Tags
art, bath, body, commodity, costmetic, Health, personal care, Soap, Soap making, soapcalc, sonsumer
Over the last year, I’ve come to notice that there are two types of soapers. Many, if not most, make soap for the sake of creating a natural product to clean the skin. Their primary goal is the function of making and using a quality product with fewer chemicals than commercial body bars. Artistry may be nice, but is not a highest priority. Many prefer natural colorants and essential oils over synthetic fragrance oils and FD&C colorants. Let’s call these Functional Soapers. On the other hand, there are Soap Artists who are drawn to the craft to make fragrant, elegant, colorful swirls and as a creative outlet.
When I started soaping, I didn’t care one thing about the “natural” allure of handmade soap. I was drawn in by the creativity. I’ve always been a little bit crafty. Over the last few years, I’ve been sewing, crocheting, making kimekomi ball ornaments, etc. In college, I majored in interior design, so color theory and artistic design are always a part of my thought process. I took a lot of art classes; drawing, painting, fiber arts, ceramics, art history, etc. When I started making soap, my Inner Artist was calling out for the challenge of a new creative medium. Then I discovered the fluid pouring techniques of soap making. Wow! Learning to “control” liquids to create art… what a concept! And unlike cake decorating, there are no calories. How can you beat that?
Now then if I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it with quality. So, I pledged to never use “cheap” ingredients. I’ve never soaped with shortening and rarely use grocery store oils. I did get drawn in to wanting to try every quality oil and butter available. Now that I’ve tried most of the readily available ones, I can say with certainty that while I will still continue to use many of them, I can just as easily create a quality soap with just Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil and, I like Hemp Seed Oil… a LOT.
But, for me, it still all comes back to the creativity. However, I also have to recognize that there is a very large segment of the consumer population who prefers “functional” soap over creative soap. While my soaps are intended to be used (really, I’m tempted to get a stamp that says “USE ME, PLEASE!”), I’ve often heard people comment that a soap is “too pretty to use.” Oh heck people, I know where you can get more! LOL. But, back to the Functional Soap buyer… fewer colorants, more simplicity equates to a more natural and gentle product in their mind. As a soap seller, I have to acknowledge this. So, while I love all of my uber-colorful swirlies, I must acknowledge that I would be more productive as a business to keep the bulk of my soap product less artistic and more functional.
I loved your post & I have always used food grade ingredients too I like to make both kinds but I generally tend to use Essential oils for milk soaps/ natural colorants ,like soapers maybe there are 2 types of customers too some prefer natural some are only interested in how they look 🙂 but which ever category once they use it they will come back because of the quality of soap. A bit off topic I love your dividers / hanger tool I purchased from your Etsy store.
Thank you Pooja. I consider it a real blessing to be able to serve the soaping community with creative tools. I’ve only been soaping for a year now, so it means so much to me to have a niche.
You raise a valid point about two types of customers… maybe three types of customers. In my area, they are more likely to buy on scent alone and never turn the package over to read the label. Artistic design has very little bearing on the buyer’s decision, but certainly, it gets their attention.
I just started making my own soap and I already brought it to the market as my new line of business and yet I am still gathering more information to have a perfect homemade soap. What you have posted here is an additional knowledge on my part. Keep on posting!