About Handcrafted Soap

Also known as "handmade soap" or "homemade soap", handcrafted soap is a blend of both science and art. By combining the scientific knowledge of the last 150 years and the artistic creativity of the soapmaker, each bar is safe, luxurious and unique.

There are several types of handcrafted soap. The actual soap can be made from scratch by the cold or hot process methods or the soapmaker might utilize a ready-made soap base.

Regardless of how soap is made, the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild recognizes any soap made by these methods to be handcrafted so long as at least 50% of the process, from creating the soap to additives and ebellishments and on to the final packaging, is done by hand.

Handcrafted soapmakers generally pride themselves on their unique recipes, developed to create their signature soaps. Soap ingredients are usually food-quality, natural ingredients starting with a variety of vegetable oils such as olive, coconut, or palm, or purified tallow or lard. To these the soapmaker might be added specialized oils, nut butters or seed extracts to bring the desired qualities to the finished bar.

Fragrance oils or plant-based essential oils are added for scent. For color or texture, soapmakers often use cosmetic-grade pigments or dyes, botanicals, herbs, spices or other natural ingredients. For those with sensitivities, many soapmakers also make "simple soap" with no additives or scent.

In addition to all the wonderful ingredients that may be in handcrafted soap, perhaps the biggest advantage of handcrafted soap is in the soapmakers themselves, each of whom invests their care and attention to detail into every batch and bar.

When you use a bar of handcrafted soap, you know it was made with the personal touch of a local soapmaker.