Natural soap has become something of a buzzword in skincare. But what does “natural soap” actually mean — and is it really better for your skin?
With shelves full of colourful bottles, synthetic fragrances and long ingredient lists, it can be difficult to know what you're actually putting on your skin.
At Kleensoaps, we believe soap can be beautifully simple: thoughtfully chosen ingredients, traditional craftsmanship, and nothing unnecessary.
So, let's take a closer look at what natural soap really means — and why it might be a better choice for your everyday skincare ritual.
What is natural soap?
Natural soap is traditionally made using naturally derived oils, butters and other botanical ingredients, rather than relying heavily on synthetic detergents, artificial fragrances or unnecessary additives.
At its heart, traditional soap is wonderfully simple.
Oils or butters are combined with an alkali in a process called saponification. The result is soap — along with naturally occurring glycerin, which helps give handmade soap its characteristic creamy feel.
Natural soaps can be made from a variety of plant oils and butters, including olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, castor oil and many others. Each brings its own qualities to the finished bar, influencing everything from lather and texture to how the soap feels on your skin.
So, is natural soap better for your skin?
For many people, a thoughtfully formulated natural soap can be a wonderful alternative to conventional cleansing products.
Rather than simply stripping away everything from the surface of your skin, a well-made soap like Kleensoaps can cleanse while leaving your skin feeling comfortable and cared for.
Natural soap can be particularly appealing if you're looking to simplify your skincare routine or reduce the number of synthetic ingredients you use every day.
The key is finding a formulation that works for your skin.
What makes a natural soap good?
A beautiful soap starts with choosing the right ingredients for the job.
Nourishing plant oils and butters
Ingredients such as olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter and castor oil can be carefully combined to create a balanced bar with a rich, satisfying lather. These natural oils also have restorative properties, helping to heal your skin.
Naturally occurring glycerin
One of the lovely things about traditionally made soap is that glycerin is naturally created during saponification. Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts water. It's one of the reasons a well-made bar of soap can feel so silky and comfortable to use.
Essential oils
Natural soap can be scented with essential oils derived from plants, flowers, herbs, fruits and other botanicals. At Kleensoaps, we use pure essential oils to create our fragrances rather than synthetic perfumes. The result is a more natural sensory experience — one that feels subtle, fresh and connected to the ingredients themselves.
No unnecessary extras
For us, natural is also about knowing what not to put in. We choose not to use palm oil, parabens, synthetic colours or synthetic fragrances in our soaps. You can read more about the ingredients we avoid in our guide to The Top Ten Chemicals to Avoid in Soap.
Natural Soap vs Conventional Soap
The biggest difference isn't just that one is a bar and the other comes in a bottle, (other than the fact that plastic is rapidly polluting our Earth). For skincare, it's often about how the product cleanses and what goes into its formulation.
Many conventional body washes and shower gels use synthetic surfactants to create their cleansing action and foam. They can also contain synthetic fragrance, colourants and other ingredients to create a particular texture, scent or appearance.
And like we said, our soap doesn't need a plastic bottle.
A single bar hanging from a soap rope can replace a bottle of shower gel or body wash, helping to reduce the amount of plastic flowing through your bathroom. It's more friendly to your pocket, as our bars last way longer than your typical liquid soap, and we're much healthier for the planet. Kleensoaps is a win-win, and kinder to your skin.
And because natural soap can be made with plant-based ingredients and packaged without unnecessary plastic, it can be part of a more considered approach to everyday living.
For us, sustainability isn't about perfection. It's about the small choices we make repeatedly. The soap we reach for every morning is one of them.
What should you look for when buying natural soap?
The word “natural” isn't enough.
Instead, turn the soap over and look at the ingredients.
Ask yourself:
Are the ingredients clearly listed? A brand that is proud of its formulation should be transparent about what goes into its soap.
What oils and butters are being used? Look for thoughtfully chosen plant oils and butters rather than a long list of unnecessary additions.
How is it scented? If natural fragrance matters to you, check whether the soap uses essential oils or synthetic fragrances.
Is it palm oil free? If sustainability is important to you, look for soaps made without palm oil.
Is it genuinely handmade? Small-batch, traditionally made soap can offer a very different experience from mass-produced soap. Better working conditions, better traceability, and your purchase offers support for small businesses.
And finally, ask whether the ingredients and formulation are right for your skin.
Why we make soap differently at Kleensoaps
At Kleensoaps, we've always believed that something as everyday as soap deserves a little more thought. Our soaps are handmade in small batches in our Kent studio using carefully selected plant oils, butters and pure essential oils.
We make our soaps using the traditional cold-process method and allow each bar to cure slowly, rather than rushing it onto the shelf. We don't use palm oil, parabens, synthetic colours or synthetic fragrances. And we don't believe you need a bathroom full of bottles to have a beautiful skincare ritual.
Just one thoughtfully made bar can do a lot. Sometimes, less really is more.
