Are Natural Soaps Really Better?
"Natural" gets thrown around a lot in skincare, but at Maxine's Soap Co., we mean it literally. Our soaps are made from ingredients you can pronounce, not chemical cocktails or marketing buzzwords. Here's what makes truly natural soap worth the switch.
Natural vs. Synthetic Soap
Most commercial soaps aren't really soap at all. They're synthetic detergent bars. These formulas rely on sulfates, artificial fragrance, and preservatives that strip your skin's natural oils.
Natural soap, like ours, is made through saponification. This combines fats and lye to create real soap and natural glycerin. The result? A bar that cleans gently and supports your skin barrier.
| Category | Natural Soap | Synthetic "Soap" |
|---|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, essential oils | SLS, detergents, artificial fragrance, preservatives |
| Skin Feel | Moisturized, balanced, gentle | Tight, dry, or irritated |
| Environmental Impact | Biodegradable, zero-waste | Synthetic residues, non-biodegradable packaging |
What Makes Maxine's Soap Co. Different
- Simple formulas: We use five or fewer core ingredients.
- No synthetic fragrance or dyes: Only essential oils or unscented bars.
- Small-batch made: Crafted, cured, and wrapped by hand in Iowa.
- Transparent labeling: You'll always know exactly what's in your soap.
Shop Our Most Natural Bars
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes natural soap different from synthetic soap?
Natural soap is made through saponification using fats and lye. It retains natural glycerin and avoids synthetic ingredients like sulfates, preservatives, or artificial fragrance.
What ingredients are in Maxine's natural soaps?
Our bars use tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, raw honey, calendula, and essential oils. They contain no synthetic dyes, preservatives, or palm oil.
Why avoid synthetic detergents in soap?
Synthetic soaps may include harsh surfactants like SLS, which strip your skin's natural oils and cause dryness or irritation. Natural soaps cleanse while supporting your skin barrier.
Is natural soap better for the environment?
Yes. Natural soap is biodegradable, often zero-waste, and uses minimal, eco-friendly packaging... unlike synthetic bars made with plastic and chemical residues.
Does Maxine's Soap Co. use artificial fragrance?
No. We use essential oils or offer unscented options. You'll never find artificial fragrance or synthetic scent blends in our bars.
Still unsure? Check out our Soap FAQs or Why Our Products page to learn more.
Looking to go all natural? Read Simple Ingredients, Simple Skincare next.
