Pure-n-Simple Soap

There are many different types of handmade soaps on the market today, and depending on the soap maker and individual preferences can leave the consumer with many options to choose from.  If you are currently in the market for handmade soap here are some useful tips.
Look for soaps that have a vegetable oil base such as olive, coconut, palm, sunflower or soybean.  These are just a few of the most common oils used in soap making today.  I personally use olive oil.  This oil offers the best quality of all the oils.  It is a great moisturizer and does not interfere with the skins normal functions.

If you are shopping for natural skin care products and looking for handmade soaps for sensitive skin, you may want to stay away from soaps that have fragrance oils in them.  These are oils that are synthetically produced by chemist, and though they do offer a larger variety of scents and are cheaper in cost, they are known to irritate the skin for those who suffer from sensitive skin or allergies.  Essential oils are always a plus.  They offer wonderful color and aromatherapy as well.  These oils are not man-made; they are concentrated extracts from plants and herbs by distillation or expression, however for real sensitive skin I would choose an unscented bar.

I recommend also choosing a soap that has no animal fats or tallow.  Tallow in commercial soaps is usually listed as Sodium Tallowate, and is known to clog the skins pores and remains on the surface of the skin creating a barrier.

Herbs and spices are used in homemade soaps to add color and texture.  Ingredients such has oatmeal, cornmeal, ground almond and cinnamon are great for exfoliation, and herbs such has lavender, calendula, and rosemary are a few of the many herbs that are commonly used in soap making that offer wonderful color, textures and therapy as well.

Also another great thing to look for in handmade soaps is added emollients such as Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera that are soothing and softening to the skin.

One other handmade soap tip is after you have purchased and used your new soap bar, be sure to let it dry out after each use.  Unlike commercial soap, these handmade soaps are in their most natural state, having no artificial hardeners in them and are full of glycerin, which make the soap turn mushy and soft if left in a puddle of water.  So be sure to place you handmade soap bar on a soap tray to dry after every use.