In a time when skincare is complicated and many products have harsh chemicals, a simple bar of natural soap is making a comeback. It might seem a little old-fashioned, but today’s natural soaps are the healthiest soaps to use for your skin. This is thanks to old heritage knowledge and new science discoveries combined. Making a switch to natural skincare and at that taking advantage of natural soaps can really improve your skin in ways that regular cleansers just can't. Once you try it, you'll probably stick with it for a long time.
With our skin constantly dealing with heat, dry air, humidity, and layers of products, natural soap does more than just clean. It's like hitting the refresh button for your skin after a long tiresome period.
How Natural Soap Can Change Your Skincare Routine
Many people don't realize that a cleanser plays a big role in their skincare routine
Your skin has a thin, protective layer called the acid mantle, with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. It's the first thing protecting you from environmental stressor, pollutants and moisture loss. Regular commercial soaps are often synthetic detergents and have a high pH of around 8 to 10. This means that each wash messes with your skin's natural barrier.
Natural soaps, on the other hand are made the old-fashioned way, are kinder to your skin. True natural soap, made from saponification of plant oils and lye, has a pH closer to 7 or 8. It also has natural glycerin, which big companies usually take out. Glycerin keeps your skin hydrated instead of drying it out.
When you use a mild and nourishing cleanser, your moisturizers get absorbed better, your facial serums do their job better, and your skin stays balanced all day long.
So, consider natural soap as the base of good skincare which is simple, but it changes things in a good way.
Our Favorite Ingredients in Natural Soap and Why They Matter
Natural soaps just feel better. That's because they're made with better ingredients. A premium natural soap is better because of what it has, not just what it doesn't have and we are talking about things like sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Here are some star ingredients that do a lot more than just take up space; they help your skin.
|
Ingredient |
Active parts |
What it does
|
|
Unrefined Shea Butter |
Triterpenes, Vitamin E |
According to the Journal of Oleo Science. Shea Butter improves skin's elasticity by almost 16% in a month. Our Natural shea butter soap feeds your skin, which is great for dry skin or sensitive skin
|
|
Cold-Pressed Olive Oil |
Squalene, Polyphenols |
Gives twice the antioxidant protection of synthetic ingredients. Our Natural olive oil soap makes your skin soft and keeps it healthy.
|
|
Raw Goat Milk |
Lactic Acid, Vitamin A |
Gently removes dead skin cells without causing irritation. Miara Essence Goat milk Soap has lactic acid, a natural AHA for gentle natural exfoliation and some good vitamins to fight dull skin.
|
|
Turmeric Extract |
Curcuminoids |
A Phytotherapy Research says that curcuminoids lowers inflammation in sensitive skin by up to 65%. Miara Essence Turmeric Soap, makes your skin brighter, calms it, and gives it a nice glow. |
|
Aloe Barbadensis |
Polysaccharides, Glycoproteins |
Studies show that Aloe vera speeds up wound healing by 50% compared to placebos. Miara Essence Aloe vera Soap calms and hydrates your skin if your skin is stressed or gets too much sun.
|
These ingredients aren't just for show. They're known to help your skin, and they work while you're washing.
Main Benefits of Natural Soap; Protecting Your Skin Microbiome
We are sure you already know all the other benefits of natural soap like:
- Gentle on Skin: By using gentle pure soap cleansers, you help keep your skin healthy, which means fewer skin problems and better results in the long run.
- Naturally Moisturizing: Most bar soap companies take out the glycerin, but natural soap keeps the glycerin, which helps to moisturize your skin.
- Good for Sensitive Skin: Gentle organic soaps can help when you have eczema, acne, or sensitive skin.
- Better for Your Health: Using fewer artificial chemicals can help balance your hormones and improve your general health.
- Smells Great with Real Natural Scents: Essential oils give a unique smell that artificial fragrances can't match.
- Supports Small Business: These soaps are handmade with care and not mass-produced.
- Last Longer: Natural soaps can last a while, mostly if you store it right.
However, did you know the most surprising benefit of natural soap is to help maintain your skin’s microbiome?
New studies now agree with what the old soap makers always knew. That your skin's microbiome or rather, the community of good bacteria living on you, helps you prevent problems like eczema and even early signs of aging. One study from 2022 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed people who used plant-based soaps with glycerin had much better skin bacteria. They kept 84% more good bacteria compared to those who used regular soap. The study ascertained that strong chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) washes away both the dirt and the protective bacteria, leaving your skin open to all kinds of attacks.
This alone should be a reason you switch to natural soaps, and that’s beside the environmental impact.
Environmental impact of using natural soap compared to conventional soap?
Here's why choosing sustainable soap matters:
- Water Pollution: Conventional soap tends to have some not-so-great ingredients in it, like: Petroleum-based detergents, sulfates, artificial preservatives, artificial fragrances and even microplastics. According to Environmental Science & Technology, each shower with regular body wash releases about 80,000 microplastic bits into our water systems.
- Carbon Footprint: Handmade cold-processed soap creates way less Carbon dioxide per bar. We are talking about 78% less CO2 per bar, compared to what's made in mass in big factories.
- Waste Reduction: By swapping liquid body wash for bar soaps, you can help prevent around three plastic bottles from ending up as waste each year.
So, yes, natural soap is kinder to the planet because it’s not only biodegradable and but is also made with ethically sourced ingredients. So, each time you pick a natural bar, you’re keeping harsh chemicals out of your house and away from nature. It's a simple swap that can make a real difference.
Is Abu Dhabi Switching to Natural Soap?
The UAE's climate, with its heat, dry air from AC, and times of humidity, means your skin needs care that can keep up. Natural soaps can help because:
- They strengthen your skin: Plant oils, such as argan and moringa, act like your skin's own oils. They form a layer that keeps AC from drying you out.
- Cleansing that responds to heat: Unlike some harsh cleansers, natural soaps clean without stripping too much oil and adjusts to the water temperature.
- They balance minerals: Ingredients like Rhassoul clay fight the effects of hard water, which is common in Abu Dhabi.
So, yes, more and more people are starting to buy locally made, sustainable, plant-based pure soaps, especially younger workers and families. You can see it in Abu Dhabi, where stores are starting to treat natural, cold-process organic soaps like Miara Essence natural soaps as must-have skincare items.
People in Abu Dhabi are really getting into natural soap. Makhzan Limited's sales numbers show that purchases of natural soaps by 25-45 year olds have gone up by 240% since 2021. This trend goes well with the UAE's Vision 2021 goals for sustainability, and it looks like people care more about knowing what's in their products.
This change is just getting started.
Miara Essence: Your Go-To Brand for Natural Soap
Miara Essence is a go-to choice for people seeking cleaner, simpler skincare. These bars are nicely made, gentle on sensitive skin, and great for the UAE's weather. At Makhzan Limited, we chose Miara Essence as our main natural soap brand since the products are made for our region. Their special blends of olive oil soap and shea butter soap
- Keeps skin hydrated in dry weather.
- Creates a rich lather, even in hard water.
- Has natural germ-fighting qualities for warm weather.
- Has soft natural scents inspired by the UAE, made with steam, not chemicals.
- Include real ingredients that eave skin feeling clean, not stripped.
Supporting Local Artisans: Why Small Batches Matters
Makhzan Limited is all about great craftsmanship, realness, and top-tier quality. And the Miara Essence lines up with that idea perfectly by supporting local, genuine, and well-made ideas. When you pick handcrafted soap at Makhzan Limited, you’re backing small creators, good businesses, and a way of shopping that’s thoughtful.
It’s about caring, both for your skin and the people around you. Conventional soap making uses a lot of heat, which ruins some of the good phytochemicals in the ingredients. Miara Essence manufacturers ensure good manufacturing practices that keep:
- Vitamins A, Vitamin C, & Vitamin E
- Essential Fatty acids
- Compounds from essential oils
- Enzymes and Co-factors
- This care makes a difference you can feel in your skin.
How to incorporate natural soap into your daily self-care routine
Natural pure soap is useful in many ways. You can try it as a body wash, hand soap, face wash or a shaving soap, if you like keeping things simple. The trick is to let the bar dry out between uses. Soap lasts longer that way.
- For Skincare Lovers: Start with a soap as the 2nd step in your double cleanse. The plant oils in the soap break down remaining oil-based dirt, and then water washes everything away.
- For the Simple Person or Minimalist: One bar of soap that does it all like Miara Essence's Shea Butter soap, can take the place of your face wash, body wash, and even shaving cream.
- Tip if You Have Hard Water: After washing, rinse with a mix of apple cider vinegar and water. Use 1 tablespoon of vinegar for each cup of water. This gets rid of mineral buildup and brings your skin back to its normal pH.
Other most creative uses of natural soap include freshening up drawers or linen closets, treating oily spots before washing as a mild scrub especially when made with exfoliating ingredients, it's practical, pretty and saves you money!
Why Natural Soap Actually Saves Money
Yes, the first cost to many might seem like more, but think about it this way:
- Last Longer: If you dry it right, natural soap can last twice or three times longer than store-bought brands.
- Stops Skin Concerns: Less skin trouble means you don't have to buy as many products to fix things later.
- Does More: One bar can do the job of three items like cleanser, lotion, and special treatment serums.
- It's Stronger: There's no water added to pad it out, unlike liquid soaps, which are mostly water like 80 to 90%.
How to choose between different natural soap options in a store
Lots of soaps claim to be natural, but how can you tell if they really are? Here's a quick checklist to help you spot the real deal:
- What's First? Look for plant-based oils and butters at the top of the ingredient list. Watch out for sodium tallowate or anything made from petroleum.
- What Makes the Scent? Real natural soaps use specific names of essential oils, not just fragrance.
- How Was it Made? The label should say cold-process or hot-process.
- Is Glycerin There? Glycerin is a good thing! Avoid soaps that brag about being glycerin-free.
- Where Does the Color Come From? Natural colors come from things like clays, plants, or minerals, not artificial dyes.
- Honest Labeling: A true natural soap maker will list all ingredients.
- Beware of proprietary blends.
Conclusion: Benefits of Natural Soap
In short, natural soap isn't just about getting clean; it's about helping your skin do what it does best. Instead of harsh chemicals, it gives your skin the support it needs to protect and heal itself. Choosing natural soap is good for you, the environment, and the community. When you buy a bar from Miara Essence at Makhzan Limited, you’re supporting a system that values honesty, how well the product works, and ethical practices from start to finish.
But the real proof is how your skin feels: balanced, strong, and alive. Once you feel the difference with natural soap, you won't want to go back.
FAQs: Your Natural Soap Questions Answered
Can soap occur naturally in nature, or is all soap man-made?
Soap doesn’t occur naturally. Making it requires mixing oils with an alkali like lye. A process known as saponification. Lye can be sourced from animal fats, plant oils, and wood ashes. Historically, soap was crafted by blending animal fats with wood ashes and water. This mix would react and turn into soap, though the process was not easy. So, while you won't come across soap in nature, its base ingredients are natural and required to be combined before using.
Can natural soap effectively remove sunscreen and makeup?
Natural soaps that are made well have plant oils that are great at breaking down oily residue. If you're wearing a lot of makeup, you might want to wash your face twice with the double cleansing method or try using the soap after the first oil-cleansing technique.
Is natural soap good for sensitive skin?
To sum it up, natural soaps can work wonders for sensitive skin, especially the goat milk, oatmeal, and aloe vera soaps without fragrances. Double-check the label to be sure there are no fragrances added. Even natural fragrances can cause problems. Make sure to patch test new soaps on a small skin area first before full use.
Why does natural soap sometimes leave a film or lather less, and does that mean it’s not cleaning?
That film is also known as soap scum. It's really just a mix of fatty acids with calcium and magnesium. It’s like a gentle moisturizer that doesn't dissolve in water. A bit of acid like apple cider vinegar will rinse it away, and don't worry, it's not bad for you.
Do pH-balanced natural soaps matter if you rinse them off quickly?
A study in Contact Dermatitis shows that using high-pH cleansers can mess with your skin's barrier for up to 90 minutes after you rinse. Natural soap, with its close-to-neutral pH, helps avoid this issue.
How does natural soap affect acne compared to medicated washes?
A study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2023) shows that gentle cleansers that don’t dry out your skin can cut acne by 42%, close to benzoyl peroxide washes which cuts it by 38%. The bonus is that gentle cleansers like natural soaps have way less irritation.
Are antibacterial properties in some natural soaps proven?
Ingredients in natural soaps like Tea tree, thyme, and oregano oils have shown proven antibacterial power in studies. They may cause less resistance than synthetic antibiotics.
Why does some natural soap still contain sodium hydroxide also known as lye?
In soap making, you need lye to change oils to soap. But don't worry, once the soap is properly made, there's no lye left. It's all turned into soap and glycerin.
Is natural soap suitable for all skin types, including oily?
Yes. And it might sound weird, but oily skin is usually better off with gentle cleansers that won't cause your skin to produce even more oil. Choose soaps with light oils, such as grapeseed and hemp, because they work great for this.