Many customers come to us for many reasons: dry, itchy, or irritated skin. Most of them are hoping to try something different to soothe their skin condition, but there are some who just searching for a one-of-a-kind present for their friends and family.
Handmade soaps are a great choice for anyone looking for a natural, eco-friendly, and skin-friendly alternative. Made with skin-nourishing botanical oils and craftily made with natural additives, handmade soaps offer a range of benefits for your skin, your health, and the environment without breaking the bank.
That being said, let's dive into 10 reasons why handmade soaps are the best choice for you and your family:
1. Made with Botanical Oils and Natural Additives
Handmade soaps are made with botanical oils and butter for the base, such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, rice bran oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter, ingredients that are gentle on the skin and free from harsh chemicals.
One of the main disadvantages of using commercial body wash and shampoo is that they often contain harsh chemicals that can strip your skin and hair of their natural oils. These chemicals, such as sulfates and parabens, can cause dryness, irritation, and even allergic reactions in some people.
On the other hand, handmade soap made with botanical oils and natural additives offers several advantages for your skin. Botanical oils are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that nourish and protect your skin. They also have excellent moisturizing properties that help to keep your skin soft, smooth, and hydrated. Natural additives, such as Himalayan salt, coffee grounds, and oatmeal can provide additional benefits such as exfoliation, soothing, and a calming effect.
2. No Harmful Chemicals & Plastic-Free
As mentioned above, handmade soaps are free from harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, so this means that they are safe to use and won't harm your skin or the environment.
How commercial body washes and shampoos can be harmful to the environment in several ways:
They often contain synthetic chemicals and fragrances that can have negative impacts on water quality and aquatic life when they are washed down the drain. These chemicals can also persist in the environment and contribute to pollution over time.
Additionally, the production, packaging, and transportation of commercial body washes and shampoos require a significant amount of energy and resources, leading to an increased carbon footprint. Many commercial products also come in single-use plastic bottles that contribute to plastic waste and can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment.
Handmade soaps, on the other hand, can come in a package-free format and won't do any damage to the environment when it enters our sewers.
3. No Animal Testing
Many handmade soap companies around the world are committed to cruelty-free and ethical practices, which means that they are against testing their soap products on animals. Animal testing involves using animals to test the safety and effectiveness of cosmetic and personal care products, and it can involve painful and inhumane procedures. Many consumers are increasingly concerned about the welfare of animals and are seeking products that are produced without causing harm to animals.
To ensure the safety and quality of our products, Soapan Santun uses alternative methods such as human volunteers (often willing friends and family members) to test out our products or rely on existing scientific data and ingredient research available widely on the Internet.
By choosing to buy from a local soap maker that does not test on animals, you are supporting ethical and humane practices in the cosmetics industry. Using cruelty-free products can help to reduce the demand for animal testing and encourage companies to adopt more ethical practices.
4. Eco-Friendly
In addition to sustainable production methods, many handmade soap companies also prioritize eco-friendly packaging. Instead of using plastic containers, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, biodegradable or recyclable materials such as cardboard and paper are usually preferred. Some companies may even offer refillable options or encourage customers to reuse or recycle their packaging and collect points in return.
5. Handmade with Love
Unlike mass-produced soaps that are made in large factories, handmade soaps are often made in small batches by artisans who take pride in their work.
Handmade soap makers often spend a lot of time perfecting their recipes and experimenting with different combinations of ingredients. They carefully select high-quality, natural ingredients and often source them from local suppliers or growers. This attention to detail ensures that each bar of handmade soap is unique and has its own special qualities.
When it comes to the production process, cold-processed soaps involve mixing oils and lye together and allowing them to cure for several weeks. This slow and careful process results in a high-quality bar of soap that is gentle on the skin.
6. Better for Sensitive and Eczema-Prone Skin
Those with eczema should use gentle and moisturizing skincare products that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin. They should look for products that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and free of harsh chemicals and irritants. It is also important to avoid hot water, which can further irritate the skin, and to moisturize the skin regularly with a gentle, fragrance-free body wash or soap.
Handmade soap makers often avoid using synthetic fragrances and other potentially irritating additives, which makes handmade soaps a great choice for those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, as they are less likely to cause irritation or exacerbate skin conditions.
8. Chemical-Free Fragrances & Aromatherapeutic
Handmade soaps are available in a wide range of scents, from floral to fruity to earthy. This variety allows you to find a scent that suits your preferences and mood. Handmade soap makers often use essential oils to add fragrance to their soaps. These oils are extracted from plants and contain the natural fragrance and therapeutic properties of the plant.
As an example, lavender, chamomile, bergamot, ylang-ylang, and frankincense can be added to handmade soaps or used in other skincare products to provide a calming and soothing effect.
9. A Customizable and Practical Gift
One of the advantages of handmade soap is that it can be customized to suit your skin type and preferences. Handmade soap makers often offer a range of soaps with different ingredients, allowing you to choose a soap that is tailored to your skin's needs.
Soapan Santun has so far tailored-made avocado body soap and avocado-coffee soap for a local avocado drink company, as well as wedding favors for individual customers who are hoping to gift their guests handmade soaps on their special day.
10. Support Small Businesses
When you buy handmade soap, you are not just getting a high-quality product, you are also supporting local artisans and small businesses. Handmade soap makers often work from home or small studios, and they rely on their soap-making businesses to support themselves and their families.
By purchasing handmade soap, you are helping to support these small businesses and their communities. This can have a significant impact on the local economy, as small businesses are often a vital part of the community and provide employment opportunities.
In addition to supporting small businesses, buying handmade soap also supports artisans who are passionate about their craft. Handmade soap makers often put a lot of care and attention into their work, and they take pride in creating high-quality products that are good for the skin and the environment. By choosing to buy handmade soap, you are not just getting a great product, you are also making a difference in the lives of the people who make it.
In A Nutshell
Handmade soaps are a great choice for anyone who cares about their skin and the environment. By switching to handmade soaps, you're choosing a product that is natural, moisturizing, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free. You're also supporting small businesses (like us!) and getting a unique product that is tailored to your needs and preferences.
Needless to say, everyone needs a good shower and handmade soaps are the best and most practical option you will have out there!
