Bare Basic Soap



That bar of soap up there may not look like much, but it's a unique piece of hand-crafted skin care.

It was made in Crete.


Here is the ingredients list – in its entirety:

  • sodium olivate (saponified olive oil)
  • aqua (water)
  • sodium chloride (salt)

If you've studied a bit about soapmaking, you may already be oohing just a little. Getting a perfect result using only olive oil as the fat content in bar of soap takes a lot of skill.

Or so I am told.

I still have not gotten serious about cold process soapmaking.

I want to, but my to-do list is a mile and a half long and keeps growing.

Meantime, I buy soap.

Actually, this particular bar of soap is only in my possession because ALL my beautiful fabulous soaps by Tina got used up.

I was desperate.

So I went shopping.

Honestly? It's good, but doesn't measure up to Tinas soaps.

I keep waiting for her to open her shop so I can stock up.

Comments

Signe said…
That looks nice - but I wouldn't change home made soaps for anything anymore. :)
María said…
When I was still living in Spain I made quite a lot of these (it's also called Castile soap). I lived near Madrid (but I was born in La Mancha, like the cheese XD), where it's hot and dry, and soaps cured beautifully. But since I live in Scotland, it's a different story.
Although olive oil soaps are wonderful for skin, I don't really like them, I don't like the gooeyness of its texture, and it's not enough foamy for me. I like soaps really hard and foamy
I normally make soaps with a high content in coconut oil (at least 30%).
Having said that, when the olive soap is well done, oh my god it's sooooooooooooo wonderful...
Liz said…
I'm actually from Crete and was pleasantly surprised to see you feature this soap! It's a staple in every home and is used in anything from personal hygiene to laundry to house cleaning. I'd never really thought about how difficult it is to make soap with only 3 ingredients so thanks for making me think of an item I used to take for granted in a new light! :)
LisaLise said…
Hi Liz - How wonderful! I'm very pleased to be enjoying my lovely soap, and am indeed impressed with how gentle is it. :)
LisaLise said…
Signe- I envy you your own homemade soaps!!
LisaLise said…
HI María - Oh my goodness you also are a soap-making master! I have the impression you make everything you use, am I right? :)
María said…
Hi Lise,
To be honest, I'm far, far, far away of being a master on anything, but you are indeed right, I make almost everything I use myself.
I still struggle with make up (and I cannot make a decent mascara or eyeliner for the life of me, so I buy organic ones) and also buy the dishwasher detergent. I have not still found a recipe that leave my dishes as I want.
But I make all the rest, from washing machine detergent to shampoo and creams :)
Tina CPH said…
How sweet of you Lise :-) I actually have some Rose wax soaps ready for you soon -they were curing (drying) and I did not get around to sending them before Easter.
I have some Castille soap as well and to me it's a little slimy unless used with a sponge or one of those net-things that Body Shops sells. If you use one of those it lathers nicely and that's usually what I use in the shower - I have a "Summer castille" with mint oil that you should try :-)

I don't mean to brag but I tried a handmade soap that was gifted to me and I find it too scented and drying. Time to go make more soaps :-)

God (forsinket) Påske!
KH Tina
Olivia J said…
This is an interesting sounding soap especially having only 3 ingredients. But I was also thinking in terms of cosmetics. I remember mascara or my favorite mascaras way back in the 70's & 80's were soap based. Now these are hard to find anymore but imagine this soap as a base for cake mascaras!

I am bookmarking this post!!
LisaLise said…
Hi Tina - OMG I can't wait til your soaps are ready! Mail me, ok? Yay!
LisaLise said…
Hi Olivia - Oh that is so interesting! I remember cake mascara, and had no clue it was soap based--- this just made my to-do list.. how to make a cake mascara. Thanks for the inspiration!
LisaLise said…
María - I think you are too modest. From your comments it sounds like you have a LOT of knowledge in making products. :)