The Sudsy Showdown: Natural Soap vs. Commercial Soap and the Planet’s Favorite Pick

When it comes to soap, what’s really going down the drain? Beyond bubbles and lather, every bar has an impact—but some are gentler on the planet than others. Today, we're diving into the (sometimes dirty) details of natural vs. commercial soap in an eco-friendly showdown.

What’s Lurking in Your Lather?

Commercial Soap:
Commercial soap is like that friend who always looks way too perfect. It’s loaded with synthetic ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and mystery fragrances. These added chemicals make the soap foam up and last forever, but they’re often petroleum-based, a non-renewable resource that’s tough on the planet. Plus, these synthetic fragrances and additives tend to stick around after washing, heading straight into our waterways where they can wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems.

Natural Soap:
Natural soaps skip the plastic microbeads. Instead, they’re made with ingredients you can actually pronounce—olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils. These plant-based ingredients are kind to your skin and the planet, breaking down easily to keep oceans and rivers safe from weird chemical build-ups. And forget fake fragrances—just pure essential oils for a fresh, non-toxic scent.

Is Your Soap Sapping Your (and the Planet’s) Energy?

Commercial Soap:
Making commercial soap is a big, factory-scale production that’s all about efficiency—but not necessarily energy conservation. These soaps require high-energy processes and a lot of synthetic ingredients to get that uniform, shiny look. And don’t even get us started on plastic packaging—those brightly-colored bottles and wrappers aren’t winning any eco-points.

Natural Soap:
Natural soap production is more like a cottage industry—think small batches, artisanal care, and minimal energy use. Many natural soaps are cold-processed, meaning they’re made with oils and lye at low temperatures without heavy machinery. And since natural brands are usually smaller, their packaging tends to be eco-friendly, often using recycled or biodegradable materials.

Soap has long been a symbol of cleanliness, self care and often luxury, but few of us know much about its deep-rooted history. Originating from simple, earthy ingredients, soap has evolved over thousands of years into the fragrant, colourful bars and liquids we recognise today. 1. Ancient Beginnings. The earliest records of soap-making date back to ancient Babylon, around 2800 BC. Babylonian tablets reveal that early soap was made by mixing animal fats with wood ash. Initially, it wasn’t used for bathing as much as it was for cleaning textiles and wool before weaving. The Egyptians, known for their elaborate hygiene rituals, were also early adopters of soap. Around 1500 BC, they developed a paste of animal and vegetable oils combined with alkaline salts for both medicinal and cleaning purposes, hinting at an early understanding of soap’s role in fighting disease.