Will the Face Soap Dry Up the Skin?
No, it won’t.
A well-made cold-processed face soap does not dry out the skin, and here’s why.
Unlike many commercially available face cleansers, which rely on synthetic detergents (syn-dets) that strip the skin’s natural oils, a properly formulated cold processed soap works in harmony with your skin, cleansing without causing dryness or irritation.
Why are our face soaps different, and why do they leave your skin feeling clean, comfortable, and hydrated instead of tight and dry.
The Difference Between Cold Processed Soap and Synthetic Detergents
Most commercial face cleansers, even those labelled as "facial bars" or "beauty bars," are not actually real soap. They’re synthetic detergent bars, meaning they are formulated using chemical surfactants that strip away oils and emulsify dirt. These synthetic detergents are often derived from petroleum-based sources and are designed to create a thick, foamy lather, which gives the impression of deep cleansing, which they do, but too deeply. There’s a protective oil layer on the surface of the skin which gets stripped off by these products, leaving the skin open to inflammation.
Common synthetic detergents found in mass-market cleansers include Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). These ingredients are incredibly effective at removing grease, which is why they are commonly found in dishwashing liquid and industrial cleaners. The problem is, they don’t distinguish between dirt and your skin’s natural oils, so they strip everything away, leaving the skin dry, tight, and vulnerable to irritation.
Cold processed soap, on the other hand, is a completely different product.
Unlike synthetic detergent cleansers, cold processed soap is made using natural plant oils and butters that cleanse the skin while retaining moisture. The process itself is key to its effectiveness.
How Cold Processed Soap Works Without Drying the Skin
Cold processed soap is made by mixing high-quality plant oils with an alkaline solution, allowing the mixture to go through saponification, the process that turns oils into soap. This traditional method preserves the glycerine that naturally forms during saponification, and glycerine is the secret to why cold processed soaps are so much better for your skin.
Glycerine is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin rather than stripping it away. In synthetic detergent bars, glycerine is usually removed during production and sold separately for use in lotions and creams, which is why those cleansers tend to dry the skin out. With cold processed soap, the glycerine stays in the formula, ensuring every wash leaves the skin feeling soft, hydrated, and balanced.
The plant-based oils used in cold processed soap also play a crucial role. Depending on the formulation, ingredients like olive oil, shea butter, eco-sustainable palm oil, and coconut oil contribute to moisture retention, nourishment, and protection, so the skin remains supple after cleansing rather than tight and uncomfortable.
Why Our Face Soap Won’t Dry Out Your Skin
Our cold processed face soaps are carefully formulated to maintain the skin’s natural balance. Instead of using harsh surfactants that strip away moisture, we rely on high-quality plant oils that cleanse while protecting the skin barrier. The natural glycerine content ensures your skin retains hydration, leaving it feeling fresh and comfortable rather than parched. We also super-fat our soaps which means that a small percentage of oils are not saponified resulting in a soap that is not a pure detergent. The extra oil quantity enhances moisturisation of the skin.
One thing I should mention that we’ll cover in another blog is that it probably took at least 10 years for me to master soapmaking…don’t ask!
Additionally, our face soaps are pH-balanced to ensure they work with your skin, not against it. Many commercial cleansers, especially synthetic detergent bars, have a very high pH, which disrupts the skin’s acid mantle. When the skin’s protective barrier is compromised, it becomes prone to irritation, sensitivity, and breakouts. A well-formulated cold processed soap has a much gentler pH, making it suitable even for sensitive skin types.
Final thoughts
So, will our face soap dry out your skin? Absolutely not.
Unlike synthetic detergent bars that strip the skin, our cold processed soap works with your skin’s natural oils, not against them. The high glycerine content, combined with nourishing plant-based oils, ensures a deep yet gentle cleanse, leaving your face feeling refreshed, hydrated, and perfectly balanced.
If you’ve ever used a facial cleanser that left your skin feeling dry and tight, it was likely filled with synthetic surfactants that stripped away too much moisture. A true cold processed face soap, on the other hand, cleanses effectively while leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth, and healthy.
So go ahead, lather up with confidence. Your skin will thank you for it.
Tommy Crooks.
Founder
