What Real Soap Is—and Why It Matters
What Real Soap Is—and Why It Matters
If you’ve ever picked up a bar of soap at the store, you might assume it’s exactly that—soap. But what if I told you that most of what’s sold in stores isn’t actually soap at all?
At Spring Valley Soapery, I handcraft real, honest soap. But what does that even mean—and why should you care? Let’s break it down.
So, What Is Real Soap?
Real soap is created through a process called saponification—a chemical reaction between oils/butters (like olive, coconut, or shea) and sodium hydroxide, also known as lye. When done right, this process transforms those ingredients into soap and glycerin. That’s it. No synthetic detergents, no harsh chemicals, no mystery ingredients.
This is how I make every single bar at Spring Valley Soapery—by hand, from scratch, using carefully chosen plant-based oils and butters that are kind to your skin and kind to the earth.
Then What’s in Store-Bought “Soap”?
Most big-brand bars you find in stores are actually synthetic detergent bars—meaning they’re made with harsh surfactants (like SLS) and chemical fillers. These detergents can strip your skin’s natural oils, leave you dry or irritated, and often contain ingredients that are less than friendly to the environment.
These bars are cheaper to mass-produce and have a longer shelf life, but they come at the cost of your skin's health—and our planet's.
Why It Matters
If you’ve got sensitive skin (like me—I have eczema!), you already know how important it is to pay attention to ingredients. My soaps are:
🌿 Vegan & Cruelty-Free
🌿 Paraben & Phthalate-Free
🌿 Formulated with Skin-Loving Oils & Butters
🌿 Scented with Bold, Complex, Soothing Fragrance Blends
🌿 Designed with Bright Colors & Artistic Swirls (Because clean should never mean boring!)
And perhaps most importantly, they’re made with care. I formulate every product with intention and integrity, using my background in cosmetology and my passion for sustainable living to bring you something better.
Real Soap. Real Ingredients. Real You.
Choosing real soap isn’t just about skincare—it’s about self-care. It’s about taking that moment in the shower or bath and making it something that actually nourishes you, from the inside out. It’s about feeling good in your skin—literally and figuratively.
At Spring Valley Soapery, I believe soap should be fun, safe, and full of personality—just like you.
Thanks for supporting handmade, woman-owned, eco-conscious small businesses like mine. When you choose real soap, you're not just cleaning your skin—you’re helping build a cleaner, more joyful world.