Cold Process All Natural Soaps

What makes a handmade soap better than a commercially produced store-bought soap? First of all, did you know that most "soap" purchased in the store, is not really soap? Many of the commercial soaps available today are, actually, bars of detergent. These are made with synthetic ingredients, rather than natural ingredients. These synthetic ingredients coupled with a lack of rich moisturizing cleansers can account for skin irritation, dryness, and even rashing. A true homemade soap retains all the natural glycerin which is produced when fats (natural oils) and sodium hydroxide (lye) are mixed together in precise ratios and temperatures. Glycerin is a natural moisturizer and cleanser that increases lather and produces a milder soap for the skin. In a lot of commercial soaps, the valuable glycerin is extracted and sold. It is replaced with cheaper synthetic alternatives which can be a lot harsher and irritating to the skin. FYI: According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "