, you’re only customizing on the surface.
- Not biodegradable-friendly. Some ingredients are not skin or earth safe.
Even “glycerin soap” sounds good but when it’s mass-produced and melted down, its natural benefits are often diluted or masked by chemical fillers.
How to Identify Melt and Pour Soap:
- Translucency: Often semi-transparent or “glycerin-like” in appearance.
- Smooth, glossy finish: Especially when unmolded cleanly.
- Consistent, uniform texture: Often lacks the rustic or textured look of cold process soaps.
The Power of Real Handmade Soap
Truly handmade soap, especially cold process or hot process soap, is created from scratch using natural oils, butters, and lye, no pre-made base, no shortcuts.
Why Cold Process Handmade Soap Is Better for Your Skin:
- Custom-formulated with plant-based oils like olive and coconut to deeply nourish and protect skin.
- Naturally rich in glycerin, a powerful humectant that helps retain moisture without synthetic additives.
- Contains no detergents or stabilizers, making it gentler and safer for sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
- Infused with herbs, clays, botanicals, and essential oils for therapeutic and aromatic benefits.
- Biodegradable and eco-conscious, good for your body and the planet.
- Can be tailored for specific skin types, including acne-prone, dry, oily, or mature skin.
Handmade soap undergoes a natural curing process that improves texture, longevity, and performance, something melt and pour simply can’t replicate.
How to Identify Cold or Hot Process Soap:
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Rustic, uneven, or textured look: Often with a natural matte finish.
- Natural scent fade over time: Essential oils may mellow.
- Curing required: Real handmade soap needs 4–6 weeks to cure.
Why Essential Oils Are the Safe, Smart Choice for Skin
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts derived from flowers, leaves, peels, or roots. Not only do they smell amazing, but they offer natural skincare benefits too.
Skin and Soul Loving Benefits of Essential Oils in Soap:
- Lavender: Calms inflammation, supports sleep, reduces acne.
- Tea Tree: Antimicrobial, great for breakouts and oily skin.
- Eucalyptus: Refreshes and decongests while soothing tired muscles.
- Geranium: Balances hormones and supports healthy aging.
- Lemongrass or citrus oils: Brightens skin and energizes mood.
Essential Oils:
- Are biodegradable.
- Offer aromatherapeutic effects for emotional and physical well-being.
- Work with your skin, not against it.
- Can be sustainably sourced and ethically harvested
The soaps you use are up to you. What’s important is learning what is in your soaps and how to identify the differences.
Shop our cold processed essential oil soaps today!
