05/28/2026
Not all “handcrafted soap” is actually true soap. 🧼
There’s a big difference between cold process handcrafted soap and melt & pour soap, and many customers don’t realize it.
True handcrafted soap is made from oils + sodium hydroxide through a process called saponification. During curing, the sodium hydroxide is completely transformed into soap and glycerin — none remains in the finished bar. That’s why you’ll often see sodium hydroxide listed on the ingredient label of authentic cold process soap.
Melt & pour soap bases are different. The soap has already been pre-made in a factory, then melted down so makers can add color and fragrance. Many commercial melt & pour bases also contain added detergents, stabilizers, preservatives, and synthetic ingredients to help them melt easily, lather more, and extend shelf life.
That doesn’t automatically make melt & pour “bad,” but it is not the same as handcrafted soap made fully from scratch.
If a product claims to be handcrafted soap but you don’t see sodium hydroxide listed in the ingredients, chances are it’s a melt & pour base rather than true cold process soap.
As consumers, it’s important to read ingredient labels and understand what you’re putting on your skin. Gentle, nourishing soap starts with quality oils and a traditional soapmaking process — not a pre-made detergent base.
