Why old-fashioned soap?
Why old-fashioned soap?
Because you – like me – got tired of the shiny exterior and empty content.
Because you got tired of colorful plastic bottles, perfumes and soaps that left your skin dry and confused.
Tired of "mild" hand soaps, filled with chemicals that few of us can even pronounce.
Tired of washing yourself in something that resembles liquid dishwashing detergent – products that artificially foam, remove the skin's natural oils and leave the skin tight and uncomfortable.
Because you may also have noticed how perfumes and additives can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions.
And how you end up applying even more chemicals afterwards – in an attempt to repair the damage the cleaner itself has done.
Because it feels like a vicious circle, where “care” really just puts a strain on both your skin and the environment when the plastic bottles pile up.
Natural fat sources with real effect
Oils and fats are the heart of real soap – and have been for centuries. Choosing the right oils not only affects how the soap lathers and cleanses, but also how it nourishes and protects your skin.
A tradition with deep roots
Since ancient times, various cultures have used natural fats for soap and skin care:
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In the Mediterranean region, especially in Italy and France, olive oil has been a staple in both soap making and beauty rituals for thousands of years. The mild, nourishing oil creates soaps that are gentle and nourishing to the skin.
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In Northern Europe and America, animal fats such as beef tallow and lard were the traditional choices, producing hard, durable soaps with a soft lather. These fats resemble the skin's own natural oils and help protect and soften the skin, especially in cold climates.
Fat is not just fat – each oil has its own strength
Behind every good soap recipe lies a careful selection of fats and oils.
Fat is not just fat. Each oil contributes something different – to the lather, the hardness, the skin feel and the care the soap leaves behind.
Beef tallow
Rich in stearic acid and very similar to the skin's own fat. Provides a hard, durable soap with stable, creamy foam and makes the soap particularly softening and mild for the skin.
Coconut oil
Creates a thick and airy foam that effectively removes dirt. In too high a concentration it can be drying, so I always combine it with softer and more nourishing oils.
Olive oil
A classic in traditional Mediterranean soap. Provides a soft, mild and nourishing soap that feels calm and friendly on the skin – especially good for sensitive skin.
Castor oil
A rich, thick oil that gives soap an extra silky and long-lasting lather. Especially good in shampoo bars and soaps for dry or mature skin.
Shea butter
Solid, nourishing butter rich in fatty acids and vitamins. Adds creaminess and makes the soap more nourishing and protective, especially in cold or dry months.
Jojoba oil
Technically a wax, not an oil – but with unique skin-care properties. Similar to the skin’s own sebum and helps balance oil production. Leaves skin soft and supple without being greasy.
Almond and avocado oil
Light, moisturizing oils that contribute shine, softness and extra nourishment. Especially good in soaps for dry, sensitive or mature skin.
Balance is key
It's not about using as many oils as possible, but about finding the right mix. Too much coconut can make the skin tight, too little animal fat can make the soap less nourishing. The combination ensures that the soap both cleanses effectively and nourishes the skin at the same time.
Real soap is simple
When fat (animal or plant-based) reacts with lye, a natural chemical process occurs:
Saponification .
The result? Soap and glycerin.
Fat + lye = soap + glycerin
That's all it takes – and all I use.
Most “soap” today… isn’t soap
Most mass-produced products fall into two groups:
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Cheap palm oil soap – harsh, drying and of dubious origin
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Synthetic detergents, disguised as “soap bars” or “shampoo bars”
(Hint: check the ingredient list)
They are filled with factory-made surfactants such as:
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
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Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
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Cocamidopropyl Betaine
They foam, yes. They clean, yes.
But they're not soap. And they don't do your skin any favors.
Real soap used to be enough
Our great-grandparents didn't have 17 bottles in the shower stall.
They had one bar of soap.
For the hands. The body. The hair. The child. The shaving. The dishes. Even the dog.
It worked.
And their skin and hair were in better condition than ours are today.
Maybe because they knew that soap should just work – not be specially designed for each body part.
Modern chemistry creates modern problems
Synthetic products strip the skin of its natural oils.
The result?
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Someone gets dry skin
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Others get oily skin because the body overcompensates.
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And most people end up adding even more chemicals afterwards.
It's a vicious circle.
Real soap breaks it.
Natural, simple and honest
When I make soap, I start with the most basic things: fat, lye, and water.
I always use distilled water so that no lime or impurities get into the reaction.
And you need to know your ingredients.
I refuse to dye my soaps for the sake of color. For me, real soap is about naturalness and function – not about decoration.
Color has no value for the skin – and I see no reason to add something that is just for looks.
Haven't we had enough of glitter and polished facades?
My products don't have to look like candy to be good.
Instead, I play with structure, shape and cut:
Cuttings in the hand
Rough surfaces
Simple, timeless shapes and prints.
Aesthetics with calm and sensuality
Soap should look like something made by hand – not poured out of a machine.
Therefore, my soaps may vary from time to time.
Some have a more wavy surface, some are cut thicker, some have a slightly milder scent.
It's not a mistake – it's craftsmanship.
And that's exactly how it should be.
That's why I choose old-fashioned soap
Because it works.
Because the skin doesn't need perfume, dyes and foamy marketing.
Because one honest soap beats 12 fancy bottles.
Clean soap = clean body.