Friendly Soaps (no palm oil, made in Northumberland)
Friendly Soaps (made in Northumberland) are all vegan and free from palm oil (so orangutan-friendly to protect their forest habits) and sold in zero waste paper packaging. They can be found widely at markets and in a farm shop and independent health stores. Or you can buy online (including in packs of 12).
Choose unscented soaps for pregnancy/nursing and babies. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies. Don’t use ‘human’ soap on pets (due to different PH and ingredients – read more on giving dogs baths.
Why Choose Handmade Soaps?
Most soaps in shops are no longer made with animal tallow (sodium tallowate). But sodium palmate (palm oil) so no better, as its use is killing orangutans. Greenpeace says there is no such thing as ‘sustainable palm oil’ (a self-policed term from industry).
Real handmade soap (which retains glycerine, instead of selling it to industry) won’t dry your skin. Try using it and nothing else for a month, and see what happens!
Due to being more moisturising, store handmade soaps on a dry facecloth or slatted soap dish, to let water drain away, and help soaps last longer.
Choose from the follow scents (you can also buy mixed packs, if preferred):
- Aloe vera (unscented, for sensitive skin and children)
- Fragrance-free cleansing Bar (coconut/rapeseed oil and shea butter)
- Lavender (relaxing)
- Ylang Ylang (floral)
- Rose geranium (feminine – good for grandma!)
- Cinnamon (warming)
- Lemongrass (a good antibacterial hand soap)
- Cedarwood or patchouli sandalwood (good for men)
- Rosemary (herbal and refreshing)
- Peppermint and poppy seeds (exfoliating)
- Tea tree and turmeric (deep-cleansing)
- A travel bar (a soap, shampoo and body wash with lavender, lemongrass, tea tree and peppermint).
This brand also makes specialist soaps for:
- Shaving bar (with kaolin clay and soy wax)
- Smelly feet!
- Gardeners
- Cooks
- Mucky mechanics!
- Soaps on ropes (for showers, no soap dish needed)
- Mini Bars (guest-size soaps for bathrooms or hotels/guesthouses
- Hotels (guest-size soaps)
Discounted Bags of Soapy Scraps!
Friendly Soapy Scraps are discounted bags of their offcuts, all different shapes and blobs, if you want something more affordable, and to stop soap waste! Just put them into the soap saver made with sisal, to wash and naturally exfoliate skin at the same time. Hang up to dry, after each use.
