Bath & Body

A 100g natural soap bar typically provides 50 to 80 washes, comparable to a 250ml bottle of liquid body wash. Keeping the bar on a draining soap dish between uses — rather than in standing water — is the most important factor for extending its life. A well-drained bar can easily last 4 to 6 weeks of daily use.

Natural soaps without synthetic fragrance, SLS, and synthetic preservatives are generally much better tolerated by sensitive, eczema-prone, or reactive skin than conventional body wash. Look for soaps with short ingredient lists using recognisable plant oils. Unscented or pure essential oil scented soaps are preferable to those containing synthetic fragrance.

Natural soap is made by saponification — a chemical reaction between fats or oils and an alkali (sodium hydroxide). The result is a solid bar containing natural glycerin as a by-product. Conventional body wash is typically water-based, containing synthetic surfactants, preservatives, and fragrance. Natural soap is simpler, more concentrated, and produces far less packaging waste.

Natural bar soap can be used on hair but the high pH (around 9 to 10) can cause build-up and dullness over time, particularly in hard water. Shampoo bars are formulated specifically for hair at a lower pH and produce better results. For occasional use, natural soap is fine on hair, but a dedicated shampoo bar is better for regular hair washing.

A natural loofah is the dried fibrous interior of the luffa plant (a type of gourd). It is entirely plant-based, compostable, and produces no microplastics. Synthetic loofahs are made from nylon or polyester plastic mesh and shed microplastic fibres with use and washing. Natural loofahs are slightly rougher and more effective for exfoliation than synthetic equivalents.

Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salt) and mineral sea salts dissolved in a warm bath are absorbed through the skin and may help with muscle relaxation, improving sleep, and skin hydration. Bath salts with pure essential oils provide aromatherapy benefits alongside the mineral soak. They are a clean alternative to conventional bubble baths, which typically contain SLS, synthetic fragrance, and dyes.