Myth #9: Its Ingredients are All-natural
Myth #9: Its Ingredients Are “All-Natural”
Hand-Processed Soap ‘CAN’ Include Synthetic Ingredients
The FDA has not defined the word “natural,” or “organic” in relation to soap, leaving “natural” as a broad and somewhat subjective label. According to FDA standards, a product categorized as soap may contain both naturally derived and synthetically produced ingredients, such as essential oils, fragrance oils, or approved colorants, provided all ingredients are permitted for their intended use.
Some artisan soap makers choose to formulate soap using only naturally derived ingredients, such as herbs or food-based colorants, and fragrance their soap with EOs. This type of soap is commonly associated with the term natural soap. On the other hand, soap made with fragrance oils (FOs) and colored with micas or oxides is usually referred to simply as soap, without the natural descriptor. Regardless of these distinctions, the FDA classifies both types equally as soap.
The higher cost of natural ingredients like EOs often deters some soap makers from using them exclusively. Additionally, natural colorants tend to fade or change over time, which is why many choose to use FDA-approved, skin-safe synthetic colorants that are more stable.
Interestingly, even synthetic materials originate from natural resources in some way. For example:
- Glass is made from sand.
- Polyester is derived from petroleum.
- Coal is entirely natural.
Soap Colorants
Eco-friendly natural colorants can be used in soap, but these often produce muted pastel shades that are prone to fading or morphing. To achieve brighter and longer-lasting designs, many soap makers rely on FDA-approved colorants. While these colorants are synthetically produced, some mimic natural substances, such as mica and oxides, and are considered nature-identical.
From FDA’s site: “Colors exempt from certification. These color additives are obtained primarily from mineral, plant, or animal sources. They are not subject to batch certification requirements….”
The FDA permits the following colorants for external use, including around the eyes and lips:
- Micas
- Titanium Dioxide
- Iron Oxides
- Ultramarines (not allowed for use in lip products)
Fragrance Options
Soap makers can choose from several fragrance types:
- Essential Oils (EOs): Derived from natural sources, though their scent can vary due to fluctuating component ratios.
- Fragrance Oils (FOs): Synthetically produced but consistent and long-lasting.
- Natural Fragrance Oils: A newer option claiming eco-friendliness but often more expensive.
Benefits of Using Fragrance Oils (FOs)
Fragrance oils offer several advantages over essential oils:
- Longevity: FOs are non-volatile, which means their scent lasts longer in finished soap.
- Diversity: Synthetic production enables a wider variety of scents, unhindered by the limitations of natural extraction.
- Consistency: Unlike EOs, which can vary in scent due to natural factors, FOs maintain uniformity across batches.
Incorporating both natural and synthetic elements in soap making allows for a broader range of creative possibilities, catering to a variety of preferences while ensuring the final product remains safe and high-quality.
Actually, if one thinks about it, man has not made anything that didn’t originate from nature: glass is made from sand and here.
Glass is produced from sand; also here
Glass is made by heating sand until it melts, then cooling it in a controlled way so it hardens without forming crystals.
Step-by-Step: Turning Sand Into Glass
Starting with silica sand
The main ingredient in most glass is silica sand, which is rich in silicon dioxide. This type of sand comes from quartz-rich rocks that have been naturally weathered over long periods of time.Adding other natural materials
Sand alone melts at very high temperatures, so other materials are added to make the process practical:Soda ash (from natural mineral sources) lowers the melting temperature
Limestone (calcium carbonate) strengthens the finished glass and makes it more durable
Melting the mixture
The combined materials are heated in a furnace to extremely high temperatures—around 3,000°F (1,650°C). At this point, the solid materials melt into a glowing, molten liquid.Forming the glass
The molten glass can be shaped by blowing, rolling, pressing, or floating it on molten metal, depending on the final product (bottles, windows, jars, etc.).Controlled cooling (annealing)
The shaped glass is cooled slowly. This prevents internal stresses and allows the glass to harden into a strong, transparent solid.
Petroleum originates from microscopic marine organisms, primarily plankton (algae and microorganisms) that lived in ancient seas.
When these organisms died, they settled to the seafloor along with fine sediments such as mud and clay. In certain environments—especially low-oxygen (anoxic) conditions—this organic material did not fully decompose. Instead, it became preserved within the accumulating sediment layers.
As more sediments piled on top over time, the buried organic matter was subjected to increasing pressure and heat. Over millions of years, this combination of burial, heat, and pressure caused the organic material to undergo chemical transformation:
First into a waxy, solid substance called kerogen
And then, with continued heat and time, into liquid petroleum and natural gas
These hydrocarbons later migrated through porous rock layers and became trapped in geological formations, forming the oil and gas reservoirs we extract today.
Polyester ultimately comes from petroleum, which itself began as microscopic marine organisms (such as plankton) that lived in ancient oceans millions of years ago. Over vast spans of time, heat and pressure deep underground transformed this ancient organic material into crude oil.
Crude oil is not used directly to make polyester. Instead, it is refined and chemically processed to obtain specific small molecules that serve as building blocks for plastics and synthetic fibers.
Coal began as plants that grew in ancient wetlands, such as swamps and bogs, hundreds of millions of years ago. When these plants died, they fell into waterlogged environments where there was very little oxygen. Because of this low-oxygen setting, the plant material did not fully decay. Instead, it slowly accumulated and formed a spongy, carbon-rich material called peat.
Over time, changes in the environment—such as flooding, land movement, or sea level shifts—buried these peat layers under mud, sand, and other sediments. As more material piled on top, the weight created increasing pressure, and heat from the Earth gradually intensified.
Over millions of years, this combination of burial, pressure, and heat chemically transformed the peat. First it became softer forms of coal, and with continued compression and heat, it eventually turned into harder, more carbon-dense coal.
Because coal originates from once-living plants and forms through natural geological processes, it is accurate to say that coal is natural in its origin—even though the material we use today is very different from the plants it once was.
Key Takeaway
The term “all natural” has no formal regulatory definition in soapmaking. While some soaps are formulated exclusively with naturally derived ingredients, others responsibly incorporate synthetically produced components for stability, consistency, and safety. What matters most is not whether an ingredient is labeled “natural” or “synthetic,” but whether it is appropriate for use, properly disclosed, and safe in the finished product.
Educational & Informational Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It is intended to share general knowledge about traditional soapmaking, ingredient behavior, historical context, and manufacturing processes.
Nothing on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The products offered are classified as soap under FDA guidelines and are not intended to affect the structure or function of the skin or body. Individual experiences and preferences may vary.
Information presented here should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical condition, skin concern, or sensitivity, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any product.
This website may reference or link to third-party scientific, technical, or educational resources for general learning purposes. These references are provided to support transparency and encourage independent research, not as endorsements or medical guidance.
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