What This Soapmaker Wishes Everyone New About Good Soap

I still have a bar from each of my first batches of soap. They sit on what I call my “Story Wall” at Melanie’s Health & Nutrition — not because they’re perfect, but because they’re part of the journey. When I made those first bars, I had no idea how much this practice would ground me, heal me, and help others do the same. But the thing I did know was that this soap was different,

It didn’t dry out my skin the way my store-bought bars had. It didn’t leave me itchy or tight. It just felt... better. Later, I learned that most commercial “soap” isn’t really soap at all — it’s a detergent, often stripped of the naturally occurring glycerin that real soapmakers work so hard to keep in.

Real Soap Is a Whole Different Experience

When I make Auminay soaps, I use the cold-process method, a traditional technique that allows natural glycerin to stay right in the bar — where it belongs. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it helps draw moisture to the skin. That’s one reason why people who use our soaps often tell me their skin feels softer and less dry — sometimes they even skip lotion.

But glycerin isn’t the only thing that makes a difference. The ingredients matter. The process matters. The intention matters. 

It’s More Than Just Bubbles

In every batch I make, I look for ways to bring something extra — real skin nourishment from the plant world. I love working with ingredients like goat milk, infused herbs, clays, and natural butters. I add avocado oil right at the end of the process, so it stays “free-floating” in the bar, ready to condition and comfort your skin.

We also only use essential oils — no synthetic fragrance. Even in soap, artificial fragrance can cause headaches or skin reactions. The scent of real plants is one of the most enjoyable parts of the process, and our customers love that the smell of the store reflects what’s actually in the products. (We get asked all the time, “How can I make my house smell like this?”)

And when it comes to color? I don’t believe in flashy chemical dyes. Our soaps are colored with clays and herbs — simple, natural, beautiful. It’s always worth asking: if a bar of soap is bright blue or neon green... what’s in it?

Not All Handmade Soaps Are the Same

I think there’s a tendency to assume that anything “handmade” must be good. But not all handcrafted soaps use the same methods or ingredients. Some soapmakers use melt-and-pour bases, which are great for certain projects but don’t always have the same skin-loving properties as a carefully balanced cold-process bar.

The cold-process method takes time, planning, and skill — and I’ve been doing it longer than most. Each bar cures for six weeks before it ever hits the shelf. The result? A bar that lasts longer, lathers beautifully, and leaves your skin feeling loved.

Yes, I Use Palm Oil — But I’m Careful About It

Palm oil gets a lot of attention, and rightly so. We use it because it creates a firm, long-lasting bar with great lather — but only from sustainable sources. Making good choices matters to me, both for people and the planet.

Soapmaking Grounds Me

There’s something healing about the soapmaking process. A friend once told me she could always tell when I was stressed — because I’d retreat into making soap. And she’s right. The rhythm of blending, pouring, cutting, stamping each bar with our Auminay heart... it brings me back to center.

I love creating new blends, but I also love revisiting the classics. One of my favorites is Honey Oatmeal — it smells delicious, and I’ll never get tired of slicing that smooth, golden loaf and setting the bars on the rack to cure.

What I Wish You Knew

If there’s one thing I wish more people understood, it’s that good soap isn’t about a pretty label or fancy scent. It’s about craftsmanship, ingredients, and intention. It’s about real skin benefits from real plants. And it’s about feeling good — not just while you’re using it, but afterward.

Whether you’ve used handmade soap for years or you’re just beginning to explore it, I hope this helps you understand why so many people fall in love with it — and why I keep making it, bar after bar.