Natural Soap vs Commercial Soap: Is Natural Organic Soap Better Than Commercial Soap?

It’s time to stop settling for less than the best in your personal grooming routine. The soap you use can’t be an afterthought anymore - the stakes are simply too high! Your skin and the environment both deserve better than what commercial soap provides. 

Rather than scrubbing chemicals into your skin and dealing with the dryness and irritation that ensues (not to mention that weird, extraterrestrial smell), spoil yourself with the gentle nourishment of natural soap.

If you’re not aware of the natural soap benefits, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll compare and contrast natural soap vs commercial soap below to help you see why this is a no-brainer decision. 

The short answer is this, though - natural soap trumps its commercial counterpart because it’s carefully crafted with ingredients that restore your skin, hydrate it, and leave it smelling amazing. While it costs a bit more, you get what you pay for. 

Discover the difference firsthand with The Black Stuff’s natural soap for men today!

What is Commercial Soap?

Commercial soap is what the vast majority of people use on a daily basis, unfortunately. Whether in bar form or a more sinister shower gel, there’s a lot more going on inside the formulation than meets the eye.

These mass-produced products are honestly hard to refer to as “soap” - they’re more like synthetic detergents made for efficiency and profit. 

They’re crafted in factories where quantity takes priority over quality, with ingredients designed to strip away dirt fast - but they also take your skin’s natural oils with as well.

This is partly because so many commercial soaps rely on cheap fillers, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives. These ingredients give the soap a long shelf life and a strong scent but are notorious for leaving your skin dry, tight, and irritated.

That “squeaky-clean” feeling you might feel after washing your body and face with these types of soaps is actually your skin’s natural moisture barrier dissipating. 

Oftentimes you’re left smelling like a science experiment or as if your skin was scrubbed with sandpaper. That’s the commercial soap trade-off - a subpar clean that leaves you worse off for the cheapest possible price.

What is Natural Soap?

The other end of the natural soap vs commercial soap spectrum is where real cleaning can be found. These are almost always going to be in bar form. They’re brought to life in small batches by artisans who handmake their soaps with your skin’s health and happiness in mind.

So, what is natural soap made of? The actual ingredients will vary from brand to brand and scent to scent. However, you can expect to find real, nourishing ingredients such as olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils.

Natural soap doesn’t expose you to harsh detergents or synthetic additives. The goal of natural soapmakers is to keep the good stuff intact, like glycerin - a natural moisturizer often stripped from commercial soaps. 

Whatever the case, the effects are what matter most. Every wash does more than scrub away dirt and grime. It also hydrates your skin and nourishes it from the outside in, leaving you feeling softer and more balanced.

From a fragrance perspective, expect authentic scents - after all, these soaps are powered by real essential oils, not overpowering chemicals. It’ll be subtle, which is how fragrances should be.

Natural Soap vs Commercial Soap: Key Differences to Consider

Just as with our comparison of natural deodorant vs antiperspirant, the choice should be clear. Those who are sick of settling for soap that feels like a punishment should make the switch to the good stuff - natural soap works with your body, not against it.

But if you’re still on the fence, here’s a side-by-side comparison of natural soap vs commercial soap to leave you with complete certainty on which is right for you.

Ingredient Quality and Transparency

What you see is what you get with natural soap. Ingredients you can pronounce, like plant-based oils, butters, and essential oils. It sounds simple, but a good way to gauge the quality of a soap is to see how many ingredients on the label you recognize.

Natural soapmakers take great pride in what they do and they’re proud to boast clean labels. Transparency is never an issue when you go au natural. That can’t be said for natural soap’s commercial counterpart, though.

The sinister, synthetic stuff tries to hide nasty ingredients behind vague labels such as “fragrance” or “preservatives,” masking a cocktail of chemicals that do a subpar job cleaning your skin, and a great job dehydrating and irritating it.

If you wouldn’t eat something with a mystery ingredient list, why scrub it onto your skin? After all, your skin is porous, and anything you put on it makes its way into your bloodstream.

Skin Health Benefits

Building on the comparison of the ingredients, it’s obvious that one of these soaps actually delivers benefits, whereas the other does more harm than good.

As we touched on earlier natural soap retains glycerin, a natural humectant that draws moisture to your skin. This means it hydrates rather than strips natural oils from your skin barrier. It’s great for all skin types, but especially those prone to dryness, irritation, or sensitivity.

In contrast, commercial soaps are notorious for using harsh detergents that leave your skin tight and overwashed. The long-term result? Compromised skin health that takes time to undo.

Environmental Impact

We haven’t talked too much about the environmental impact of natural soap vs commercial soap, but those seeking to minimize their footprint on our planet should be aware that there are dramatic differences here. It’s not even close.

Most natural soap brands use biodegradable ingredients and minimal, recyclable packaging. These products are eco-friendly from start to finish.

Commercial soaps, however, often include synthetic additives that can harm aquatic ecosystems when they wash down the drain. The problem is especially prominent in shower gels, as the plastic-heavy packaging clogs landfills.

Production Process

The way a product is made says a lot about its quality. Natural soap is a delicate dance of art and science, where artisans handmake bars in small batches, paying meticulous attention to every little detail.

Commercial soap, on the other hand, is mass-produced in factories where efficiency takes priority over craftsmanship. The goal isn’t to help customers, rather, it’s to profit off of them. 

This is painfully apparent when looking at how glycerin is stripped away from commercial soaps. This is perhaps the most important part of soap, and so many brands sell it separately to profit further. 

These manufacturers are content with delivering a subpar product, but that doesn’t mean you should be willing to accept it. As we said from the start, you deserve better.

Fragrance and Scent

The whole point of soap is to leave you feeling and smelling clean. Sure, you want some sort of fragrance, but not all scents are created equal. There’s nothing subtle about commercial soap. It’s known for being synthetic, overpowering, and oddly “chemical.”

But the offputting aroma is just the tip of the iceberg. These synthetic fragrances have a sinister side effect of irritating your skin and clashing with your natural body chemistry. They can impact the way pheromones are perceived by others, too.

Natural soap takes a radically different approach, using essential oils to curate authentic, nuanced scents. Whether it’s the crispness of eucalyptus or the warmth of bay rum, the fragrances in natural soap smell real because they are real.

Even under the natural soap umbrella, though, it’s important to note that not all scents are made equal. For example, we here at The Black Stuff blend our own essential oils to get as close to nature as we possibly can. 

Cost Considerations

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Natural soap might seem pricier than commercial options - but when you break it down, the value is clear. 

So, how long does bar soap last? With a denser formula and lack of fillers, you’re getting a much longer-lasting solution. Perhaps more importantly, though, you’re paying for protection against the harsh chemicals and nasty synthetic fragrances that have no business on your skin.

Think of it as an investment in your grooming routine - and your health. While commerical soap is cheap and can save you a few bucks a month, is it really worth it if you’re sacrificing the wellbeing of both your skin and the planet? 

So, Is Natural Organic Soap Better Than Commercial Soap?

That does it for our comparison of natural soap vs commercial soap. So, is natural organic soap better than commercial soap? Frankly, it’s not even close.

Natural soap beats its synthetic alternatives on just about every front besides cost and accessibility. Better ingredients, improved skin health, real fragrances, and a gentler environmental footprint - what more could you ask for?

Choosing natural soap is a smarter, more intentional choice for your grooming routine. One you’ll wish you’d made sooner. But don’t just take our word for it. Feel the difference firsthand with the best men’s soap at The Black Stuff.

Feel the Difference For Yourself With The Black Stuff!

Our brand was born our of passion when our founder began handcrafting his own soaps in his kitchen. While a lot has changed over the years, our commitment to doing things right and giving men the top-tier soaps they deserve is stronger than ever.

Every bar is still made by hand in small batches with the best ingredients, and zero shortcuts. They’re cured for weeks to make sure they stand the test of time. You’ll quickly realize the soaps are packed with natural moisturizers, and bursting with authentic, refreshing scents, including:

• Pine tar soap: A rugged, earthy blend with natural exfoliants like oatmeal and volcanic pumice to leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed.
• Cedar citrus soap: A bright mix of orange, lemon, peppermint, and rosemary, backed by a smooth cedarwood base for a crisp, energizing scent.
• Eucalyptus soap bar: Cooling eucalyptus with floral ylang-ylang and a hint of lemon for an invigorating, clean wash.
• Bay rum soap: A warm, spiced scent combining cinnamon, clove, and pine with sweet orange for a timeless classic.
• Ginger bar soap: Crafted with Irish tea and honey to deliver a fresh, warming aroma with lime and bergamot top notes.

Oh, and you can reap the benefits of aluminum-free deodorant here as well - our natural deodorant for men is carefully crafted to the same standards as our soap. See for yourself why we’re widely considered to be among the best Dr. Squatch alternatives today!

Bringing Our Natural Soap vs Commercial Soap Comparison to a Close

If you’re still using shower gel or commerical soap bars it’s time to ditch the chemicals and upgrade to the best Mother Nature has to offer. This comparison of natural soap vs commercial soap should has hopefully left you with no doubt about your next steps.

Whether you want to transition to aluminum-free deodorant or natural soap, The Black Stuff has the gentle, effective products you deserve. Quality ingredients, better hydration, and a product that’s as kind to your skin as it is to the planet. It doesn’t get any better than this!

Stop settling for less. Experience our authentic, natural soap today - your skin will thank you.