BHG.COM/DIYMAGAZINE DO IT YOURSELF Winter 2020 13How did you come up with the
name?A: In Spanish, cruda is the feminine
word for raw. All the ingredients I use are
raw materials, so that’s where the name
comes from.How does using natural ingredients
make a difference in the product?A: They give it quality. If you use
natural, rich, raw ingredients, you see
the difference in your skin. Even if I don’t
put on any moisturizer or oil, my skin
is already moisturized, nourished, and
glowing because I use soap made with
100 percent natural oils. Products made
with chemicals are super harsh and
dehydrating.What prompted you to take a more
sustainable approach to your business
and in your life?A: In Belgium, all the tools to live a
zero-waste lifestyle were provided for
me, so I didn’t really need to make an
effort for it. But when we moved to
Miami, I was shocked with the amount
of plastic in everything. Buying anything
without plastic involved is complicated
and pricey, which makes avoiding plastic
in your daily life a hassle. As I started
learning more about the zero-waste
movement, it made me wonder what
changes can be done. You don’t have to
have a zero-waste lifestyle to contribute
a little to the environment. You just need
to make small changes in your daily life.
It all adds up!THE MAKER:
LAURA GALVIS
The Cruda Soaps owner helps others limit their plastic footprint
and works to share some natural goodness with the world.FOR YEARS, LAURA GALVIS
HAS FOLLOWED A ZERO-
WASTE LIFESTYLE, MAKING
HER OWN NECESSITIES LIKE
MOISTURIZER, DEODORANT,
AND TOOTHPASTE. SHE
LAUNCHED CRUDA SOAPS
IN JANUARY 2018 WHEN
SHE AND HER FAMILY ADDED
SOAP TO HER REPERTOIRE OF
ALL-NATURAL PRODUCTS.
BARENECESSITIES
Laura makes each
product using organic
ingredients—like extra
virgin olive oil, raw shea
butter, and coconut
oil—that are all sourced
in the U.S. Instead of
artificial additives, she
beautifies her soaps
with dried flowers and
natural pigments, such
as cocoa, spinach, and
sandalwood powders.
To uphold her plastic-
free promise, Laura
packages the products
with reusable or
recyclable materials
including compostable
labels, glass bottles,
and recycled
cardboard. Cruda
Soaps has expanded
its all-natural offerings
beyond soaps to
include moisturizers,
bath salts, body oils,
and more. Browse
all the products at
PHOTOGRAPHS crudasoaps.com.