Natural Soaps vs Shower Gels: Which to Choose?
Introduction
Torn between natural bar soap and shower gel? You're not alone. Faced with shelves overflowing with colorful bottles and artisanal soap bars, making the right choice for your skin and the planet isn't always easy. Yet, this seemingly simple decision can have a significant impact on your daily well-being and your environmental footprint.
Let's explore the differences between these two hygiene products together to help you make an informed choice.
1. Composition: what do they really contain?
Natural soaps
A truly natural soap is made up of simple, recognizable ingredients: vegetable oils (olive, coconut, shea, hemp, flax), water, and an alkaline agent for saponification. Handcrafted soaps made using the cold process method preserve the natural glycerin and properties of the vegetable oils, resulting in a superfatted product that nourishes the skin.
Certified organic (like COSMOS ORGANIC), they guarantee a 100% natural origin and a composition from organic farming of at least 70%.
Conventional shower gels
Shower gels, even those that claim to be "natural", generally contain a much longer list of ingredients: synthetic surfactants for foam, preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol), synthetic perfumes, colorants, thickeners and a large amount of water (often 70 to 80% of the composition).
Although some organic shower gels exist, their formulation remains more complex than that of a natural soap.
2. Benefits for the skin
Natural soap: gentleness and respect
Contrary to popular belief, a good natural superfatted soap does not dry out the skin. On the contrary:
- It respects the skin's natural pH thanks to its balanced composition
- It is suitable for sensitive skin as it does not contain irritating ingredients.
- It nourishes and hydrates thanks to natural glycerin and plant oils.
- It gently cleanses without damaging the protective hydrolipidic film
Soaps enriched with precious oils (argan, French hemp, flax) bring elasticity, comfort and radiance to all skin types.
Shower gel: lather and convenience
The shower gel offers a generous lather and a pleasant texture, but:
- Surfactants can dry out the skin in the long term
- Synthetic fragrances can irritate sensitive skin
- The feeling of "cleanliness" often comes from stripping rather than gentle cleaning.
3. Environmental impact: a choice that matters
Solid soap: the zero-waste champion
The ecological impact of natural soap is incomparable:
- Zero plastic : recyclable or compostable cardboard packaging
- 100% biodegradable : does not pollute water
- Optimized transport : no water to transport, therefore a reduced carbon footprint
- Shelf life : a 100g bar of soap lasts as long as a 250ml bottle
- Handcrafted production : often made locally, short supply chain
Shower gel: the plastic footprint
- Plastic bottle (even if recyclable, recycling consumes energy)
- 70-80% of water transported unnecessarily
- Synthetic ingredients derived from petrochemicals
- Water pollution from non-biodegradable waste
4. Economic aspect: soap, a smart investment
At first glance, a handmade soap may seem more expensive than a supermarket shower gel. But let's do the math:
- A 100g natural soap costs between €5 and €10 and lasts 2 to 3 months (depending on usage)
- A 250ml shower gel costs between €3 and €8 and lasts approximately 1 month
Over a year, natural soap often works out cheaper, while offering superior quality and minimal environmental impact.
5. How to choose your natural soap?
To enjoy all the benefits of a natural soap, here are the essential criteria:
✅ Opt for cold process soap making
This artisanal process preserves the properties of vegetable oils and natural glycerin, unlike industrial hot saponification.
✅ Check the labels
COSMOS ORGANIC, Nature & Progrès, Slow Cosmétique: these certifications guarantee a natural and organic composition.
✅ Read the INCI list
It should be short and understandable: vegetable oils, water, glycerin, essential oils or natural perfumes.
✅ Choose according to your skin type
- Sensitive skin : gentle soap with linseed oil, fragrance-free or with a delicate fragrance
- Suitable for all skin types : hemp oil soap for elasticity and comfort
- Need a little pampering ? Orange blossom soap for a soothing sensory journey.
Our selection: Roche Mara soaps
At Ünoë, we have selected three exceptional soaps from the Roche Mara brand for you, all COSMOS ORGANIC certified and made using the cold process method:
🌸 The Flowery
Softness, radiance & a sensory journey
Enriched with organic argan oil, this soap with its delicate citrus and orange blossom fragrance gently cleanses and respects all skin types, even the most sensitive. Its creamy lather transforms your daily routine into a luminous ritual.
100% natural origin • 70% organic • All skin types • 100g
🍊 Citrus Fruit
Softness, elasticity & zesty shine
Formulated with French hemp oil, this soap restores elasticity, comfort, and suppleness to the skin. Its fresh, zesty fragrance with elegant citrus notes brings energy and vitality to your daily routine.
100% natural origin • 70% organic • All skin types • 100g
🌾 The Essentials
Soft and comforting
Designed for all skin types, even the most sensitive, this soap enriched with French linseed oil nourishes, hydrates, and helps rebuild the skin's protective barrier. Its delicate fragrance and creamy lather transform your daily routine into a comforting, natural treatment.
100% natural origin • 70% organic • Sensitive skin • 100g
Conclusion: Natural soap, a simple gesture for yourself and the planet
Choosing a natural soap instead of a shower gel is a gesture that benefits both your skin and the environment. Healthier, more economical, more ecological: handcrafted soap ticks all the boxes for conscious well-being.
How about switching to bar soap? Your skin will thank you, and so will the planet. 🌿
Discover our selection of Roche Mara natural soaps and adopt a shower ritual that suits you.