I've been asked, as I'm sure many soapmakers have, why should I spend $4 or more on a bar of soap?  It's the same thing as the soap I can buy at the store, right?

The answer is a resounding NO!  It isn't the same, not at all!  I'll get in to the chemical differences in a moment, but first, let's talk about the money.  For the sake of ease, let's say you can buy a bar of soap at your grocery store for $1.  Who handles that bar of soap from start to finish?  At the very least, it starts at some type of manufacturing plant.  From there it will be delivered to the grocery store's main warehouse.  It will then be delivered to the actual store you shop at.  Now, it is fairly likely that there are more stops in the process, but let's just talk about those three.  They sure don't do all of that for free!  So, from that $1, the manufacturer takes out a portion for overhead and the employees who work the equipment, work in the warehouse, load the delivery trucks and oversee the employees, .  A portion will be taken out for the truck driver (or whatever delivery method is used).  Another portion will go to the grocery store's overhead, delivery method and store employees.  Am I leaving anything out?  Probably.  But, you get the point.  That $1 you pay goes to cover an awful lot.  What is left over for ingredients?  Not much. 

When you buy your soap from a soapmaker directly, you are cutting all of that out.  I will go out on a limb and say that most handmade soapmaker's pay themselves a tiny portion of what they make.  In fact, I've talked to several who had very high sales in 2009 and actually lost money.  So, the vast majority of what you pay goes into high quality ingredients.

Now for the chemistry.  According to Staci Marquez of the eBook, SoapMaking 123: Commercial soaps contain harmful chemicals, artificial colors, and perfumes. For example, the yellow coloring in a bar of Dial soap is known to cause allergies, tumors, lymphoma, and damage chromosomes. Plus, many name-brand soaps (Dove, Dial, Irish Spring, Lever 2000) are made of animal fat. Zest and Ivory also test their products on animals.

Scary stuff, right?  Have you ever seen a bar of store-bought soap sitting on the side of your sink or bathtub shelf dry and brittle?  What on earth is it doing to your skin?  Store-bought soap typically is made in such a way that the naturally forming glycerin is completely removed, leaving behind what is basically detergent, packaged in a box and set on a shelf in the soap aisle.

Many soapmakers start making soap for their families and then as the obsession takes over combined with a high demand from family and friends, the selling begins.  Through internet research, I have found very few of these crafters who are making a living by soaping.  It can be hard work that takes a lot of research, practice and testing, but many believe in what they are providing. 

And, at the end of the day, it's FUN!  And, the final product feels good, smells good and leaves your skin feeling amazing!  So, find yourself a soapmaker (even if it isn't me!) and give a good bar of homemade soap a chance.  My guess is that you'll see right away what the difference is and your skin will thank you!