All throughout the history of mankind, handmade soap are among the most essential body cleaning items. Ranging from royalties to the lower social classes, people used natural soaps to keep their body well-cleaned at all times, with specific herbs and plants used as well to cure skin ailments. Over time, various cultures have developed their own methods of making soap bars, liquids and gels from natural ingredients. With the geographical barriers knock downed in the course of centuries, many introductions have been made into soap making, to include use of milk from animals to produce cow and goat milk soap products.
In the recent decades, societies’ choice of body cleansers has been greatly commercialized, with the introduction of mass-produced bars of soap. There’s always a new brand each year, with more and more scents and ingredients taking the place of the simple but beneficial handmade soap. Each product would be marketed as the answer to various skin conditions such as dryness and irritation, while some claim to have the foremost ingredients for a well-moisturized, younger looking skin.
Other soap variations have also come up in the course of history, like shaving soap products for both men and women and decorative soaps intended for beautifying bathrooms and emitting pleasant fragrances. The introduction of bath bombs stirred a growing craze as well, with the usual bath tub experience now accompanied by aromatic fizzes from these spherical soaps. We have as well cleansing bar creations called castile soap, milk soap and olive oil soaps that are so much more affordable than their more popular counterparts from leading manufacturers. They come so friendly with anyone’s budget that most 
users buy wholesale soap packages instead of their usual practice of buying a few bars at a time.
Sadly, not all advantages of the natural soaps are present in these recently designed products. In place of the beneficial herbal ingredients are chemicals that are not at all healthy for the skin. While some of the components of these soap bars do render better looking and healthier glow, their long-running effects counter the natural processes of the skin layers. For example, glycerine soap products used to be sufficient in providing moisture to the skin. However, many commercial soap bars decreased the glycerine content in the soap-making process and replaced them with synthetic ingredients. Thus, its healthiness on the skin is decimated.
Some cultures today even top sales in producing “luxury soaps” that would whiten their skin, earning public outburst within their country
that the brands are putting down their natural skin color. This only goes to say that even more chemicals and harmful elements are being added into soap products to alter skin composition to produce desired color. Such is just an example of how much harm can these mass produced body cleansing agents can do.
With the growing interest in these homemade products, more designs from highly creative soap molds, and unusual scents and colors continue to come out for public consumption. What’s more, some bars come with varied textures as they are mixed with cloves, cinnamon sticks and plant seeds. Of course, the primary function of these soaps is to clean skin and leave it healthier with its organic components. Apart from overall body cleansing, many soaps are specifically designed for shaving purposes, facial treatments and cure for some skill ailments. They come highly attractive as well with colorful chips and decorative elements from dried herbs and flowers.
As there are so many soap products today that are handmade by hobbyists, small-time entrepreneurs and local organizations, it is important to know each type. Apart from the basic knowledge of their benefits, it is important for consumers to know their ingredients and components, as well as their specific purposes.
For one, shaving soap products are made to make the routine easier. The soap softens the hair and thus makes shaving easier, and then leaves the skin moisturized. With this healthier option, risky procedures such as waxing, laser applications and frequent shavings are eliminated.
Like all milk soap that pours all the nutritional elements of the drink to the skin, goats milk soap is truly a healthy bar type. It provides similar moisturizing effect on the skin like the effect of using glycerine soap, the way sour 
cream milk and cow’s milk produces the same results. Historically, using milk from animals for soap making came about during the same time that lye soap was also used in the same process.
Some soap types have healthy amounts of natural oils as well, like the liquid castile soap and olive oil soap products. Both organic varieties aid skin processes by providing essential oils that are otherwise lacking in some people. Castile soaps are usually made with jojoba and coconut oils, while some castile bars have olive oils as well. On the other hand, olive oils in soap bars have always been known for their gentle and pure attributes, working well with the most sensitive skin types. Both soap types, however, are understandably known for lesser lather. But definitely, they provide the safe, thorough cleansing of skin.
As for luxury soap types, all the essential ingredients in soap making are used and then added with expensive and exotic oils. These handcrafted cleansing bars are usually ranked among
decorative soap types for their delicate designs and costly ingredients. Definitely, people with limited budget could only go with wholesale soap purchases over other types, but not with luxury soaps that could surely drain one’s purse.With all the information about organic, healthy and affordable soaps crafted by people, we come to an age where commercial soaps and cleansers are slowly taking the back seat of preference. Indeed, people desire a healthier option when it comes to their daily routines, and there’s no exchange for that affordable handcrafted bar soap that leaves a pleasant, clean smell. Even the most popular soap with the best TV ad cannot beat the safe results of natural herbs and other ingredients!
