The Beginner's Guide to Switching to Natural Soap
If you've been curious about switching to natural soap but aren't sure where to start, you're not alone. Most of us grew up using commercial soap bars or body washes loaded with synthetic detergents, artificial fragrances, and preservatives. Making the switch to handmade natural soap is one of the simplest upgrades you can make for your skin — and once you do, you'll never go back.
Here's everything you need to know to get started.
What's Actually in Commercial Soap?
Most store-bought "soaps" aren't technically soap at all — they're synthetic detergent bars. Manufacturers often remove the naturally occurring glycerin (a skin-loving byproduct of soapmaking) and sell it separately to use in lotions and creams. What's left is a harsh cleansing bar that can strip your skin's natural moisture barrier, leaving it dry, tight, and irritated.
Common ingredients to watch out for:
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) — a harsh detergent that strips natural oils
- Parabens — synthetic preservatives linked to hormone disruption
- Artificial fragrances — can contain hundreds of undisclosed chemicals
- Triclosan — an antibacterial agent that disrupts the skin microbiome
What Makes Natural Handmade Soap Different?
Handmade soap is made through a process called saponification — combining oils or fats with lye (sodium hydroxide) to create real soap and glycerin. The glycerin stays in the bar, making it naturally moisturizing and gentle on skin.
At Pure Joy Soapery, we use nourishing ingredients like:
- Goat milk — rich in vitamins and lactic acid for gentle exfoliation and deep moisture
- Tallow — rendered beef fat that closely mimics the skin's natural sebum, making it incredibly skin-compatible
- Shea butter & coconut oil — for a rich, creamy lather and lasting hydration
- Pure essential oils — for natural fragrance without synthetic chemicals
What to Expect When You Switch
Here's the honest truth: your skin may go through a short adjustment period of 1–2 weeks. This is completely normal and is sometimes called the "detox period." Your skin is recalibrating after years of synthetic products.
You might notice:
- Skin feeling slightly different than you're used to (not necessarily worse — just different!)
- A brief period of dryness or oiliness as your skin finds its balance
- Your skin feeling softer and more hydrated after the adjustment
Stick with it — most people notice a significant improvement in skin texture and hydration within a few weeks.
How to Choose Your First Natural Soap
Not sure which bar to start with? Here are some tips:
- Sensitive skin? Start with our Naked Goat Milk Soap — unscented and ultra-gentle.
- Oily or acne-prone skin? Try our Charcoal Facial Bar — activated charcoal helps balance and purify.
- Dry skin? Our Rugged Goat Milk & Tallow Bar is deeply moisturizing.
- Just want to try a little of everything? Grab our Starter Soap Set — the perfect introduction to Pure Joy Soapery.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Bar
- Keep it dry between uses. Use a soap dish with drainage so the bar isn't sitting in water — this makes it last much longer.
- Let it cure. Handmade soap gets better with age. If your bar feels soft at first, give it a few days to harden up.
- Use a washcloth or loofah to build a rich lather — you'll use less soap and get a better cleanse.
- Store extras in a cool, dry place. Natural soap doesn't contain preservatives, so keep unused bars away from heat and humidity.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Switching to natural soap is one of the easiest ways to reduce synthetic chemicals in your daily routine — and your skin will thank you for it. Browse our full collection of small-batch handmade soaps and find your perfect bar.