Vegan Plastic Free Soap & Shampoo
Vegan Plastic Free Soap & Shampoo
Handmade soap has been around for thousands of years, and its history is a fascinating one. From ancient civilizations to modern times, handmade soap has played an important role in our daily lives. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of handmade soap and its rise in popularity over the years.
The history of handmade soap dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks. These civilizations discovered that mixing animal fats with wood ash created a substance that could clean and soften skin. The Romans also used soap, and by the 7th century, soap was being produced in Italy and Spain.
During the Middle Ages, soap-making became a major industry in Europe. Soap-makers were organized into guilds, and soap was sold in markets and apothecaries. However, the quality of soap varied widely, and some soaps were harsh and even dangerous to use.
During the Industrial Revolution, soap-making became more efficient and widespread. In the 19th century, soap was made using a process called saponification, which involved boiling animal fats and oils with lye. This process produced a harder, longer-lasting soap than the traditional method of mixing fats and ash.
The invention of the soap-making machine in 1852 made soap production even more efficient, and soap became more widely available and affordable. Soap-makers began to add fragrances and colours to their soaps, and soap became a popular household item.
In the 20th century, the use of handmade soap declined as commercial soaps became more prevalent. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in handmade soap. This trend has been driven by a desire for natural and eco-friendly products, as well as a growing interest in traditional crafts.
Handmade soap is made using natural ingredients like vegetable oils, essential oils, and herbs. Many handmade soap-makers use traditional methods like cold process soap-making, which involves mixing oils and lye at low temperatures to preserve the natural benefits of the ingredients.
Handmade soap has many benefits over commercial soap. It is often gentler on the skin and free from harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. Additionally, handmade soap is often made in small batches, so each bar is unique and of high quality.
Today, handmade soap has become more popular than ever. Many people are turning to handmade soap as a way to care for their skin naturally and sustainably. Handmade soap-makers are creating unique blends of natural ingredients to create products that are both effective and eco-friendly.
One of the reasons for the rise in popularity of handmade soap is the growing concern about the environmental impact of commercial soap. Commercial soaps often contain synthetic fragrances and chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. Additionally, the production of commercial soap often involves the use of palm oil, which has been linked to deforestation and habitat destruction.
Handmade soap, on the other hand, is often made with natural, sustainable ingredients that are better for the environment. Many handmade soap-makers use organic or locally-sourced ingredients, and they often use eco-friendly packaging like paper or cardboard.
The history of handmade soap is a long and fascinating one. From its origins in ancient civilizations to its resurgence in popularity today, handmade soap has played an important role in our daily lives. Handmade soap is a natural and sustainable alternative to commercial soap, and it offers many benefits for the skin and the environment. By choosing handmade soap, we can support small businesses and promote a healthier planet.
Oschen [oh-shuhn] is a friendly family run vegan friendly and plastic free soap company that supplies handmade British soap bars to families just like ours across the UK. If you are passionate about the planet and animals, you are in great company with us as all our soaps are plastic and cruelty free. We were encouraged by our sons, Oscar and Henry to reduce single-use plastics in our home. The boys challenged us to reduce the number of shampoo bottles and shower gels that we took into the shower. As a result of this, we started buying soap bars instead. After our first soap bar, we were hooked! We reduced our weekly waste while doing our bit for the environment whilst staying clean, shiny and smelling great. From this, we created Oschen to bring vegan friendly and plastic free soap bars to you.
