Why use Natural Soap?
What are the benefits?
Natural Soap (Cold Process Technique)
vs.
Industrial Soap
vs.
"Syndet" Bars
Well, it turns out that soaps are not all the same.
I mean, there are alot of differences between natural soap,
industrial soap and syndet soap.
What?!
Yes, it was a surprise for me too!
I used to think that soap was all the same...
It was an even bigger surprise when I learned about the
ingredients in soaps and that most "soaps" sold
commercially aren't even soap! What?!
What are the reasons soap is so different?
Let me try and explain, as simply as possible.
Ingredients and production
Natural Soap Cold Process Tecnhique and Industrial Soap start out the same way:
Mixing fats (animal fat and/or vegetable oils) with sodium hydroxide.
In the Cold Process the temperatures are low (temperatures may vary but usually around 35ºC to 40ºC).
In the Industrial Process the ingredients are boiled for various days at temperatures around 130ºC.
When the ingredients are added together the chemical reaction "saponification" begins.
When the chemical reaction saponification begins soap and glycerine are naturally produced.
Syndet Bar Soap are different starting with the ingredients. Syndet bars are made from synthetic surfactants. These surfactants are made from oil, fats, or petroleum products which are processed in ways other than traditional saponification. Syndet bars contain ingredients like sodium cocoyl isothionate, sulfosuccinates, sulfonates, and betaines. But simply because they are made with synthetic ingredients does not mean they are "bad" for your skin. Dove (the very first syndet bar launched), Cetaphil, and Eucerin bars are all good examples of gentle syndet bars.
Syndet Bar Soap has a pH around 5.5 which is close to the pH of our skin (pH balanced bar) and this is basically why dermatologists recomend syndet soaps.
Manufacturing Process
Natural Soap Cold Process Technique
After the saponification process is finished, the soap is cut in bars and will be cured for several weeks (varies depending on the recipes: starts at 4 weeks up to 12 months for castile soaps).
Industrial Soap
The soap will go through another phase where salt is added causing the glycerin to separate from the soap. The glycerin and soap form two different layers and the glycerine is separated and used to make other cosmetic products (creams, conditioners...). Soap will go through another phase of purification and drying. Finally additives such as preservatives, colour and perfume are added and mixed in with the soap and it is shaped into bars for sale. Soap is ready to be packaged and sold in stores.
Ingredients
Natural Soap
-
Vegetable oils and/or animal fat oils
-
Olive oil, Palm Oil (RSPO certified), Coconut oil, Avocado oil, neem oil, sweet almond oil
-
-
Sodium hydroxide
-
Essential oils
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Additives (clay, wine, activated charcoal...)
-
Natural Colouring (from plants, oxides, micas)
Industrial Soap
-
Vegetable oils and/or animal fat oils
-
Sodium hydroxide
-
Parabens
-
Phthalates
-
Sulfates
-
Petrochemicals
-
Synthetic Perfume
-
Artificial Colouring
Synthetic soap
-
Synthetic surfactants
-
Parabens
-
Phthalates
-
Sulfates
-
Petrochemicals
-
Synthetic Perfume
-
Artificial Colouring
-
Parabens: also known as chemical preservatives. These ingredients are found in most commercial soaps (and beauty products) and can be irritating to senstive skins. They are added to increase life shelf of the products.
-
Phthalates: found in fragrances. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. The ones frequently used in cosmetics are dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), and diethylphthalate (DEP).
-
Sulfates: These chemicals are used to produce lather and bubbles in soap. Some common sulfates are SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate). They can also be irritating for people with sensitive skin or eczema.
-
Petrochemicals: made from petroleum.
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Synthetic Perfume: artificial perfume scents, although they smell nice, are linked to allergies and hormonal issues. Can also be irritating to sensitive skins.
-
Artificial Colouring: commercial soaps are packed with artificial dyes that have been known to cause health problems and illnesses in humans.
pH
The typical pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. In general, any liquid with a pH less 7 is considered acidic and with a pH greater 7 is considered alkaline.
Our skin's pH value is between 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic).
Natural Soap Cold Process Tecnhique and Industrial Soap usually has a pH between 8 - 10.
This pH value is alkaline.
Syndet Bar Soap has a pH around 5.5 which is close to the pH of our skin (pH balanced bar) and this is basically why dermatologists recomend syndet soaps.
The pH of a syndet soap is closer to our skin's pH, but the synthetic surfactant ingredients used can be very irritating to sensisitve skin.
The pH of Natural soap is more alkaline than our skin's pH, but "Healthy skin will regain its acid mantle within 15 to 30 minutes and problems with the acid mantle are only of concern in if there is a compromised skin barrier" (Dr. Zoe Draelos: "Dermatology" April 1, 2011).
From my experience using natural, handmade soap, with natural glycerin, is much more gentle, moisturizing and less irritating than syndet bars!
Manufacturing Impact
Natural Soap
-
Locally Produced: natural soaps are produced locally and in small batches. Very minimal carbon footprint, ecological production.
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Hand-Made: hand-made natural soaps are rising in popularity due to the fact that it’s enjoyable to make and beneficial to use. You can visit the shop and personally speak to the people that make your soaps!
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Made with Care: Most natural soap lines are consciously created by people who are passionate about health and the environment. Most soap business' start off like I started mine, to help people with skin problems and for people who are looking for healthy products (for their skin).
Industrial Soap and Synthetic Soap
-
Mass Produced: most commercial soaps are produced by large multinational companies, with factories all over the globe. This mass-production results in copious amounts of environmental waste and degradation as well as poor living conditions for thousands of people worldwide.
-
Factory-Made: commercial soaps are batch made by machines in large factories – in less than ideal conditions. Most consumers remain oblivious to the working conditions and cleanliness of the factories their soap is made in.