Have you ever wondered how soap is made? Do you know what distinguishes handmade natural soaps from those you can buy from big retailers / shops? In this post, we explore the world of natural soaps and tell you everything you need to know. From the benefits to the ingredients used to make them and where you can buy them in Berlin.
What is Soap?
Let us start with the basics. Soap is a substance used to cleanse the skin. It is made by mixing fats with an alkali, such as lye. This chemical reaction, called saponification, creates the soap. Now, you have understood the nature of soap. Let's take a look at one of the basic ingredients that are important in the manufacturing process : fats.
What Are Fats?
In soap making, the term fats refers to the oils and butters. These fats are usually a combination of vegetable oils (such as olive, coconut or almond oil) and animal fats (such as lard or tallow). The specific combination of fats used in soap making affects the properties of the final product : hardness, lather power, moisturizing effect... Some soap makers, such as Babassu Soaps, use certain fats for their unique properties or to make a more environmentally friendly or vegan soap. For example, they are using babassu oil (a smaller and more ethical supply chain) instead of the more traditional coconut oil. Palm oil and animal fats are never used in their production.
The specific combination of fats used in soap making affects the properties of the final product.
Which Fats, Oils and Butters Are Used?
The fats, oils and butters used in soap making can vary, but the most common include coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and palm oil. Each ingredient has its own unique properties that contribute to the benefits of the soap.
Coconut oil, for example, makes a hard soap bar that lathers well and has excellent cleansing properties. Olive oil, makes a softer bar of soap that is gentle and moisturizing. You can imagine most others, like shea butter, cocoa butter, palm oil, being somewhere in between.
Ingredients Used in Soaps
Handmade natural soaps have additional components that add to their advantages besides the unreacted fats. Essential oils, for example, are often added for their fragrance and therapeutic properties. Lavender essential oil, for example, is known for its relaxing effect.
Herbs and botanicals such as calendula and chamomile can also be added to soaps as a decorative touch. Some soap makers even use natural coloring agents such as clay, indigo, or root powders to give their soaps a beautiful hue.
Benefits
As humanity becomes more aware of the impact our choices have on the planet and ourselves, vegan and handmade natural soaps are becoming increasingly popular. These artisan soaps are not only a healthier option for our skin, but also an eco-friendly choice that benefits our environment.
We have put together a list of the main advantages of utilizing these luxurious products in order to more clearly illustrate the advantages of vegan, handcrafted natural soaps:
Natural ingredients: These soaps are made from 100% natural ingredients.
Environmentally friendly: Choosing handmade natural soaps reduces the amount of harmful chemicals entering our waters. It also reduces our global plastic consumption (no disposable packages needed) and does not contain petroleum based ingredients.
No animal products: As the name suggests, vegan handmade natural soaps are free from animal ingredients, making them an ethical choice for those who care about animal rights.
No synthetic fragrances: These soaps are scented with essential oils that not only smell wonderful by themselves but also have therapeutic properties.
Skin care benefits: During the saponification process, natural glycerin is produced along with the molecules of soap. This one has a gentle effect on the skin and at a concentration of about 10% in the final product.
Handmade with care: These soaps are made with love, in small batches for most brands, with care and attention to detail. The result is a high quality product that you will love to use.
Affordable: Although these soaps may seem like a luxury item, they are actually an option that offers good value for money if you are caring about environmental issues.
Diverse: Vegan, handmade natural soaps come in a variety of scents, colors and textures. This is a fun and exciting way to expand your skincare routine. The legend says that never 2 soaps have even been made exactly the same.
Aromatherapy benefits: These soaps harness the power of essential oils to promote relaxation, relieve stress and lift your mood.
Artisan soaps are not only a healthier option for our skin, but also an eco-friendly choice that benefits our environment.
Options Available on the Market
When it comes to natural soaps, you have a wide range of options in the market. There are soaps that are made specifically for certain skin types, such as oily or dry skin. Some soaps are made for specific purposes, such as shaving or exfoliating. There are even soaps made for children and babies.
If you are looking for a specific scent or effect, such as lavender or acne-fighting, you are likely to find a soap that suits your needs. And with the rise of conscious consumption, there are now more options than ever for those looking for vegan and eco-friendly soaps.
Let us take a look at the 4 types of soap products available on the market:
Traditional Soap Recipes
These soaps are made using traditional soap making techniques that have been used for centuries. They usually use a combination of animal fats, such as lard or tallow, and lye to make a bar of soap. Traditional soap recipes can be very simple or complex and include additional ingredients such as herbs, spices or essential oils.
Standardized Typical Bars of Soap
These are the most common hard soap products you will find in supermarkets and drugstores. They are usually made with a combination of synthetic detergents and fats. They are designed to produce a rich lather and cleanse the skin effectively.
Traditional, Typical Liquid Soap
Liquid soap is a popular alternative to bar soap because it is more convenient and less messy to use. It is also available in many different fragrances and formulas, such as moisturizing. Like standardized bar soap, liquid soap is made from synthetic detergents, but mostly water, to create a rich, stable lather.
Handmade vs. Commercial Soaps
Handmade natural soaps are different from the commercial soaps you find in the shops. Firstly, handmade or handcrafted soaps are made in small batches by skilled artisans such as Babassu Soaps, rather than mass produced in factories. This allows for greater attention to detail and the use of 100% natural, high quality ingredients.
Commercial soaps, on the other hand, often contain synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals that can strip the skin of its natural oils. Handmade soaps, on the other hand, are made with natural ingredients that are much gentler on the skin.
Where to Buy Vegan Handmade Soaps in Berlin
If you live in Berlin or are visiting and are looking for vegan handmade soaps, you will be pleased to hear that Babassu Soaps Online Shop has exactly what you need, and also offers shipping to all parts of Germany! This online shop offers a wide range of high-quality, vegan soaps that are handmade using only natural ingredients. This is why you won't see any flashy colors for example in their collection, as those are using synthetic dyes.
At Babassu Soaps you will find a variety of soaps, from classic scents like their bestsellers lavender and rosemary (Olive Love) to unique combinations like ylang-ylang and sandalwood (Amélie). All soaps are free from harsh chemicals, preservatives and synthetic fragrances, making them gentle and safe for all skin types.
Babassu Soaps not only aims to offer sustainable and environmentally friendly products, but also strives to support local communities by sourcing its ingredients from small farmers, local organic suppliers and distributors (@babassu_for_you, website). One of its main ingredient, you would have guessed is babassu oil, originally from small Brazilian communities (@coppalj, website).
When you are ready to try some of the fantastic soaps, simply visit the company's online shop at babassusoaps.com. There you will find a user-friendly website with clear product descriptions, easy ordering options and above all an unbeatable price/quality ratio. You have the option to also pick-up your articles in Berlin directly, arranging a meeting with owner.
You can also visit this design shops where their products are available :
- @ennahberlin in Prenzlauer Berg (Christburger Str. 5, 10405 Berlin). Website
What's more, Babassu Soaps ensures that shipping is fast and reliable. They know that waiting too long for your order can be frustrating, so Babassu strives to deliver their products as quickly as possible.
In Conclusion
Handmade natural soaps are a great alternative for connoisseurs to the commercial soaps you find in stores. They are made from 100% natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin and offer a variety of benefits. If you are looking for vegan handmade soaps in Berlin, Babassu Soaps is your best bet. So go ahead and treat yourself to a luxurious bar of natural soap - your skin will thank you.
Let your skin be the judge