The Benefits of Choosing Handmade Soap

I have come to appreciate how handmade soap is not just a product, it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, natural ingredients, and mindful living. From the way it nourishes your skin to its reduced impact on the environment, handmade soap offers unparalleled benefits. In this post, I’ll share my insights, backed by science and personal experience, into why handmade soap is a superior choice for those seeking quality and sustainability.

What Makes Handmade Soap Special?

Unlike commercial soaps, often manufactured with synthetic detergents and preservatives, handmade soap is crafted using traditional methods and simple, natural ingredients. In my own practice, I use the cold-process method, which preserves the natural glycerin produced during saponification. If you’re curious about how this works in more detail, I break it down step-by-step in my guide to the art of cold-process soap making.

Glycerin is key to moisturising your skin effectively. Dermatology research shows that humectants like glycerin can significantly improve hydration and barrier function in dry, irritated skin; a widely cited clinical review on glycerin and the skin notes its role in attracting and holding water within the outer layers of the skin. This is one of the reasons handmade bars, which naturally retain glycerin, often feel so much gentler than many commercial alternatives.

Each batch of handmade soap can also be tailored to specific skin needs, from dry and mature to oily or sensitive, which is something I explore further in my natural soap ingredients guide. That personal, skin-focused approach is something mass-produced products simply can’t replicate.

Why Choose Handmade Soap Over Commercial Alternatives?

Handmade soap offers several advantages over mainstream options:

• Natural ingredients – Free from many synthetic additives, handmade soap is typically gentler and more nourishing for the skin.

• Customisation – Bars can be tailored to specific skin types and preferences, from ultra-moisturising blends to clarifying formulas.

• Eco-friendly – Many makers use biodegradable formulas and plastic-free, low-waste packaging, reducing environmental impact.

• Support for artisans – Purchasing handmade soap supports small businesses and helps preserve traditional craft skills.

For anyone managing conditions like eczema or very dry skin, this gentler approach can be especially helpful. Both NHS guidance on atopic eczema and the National Eczema Association’s advice on cleansing emphasise avoiding harsh, foaming detergents and overly fragranced products, and instead using mild, moisturising cleansers that respect the skin barrier.

If you’re ready to experience the difference for yourself, you can explore our current range in the handmade soap collection and choose a bar that matches your skin type and scent preferences.

The Ingredients That Make Handmade Soap Special

In my own soap recipes, I carefully select natural oils, butters, and botanicals for their unique benefits:

• Olive oil – Known for its conditioning properties and suitability for sensitive skin. As outlined in this overview of olive oil for skin health, it’s rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that help soften and protect the skin.

• Coconut oil – Provides a rich lather and effective cleansing. In balanced amounts, it contributes to a satisfying wash without being overly stripping.

• Castor oil – Adds creaminess and boosts the bubbles in the lather, making the bar feel extra luxurious.

• Shea butter – Offers deep moisture and helps soothe dry or rough patches; it’s a staple in many of our more nourishing formulas, which you’ll find highlighted in the moisturising bar soap guide.

• Cocoa butter – Helps create a firm bar with a silky feel and long-lasting hydration.

• Botanicals – Oatmeal, clays and activated charcoal add gentle exfoliation and extra skin benefits.

Colloidal oatmeal is a good example of how these botanicals work in practice. It has been shown to reduce redness and itching in irritated or eczema-prone skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting properties; a summary in Medical News Today on colloidal oatmeal reviews its use in managing dry, itchy conditions. If you love this kind of ingredient detail, you might also enjoy my article on natural soap for sensitive skin, where I go deeper into what to look for on the label.

Safety Considerations for Natural Soap

Whilst handmade soap is crafted with care, it’s important to remember that “natural” doesn’t automatically mean “risk-free.” Certain botanical additives and essential oils can cause sensitivity or contact allergies in some people.

Dermatology literature includes multiple reports of fragrance- and essential-oil-related reactions; for example, a review on essential oils and contact dermatitis discusses how even popular oils like lavender or tea tree can trigger irritation in susceptible individuals when used at high levels or too frequently. This is why I always work within IFRA-style usage limits and keep fragrance levels gentle, especially in bars intended for delicate or compromised skin.

If you have sensitive skin or known allergies, it’s wise to:

• Patch-test any new bar on a small area before regular use.

• Favour simpler, fragrance-free or lightly scented formulas.

• Take guidance from reputable clinical sources, such as NHS advice on managing eczema and irritant dermatitis.

For more practical tips on keeping your routine skin-friendly, you can browse our soap school articles, where I share what I’ve learned from both formulation and customer feedback.

How to Incorporate Handmade Soap Into Your Routine

Bringing handmade soap into your daily routine is simple, and a few small habits can help you get the best from each bar:

1. Choose the right bar

   
   

   Match the ingredients to your skin’s needs—for example, a shea- and cocoa-butter-rich bar if you’re prone to dryness, or an activated charcoal and clay bar if your skin is more oily or congestion-prone. If you’re not sure where to start, my roundup of eco-friendly, chemical-free soaps in the UK includes plenty of examples of different styles and formulations.

2. Store it properly

   
   

   Use a draining soap dish and keep the bar out of standing water. This helps it dry between uses, last longer, and stay firm.

3. Use it mindfully

   
   

   Lather in your hands or on a soft cloth and massage gently onto the skin. There’s usually no need for aggressive scrubbing—let the oils, butters and botanicals do the work.

4. Experiment with variety

   
   

   One of the joys of handmade soap is the variety of scents and textures. Rotate bars through the seasons, or keep a more indulgent bar for evening baths and a fresh, uplifting one for morning showers.

If you’re ready to add a bar to your own bathroom shelf, you can shop our handmade range and pick out a formula that fits your routine and skin type.

Sustainability and Handmade Soap

Sustainability sits at the heart of how many artisan soap makers work, and it’s a huge part of why handmade soap appeals to people who care about their environmental impact.

Small-batch production often means:

• Less waste and more mindful use of raw materials.

• A focus on biodegradable, plant-based ingredients.

• Thoughtful packaging choices, such as paper wraps or cardboard boxes instead of plastic bottles.

The move toward lower-waste packaging is especially important. If you’re interested in the bigger picture, my feature on plastic-free packaging for small businesses looks at how brands are trying to cut waste across their whole supply chain.

On the consumer side, research suggests that people are increasingly motivated by both environmental and ethical concerns. An exploratory study on cruelty-free cosmetic labelling and consumer perceptions highlights that many buyers now actively seek out products that align with their values, even if the terminology can sometimes be confusing. Choosing handmade, clearly labelled artisan soap is one way to cut through some of that confusion and support businesses whose practices you can more easily understand.

For a more practical look at how this plays out in the bathroom, you’ll find lots of ideas for low-waste swaps and routine tweaks in my article on eco-friendly soap options.

Conclusion: A Thoughtful Choice for Your Skin and the Planet

Handmade soap is more than just a way to get clean, it’s a gentle daily ritual that cares for your skin, supports artisans, and treads more lightly on the planet. From the naturally retained glycerin and carefully chosen oils to the small-batch production and low-waste packaging, every bar tells a story of care and craft.

As an artisan soap maker, I’ve seen how switching to handmade bars can transform not only how your skin feels, but also how you think about everyday self-care. If you’re ready to experience that difference, you can discover our full range of handmade soaps and find a bar that feels like the right fit for you.

Your skin and the planet deserve that level of thoughtfulness.