About Natural Soap
An independent, plain-English guide to what goes into soap, run from Chicago by a hobby soap maker.
Who runs this site
Hi, I'm Emma. I live in Chicago, and making soap is my hobby. Making it at home taught me how much a bar's ingredient list tells you, and how little the front of the package often does. Natural Soap is where I share what I've learned, in plain English.
I'm not a dermatologist, chemist or doctor. I'm a hobby soap maker who reads labels closely and checks claims against reliable sources. When a question needs medical expertise, I say so and suggest asking a professional.
What you'll find here
- Ingredient guides that explain what each ingredient does
- Honest comparisons and buying guides
- Practical tips for choosing, using and caring for soap
How we recommend products
Every product we mention carries one of three labels, so you always know what a recommendation is based on:
- Personally used: I've used it myself, and I say what I noticed.
- Based on specifications: chosen from its published ingredients and specifications, but not tried.
- Manufacturer's claims: the brand's own words, clearly attributed and not verified by us.
We never invent testing, ratings or reviews.
How this site is funded
Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Brands cannot pay to be included, and commissions never decide what we recommend. Details are in our affiliate disclosure.
How we use AI tools
Some drafts are prepared with the help of AI writing tools. Every article is checked against its sources and approved by a person before it is published, and articles drafted with AI help say so. Read our editorial policy for the full process.
Get in touch
Spotted a mistake or have a question? Contact us. Corrections are always welcome.