My journey

 

 

Ingredients

• Goat’s milk melt and pour base 
• Rose Essential oil 
• Dry rose petals 
• Lots of love ❤️

The Great Soap Divide: Why My Handcrafted Goat's Milk & Rose Soap is Better for Your Skin

🧼 The Journey Begins: From Idea to My Very First Batch of Handmade Soap

Welcome to Sudhika.shop. If you've been following along, you know I've been dreaming of making my own soap for a while. Today, I'm thrilled to share the culmination of that dream: a look at my very first batch of handcrafted soap and the inspiration behind this exciting new venture.

For years, most of us have used store-bought bars and liquid body washes without a second thought. But when I started looking closely at the ingredient lists, I realized something was missing—the very ingredient that makes soap truly nourishing. This realization sparked a desire to create a cleaner, better alternative for myself, my family, and now, for you.

What is the Real Difference? A Tale of Two Soaps

The distinction between the handmade soap I just crafted and the commercial bars you find in a typical store often comes down to one crucial, skin-loving element: Glycerin.

When oils and fats react with lye in the traditional soap making process (like the one I just completed!), glycerin is naturally produced. Glycerin is a powerful humectant—meaning it draws moisture to your skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.

• Commercial "Soap": Most mass-produced "beauty bars" or "cleansing bars" have the naturally occurring glycerin removed and sold separately for use in lotions and high-end cosmetics. What's left is often a detergent-based cleanser that can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and tight.

• Handmade Soap (Like Mine!): My soap is made using the traditional cold-process method, which means the natural, beneficial glycerin remains intact. Every bar is full of moisturizing goodness, offering a gentle, nourishing cleanse.

Beyond the Bar: The Benefits Over Commercial Liquids

When you compare my handcrafted bar soap to commercial liquid soaps or body washes, the benefits multiply.

The Secret Ingredients: Why Goat's Milk and Rose?

After the initial excitement of creating my first batch, the focus shifted to choosing the ingredients. I wanted a combination that was both profoundly nourishing and wonderfully sensory. For this special debut, I chose to work with a Goat's Milk Melt & Pour Base, complemented by beautiful Rose Petals and pure Rose Essential Oil.

Here is a closer look at the power of these ingredients and why they make this first soap batch so exceptional:

1. The Power of Goat's Milk

I chose a goat's milk base because it is one of the most celebrated ingredients in natural skincare. It's not just a fancy addition—it's a nutritional powerhouse for your skin.

• Gentle Cleansing: Goat's milk contains lactic acid, a natural alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), which gently exfoliates dead skin cells, helping to reveal brighter, smoother skin without harsh scrubbing.

• Rich in Vitamins: It is packed with essential vitamins, particularly Vitamin A, which is crucial for repairing damaged skin tissue and maintaining healthy skin.

• Deep Hydration: The natural fats and creams in the milk boost the moisturizing properties of the soap, ensuring your skin feels soft and conditioned, not stripped.

2. The Luxurious Scent of Rose Essential Oil

While store-bought soaps often rely on synthetic fragrances (which can be harsh or irritating), I chose pure Rose Essential Oil for its incredible therapeutic and aromatic benefits.

• Aromatherapy Benefits: The scent of rose is known to be calming, stress-reducing, and mood-lifting—turning your daily shower into a moment of pure self-care.

• Skin Tone: Rose oil is a natural astringent and has historically been used to help balance skin moisture, reduce redness, and promote an even skin tone.

3. The Visual Beauty of Rose Petals

Finally, I incorporated dried Rose Petals not just for their stunning visual appeal, but also to provide a gentle, natural texture. As the petals soften in the water, they add a touch of romance and luxury to the bathing experience, reminding you that this soap was crafted with care, by hand.

This first batch is more than just soap; it's a testament to the fact that you don't have to compromise on natural ingredients to have a beautiful, luxurious, and highly effective product.

👩🔬 The Making Of: Bringing the First Batch to Life

The true joy of handcrafted soap lies in the process. While many people think of traditional cold process soap (which involves lye), for my very first, exciting batch, I used the accessible and efficient Melt & Pour method with the luxurious goat's milk base. This allowed me to focus on blending and infusion, ensuring every bar was perfect.

Here’s a quick peek into how this beautiful soap came to life:

Step-by-Step: Crafting My First Bar

1. Preparation and Melting: I started by carefully measuring and cutting the solid Goat's Milk base into small cubes. This base was then gently melted using a double boiler method (or short bursts in a microwave), ensuring the temperature was just right—not too hot, but fully liquid and smooth.

2. Infusion: Once the base was fully melted, the magic happened! I removed it from the heat and stirred in the precise amount of Rose Essential Oil. This step is crucial for ensuring the therapeutic scent is evenly distributed throughout the batch.

3. The Pour: Working quickly (since the soap starts to set as it cools), I poured the scented liquid soap base into my waiting silicone molds.

4. The Bloom: While the liquid was still warm, I carefully placed the dried Rose Petals on the surface of each bar. I gently pressed them in place, ensuring they would be beautifully suspended once the soap fully cured.

5. Setting and Unmolding: I allowed the soaps to cool and set completely for several hours. The moment of truth came when I unmolded the very first bar—a beautiful, creamy white soap with the gentle fragrance of rose, ready to be enjoyed!

Every single bar is a unique reflection of this hands-on process. There are no two bars exactly alike, which is the hallmark of true artisan craftsmanship.

✨ A New Beginning for Your Skin

This first batch of Goat's Milk and Rose soap is much more than a simple cleanser; it's the realization of a commitment to simpler, more natural skincare. By understanding the critical difference between my handmade bars—rich in natural Glycerin—and the drying commercial alternatives, you can make a choice that truly benefits your skin.

Thank you for joining me on this journey! Whether you're looking for deep hydration, a gentle cleanse, or just a luxurious escape in the shower, I invite you to experience the difference that natural, handcrafted soap makes.