The Dirty Secret in Cheap Handmade Soap (and Why Your Skin Deserves Better)
The Truth About Olive Oil in Natural Handmade Soap
In the world of natural, handmade soap, ingredient quality is not a detail—it’s the absolute foundation.
As someone who has been crafting soap for many years (since 2012!), I’ve learned that olive oil is one of the most misunderstood yet most powerful ingredients. And here’s the thing: not all olive oil is created equal!
Many products labeled as olive oil are cut with cheap fillers that change everything about your soap—its scent, its shelf life, and its benefits for your skin.
I want to share some insider knowledge that most people never hear, even from other soapmakers. This is where being discerning and working from a place of integrity really matters.
How to Spot Genuine Olive Oil (and Why It Matters)
Most people think olive oil is just olive oil.
But the difference between fresh, authentic extra virgin olive oil and the watered-down versions sitting on supermarket shelves is night and day. Many oils—especially bargain ones—are adulterated with canola, soybean or nut oils. That means weaker soap, unpredictable formula, faster rancidity, and fewer skin benefits.
Here’s how I tell if an olive oil is the real deal:
Fresh scent: True olive oil has a fruity, peppery aroma—sometimes you’ll even feel a slight pepper tickle at the back of your throat if you taste it raw. Flat, greasy smells often point to adulteration. And cheap olive oils smells outright rancid.
Color with character: Golden-green, never watery. But don’t be fooled—color alone isn’t proof.
Solidification at cold temperatures: this is a great and easy test, but you need patience- genuine olive oil gets very thick and opaque, like a paste, when chilled
Shelf life matters: Olive oil that has sat too long on a warm store shelf begins breaking down before you even use it.
Trust your source: I buy from reliable suppliers with turnover high enough to guarantee freshness. Oils from grocery stores and the wal-store ;) are often already halfway to rancidity.
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Oils in Soap
Many customers who visit our market tables tell me how good our soaps smell—better than others they’ve tried or sniffed. I’ve noticed it myself too. Why? Because too many soapers cut corners, using the cheapest oils they can grab, sometimes even from grocery shelves where they’ve sat for months. That shortcut shows up immediately in the soap: rancid undertones, quicker spoilage, lackluster scent that overpowers fragrance and a harsh or sticky feel on the skin.
With genuine olive oil, you get soap that stays fresh longer, smells clean and subtle, and feels silky on the skin. No shortcuts, no compromise. This is what we're known for!
Why Olive Oil Is a Skincare Powerhouse
Olive oil is naturally rich in:
Squalene – a compound nearly identical to the skin’s own sebum, supporting balance and repair.
Polyphenols – potent antioxidants that fight environmental stress on the skin.
Vitamins A, D, E, and K – nourishing vitamins that support hydration, elasticity, and healing.
When you wash with handmade soap made with real olive oil, you’re not just cleaning your skin—you’re feeding it. The difference is noticeable: less dryness, more softness, amazing skin comfort and a healthy glow that synthetic soaps just can’t offer.
Synergy: Olive Oil and Its Perfect Partners
One of the “secrets” I’ve learned through years of formulation is that olive oil doesn’t work alone—it shines brightest in the right company. In cold process soap, I blend olive oil with other powerhouse oils and fats:
Lard → Creates a creamy, dense lather and a luxurious glide that commercial soaps can’t mimic and that aligns deeply with our skin.
Castor Oil → Enhances bubbly lather and adds humectant qualities to keep skin moisturized.
Coconut Oil → Delivers the cleansing power and the big, fluffy bubbles people love, while olive oil keeps it gentle.
High Oleic Sunflower Oil → Adds silkiness, extends shelf life, and boosts conditioning.
And here’s something few talk about: extra superfatting—intentionally leaving a portion of oils unsaponified. That’s where your skin feels the real nourishment, the protective barrier, and the softness that lingers after rinsing.
Why Local, Canadian Handmade Soap Matters
Every time you choose our natural, fresh, handmade soap made in Fredericton, Canada crafted with genuine olive oil, you’re choosing more than skincare. You’re supporting local wellness, a mompreneur and woman-owned bootstrap business. You’re saying yes to integrity, to purity, and to products made with thought and care.
At Skin Potion Naturals, I create soaps that embody health, wellness, and beauty—with ingredients chosen as carefully as food for your body. No cheap fillers, no corner-cutting, just real oils that deliver results your skin can feel.
Kelli