Why is handcrafted soap different from commercial soap?
By commercial we mean industrial soap made in large quantities. Handmade soap differs from industrial soap in that, usually, an excess of fat is sometimes used to consume the alkali (superfatting), and in that the glycerin is not removed. Superfatted soap, soap which contains excess fat, is more skin-friendly than industrial soap. Industrial soap is boiled for long loosing the nutrients and properties of the already scarce natural oils and glyceryn, the most important of the soap due to its hydratant properties, removed to be sold apart in more expensive hydratant lotions. Composition itself differs a lot. “High quality” “natural” Industrial soaps usually have cheap oils as palm or coconut oil, preservatives and colorants. Normal industrial soap uses Sodium Tallowate (a.k.a. tallow – animal fat) as fat. Others employ sodium lauryl sulphate and detergents. Look for yourself their composition.
