While I was working on the next post on Organic Soap, I realized that there could be a little bit confusion between a Natural Soap and Organic One. So perhaps, I would just write something about their slight differences.
Firstly, let's begin with a basic understanding of soaps.
Since 1000 B.C., soaps have been invented and are primarily used for hygienic and sometimes medical purposes. They usually come in a solid moulded form, typically in rectangular shape, and therefore termed as soap bars.
Next, what is a soap made of?
Natural soap is made from animal fats or plant oils or even butters, and the primary ingredient used is oil or some combinations of oils such as olive, palm, coconut and almond. When the oil mixture reacts together with lye or sodium hydroxide solution (known as chemical base), it produces a sodium salt or soap and glycerin. Glycein is actually a sweet syrupy alcohol that softens and conditions the skin.
Depending on soap recipes and personal preferences, sometimes, butters such as vegetable or cocoa are added as well. Therefore, theoretically speaking, infinite varieties of natural soaps can be made depending on the combination of fat and/or oil. But only certain combinations (or "special recipes") will give you the better quality soaps that last longer lasting, produce more lathers, give good feeling on your skin and pleasant smell to your nose.
You can find out more on my previous post - How to Make Your Own Soap
How does a soap remove dirt from your body?
Soaps remove dirt from a dirty surface by attracting and clinging to dirt from the surface, and wash away with the water. This thanks to the structure of the soap molecule. One end of a soap molecule (carbon chain from oil and fat ingredients) is able to attract organic compound such as oil, while the other end of the molecule (sodium ions - that is why we need sodium chemical base) like to cling on water.
Therefore, when you wash with soap, your skin oil containing the dirt is attracted by the soap molecules. Then these molecules grap hold on to the running water when you rinse your hand with water. So this is how soaps get rid of oil and dirt on your body.
Finally, what is a difference between natural and organic soaps?
Well, the only difference is simply that organic soaps are made of organic ingredients such as aloe, peppermint and oats that are free from pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers or other chemicals harmful to personal health.
That's it. Simple? Life is already so complex, why make things so complicated.
Which is better, natural or organic?
Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question because essentially, it depends on the combination, quality and amount of the ingredients used in making the soaps.
But, there are benefits of using organic soaps,
Firstly, again, they are free from pesticides or potential health hazardous chemicals especially when used over a long periods.
Secondly, making soaps using ingredients from organic farming is better for the environment because organic farming does not cause any pollutions to the soil or water with chemicals. (I know what my next subject for my organic is going to be)
Point to note - it is very difficult to get soaps that are made of 100% organic ingredients, but you can find natural soaps made of 100% natural ingredients with some organic ingredients.
So, hope you have a better understanding of natural or organic soaps.
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