How To Tell If A Soap Is Truly Artisan (Not Just Handmade)
Table of Contents
What Makes a Soap “Handmade”?
A soap labeled “handmade” might still come from a factory mold. The term simply means it's not made entirely by machines — but that doesn't guarantee quality, purity, or care.
Some handmade soaps:
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Use premade bases full of preservatives
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Are colored with dyes and mica
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Include fragrance oils with unknown ingredients
That’s why it’s important to dig deeper.
What Sets Artisan Soap Apart?
Artisan soap isn’t just handmade — it’s handcrafted with intention.
Look for signs of a true artisan bar:
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Cold or hot process methods, not melt-and-pour
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A visible swirl or texture that shows small-batch craftsmanship
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Ingredients you recognize: shea butter, essential oils, herbs
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A formulation designed for skin health, not shelf life
True artisan soap takes time, patience, and deep knowledge of formulation.
The Red Flags of Mass-Produced “Handmade” Soaps
If a bar looks too perfect, it probably is. Here’s what to watch for:
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Uniform color and shape, often made in molds by the thousands
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A generic label without transparency about sourcing
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Overpowering synthetic scent labeled as just “fragrance”
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No mention of superfatting, curing time, or process method
When in doubt, flip the label and read the ingredients — or ask the maker directly.
How Josspure Embodies True Artisan Values
Every bar from Josspure is:
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Made in small batches by a certified herbalist
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Formulated using the cold process method
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Designed to support skin health with natural butters, oils, and botanicals
Some of our most intentional artisan creations include:
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Harmony Bar: with spirulina, chamomile, and shea butter
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Oatmeal Honey Soap: made with colloidal oats and raw honey
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Apple Cider Yogurt Bar: gentle and pH balancing
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Balance Bar: with tallow, tea tree, charcoal, and calendula
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Lavender Espresso: calming scent with exfoliating coffee grounds
FAQs
Q: How do I know if soap is cold process?
Look for signs like a matte finish, longer cure time, and natural textures. Cold process soap won’t look plastic or glossy.
Q: Is melt-and-pour soap bad?
Not bad — but not artisan. It’s more like a kit project than a crafted skincare solution.
Q: Why does true artisan soap cost more?
Because it’s made slowly, carefully, and with premium ingredients that nourish — not fill.
References
Summary
How can you tell if a soap is truly artisan?
True artisan soaps are made in small batches, use natural ingredients, follow traditional methods like cold process, and avoid synthetic fragrances. Look for transparency and visible craftsmanship.
🧼 Crafted with care. Chosen with intention.
Shop true artisan soap bars
Real ingredients. Real results. Real artisan.
