To understand the answer, we have to go back to how real soap is made.  By 'real soap', we mean soap that is made with natural vegetable oils, lye and no added detergents.  Most real soaps are made with coconut,  palm and olive oils.  In authentic soapmaking, these oils are mixed with sodium hydroxide (or 'lye').  This mix drives a wonderful molecular transformation that takes place called saponification - a process by which a fat (i.e. the oils) are converted into soap.  During saponification, each lye molecule bonds with an oil molecule and makes soap.

A by-product of the soap making process is glycerin, a clear, vegetable-based oil.  Vegetable glycerin is a powerful 'humectant' - a substance that promoted the retention of moisture.   In fact, a glycerin soap bar, left out in a humid environment will actual become coated with tiny moisture (water) beads - proof of it's moisture drawing power.  When the glycerin is left in the soap, it makes an incredibly gentle, mild and moisturizing cleanser.  

Unfortunately for us, most soap companies remove much of the naturally occurring glycerin and use it to make moisturizers, creams and other expensive beauty products.  The soap is often amended by adding detergents or other chemical compounds that, although they are cleansing, strip skin of moisture and oils.  Ironically, large soap companies today sell detergent soaps that strip your skin, then sell you the moisturizer or cream to replenish it!  

So, it's not at all strange that glycerin soap users discover they can skip the expensive moisturizers - because their skin has never felt better! If you suffer from super-sensitive skin, you may have already heard that dermatologists recommend glycerin soap to their patients for this very reason.  It has a silky, low-lather, is gently cleansing and contains no harsh detergents - it's exactly they way soap should be.

What is the difference between opaque soaps and glycerin soap?

The term 'glycerin soap' has come to mean the type of soap that is clear or transparent.  This is a bit of a misnomer.  In fact, all unadulterated real soap contains glycerin yet some are opaque and some are transparent.   All glycerin soaps start off as opaque, but when additional glycerin is added, it becomes transparent.  This additional step, of adding more vegetable glycerin to soap, not only adds even more moisturizing power, it also makes the soap beautifully clear (it's truly like magic!).

The world is moving at an ever increasing pace.  In particular, the proliferation of chemicals in our products and foods, as well as the scaling of manufacturing technologies have been great at producing "soap" for the masses.  These detergent soaps are cheap and they clean, but at what cost?  The latest trend in personal care -  "Moisturizing body wash"  -feels good and smells great.  But read the ingredients label - the list of chemical compounds they contain are unpronouncable!  Exposure to product and environmental chemicals are an assault on our bodies immune systems and result in a variety of adverse symptoms, sensitivities and ailments.   

If you are concerned about this trend, then you have found your new glycerin soap company.  Our passion is to create the most beautiful and beneficial glycerin soap products available.  We stand behind every bar and we want to be your soap company for life! 

Other glycerin soap benefits....

Eczema, psoriasis and sensitivity to fragrance: Thousands of Tamarinda customers have reported improvement in these skin conditions after using glycerin soap. We make unscented bath bars and facial soaps just for these ultra-sensitive skin types.

As a shampoo:  Use glycerin soap as a shampoo and you'll find it will leave your hair soft and smooth?  Scalp issues?  Some are simply caused by sensitivity to the chemical shampoo ingredients and are eliminated when using glycerin soap.  Dry scalp or forehead - shampoo with glycerin soap and it's gone!   We recommend our olive glycerin facial soap as a shampoo bar.

Save on expensive skin care products:  Large cosmetic brands would like you to believe that spending hundreds of dollars a year on cleansers, moisturizers and serums will turn back the clock.  All you really need is a natural soap. Making glycerin soap the basis of your simplified skin care regime will leave your skin clean and moisturized.  Even your dermatologiest will agree!  Add  a daub of 100% shea butter for dryier complexions and your done - your skin (and your wallet) will love you for it!

For Babies and kids:  Glycerin soap is also great for babies and children.  Yes, be careful around eyes, but it is better than a 'no more tears' formulation -  (did you know that 'no more tears' formulations contain an anesthetic??)

For Pets:  Pet skin is supersensitive and most pet skin do not contain a high the level of natural oils.  Skip the chemical pet shampoos and wash your pet with glycerin soap - see our pet care section!

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