How do we choose which Freshly Handmade and Natural Soaps to stock?
Before our soaps go onto our website, we test every single bar - we've also sent hundreds of bars out to our Product Testers (all with different skin types and conditions) and spent months gaining feedback before deciding which ones make the cut. That's why you can be sure Fresh Naturals only stock the best quality, natural and handmade soap bars. Everything you see on our site has passed our soap checklist (with flying colours!).
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We cut and package every soap by hand...
The majority of our soaps are not available to buy as individual soap bars on the high street (apart from our featured brands like The Dartmoor Soap Co - we just couldn't resist these!). We cut our soaps from large soap loaves and do everything in-house (design, print and packaging) to keep our costs down. We pass these savings onto you, meaning you get a unique, amazing quality soap at a great price.
Natural Soap Loaves
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Hand Cut Natural Soap Slices
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Fresh Naturals Handmade Natural Soaps
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Handmade Natural Soap Bars
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What will your soap weigh?
Our soaps are all cut and packaged by hand and as such every bar is slightly different. We verify each bar is at least 10mm wide at the narrowest point (although most are closer to 15mm) and at least the minimum weights shown.
Here's a rough guide::
FNSS (Glycerine Soaps) - 70g minimum weight per bar (depending on ingredients used)
FNGG (Cold Process Soaps) - 60g minimum weight per bar
Here's a rough guide::
FNSS (Glycerine Soaps) - 70g minimum weight per bar (depending on ingredients used)
FNGG (Cold Process Soaps) - 60g minimum weight per bar
Make your soaps last longer...
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All our soaps have a shelf life of around 36 months (unless otherwise stated) and should be kept as cool and dry as possible (away from direct sunlight). However, there are a few tricks you can do to make sure your soaps last a bit longer once in use.
Keep your soaps away from standing water When in use, store all soaps on a ladder or slotted soap dish to make sure the water drains away. This will help keep the soaps as dry as possible (and prevents them going soft and mushy). You'll get more uses out of a soap that has been properly stored than one left in a closed soap dish, or just on the side of your bath/sink in standing water. Our 1cm bars are perfect for wedging in the grooves of our Soap Dishes to help them stay dry. |
Don't throw the end bit away - use a Buffer BagWhen your soap becomes small enough to fit inside a Buffer Bag (and inevitably a bit soft), pop it in and lather between your hands as you would the soap (it might take a few extra seconds for the lather to seep through the bag). Use as a gentle exfoliator on your face and body until the soap completely disintegrates.
They can also be used for Bath Salts & Soaks when you don't want any bits floating in your bath, simply hang under the tap |
Small Buffer Bag
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Buy your own Buffer Bag here.
Which soaps can I use on my face?
Well that depends on how sensitive your skin is. Generally skin on the face is more sensitive than the body, so soaps (and all beauty products) with any artificial colourings or fragrances, or larger quantities of natural Essential Oils may irritate some people's skin on the face.
For use on the face (or very sensitive skin), we recommend sticking with the soaps in our Natural Range. These soaps are 100% Natural, however they do contain Essential Oils for added skin benefits and fragrance. If you have any skin conditions, allergen sensitivities or delicate skin try our Fragrance Free range instead (the only scent is created by the gentle ingredients themselves and nothing extra is added for this purpose).
Always be safe, and seek expert advice if you're unsure what to use for your skin. All product ingredients are listed before you buy, so make sure you double check to be sure there's nothing in it your skin won't like.
For use on the face (or very sensitive skin), we recommend sticking with the soaps in our Natural Range. These soaps are 100% Natural, however they do contain Essential Oils for added skin benefits and fragrance. If you have any skin conditions, allergen sensitivities or delicate skin try our Fragrance Free range instead (the only scent is created by the gentle ingredients themselves and nothing extra is added for this purpose).
Always be safe, and seek expert advice if you're unsure what to use for your skin. All product ingredients are listed before you buy, so make sure you double check to be sure there's nothing in it your skin won't like.
How our Natural Soaps are made...
Cold Process (CP), Melt & Pour (M&P) and Glycerine Soaps - what's the difference?
All of these soap making methods are great for different reasons. We stock them all, so you can see for yourself.
Cold Process
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Made using the traditional method of mixing lye with fats, some people believe CP creates the king of soaps. The butters, fats, Essential Oils and other ingredients do not reach a high enough temperature for them to evaporate or affect their performance. In fact, no heat source is used throughout the entire process (the soap is created from the natural chemical reaction of adding the ingredients together). Although slightly more expensive than our Melt & Pour soaps (due to the longer process and curation time), most of our CP soaps are 100% Natural and all are amazing for your skin.
All our soaps with product codes starting in FNGG are made using this method. Storage These soaps are best stored open, allowing air to flow and moisture to evaporate. They continue to cure so don't be alarmed if they seem to shrink by a couple of grams if not used straight away (although it's unlikely you'll be able to tell). |
Glycerine Soaps
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The term Glycerine Soap is a bit misleading as all "true soaps" (i.e. those made from scratch) contain Glycerine - it is a by-product of the soap making process. Our Cold Process soaps also contain a high level of Glycerine naturally (so they still have the great moisturising effect of "Glycerine Soaps"). When most people refer to Glycerine soaps, it generally means the soap has undergone an additional stage where sugar alcohols and extra glycerine are added, while the soap mixture is heated. This gives the bar a transparent effect.
Glycerine (also know as Glycerin or Glycerol) is a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture to your skin and keeps it locked in. This is why Glycerine soaps are a favourite with sufferers of dry skin. The extra glycerine added in the later stages gives these soaps extra moisturising properties. Some of the brighter, more colourful soap bars do contain safe colourings or fragrances (always certified cosmetic safe, many are food grade). If you want to stick with the 100% Natural bars, or have extra sensitive skin, eczema or other skin conditions, try the Glycerine bars in our Fragrance Free and Organic Ranges. All soaps with product codes beginning with FNSS are Glycerine Soaps made using the method above. Please note, some of these bars contain SLES - a mild surfactant (i.e. cleaning agent). All bars containing SLES are clearly labelled in the description, plus ingredients information is on each product page. Some people can use soaps with SLES and not have any problems, however those with extra sensitive skin may want to use products in our Natural Range. Our Organic Glycerine soaps and are completely free from SLS, SLES, SLR and Parabens, with absolutely no artificial colourings or fragrances. Storage Glycerine soaps can melt slightly if left in direct heat or sunlight, and sweat if left in an atmosphere with too much moisture. They are best left wrapped in their packaging or in an air tight container away from moisture until you're ready to use. When in use, never leave on standing water, instead use an open soap dish, this prevents the soggy, mushy soap base (and makes your bar last longer). |
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Melt & Pour Soaps
A pre-made Glycerine mixture is melted down and fragrance oils, colourings or other ingredients are added. Some soap snobs don't think this is an official method of soap making as the base is ready made. However, we're not "Soapist" and love all freshly handmade soaps whatever the shape, size or method of making.
Currently, only our Mini & Guest Soaps are made using the Melt & Pour method. We think they are perfect for guest soaps, wedding favours, taking on short breaks away or hand soaps.
Currently, only our Mini & Guest Soaps are made using the Melt & Pour method. We think they are perfect for guest soaps, wedding favours, taking on short breaks away or hand soaps.
