A mixture of containers with essential oils inside

Natural Soap Ingredients Guide

Understanding What Goes Into Your Bar

Base Oils & Butters

Coconut Oil (Sodium Cocoate)

Creates rich, fluffy lather and excellent cleansing properties. Naturally antibacterial and moisturising. When you see "Sodium Cocoate" on ingredients lists, this is coconut oil that's been saponified (turned into soap). Makes bars harder and longer-lasting.

Benefits: Deep cleansing, antibacterial, creates luxurious lather, won't strip natural oils when properly formulated

Found in: Faith in Nature Coconut Soap Bar | Handmade Coco Mango Soap

Olive Oil (Sodium Olivate)

The gentle giant of soap-making. Creates a mild, conditioning soap that's perfect for sensitive skin. Rich in vitamins A and E, plus antioxidants. Produces a creamier, gentler lather than coconut oil.

Benefits: Deeply moisturising, gentle cleansing, rich in antioxidants, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Found in: Most Friendly Soap bars, including Lavender and Lemongrass

Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii)

A luxurious addition that adds creaminess and skin-loving properties. High in fatty acids and vitamins A, E, and F. Often sourced from women's cooperatives in Ghana for ethical production.

Benefits: Intensely moisturising, anti-inflammatory, helps skin elasticity, soothes dry or irritated skin

Found in: Shea Butter Cleansing Bar | Ylang Ylang Soap Bar

Castor Oil (Sodium Castorate)

The secret ingredient for stable, creamy bubbles. Adds slip and helps other ingredients blend smoothly. Naturally moisturising and conditioning. Present in most Friendly Soap bars.

Benefits: Creates a stable lather, draws moisture to the skin, has conditioning properties, and helps soap glide smoothly

Found in: Travel Soap Bar | Most Friendly Soap bars, including Lavender

Hemp Seed Oil

Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Excellent for problematic or dry skin without clogging pores. Adds a natural green tint to soap.

Benefits: Balances oil production, anti-inflammatory, deeply nourishing without being greasy

Found in: Chunky Soap On A Rope - Hemp and Walnut

Cocoa Butter

Adds firmness to bars and creates a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids and natural antioxidants.

Benefits: Locks in moisture, improves skin elasticity, adds hardness to soap bars

Found in: Handmade Coco Mango Soap | Bath bombs, including Dino Dinosaur Bath Bomb

Mango Butter

Lighter than shea or cocoa butter but equally nourishing. Particularly good for sensitive skin. Used by Somerset Natural Soaps in their handmade bars.

Benefits: Gentle moisturising, non-greasy feel, soothes irritation

Found in: Somerset Natural Soaps, including Driftwood Sea Salt Soap | Handmade Coco Mango Soap

Essential Oils & Botanicals

Lavender (Lavandula)

Classic, calming, universally loved. One of the gentlest essential oils, making it ideal for sensitive skin and children.

Benefits: Calming and relaxing, antiseptic properties, helps with minor skin irritations, promotes better sleep

Contains: Linalool, linalyl acetate

Found in: Lavender Soap Bar | Pine Tar Soap Lavender Lemon

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon)

Fresh, citrusy, uplifting scent. Natural astringent properties make it excellent for oily or combination skin.

Benefits: Tones skin, antibacterial, deodorising, energising scent, helps control excess oil

Contains: Citral, geraniol, limonene

Found in: Lemongrass Soap Bar | Pine Tar Soap Rosemary & Lemongrass

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Powerful yet gentle antiseptic. Brilliant for problematic skin, spots, or fungal issues.

Benefits: Strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, helps with acne and blemishes, purifying

Contains: Terpinen-4-ol

Found in: Tea Tree & Turmeric Soap Bar | Faith In Nature Tea Tree Soap Bar

Peppermint

Cooling, refreshing, invigorating. Wakes you up in the morning shower. Natural pain relief properties.

Benefits: Cooling sensation, energising, helps soothe muscle aches, natural decongestant

Contains: Menthol, menthone

Found in: Peppermint & Poppy Seeds Soap Bar | Antifungal Exfoliating Foot Bar

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

Exotic, sweet, floral scent used in high-end perfumes. Balancing for both skin and mood.

Benefits: Balances oil production (good for dry or oily skin), mood-enhancing, aphrodisiac properties, luxurious scent

Contains: Linalool, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, farnesol

Found in: Ylang Ylang Soap Bar

Patchouli

Earthy, musky, grounding scent. Gets better with age. Excellent for mature or problematic skin.

Benefits: Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, helps with skin conditions, regenerative properties, warm woody scent

Found in: Patchouli & Sandalwood Soap Bar

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Herbaceous, fresh, stimulating. Long valued in folk medicine for its healing properties.

Benefits: Stimulates circulation, antimicrobial, helps with scalp health, improves focus and memory

Contains: Limonene, camphor, 1,8-cineole

Found in: Rosemary Soap Bar | Detox Bar - Rosemary & Lime

Cedarwood

Warm, woody, grounding. Particularly good for oily skin and scalp conditions.

Benefits: Balances sebum production, antiseptic, calming and warming, helps with skin conditions

Found in: Cedarwood Soap Bar

Rose Geranium

Floral but not overly sweet. Balancing properties make it suitable for all skin types.

Benefits: Balances sebum, anti-inflammatory, uplifting scent, good for combination skin

Found in: Rose Geranium Soap Bar

Orange & Grapefruit

Bright, citrusy, mood-boosting. Natural astringent properties.

Benefits: Energising, toning, high in vitamin C, uplifting mood, helps with dull skin

Contains: Limonene

Found in: Orange & Grapefruit Soap Bar | Zesty Mandarin & Basil Soap

Pine Tar

Traditional ingredient with time-honoured uses. Strong, distinctive scent.

Benefits: Helpful for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, antibacterial and antifungal, traditional remedy

Found in: Pine Tar Soap Rosemary and Lemongrass

Sandalwood

Rich, warm, luxurious. One of the oldest perfume ingredients.

Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, calming scent, helps with skin irritation

Found in: Patchouli & Sandalwood Soap Bar

Cinnamon

Warming, spicy, stimulating. Use with caution as it can be sensitising for some.

Benefits: Antimicrobial, warming, stimulates circulation, plumping effect on skin

Found in: Cinnamon Soap Bar

Basil

Fresh, herbaceous, uplifting. Natural antiseptic properties.

Benefits: Purifying, toning, helps control excess oil, refreshing scent

Found in: Zesty Mandarin & Basil Soap

Ginger

Warming, spicy, invigorating. Excellent for circulation.

Benefits: Stimulates blood flow, warming, antiseptic, toning

Found in: Ginger & Spice Exfoliating Bar

Botanical Additives

Calendula Flowers (Calendula officinalis)

Bright orange flowers with remarkable healing properties. Often added whole to soap for visual appeal and gentle exfoliation.

Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, wound healing, soothes irritated or sensitive skin, gentle

Found in: Calendula Rose Vegan Soap | Ylang Ylang Soap Bar

Nettle Leaf Powder (Urtica dioica)

Rich in vitamins A, C, D, and K, plus minerals. Adds natural green colour.

Benefits: Nourishing, helps with skin conditions, anti-inflammatory, rich in nutrients

Found in: Rosemary Soap Bar

Poppy Seeds

Natural, gentle exfoliant. Those little black specks you see in soap.

Benefits: Gentle physical exfoliation, helps remove dead skin cells, natural and biodegradable

Found in: Peppermint & Poppy Seeds Soap Bar

Activated Charcoal

Deep black colour, powerful detoxifying properties. Draws impurities from pores.

Benefits: Deep cleansing, draws out toxins and impurities, good for oily or acne-prone skin

Found in: Detox Bar - Rosemary & Lime | Chunky Soap On A Rope - Charcoal

Sea Salt

Mineral-rich and exfoliating. Used in varying grades for different levels of scrub.

Benefits: Exfoliates dead skin, mineral-rich, helps with circulation, natural detoxifier

Found in: Driftwood Sea Salt Soap | Lime & Sea Salt Soap Bar

Pumice

Volcanic rock ground into powder. Brilliant for gardeners, mechanics, or anyone with really stubborn dirt.

Benefits: Strong exfoliation, removes ingrained dirt, stimulates circulation, natural

Found in: Gardener's Hand Soap Bar | Tartan Soap Bar - Garden Mint & Pumice

Coffee Grounds

Recycled and useful. Brilliant for removing cooking odours (garlic, onion) from hands.

Benefits: Strong exfoliation, deodorising, stimulates circulation, cellulite-reducing properties

Found in: Coffee Scrub Soap Bar | Cook's Kitchen Soap Bar

Walnut Shell

Ground to create medium exfoliation. Biodegradable alternative to plastic microbeads.

Benefits: Natural exfoliation, removes dead skin, eco-friendly

Found in: Chunky Soap On A Rope - Hemp and Walnut

Hemp Bran

By-product of hemp seed processing. Gentle exfoliation.

Benefits: Mild exfoliation, natural, sustainable

Turmeric

Golden spice with powerful properties. Can temporarily stain skin yellow (washes off).

Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, brightening, helps with skin conditions

Found in: Tea Tree & Turmeric Soap Bar

Aloe Vera

Soothing, cooling, and deeply hydrating. Perfect for sensitive or irritated skin.

Benefits: Intensely moisturising, healing, soothing for irritation and inflammation

Found in: Aloe Vera Soap Bar | Faith In Nature Aloe Vera Soap Bar

Rose

Luxurious, romantic, and beneficial for all skin types. Naturally soothing and toning.

Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, toning, hydrating, calming for sensitive skin

Found in: Calendula Rose Vegan Soap | Chunky Soap On A Rope - Rose

Kaolin Clay

Gentle white clay. Draws out impurities without being harsh.

Benefits: Gentle detoxifying, suitable for sensitive skin, mild exfoliation

Understanding Soap Chemistry

Aqua (Water)

Used to dissolve the lye and create the chemical reaction (saponification) that turns oils into soap.

Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)

Essential for soap-making but doesn't remain in the finished product. Through saponification, lye combines with oils to create soap and glycerin. Without lye, you don't have true soap.

Important: No lye remains in properly made cold-process soap after the curing period.

Glycerin

Naturally created during soap-making. This is the magic ingredient that makes handmade soap so different from commercial bars - big manufacturers often extract glycerin to sell separately. Handmade soap keeps all that lovely glycerin in.

Benefits: Humectant (draws moisture to skin), naturally moisturising, created during soap-making process

What's NOT in Natural Soap

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) / SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)

Harsh detergents used in commercial soaps to create lots of foam. Can strip natural oils and cause irritation. Natural soaps create lather from the oils themselves.

Parabens

Synthetic preservatives linked to hormone disruption. Unnecessary in bar soap as the high pH makes it naturally preservative.

Synthetic Fragrances

Often listed as "parfum" or "fragrance" on commercial soap. Can contain hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Natural soaps use only essential oils for scent.

Artificial Colours

Synthetic dyes that can irritate skin. Natural soaps get colour from clays, botanicals, and the natural colour of ingredients.

Palm Oil (in ethical brands)

Many natural soap makers avoid palm oil entirely due to deforestation concerns, even when it's RSPO certified. Alternatives like shea butter, cocoa butter, and other plant oils work brilliantly.

Triclosan

Antibacterial agent that may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Banned in some countries. Natural alternatives like tea tree oil are effective and safe.

Specialist Soap Ingredients

For Gardeners

  • Pumice: Removes stubborn soil and plant stains
  • Lemon Essential Oil: Cuts through dirt and deodorises
  • Eucalyptus: Natural cleansing and cooling

Try: Gardener's Hand Soap Bar | Tartan Soap Bar - Botanical Gardener

For Cooks

  • Coffee Grounds: Removes garlic and onion odours
  • Lemon or Orange Oil: Deodorising and cuts through kitchen smells
  • Sea Salt: Extra cleansing power

Try: Cook's Kitchen Soap Bar | Coffee Scrub Soap Bar

For Mechanics

  • Pumice: Heavy-duty exfoliation for grease
  • Activated Charcoal: Draws out oil and grime
  • Tea Tree: Antibacterial properties

Try: Mechanic's Soap | Detox Bar - Rosemary & Lime with Activated Charcoal

For Athletes/Feet

  • Tea Tree: Antifungal properties
  • Peppermint: Cooling and deodorising
  • Pumice or Salt: Exfoliates hard skin

Try: Antifungal Exfoliating Foot Bar

How to Read Soap Ingredients

Ingredients are listed in order of predominance (most to least). In cold-process soap, you'll often see the saponified version of oils listed:

  • Sodium cocoate = Saponified coconut oil
  • Sodium olivate = Saponified olive oil
  • Sodium shea butterate = Saponified shea butter

This means the oils have already been turned into soap through the saponification process.

Allergens

Essential oils must declare potential allergens like:

  • Linalool (in lavender, ylang ylang)
  • Limonene (in citrus oils, rosemary)
  • Geraniol (in rose geranium, lemongrass)
  • Benzyl benzoate/salicylate (in ylang ylang)

These are naturally occurring compounds in the essential oils, not added synthetic chemicals.

Storage & Care Tips

To make your natural soap last longer:

  • Keep it dry between uses on a draining soap dish
  • Don't let it sit in water
  • Allow air circulation around the bar
  • Cut large bars in half if needed
  • Store unused bars in a cool, dry place

Shelf life: Properly made and cured cold-process soap typically lasts 1-2 years. The essential oils may fade over time, but the soap remains effective.

Why Natural Ingredients Matter

Natural soap ingredients are:

  • Biodegradable: Won't harm waterways or septic systems
  • Sustainable: Plant-based and renewable
  • Gentle: Work with your skin's natural properties
  • Effective: Clean thoroughly without stripping natural oils
  • Transparent: You know exactly what's in them
  • Plastic-free: Come in recyclable cardboard, no bottles

Your skin is your largest organ. What you put on it matters. Natural ingredients mean you're treating your skin to real nourishment, not just a chemical clean.

This guide is based on common ingredients found in natural, handmade soaps. Always check individual product packaging for specific ingredients and potential allergens.

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