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For as long as we can remember humans have been using soap for cleansing the body and clothing. The exact history and origins, regarding who invented soap, remain unknown but there is evidence of early production at around 2800 BC in ancient Babylon. The oldest known recipe for soap can be found on a Sumerian clay tablet dated around 2500 BC. It was created by mixing oil and ash and used to wash woollen clothing.

Fast forward to modern times and soap is used in every culture and has become a major part of the growing personal care industry. Traditionally soap was made with natural oils, animal fats and other natural ingredients. Now it is produced on an industrial scale and sold commercially by companies like Procter & Gamble, Ecolab Inc, Unilever plc and Colgate-Palmolive Company, to name a few.

If you purchase ‘regular’ commercially produced soap and read the ingredients you’ll find a list of chemicals similar to this list; Sodium Palmate, Aqua, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Talc, Glycerin, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Etidronic Acid, Coumarin, Eugenol, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone (ingredient list for Imperial Leather Original Soap Bar).

There are many different chemicals present and while they are regulated some have been proven to be skin irritants at best and harmful at worst.

What are the key differences between ingredients found in natural vs regular soap?

The most significant difference between the ingredients found in natural vs regular soap are that natural soaps do not contain artificial chemicals. Natural soaps are free of the synthetic chemicals that can dry out skin stripping it of its natural oils. Artificial chemicals can also be absorbed into the body, entering the bloodstream. Natural soaps contain essential oils for scent, rather than artificial fragrance oils found in regular soap. Natural soaps also use higher quality, more environmentally friendly ingredients like olive oil, cocoa butter and hempseed oil instead of palm oil and sodium sulphate based chemicals.

Essential oils vs fragrance oils, what’s the difference?

In the early days when animal fat was used in the production of soap it was known to have a nasty smell at times. Later animal fat was replaced with olive oil and other vegetable oils. It was then mixed with plant extracts, giving it a more pleasant smell.

Every bar or bottle of soap we use now arguably has a pleasant scent but how is this achieved? One of the key differences between regular and natural soap is the use of fragrance vs essential oils. Fragrance oils are created using synthetic chemicals and are used mainly to boost profits, since much less fragrance oil is required to create a scent when compared to natural oils. The ingredients of fragrance oils do not have to be disclosed to consumers meaning we cannot make informed choices about some of the chemicals we are putting on our skin. A big concern is that during the production of fragrance oils phthalates are often used in the process.

Phthalates are a known respiratory irritant and have been linked to diseases such as asthma, ADHD, and obesity. Some studies have also suggested a possible link between phthalates and breast cancer.

In contrast, natural soaps use essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from fruits or plants through a process of distillation or expression. They offer a variety of benefits, both in terms of their physical and emotional effects. Essential oils have been shown to boost mood, reduce stress, increase attentiveness, improve sleep, kill bacteria, funguses and viruses, reduce inflammation and relieve headaches. They also smell wonderful, reflecting how scents naturally smell in nature.

Natural soaps are eco friendly and better for the environment.

Natural soaps are an excellent way to be more environmentally friendly. Using natural soaps instead of mass produced products, wrapped in plastic, lowers the consumption of single use plastics. Palm oil and ingredients like sodium laureth sulphate are also found in regular soaps. The devastating effect of using palm oils in products has been well documented, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is a known skin irritant stripping your body of its natural oils. Studies have shown that it reduces the skin’s natural integrity and also reduces its ability to keep out allergens. 

Natural soap instead uses ingredients like olive oil, cocoa butter and essential oils which don’t impact the environment in the same devastating way. They are also much kinder to your skin and naturally moisturise the user.

Speaking of moisturising…

Ever heard of glycerin? Glycerin is a natural ingredient found in soap that is prized for its ability to moisturise. Natural soaps typically contain a higher concentration of glycerin than regular soaps, which either have very little or none at all. This makes them more effective at moisturising. It is also claimed that larger companies actively remove the glycerin from their soaps so that it can be sold on for a profit.

Chemicals can enter the bloodstream through the skin.

Studies have shown that using cosmetic products, like soaps, that contain synthetic chemicals can result in the chemicals showing up in your bloodstream. Using products with chemicals like Phthalates and Parabens in them has been shown to produce a marked increase in the chemicals showing up in experiments with cosmetics. With possible links to cancer this evidence is worrying. What is of more concern is that this study only relates to two of the many chemicals found in common soaps. 

In contrast, ingredients found in natural soaps like essential oils have been shown to have positive anti-cancer effects when used in experiments where the oils come into direct contact with the cells, under laboratory conditions. While this does not prove the claim that essential oils could be used to treat cancer, it is much more positive than using a chemical that has been linked to cause it.

Soaps are an essential part of modern living and are something we use everyday to stay clean and smell fresh. They come into direct contact with our skin very frequently and you should be mindful and informed about what you use on your body. If you use common soap, always read and check the label, research the chemicals present in the soaps. At The Indian Connection we are users and advocates of using natural and organic soaps made with high quality products and essential oils. We find them to be better for your skin, better at moisturising and better for your body since no nasty chemicals are able to enter your system. The added bonus is they smell better too. If you’re ready to make the switch why not try some of our wonderful selection of natural soaps, order yours today.