What’s Really in Your Soap?
Let’s Talk About the Difference Between Commercial and Natural Soap
If you’ve ever picked up a bar of soap at the store and flipped it over to check the label, chances are you were met with a long list of ingredients that sound more like a science experiment than something you’d want on your skin.
At 99 Oaks Farm, we’re all about keeping things simple, natural, and honest. So let’s break it down together: what’s actually in most commercial soaps — and how is that different from our handmade goat milk soap?
Commercial Soap: Not Quite What It Seems
Here’s a little secret most people don’t know: many of those bars lining the grocery store shelves aren’t actually soap at all. They’re labeled as “beauty bars,” “cleansing bars,” or “deodorant bars” for a reason — because they’re technically synthetic detergents, not true soap.
These bars often contain:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – a harsh foaming agent that’s known to irritate skin
- Fragrance – a vague term that can include dozens of undisclosed chemicals
- Tetrasodium EDTA – a preservative that helps the soap stay stable in hard water
- Petroleum-derived ingredients – like paraffin or mineral oil, which offer no real nourishment
- Artificial dyes and colors – often unnecessary and potentially irritating
Sure, they lather well and get you “squeaky clean,” but that’s part of the problem — they strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry, tight, and sometimes even itchy.
Natural Goat Milk Soap: What You See Is What You Get
Now let’s talk about what we put in our natural goat milk soap — because we’re proud of it.
Every bar we make at 99 Oaks Farm starts with fresh raw goat milk from our own herd. We make natural goat milk soap the old-fashioned way — using simple, nourishing ingredients like fresh goat milk and pure essential oils.
Goat milk is loaded with vitamins, gentle exfoliating enzymes, and moisturizing fats that your skin actually wants.
To that, we add:
- Olive oil – rich in antioxidants and super hydrating
- Organic coconut oil – creates a bubbly lather and gently cleanses
- Sweet almond oil – extra skin nourishment
- Sustainable Palm oil - strengthens the bar and improves lather, responsibly sourced to protect rainforests and wildlife
- Pure essential oils – no mystery “fragrance” here
- Natural clays, herbs, and botanicals – for color and added skin benefits
That’s it. No gimmicky ingredients, no weird preservatives, no synthetic detergents, and nothing you can’t pronounce without a chemistry degree.
Quick Comparison: Side by Side
| Ingredient Type | Commercial Soap | 99 Oaks Goat Milk Soap |
|---|---|---|
| Cleanser | Synthetic detergent (SLS, etc.) | Saponified plant oils |
| Fragrance | Artificial/parfum | Essential oils |
| Moisture | Often removed or synthetic | Natural glycerin + nourishing oils |
| Add-ins | Preservatives, dyes, fillers | Goat milk, herbs, clays |
| Skin effect | Can dry or irritate | Soothes and moisturizes |
Why It Matters
When you’re trying to make more natural choices — whether it’s with your food, your cleaning products, or your skincare — soap is a great place to start.
Our skin is our largest organ, and what you use on it every day matters. With goat milk soap, you’re getting something that’s truly gentle, nourishing, and free of unnecessary junk.
Ready to Make the Switch?
We know that once you try real, natural soap — especially one made with fresh goat milk — you’ll never want to go back. Your skin will thank you, and you’ll feel better knowing exactly what you’re using.
Shop Our Natural Goat Milk Soaps »
And if you’re not sure what’s in the soap you’re using now, keep an eye out — we’ve got a free Soap Label Cheat Sheet coming your way soon. It’s a quick guide to help you spot the good, the bad, and the stuff to avoid.