03/08/2026
Hot take: soap shouldn’t make your hands bleed.
A while back we were using Softsoap brand hand soap at home, and with all the handwashing we were doing, mine and my kids’ hands ended up so dry they were cracked and even bleeding. It didn’t sit right with me that something meant to keep our hands clean could leave them that damaged.
That moment is honestly one of the biggest reasons I started Hearth & Lye – American Soap Works.
I also get asked a lot: “If your soap isn’t antibacterial, does it actually clean germs?”
The answer is yes. Soap doesn’t need to be antibacterial to work. Soap molecules attach to oils, dirt, and grime on your skin where germs live. When you rinse, the soap lifts all of that away and washes it down the drain.
In other words, soap doesn’t just try to kill germs… it removes them entirely.
The difference with my bars is the ingredients. I focus on simple, nourishing ones like tallow, goat’s milk, and skin-loving oils that create a rich, creamy lather. Your hands still get thoroughly clean, but they’re left feeling soft, comfortable, and nourished instead of stripped and cracked.
Clean hands shouldn’t come at the cost of your skin.
If you’ve ever dealt with dry, cracked hands from constant washing, I’d love to hear your experience in the comments. 🧼