Bath soap is one of the most common hygiene products around. It is a cleansing bar or liquid created through saponification of fats—a chemical reaction between triglycerides and sodium hydroxide. The chemical reaction breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and turns it into salt. The reaction is also known to produce a byproduct known as glycerin.
Glycerin is a sweet, viscous liquid of low toxicity that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. It is an organic compound that is responsible for soap’s solubility in water.
The ability of soap to suspend grease and dissolve it in water is the reason why it is used for cleaning as early as 2800 BC.
Although soap-making began in the ancient times, it was not until the 18th century that soaps were commercially produced and introduced as hygiene products. It was also during this time that vegetable oil was used to substitute animal fat for soap-making. Soap that is associated with cleanliness and health is known as bath soap.
Today, different bath soaps are out in the market. These soaps differ according to the ingredients they contain—natural, organic and pure.
What is the difference between natural, organic and pure bath soap?
Bath soap is considered natural when it is made without adding harmful and artificial chemicals. Natural bath soap can be made from animal fat or vegetable oil.
Try these products:
- Chandler’s Cherry Almond Natural Soap – made from plant-based essential oils that have aromatherapy value combined with cherry and almond oils for a yummy scent.
- LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Karma Soap – a translucent orange soap made from spicy patchouli oil and lemongrass extract.
- Bees Kneez by The Natural Soap Company – a smooth luxurious soap made from a blend of oils such as coconut, palm, jojoba and Shea butter with a pinch of beeswax and honey.
Organic bath soap is plant-based. The distinctive characteristic that separates an organic soap from a natural one is based on how the plants were grown. Plants grown from an organic process were planted in chemical-free soil, developed without chemical intervention and harvested according to its natural cycle.
Try these products:
- Natural Organic Soap Mandarin and Orange Blossom – made from extra Shea butter, cocoa butter and mandarin oil to moisturize and soothe the skin.
- A Mano Bath Organic Cioccolato Soap – a high-lather soap made with USDA certified organic ingredients such as real dark chocolate, cocoa butter and Italian extra virgin coconut oil.
- Bath by Bettijo Lemon Poppy Seed Spa Soap – an organic, handmade soap with poppy seeds for gentle exfoliation, blended with lemon almond oil.
Pure bath soap is made from natural ingredients and raw, unrefined highly beneficial essential oils that promote beauty and wellness.
Try these products:
- Pai Pure Moisturizing Soap – a handmade soap made with vegetable oil and invigorating herbs and spices.
- Pure Byron Pure Lavender and Jojoba Soap – a handmade, pure vegetable oil soap that is made with sensual lavender and jojoba oil.
- Pure Fiji Coconut Spa Soap – a creamy handmade soap that is long-lasting, made from virgin coconut oil and exotic nut extracts.
There are so many healthy natural bath soaps to choose from!
But if there isn’t a bathing soap available that can satisfy you, why not make one? Now that vegetable oil and essential oils are substituting animal fat, soap-making is easier and fun to do!
Most handmade soaps are made using the cold process because it is easy and energy-efficient. Here’s how to do it.
Things Needed
- Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
- Distilled Water
- Vegetable Oil
- Essential Oils
- Soap Molds
The Procedure
- Mix sodium hydroxide (lye) and distilled water in a bowl. Mix the lye solution slowly.
- In a stainless pot, melt the vegetable oil.
- Check and match the temperature of the vegetable oil to the temperature of the lye solution. When both temperatures are of same range, pour lye solution into the oil.
- Stir the mixture of lye and oil until it reaches “trace.” You can identify “trace” when your soap mix looks like cake batter. Use a stick blender to achieve trace in a few minutes.
- Once your soap mix has reached “trace,” add the essential oils your soap recipe requires.
- Stir the mixture a few times then pour into the soap molds.
- Cover the molds with towels and allow the soap to set for 48 hours.
- Remove the soap from the mold when it has hardened.
- Allow the soap to cure for at least six weeks.
When the natural bath soap is ready for use, you can enjoy bathing with a soap made especially for you and by you.
Organic, natural, and pure bath soap are not only good for the skin but also very friendly to the environment because they are free from harmful and artificial chemicals. These bath soaps have the same characteristics with organic beauty products such as natural organic face cream which is very safe for you and the environment.

