Skin deserves better, since 1980
What's actually in your bar of soap
A short, honest guide to reading a soap label — what real soap is made of, which ingredients to look for, and which to avoid.
Shop natural soaps →01 — the basics
How soap is actually made
Real soap is made through saponification — mixing fats or oils with an alkali (lye) to create a salt compound we call soap. The lye is fully consumed in the reaction, so none remains in the finished bar. The oils used determine the soap's hardness, lather, and skin feel.
02 — what's in the bar
Key natural soap ingredients & what they do
Oils & butters
Coconut oil — creates a rich, bubbly lather and has natural cleansing properties; can be drying in high concentrations, so well-formulated soaps balance it with other oils.
Olive oil — deeply moisturizing, gentle, and rich in oleic acid. The basis of traditional Castile soap.
Shea butter — adds creaminess and skin-softening properties. Rich in vitamins A and E.
Castor oil — used in small amounts to boost lather and add a conditioning feel.
Cocoa butter — hard, conditioning, and mildly scented. Helps create a long-lasting bar.
Natural additives
Essential oils — provide natural fragrance and sometimes therapeutic properties. Lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus are common choices.
Clays (kaolin, bentonite) — gently draw impurities from skin and add a silky texture. Good for oily or acne-prone skin.
Activated charcoal — deeply cleansing; binds to toxins and excess oil.
Oat flour or colloidal oatmeal — soothing and anti-inflammatory; ideal for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
Botanicals (calendula, chamomile, lavender buds) — added for aesthetics and mild skin-calming properties.
03 — read the fine print
Ingredients to avoid
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) — a harsh synthetic detergent that strips the skin's natural oils and can cause irritation.
Parabens — synthetic preservatives (methylparaben, propylparaben, etc.) linked to hormone disruption concerns.
Synthetic fragrances — "fragrance" or "parfum" on a label can hide dozens of undisclosed chemicals. Opt for products scented with essential oils instead.
Triclosan — an antibacterial agent with environmental and health concerns; now banned in some regions.
EDTA and artificial colourants — unnecessary additives with questionable safety profiles.
04 — going vegan
What "vegan" means for soap
Vegan soap contains no animal-derived ingredients. A vegan soap replaces these with plant-based oils and butters that perform equally well — and often better for sensitive skin.
Common in conventional soap
- Tallow (beef fat)
- Lard (pork fat)
- Lanolin (wool grease)
- Honey
- Beeswax
Plant-based swap
- Plant oils & butters
- Coconut & olive oil
- Shea & cocoa butter
- Plant-derived glycerin
- Botanical waxes
05 — finding yours
How to choose the right natural soap
Consider your skin type:
Dry or sensitive
Look for high olive oil or shea butter content. Avoid high coconut oil percentages.
Oily or acne-prone
Clay-based soaps or those with tea tree or activated charcoal work well.
Normal skin
A balanced formula with coconut, olive, and a conditioning butter is a great all-rounder.
06 — the bottom line
You'll wonder why you waited
Your skin deserves better than a bar full of synthetic chemicals. Natural soap, made with quality oils and real ingredients, cleans effectively while respecting your skin's natural balance.
Have questions about natural skincare or ingredient safety? We love talking about this stuff — drop by our Vancouver store or get in touch.