Natural soaps are becoming more and more popular. Mainly due to the fact that they not only effectively wash but also nurture the skin. They do not dry it up just like ordinary soap, so we are more likely to use it on a daily basis. Do you know all kinds of natural soaps and know what they are made of?

The right composition of ingredients is the secret of a good soap. Those that are available at the drugstore very rarely contain only natural ingredients – they often consist of unnecessary preservatives, fragrances, and dyes, that are responsible for irritating the skin, instead of taking care of it. The biggest disadvantage of regular soap is its pH unsuitable for the skin. Thus, when used, for example, for face washing, it can cause a feeling of tightness and discomfort.

Therefore, it’s not advisable to use ordinary soap for daily skin cleansing. The ideal replacement is natural soap – one of the few that we have to choose from.

What are the advantages of natural soaps?

They are all-natural cosmetics, which are produced mainly from vegetable fats (oils, butter) and water. To call a soap natural, it should contain 100% natural ingredients. No preservatives or artificial additives, detergents and fragrances. The easiest way to distinguish them from ordinary soaps is by analyzing the composition – it should be minimalistic. This is their greatest advantage, which has a direct impact on the effects. They do not dry the skin, do not irritate (unless we are allergic to a specific ingredient of soap) and provide proper care during washing. Replacing ordinary soap with natural ingredients is one of the best decisions that can change our everyday skin care.

How do you know the soap is natural?

• It contains no more than 4-5 natural ingredients.
• It has a 100% natural composition, no preservatives and no detergents.
• Its price is, unfortunately, higher than regular soap.
• Contrary to beliefs, natural soaps lather.

Types of natural soaps 

HARD SOAP 

The simplest yet most popular natural soap, which has been used for decades. Do you know what the hard (or curd) soap is made of? It is a combination of potassium salts with higher carboxylic acids, citric acid, glycerol, and sodium chloride. This simple composition, devoid of preservatives and fragrance makes it suitable to be used even in case of sensitive skin or with a tendency to allergies. It is universal, it will wash everything (not only the skin, but also hair), and it has an antibacterial effect, so it can help in the treatment of acne.

CASTILLE SOAP

Many of the natural soaps are cosmetic products characteristic of a specific region and produced from natural ingredients typical for a given place. This is the case of Castille soap, which – as the name suggests – comes from central Spain. What is it made of? The base is olive oil, which is sometimes enriched with additional oils such as jojoba or hemp oil. Natural Castilian soap is a very mild remedy with very good washing properties, although it foams gently. It is recommended for cleansing and moisturizing the skin at the same time, suitable even for newborns!

MARSEILLE SOAP

It has a very similar composition to Castille soap, but it is a potassium soap. Its basis is vegetable oils, most often olive oil. And if it were not for the extra ingredients, one might think that the Marseille soap is no different from its predecessor. However, it contains typically French additives, such as lavender, which are the easiest to recognize. What properties does the Marseille soap have? It perfectly moisturizes and cleanses the skin, and what’s interesting, you can also use them instead of a feminine wash because it has the right pH.

ALEPPO SOAP

They are most often recommended to fight against acne. The natural Syrian soap from Aleppo is hand-made in accordance with the recipes passed down for millennia. It is a mixture of several substances – laurel oil, olive oil (it contains almost all natural soaps) and sodium hydroxide, which acts as a foaming agent. Soap from Aleppo is also known as Syrian soap or olive-laurel soap. It is worth buying, however, make sure to doublecheck its composition and not just the name. The simple composition is a guarantee of antibacterial action and the fact that this soap is suitable for the care of oily and acne skin.

PELOID SOAP

It is a natural soap based on various types of vegetable oils, but the addition of peat (a specific type of peat with therapeutic properties) is characteristic for this products. It is most often recommended for baths whose purpose is biological regeneration. Why? Because it stimulates the synthesis of collagen corresponding to, among others for skin elasticity.

SULFUR SOAP

Another suggestion for people who have a problem with acne is natural sulfur soap. However, be careful with its use, because it can dry the skin. It’s an intentional action – sulfur soap contains about 5% pure sulfur compounds, which inhibits excessive seborrhea and minimizes the problem of acne. Sulfur soap perfectly mattifies the complexion, which is why it is very popular in everyday care. Interestingly, it can also be used in scalp care to reduce oily hair and prevent dandruff.

GLYCERIN SOAP

Another natural soap, beneficial for people with sensitive skin is glycerine soap. It has soothing properties, gives the skin softness and brings relief. You can use it with any type of skin. Where does the glycerin soap come from? Its basic ingredient is of course glycerin, obtained mainly from vegetable oils. There are also natural oils and plant extracts, and sometimes also essential oils, although these can be sensitizing so keep that in mind before the first use.

BIRCH TAR SOAP

It has a caramel color and it lathers easily. The tar oil is produced from tar: dark, oily liquid extracted from the bark of trees such as pine, birch or beech. It is a natural soap with an intense and unfortunately quite unpleasant odor. The number of its properties seems to compensate for it – it cleanses and mattifies the skin, provides antibacterial and antiseptic properties, and neutralizes toxins. Many people use the birch tar soap not only for the care, but also for the treatment of diseases such as mycosis, psoriasis, acne, and alopecia.