The Truth About Store-Bought Bar Soap vs. Wild Timber’s Natural Soap

When you pick up a bar of soap from the store, you expect it to do one thing: clean your skin. But not all bars are actually soap—in fact, most big-brand "soaps" can’t even legally call themselves that. Instead, they’re detergent bars, made with synthetic ingredients that strip your skin of its natural moisture. At Wild Timber Soap Company, we craft real soap, made from saponified plant-based oils—just like true soap should be. The difference isn’t just in the label; it’s in how your skin feels after every wash.

What Is Real Soap?

To be legally classified as soap, a product must be made through saponification—the process of mixing natural oils with an alkali (lye) to create a solid cleansing bar. This chemical reaction produces glycerin, a highly moisturizing byproduct that helps your skin retain hydration. True soap is simple—oil, lye, and water—nothing artificial.

Most commercial "soaps" are not actually soap at all; they are synthetic detergent bars. Since they don’t meet the legal definition of soap, you’ll often see them labeled as “beauty bars,” “cleansing bars,” or “moisturizing bars” instead. These bars use chemical detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) to create lather, but they also strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.

Why Are Parabens and Sulfates a Problem?

Big-brand soap manufacturers use parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances to extend shelf life and create strong scents that last for months. However, parabens have been linked to hormone disruption, and sulfates (like SLS) are known to cause skin irritation and dryness. These ingredients may make your soap foamier or last longer, but they don’t do your skin any favors.

At Wild Timber, we believe your soap should work with your skin, not against it. That’s why our bars are completely free from parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives. Instead, we use pure essential oils and botanical extracts to create bold, natural scents that don’t compromise your skin’s health.

Store-Bought Bar Soap vs. Wild Timber Soap: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever stepped out of the shower with tight, itchy, or dry skin, it’s likely because you’ve been using a detergent-based bar. These bars rely on petroleum-based ingredients and synthetic foaming agents, which leave behind a residue that can clog pores and trigger skin irritation. Many also contain triclosan, a chemical once used in antibacterial soaps but later banned by the FDA due to health concerns.

Wild Timber’s natural soap, on the other hand, is made entirely from plant-based oils, minerals, and natural exfoliants. Instead of artificial foaming agents, our soaps create a rich, creamy lather naturally through saponified oils like coconut, olive, and castor oil. We don’t strip your skin—we cleanse it while locking in moisture.

The Power of Natural Glycerin

One of the biggest differences between handmade soap and store-bought soap is glycerin content. During commercial soap manufacturing, companies remove the natural glycerin from their bars and sell it separately for use in lotions and cosmetics. Why? Because glycerin is incredibly moisturizing, and they’d rather sell it as a separate product.

Wild Timber’s soaps retain their natural glycerin, meaning every bar helps keep your skin soft, hydrated, and protected. Instead of needing lotion after your shower, our soap nourishes your skin as you cleanse.

Real Ingredients = Real Benefits

When you use Wild Timber’s paraben-free, all-natural soap, you’re not just avoiding harmful chemicals—you’re getting a better cleanse with skin-loving ingredients. Our bars contain:
✔ Cold-pressed plant oils that nourish and hydrate your skin
✔ Essential oils that provide real aromatherapy benefits (not synthetic fragrance oils)
✔ Mineral-rich elements like activated charcoal and clays for deep cleansing
✔ No synthetic detergents, parabens, or artificial preservatives

Make the Switch to Real Soap

Your skin is your body’s largest organ—it deserves better than chemicals and synthetic fillers. When you choose Wild Timber, you’re choosing real soap, made the way it was meant to be. No parabens, no detergents, no artificial junk—just pure, handcrafted bars that cleanse, nourish, and leave you feeling refreshed. Once you experience the difference, you’ll never go back to store-bought bars again. Try it for yourself and feel the power of nature in every lather. 🌲🧼