Nov 07, 2024

How Long Does Natural Soap Last?

Making the switch to organic, handmade soap from chemical-laden shower gel is one of the best choices you can make. Your skin will feel better, and you’ll smell better too. Another hidden benefit men may not be aware of is the shelf life of natural soap tends to be longer, too.

But does natural soap expire? If so, how long does natural soap last compared to its commercially produced alternatives? Unfortunately, all good things come to an end - natural men’s soap is no exception.

That being said, a high-quality natural soap for men like ours here at The Black Stuff will outlast anything else on the market. We use only the best plant-based ingredients, coupled with a proper curing process, which means not only will it last longer but it performs better, too.

We’ll share more tips on making the most of men’s soap along with some of the signs yours is past its prime and may be due for replacement. First, though, how does natural soap expire?

Does Natural Soap Expire?

We want to be clear that when we talk about natural soap expiring, it’s not the same thing as food expiration in that it becomes unsafe to use - at least, not most of the time.

Typically, natural soap expiration just means you’ll miss out on some of the benefits the bar of soap has to offer. That could be cleaning capabilities, scent, or skin nourishment.

Fresh bar soap is full of fragrance, a creamy lather, and all the moisturizing qualities of its plant-based oils. However, the ingredients responsible for these effects begin to degrade with exposure to the elements - like humidity, heat, and light.

Scents will lose their punch, and the lather might not be as rich as it was when the bar was new. It won’t necessarily harm your skin, but using an old bar won’t give you the same experience as a fresh one.

We’ll talk more about what will happen if you use expired soap bars later on. Let’s get to the main topic on today’s docket: how long does natural soap last?

How Long Does Natural Soap Last?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for the shelf life of natural soap. There are simply too many moving pieces, from ingredients to curing time, storage conditions, frequency of use, and more.

That being said, how long does handmade soap last on average - and how does this compare to the traditional bar soap lifespan?

How Long Does Handmade Soap Last?

You’ll be amazed at just how much longer natural soap lasts than its commercially manufactured counterparts. You can expect 1-2 years in optimal conditions!

The truth is, though, quality natural soap bars should be used much faster than that. If you’re showering often enough you’ll probably go through a bar of soap every few months.

How Long Does Traditional Soap Last in Comparison?

There’s a bit of confusion surrounding how long traditional soap lasts, as some are interested purely in shelf life while others are concerned about usage longevity.

Because liquid soap and even traditional bar soaps are loaded with preservatives, they’ll typically have a longer shelf life than a natural soap bar. As you can imagine - and perhaps as you’ve already realized firsthand - this comes at a cost, though.

Those ingredients that improve shelf stability can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier and leave it exposed to dryness, irritation, and more. So while these soaps may have a longer shelf life, ask yourself - is it worth it?

Now, how long does natural soap last in usage compared to its traditional counterpart? Much longer. Some have gone as far as to say that natural soap can last six times longer, in fact!

This is because liquid soap tends to be dispensed in larger amounts, often leading to more product waste. On the other hand, a little goes a long way with bar soap and you have more control over how much you’re lathering at a given time.

So in the end, natural soap is a far more cost-effective choice. This is just one of the many reasons to consider it over what you have been using to clean yourself. You can discover all the other natural soap benefits in our blog.

Factors Influencing the Shelf Life of Natural Soap

Let’s get a bit more specific about how long you can expect your natural soap to last. There are a few different factors at play, each of which influences the shelf life of natural soap - starting with the formulation itself.

Soap Formulation

So what is natural soap made of? Every soapmaker has its own unique formulation, but you will find that soaps labeled as “natural” tend to incorporate plant-based oils like olive or coconut oil. These have a solid shelf life but may be a bit softer if they haven’t been cured long enough.

Ingredients like shea butter or cocoa butter can help harden the bar, making it last longer in use. There are also essential oils, which give natural soaps their scent.

They do a whole lot more than make you smell great, though. They also affect longevity. You may find that natural fragrances begin to fade over time, especially with lighter, citrus-based scents.

Storage Conditions

Perhaps the biggest factor affecting the staying power of your soap is how you store it. Ideally, you want to keep your backup bars in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. UV rays and high temperatures can cause the soap to soften or lose its scent prematurely.

Avoid plastic when storing it in an airtight container. Instead, we recommend something breathable like a linen bag or paper wrapping to prevent moisture from building up.

Moisture and Humidity Levels

Think about what happens when water comes in contact with a bar of soap - it starts to sud up. So, you can imagine what a toll excess moisture takes on a soap bar, slowly but surely degrading it.

This is fairly ironic since the soap is stored in the most humid place in your entire home - the shower. Leaving a soap bar sitting on a shelf in the shower, especially where it can be hit with frequent sprays or splashes of water, will cause it to slowly soften and dissolve.

Worse, high humidity can lead to bacteria growth on the soap’s surface. This further accelerates the breakdown of plant-based ingredients.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to mitigate this. We suggest using a draining soap dish that lifts the bar up so it can dry out completely between uses. Better yet, keep it dry and away from excessive moisture when not in use.

Frequency of Use and Exposure to Water

It should go without saying that the frequency at which you put your soap to work will influence how long it lasts. This is not just about using up the soap quickly, but also exposing it to those wet, humid conditions we described just a moment ago.

If you’re the only one using the soap bar it’ll last much longer than if you’re having to share it with other family members, roommates, etc.

Signs Your Bar Soap is Past its Prime

While expired natural soap isn’t going to kill you, it’s still worth watching out for the signs its best days are behind it. This allows you to replace it with a fresh bar in a timely manner, so you can continue giving your skin the gentle, effective cleansing it deserves.

Loss of Fragrance

The first sign of expired natural soap is changes to scent - either a loss of fragrance or worse, a more rancid smell. This is because the essential oils in soap are typically the first to begin breaking down.

While it’s still usable, the experience won’t be the same - and neither will the end result!

Texture Changes

You can also watch out for changes in how the soap feels when using it. Fresh soap has a smooth, firm feel, but it can start to feel crumbly, dry, or even rubbery as it ages.

Some natural soaps are designed to exfoliate to a certain extent, but cracks or a rougher texture can agitate your skin. This is a good sign the soap is losing its moisture and structural integrity and may be due for replacement.

Color Fading or Dulling

Visual changes are another reliable indicator that time has taken its toll on your soap. Although color changes don’t necessarily make the soap unusable, dulling or discolouration are a sign that the ingredients are no longer as fresh as they once were.

What Will Happen if You Use Expired Soap Bars?

Do the signs above mean you must discard the soap bar, or is it still safe to use? What will happen if you use expired soap bars exactly?

We mentioned earlier that it’s not necessarily a matter of life or death - but there are still reasons to put expired soap out of its misery and replace it with a fresh alternative.

Reduced Cleansing Effectiveness

The biggest reason we suggest using only fresh soap is because it won’t do its job once it begins degrading past a certain point. Essential oils and other active ingredients that contribute to the soap’s lather and effectiveness will begin to fade first.

At that point, you’ll find the older bar fails to lather up as richly or leave you feeling as fresh. What’s the point of even using it at that point if you’re not actually getting clean?

Scent Breakdown

As we touched on above, the soap will start to lose its smell - or worse, it will start to smell funky. The whole point of showering with soap is to come out smelling clean and fresh, so again we ask - why bother using expired soap?

Plus, those essential oils aren’t just responsible for providing a fragrance. They have their own antibacterial and antifungal properties, and these are clearly compromised once the scent fades.

Skin Irritation Possibilities

While rare, some individuals have reported that soap past its prime caused skin irritation. This could be a result of the texture changes we described just a few moments back. The cracks and dry bar may agitate the skin to a certain extent - especially if you have sensitive skin.

Tips on Extending the Longevity of Your Organic Soap

The last thing you want is to waste high quality soap. So, before we wrap things up, here are some tips on improving the shelf life of natural soap.

Use a Soap Dish That Drains Well

A high-quality soap saver dish that drains well is worth its weight in gold. These prevent your soap from sitting in pooled water, which speed up the degradation process, softening and breaking down the bar.

Look for a dish with grooves or drainage holes to keep it elevated and dry between uses. A quick rinse after each use and placing it back on a dry dish can also prevent unnecessary softening and boost your soap’s staying power.

Store Unused Soap in a Cool, Dark Place

Think back to the things that accelerate natural soap ingredients breaking down: moisture, light, and heat. The simple solution to extend the shelf life of natural soap is to avoid these conditions!

This mostly applies to unused bars of soap. Keep them in a cool, dark place - like a drawer, linen closet, or cabinet. While it sounds practical to store them in the bathroom or laundry room, consider keeping them in a hallway cupboard or pantry instead since these are cooler and dryer.

If you’re serious about preserving scent and quality, wrap unused bars in breathable paper or cloth to keep them from drying out or absorbing moisture.

Buy Better Quality Men’s Soap at The Black Stuff

All the storage tricks in the world can’t make up for a soap that isn’t well-made to begin with. That’s why one of the best ways to enjoy a nice, long shelf life of natural soap is to start with the best, longest lasting soap from the get-go!

Here at The Black Stuff we’ve created natural soap for men that’s carefully handcrafted from premium plant-based ingredients. We’ve earned the trust of more than 50,000 men and counting, and once you feel the effects of our soap, you’ll see why.

Unlike most other soapmakers we actually take the time to cure the soap as it should. This contributes to a longer lasting bar of soap that’s less likely to break apart since there is less water in the soap. We have so many unique fragrances to choose from, too:

Across all these different scents you can rest assured you’re treating your skin to the most luxurious lather. From the best men’s soap to natural deodorant for men, we’re changing the grooming game for the better and hope you’ll join us on this journey.

Order today and take advantage of our first scent guarantee so you can find the perfect, natural fragrance with peace of mind!

Final Thoughts on the Shelf Life of Natural Soap

So, how long does natural soap last? We’ve covered a lot in this guide on the shelf life of natural soap, hopefully you don’t have any questions left at this point, other than - which bar should I buy at The Black Stuff?

Just remember, natural soap offers effective cleansing without the preservatives or chemicals that can harm your skin - but this means it may not have the same staying power as those commercially produced options.

That being said, you’ll get way more use out of a natural soap bar than the alternative. Plus, it’s so much better for your skin (and the environment) - that’s what matters most.

Choosing a well-made, organic bar and storing it properly makes a big difference, letting you enjoy all the benefits it offers and avoiding the frustration of having to discard expired natural soap.

The only thing left to do today is elevate your grooming routine with our natural, long-lasting bar soaps, handmade to perfection. Make every wash a nourishing, enjoyable experience today and give your skin the quality it deserves!

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