Handmade natural soap bars have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their skin-nourishing ingredients, sustainability, and eco-friendly packaging. Unlike mass-produced soaps, these artisanal bars are carefully crafted with high-quality oils, herbs, and botanicals that nurture the skin and provide a luxurious experience. However, to get the best results from these soaps, it’s important to use them correctly. Here are some essential tips to help you maximize the benefits of your handmade natural soap bars.
1. Store Your Soap Properly
To ensure your handmade soap bar lasts longer, it is essential to store it correctly. Handmade natural soaps usually lack synthetic preservatives, which means they can deteriorate more quickly if not stored properly. Here’s how to preserve their lifespan:
Keep it dry between uses: After using your soap, place it on a well-drained soap dish to allow excess water to evaporate. A wooden or slotted soap dish is ideal, as it lets air circulate around the soap and prevents it from sitting in water.
Store in a cool, dry place: Avoid leaving your soap in humid or wet areas like the shower when it’s not in use. Ideally, store it in a dry bathroom cabinet or a soap dish on the counter to keep it fresh.
2. Lather the Soap with Warm Water
To achieve the best lather and smooth application, wet the soap bar with warm water before use. This will activate the oils and ingredients in the soap, allowing it to foam more efficiently. If you're using a loofah, washcloth, or soap pouch, you can rub the soap directly onto the cloth to create a rich lather.
Pro Tip: If you find that the soap isn’t lathering as well as you would like, it may be due to hard water. Hard water can affect how soap performs, so consider using a water softener or shower filter to improve lathering.
3. Use Gently to Preserve Texture
Handmade natural soaps typically have a denser texture than commercial soaps. This means they tend to last longer but require gentler handling. Instead of scrubbing too harshly on your skin, gently rub the soap over your body or face. This approach helps prevent the use of excess product and ensures a gentle cleansing experience.
4. Customize Your Soap Routine
Handmade natural soaps typically contain a variety of natural ingredients, such as essential oils, honey, oatmeal, herbs, and activated charcoal. These ingredients can be beneficial for specific skin concerns. Here are a few tips on customizing your routine:
Sensitive skin: Choose soaps with mild ingredients like aloe vera, castor oil or oatmeal. These are soothing and non-irritating. Also, opt for unscented natural soaps to avoid possible allergens from fragrances.
Oily skin: Look for soaps that contain tea tree oil, charcoal, or clay, which help absorb excess oil and purify the skin.
Dry skin: Opt for soaps that include moisturizing oils like coconut, olive, or shea butter to help lock in moisture.
By choosing the right soap for your skin type, you’ll experience the full benefits of the natural ingredients.
5. Use Handmade Natural Soap as a Body Scrub
Many handmade natural soaps contain exfoliating ingredients such as poppy seeds, turmeric, salt, or activated charcoal. These ingredients can help gently remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. To use your soap as a scrub, simply rub the bar in circular motions on your skin while in the shower or bath. Focus on areas like your elbows, knees, and feet for a spa-like treatment.
6. Make the Most of Soap Scraps
As you use your handmade soap bars, you may end up with small scraps that are too small to use comfortably. Don’t throw them away! Instead, here are some ways to repurpose soap scraps:
Use a soap-saver pouch: Collect the scraps in a natural soap-saver pouch or a mesh bag. This allows you to continue using the remnants until they’re all used up.
Soften in water: Drop the scraps into a bowl of warm water, and let them dissolve into a soap liquid you can use for washing hands or as a body wash.
Repurpose for smaller areas: Use the small scraps for hand washing or for cleaning delicate items like jewelry or makeup brushes.
7. Don't Overuse Handmade Natural Soap
Handmade natural soaps are generally more concentrated than commercial soaps, which means you don't need to use as much to achieve a thorough cleanse. A small amount goes a long way, so it's best to start with a little and adjust based on your needs. Using too much soap can dry out your skin, especially if the bars contain strong exfoliants or essential oils.
8. Pair with Natural Moisturizer
Handmade natural soaps typically contain moisturizing ingredients, but it’s a good idea to apply a natural moisturizer after a bath or shower. This additional step helps lock in hydration, keeping your skin soft and nourished. When choosing a moisturizer, look for those that include organic oils like jojoba, almond, or rosehip for extra benefits.
9. Test for Allergies First
Although handmade natural soaps are crafted from natural ingredients, it's wise to conduct a patch test before trying a new soap. To do this, apply a small amount of soap to a small area of skin on your wrist or behind your ear, and wait 24 hours to check for any adverse reactions. This step is especially important if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to specific botanicals.
Final Thoughts
Handmade natural soap bars provide numerous benefits for your skin, including moisturizing oils, soothing botanicals, and energizing scents. With a bit of care and attention, you can maximize the advantages of these beautiful bars and achieve smoother, healthier skin with each wash. To ensure your handmade natural soaps deliver the best results, store them properly, select ingredients suitable for your skin type, and use gentle techniques during application.
Happy bathing!