Handmade Vegan Soaps (with no palm oil)

Alter/native by Suma Soap Bars are made with natural ingredients, then packed in recycled paper. Containing olive and coconut oils, with shea butter and essential oils.

Many liquid and bar soaps strip skin of natural oils or cause irritation. Alter/native by SUMA soaps gently cleanse and leave a soft, comfortable feeling. The rich blend of coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter helps soothe dryness and works well for most skin types, even if you’re sensitive.

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. 

SUMA is run by its workers as a co-operative. That means your money supports fair pay, strong working conditions and a business owned by its staff.

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.

Storing Handmade Soap (to avoid going mushy!)

Due to being more moisturising, store handmade soaps on a dry facecloth or one of these options. to let water drain away, and help soaps last longer.

This soap saver pad only costs a few pounds. In four colours, they can be cut to size. They let air circulate, and if they get clogged with soap, you can just give them a wash (even pop them in the dishwasher) to use again.

Or use a slatted soap dish to drain water away, so your soap lasts longer.

This upcycled coconut husk soap rest is also good to store handmade soap. The large rest can store two bars side-by-side. Due to natural fibres, some minor shedding may occur when you first use them.

Suma’s travel soap tin is ideal for when you’re on the go.

Coraline Soaps (for very dry and sensitive skin)

Coraline Soaps (also sold at Blomma Beauty (use code englandnaturally for 10% discount) was created by the parents of a baby with Down Syndrome, who could not tolerate ‘sensitive skin’ soaps. The chamomile soap has anti-inflammatory ingredients to relieve dry itchy skin.

For 3 months and up only. Check for nut allergies.

Skin experts often recommend Coraline Soaps for people with sensitive skin. Their formulas are tested to make sure they’re safe and kind.

Coraline Soaps don’t just clean, they hydrate too. The blend of nourishing oils leaves skin feeling soft and never stripped. For people who get tight, dry skin after washing, this extra moisture can make daily washing feel soothing and gentle.

Coraline Skincare has a page on how to help people with eczema and similar skin conditions.

Helleo Olive Oil Soaps (great for sensitive skin)

This handmade strawberry mint soap is made with hand-picked strawberries and freshly-harvested peppermint.

Olive oil soap is famous for being soft on sensitive skin. The natural fats in olive oil keep moisture in and harsh additives out. This means fewer worries about rashes or irritation. Paper packaging also keeps extra chemicals away, so you get a pure bar each time.

Olive oil is good for sensitive skin. One woman went to a dermatologist for her ‘incurable itchy skin’ even though she was using the brand leading soap.

After he couldn’t help, she popped to Holland & Barratt and bought a cheap plain bar of Oliva soap (just olive oil, salt and water). And her skin began to heal in an hour.

The carob fig soap is made with fig juice and carob syrup. Many olive oil soaps in paper come from small family businesses or independent makers. Buying these bars often means supporting traditional skills and local jobs. You get a quality product and help communities grow.

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 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!
• 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.

A Friendly Soap Bar for Organic Gardeners!

Friendly Gardener’s Soap (made in Northumberland) is specifically designed for people who work in the garden, to remove dirt and mucky stuff under your fingernails and on your palms. A nice bar to keep in the bathroom or your allotment shed! Also sold in packs of 12.

Made with coconut and rapeseed oil, it also contains nourishing shea butter (not for latex allergies) and volcanic pumice to naturally exfoliate. Also contains poppy seeds, comfrey and soothing aloe vera.

Read our posts on pet-friendly gardens and wildlife-friendly gardens. And how to help stop birds flying into windows.

A Friendly Soap Bar for Smelly Chef Hands!

Friendly Cook’s Soap (made in Northumberland) is specifically designed for chefs who regularly work with smelly ingredients like onion and garlic. It’s ideal to keep in the kitchen, when you need to quickly wash your hands. Also sold in packs of 12.

This bar contains coconut oil and shea butter (not for latex allergies) along with exfoliating bicarbonate of soda to remove odours, and essential oils of citrus and paprika.

Read our plant-based recipes for inspiration to start cooking! And our post on food safety for people and pets.