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Does Soap Lather Make You Clean?

Handmade Cold-Process soap are natural "Surfactants", PERIOD. So don't worry, you'll live.

Put it like this: More lather doesn't mean "cleaner" it means more stripped.

At TERRA-TORY, we aren't trying to damage the microbiome. We want to heal and nourish with each shower to help with damaged skin. Naturally.

Soap Lather DOES Make You Cleaner.

Scientists say that the main purpose of soap lather is to suspend dirt, grease, and grime by creating a great amount of surface tension in water. The friction of washing our skin traps dirt for easy removal while rinsing. Makes sense right? Good.

Is "More" Lather Better?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. In fact, handmade soaps such as ours create a clean, clear lather with plenty of natural glycerin for moisturizing. If you can feel a solid layer of lather covering the washed area, you are perfectly lathered (and clean) and ready to rinse!

Some big box detergent soaps contain foaming agents such as: Lauryl sulfate, cocamide DEA, TEA, and MEA, blah blah blah. We don't even bother looking at those...These chemicals are put in the soap purely to create a thick white lather that ultimately does more harm than good. 

If you suffer from eczema or dry, irritated skin, choosing a low lather soap is going to be your best friend. This way your not over cleansing the area and disrupting your microbiome. Controlling eczema or irritation (of any sort) hinges on a delicate balance of good skin oils, so you want to avoid over-washing and drying your skin out.

So, if you are using handmade soaps and you suddenly feel dry, chapped, itchy etc after showering, then your soap over washed you or your soap contains a high amount of "cleansing oils" such as Coconut Oil and/or Palm Oil. 

TERRA-TORY Low Lather

Our soaps have been praised time and again for their skin-conditioning benefits because they are omega fat oil-based. Our formulation creates a clean, creamy lather that leaves your skin feeling moisturized after rinsing.

In short, lather serves an important purpose in cleaning you during shower time but does not need to be extremely visible or thick. Stay away from foaming agents and start with a minimal lather if you have delicate skin. Lastly, avoid over-washing if your skin is feeling dry.