What Is Handmade Soap? Ingredients & Choosing a Bar

unbranded rustic handmade soap bars with olive oil and botanical ingredients

Handmade soap is soap made in smaller batches with hands-on preparation. Makers select a recipe, measure ingredients, mix and shape the soap, and allow it to finish drying or curing as appropriate for the method.

How recipes differ

Bars can use different oils, fats, fragrances, colors, and botanical additions. Soap-making methods also vary. The finished product’s ingredient list gives you more useful information than a broad “natural” or “organic” label.

What to look for when shopping

Compare the bar’s size, price, scent, ingredient list, and care instructions. Ask the maker if important details are unclear. A handmade bar is not automatically suitable for sensitive skin or a treatment for a skin condition.

How to use and store a bar

Lather with water, wash, and rinse thoroughly. Allow the bar to dry on a draining dish between uses. Store unused soap in a cool, dry place. These simple habits help keep the bar from sitting in water and softening too quickly.

Handmade soap at Jenny Joy’s

Our collection includes piñon pine soap with resin from Arizona. Check each listing for the available bar and its specific ingredients, then choose the scent and size you prefer.

Handmade SoapPine tar Handmade Soap Jenny Joys SoapHandmade soap on a wash basin

Explore related products and guides

Browse handmade cleansing bars · Store handmade soap · Our community mission

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