Handmade Soap vs. Store Bought Soap: What's the Difference?

At Bramble Berry, we're all excited about making soaps, body care, skincare, and candles from scratch. There's a reason for that: we make a better-for-you and better-for-the-environment product when we make it from scratch. We can control the ingredients, and it's fun and creative; the final product is a luxurious DIY creation. When it comes to soap in particular, end users, or people who use soap (hopefully all of us), might think large-department-store-bought "soap" and handmade soap are basically the same. That's not true. The FDA, the authority on cosmetics and personal care products, distinguishes between "real" soap and products that are technically detergents, which means not soap at all.

What Makes Handmade Soap Different?

Handmade soap, crafted with nourishing oils, water, and lye, contains only the essentials. According to the FDA, a product can only be labeled as "soap" if it's comprised chiefly of alkali salts of fatty acids and its cleansing action comes from those compounds, not from added detergents or synthetic additives. This is a fancy way of saying that real soap is oil + lye + water. Many commercial cleansing bars don't qualify.
One hallmark of handmade soap is naturally produced glycerin, a powerful humectant that draws moisture to your skin. During the commercial process, glycerin is often removed and sold for use in lotions or creams, leaving commercial bars much less moisturizing.

Why Glycerin Matters:

Handmade soap lets you personalize your skincare. Start with skin-loving oils like Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, or Avocado Oil. Prefer a bubbly lather? Add Castor Oil Want a mild, creamy bar? Boost your olive oil percentage. The point is: you're in control.
Worried about lye? Don't be! While all true soap starts with lye, a properly crafted bar contains none at the end. Once lye and oils combine, the saponification process transforms them into gentle, cleansing soap. See the chemistry in action! 

Handmade soap can be customized for color, texture, scent, and performance. Add exfoliants, essential oils, natural clays, milks, purees, and more. Each bar is a blend of art and science—a unique reflection of your needs and values.

Handmade Soap Changes Lives

There are many reasons why people make soap from scratch. For some, it's a creative outlet. For others, it's a meaningful small business. And for everyone who uses handmade soap, it's happier, healthier skin.