So many times I hear the question "I have never tried handmade soap before; which scent should I use?" I never know how to answer without asking a few questions of my own... Here are some truths about handmade soap in general that hopefully help guide the newbie.
#1. All cold process soap contains GLYCERIN - a marvelous skin moisturizing benefit! This is not by addition but due to the basic chemical reaction of soapmaking. Industrial soap manufacturers either remove this glycerin and add it to thier lotions or manufacture soap with fats or oils that do not contain glycerin. This is why so many industrial bar soaps leave skin feeling dry. Whereas the handmade cold-process soapmaker releases the glycerol attached to the fatty acid (oils) and it remains in the soap as glycerin. So any bar from any coldprocess soapmaker will be more emollient for the skin.
#2. Before choosing a SCENTED bar of soap consider your skin's sensitivity level. Your skin may be happier with an UNSCENTED soap at first. Remember that 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed directly into your bloodstream... so although scent is a huge part of most peoples bathing ritual, when making a switch to natural soap less is more.
#3. An unscented bar of handmade soap can contain additional nutrients! A couple that I love are OATMEAL which adds texture, gently exfoliating skin cells. Hydrating and soothing HONEY, which inhibits bacterial growth; and SHEA BUTTER along with other exotic butters like cocoa or kukui that soothes and softens chapped dry skin.
Once you have found a basic bar that your skin finds favorable, you can then expand your bath arpsenal to include soaps with scent and color. :)
