The Differences Between Hand-Made and Commercial Soap
For obvious reasons, handmade soap will result in a greater degree of
customization for the soap-maker, and the consumer. Hand-made soaps are often
more gentle on the skin than commercially manufactured cleansers. Mass-produced
soap sometimes utilizes oleochemicals, derived from fats and oils; other soaps contain
petrochemicals, which are derived from oil and fossil fuels. Many people begin
making their own soap because they don’t like the idea of using petrochemicals to
clean themselves, or because of the environmental impact of these chemicals.
Glycerin is a by-product of the soap-making process typically favored by
commercial soap-makers, known as the full-boiled method; the glycerin is typically
removed after the process is completed, and sold as a valuable humectant, or
moisturizer. When the glycerin is removed, in commercial soaps, the result is a pure
detergent, which can be drying or irritating to the skin. With the glycerin still in the
soap, it stays naturally moisturizing, and is also less likely to crack and fall apart than
commercial soaps. Also, for those who make their own soaps, processes like
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