Know Your Soap

No artificial fragrance, no artificial colors, just squeaky clean.

 

 

  • BAREly Yours soaps are crafted exclusively with natural, plant-derived ingredients, a stark contrast to commercial "cleansing bars" that often contain synthetic dyes, fragrances, preservatives, and harsh chemicals. The result is a gentle, pure formulation that is kind to your skin.

 

  • The traditional saponification process naturally creates glycerin, a powerful humectant that draws moisture from the air to the skin's surface. Unlike commercial soap manufacturers who remove this valuable byproduct for more profitable products, handmade soap retains every bit of its natural glycerin, ensuring your skin is left hydrated, soft, and supple.

 

  • Making soap by hand and in small batches gives us the opportunity to infuse our creations with botanicals like oatmeal, turmeric, neem, and others that are rich in  antioxidants, soothing, and healing properties. These intentional additions turn a simple wash into a nourishing, skin-enriching ritual.

 

  • Our soaps are entirely vegan. This ensures no animal products are used in their creation and that the finished product is entirely cruelty-free and animal-friendly.

 

  • Our soaps are gentle on the environment. When washed down the drain, our natural and pure ingredients safely and completely biodegrade, leaving behind no harsh chemicals to pollute waterways or harm aquatic life. It is a cleansing choice you can feel good about, knowing it leaves a minimal environmental footprint.

 

  • BAREly Yours, like many handmade soap makers, is committed to ethical sourcing practices. This includes seeking out vendors who do not contribute to the over-harvesting of natural resources like palm trees, ensuring your purchase supports a healthier planet.

 

 

I love the saying We need both light and shadow to create a complete picture. We wouldn't be showing you the whole picture if we didn't talk about some of the common characteristics and expected behaviors of 100% natural, handmade soaps. None of these come near to being a flaw or disadvantage; on the contrary, they are a testament to the way nature works. 

Handmade soaps dissolve more quickly than commercial varieties because they retain their natural glycerin and lack the synthetic hardeners found in mass-produced bars. The presence of glycerin, a natural humectant that attracts and retains moisture, softens the bar, while commercial soaps often have this ingredient removed and sold separately. This means that handcrafted soap, though more nourishing for the skin, requires proper care, such as being kept in a dry, draining dish, to preserve its longevity.

 

The fragrance of natural essential oils is innately milder and more ephemeral than that of synthetic perfumes. This is due to the volatile nature of their molecules, which cause them to evaporate more quickly when exposed to air, while artificial fragrances are engineered with chemical fixatives to ensure a more pronounced and lasting scent.

 

The color from plant-based dyes is more subdued and less permanent because it lacks the chemical stabilizers that give synthetic dyes their longevity and vibrant intensity. Unlike the consistent and saturated results of artificial dyes, the character of natural hues is often an earthy palette that diminishes with exposure to light and washing. This makes them more delicate but also biodegradable and non-toxic.

 

Though handmade soaps contain moisturizing glycerin, the very process of cleansing—regardless of the soap used—removes some of the skin's natural oils. Therefore, even with the enhanced hydration provided by artisanal soaps, it is always best to supplement your skincare routine with a separate moisturizer to fully replenish the skin after washing.

 

Citrus scents are inherently high-volatility top notes, meaning their molecules evaporate quickly and create a vibrant initial impression that fades faster than fragrances from other families. In contrast, fragrances from other families often contain heavier, more stable molecules in their middle and base notes that provide longer-lasting depth and staying power. This makes the bright, fleeting character of citrus a feature rather than a flaw, perfect for an invigorating first impression.

 

Natural soaps have a shorter shelf life than commercial soaps because they lack synthetic preservatives and contain natural ingredients that can degrade over time.

 


Day 1

Day 2

Day 21

 

To showcase the phenomenon of rapidly fading colors, shown above are three images of soap loaves at different times. While we love the vibrant hues of the soap batter on day 1, we know they are ephemeral and we have come to regard the fading colors not as a flaw but a celebration of the natural world and the artistry that comes from it.