Bonuderm – A Personal Journey That Started with A Natural, Unscented, Gentle Soap
I used to think soap was just soap. You grab whatever is on the store shelf, lather up, rinse, and go on about your day. I never questioned what I was putting on my skin until one day, my arms started itching, my cheeks turned red and dry, and it didn’t stop! I needed a gentle soap asap!
Even the so-called “sensitive skin” commercial bars didn’t seem to help. That’s when I started paying attention to what was actually in the ingredients of those perfectly packaged commercial soaps I had been using for years. What I found shocked me…
Parabens. Sulfates. Artificial dyes. Synthetic fragrances. Things I couldn’t even pronounce, let alone understand. It was like reading a chemistry experiment instead of a list of ingredients for something that’s supposed to help me clean my body and nourish my skin. I realized I had been coating myself in substances I didn’t recognize, and my body was reacting subtly at first, and then more overtly. That was the turning point. I decided to ditch the harsh commercial stuff and try something different something natural, and for that, using my engineering background, and with my husband by my side, we started experimenting around with creating truly good quality soaps.
Our first bar of natural soap wasn’t fancy. It was a simple, straightforward unscented gentle soap, and which is now our hero today! Eventually we added other scents. It smelled like an actual thing you could eat, not a perfumed factory. When we used it, it didn’t lather up into a dramatic foam like the commercials show, but it felt creamy and smooth on the skin. And afterward? No tightness. No weird residue. Just clean, soft skin that actually felt... nourished.
Now, when I think about what I’m not putting on my body like synthetic preservatives, heavy detergents, or plastic waste it feels worth it. My skin is healthier. I don’t have mystery rashes or random dry patches. What was even more important for us to realize was that skin absorbs and basically “eats” soaps, lotions and fragrances. This blew my mind and my understanding, which helped us commit to using plant-based ingredients.
Over time, we started learning more about ingredients such as coconut oil for cleansing and moisture, rosemary and lavender for relaxation, and oatmeal for soothing irritation.
This also helped us to realized that using gentle soap wasn’t just about cleaning anymore. It was about connecting to our skin, to the earth, and to people (others facing the same skin issues I was going through). So, we decided to create Bonuderm!
Why I Created Bonuderm, a Natural, Gentle Soap Line
As you can see, my journey toward creating a line of natural soaps did not begin in a boardroom or with a marketing plan, but with a deeply personal realization.
As my husband and I conducted further research about traditional skincare remedies and the ways people once turned to nature oils, clays, herbs, and plant butters to soothe and nourish the skin. The more we learned, the more I felt a calling: to create something simple, natural, and thoughtful. Something that felt like a return home and that others would truly enjoy.
The First Full Batch of Gentle Soap
Our first full batch of soap was made in my kitchen with a handful of ingredients: almond oil, shea butter and coconut oil, starting with a simple unscented soap as mentioned earlier. I wasn’t aiming to start a business at first, I just wanted to make something I could use without fear. The process was messy, slow, and full of trial and error, but when I held those bars in my hand, I felt an unexpected surge of pride. Not only was it gentle and nourishing, but it also felt like peace and beauty from the inside out.
As I shared my soaps with friends and family, I started hearing their stories too. Eczema, psoriasis, allergies, and other skin sensitivities that had never found relief in store-bought products. Their gratitude and encouragement pushed me further, and slowly, the idea of starting my own line of natural soaps became something more than a dream it became a purpose.
That purpose soon took form as Bonuderm, which stands for Bonu: ethically good and derm: skin…”ethically good for your skin.”
First batch of unscented soaps ever!
Bonuderm: Self-Care and Conscious Beauty Reimagined
Bonuderm is now more than just soap. For me, it’s a philosophy. A way of re-imagining self-care as something gentle, intentional, and rooted in respect for the body, for the earth, and for our emotional well-being. In today’s culture, self-care is often portrayed as indulgence spa days, luxury products, and picture-perfect routines. I see it as something deeper. Real self-care, especially for those with sensitive skin, is about purpose, full transparency, and a return to simplicity.
Each Bonuderm bar is meant to be a small but impactful ritual. A reminder to slow down, to care for yourself and the planet with the same gentleness you offer to others. I purposefully choose science-backed, plant-based ingredients not just for their skin benefits, but also for their sustainability and ethical sourcing. The kind of natural ingredients that make you feel good and give you peace of mind. I hardness the power of natural plant oils, like our ancestors did, which is why we go back to ancient but effective ingredients. Shea butter for nourishment. Coconut oil for cleansing and conditioning. Oatmeal for calm. Lavender for comfort. Peppermint for clarity. Every scent, texture, and lather is designed to bring you back into your body and help you feel grounded.
Bonuderm became a vessel to bring awareness that real beauty comes from responsible and conscious self-care. Our mission is to craft gentle, intentional, plant-based personal care for sensitive skin, with minimal waste and full transparency.
Conscious Choices, Honest Ingredients
From the beginning, I’ve been committed to transparency. You deserve to know what’s in the products you’re using. That’s why every ingredient in Bonuderm soaps is carefully selected for its purity, sustainability, and efficacy. Most importantly, we always disclose our ingredients so you know exactly what goes on your skin. We purposefully avoid synthetic “fragrances” or “perfume,” which often contain hidden chemicals that companies are not required to disclose. Instead, we don’t use fragrances at all in our unscented soap, and for scented soaps, we only use premium essential oils.
We never use synthetic colorants like titanium dioxide, micas, FD&C dyes (like Red No 40, Green No 3, and others), which are popular because they create bright, eye-catching colors and are often found in commercial and “natural” soaps. Instead, we use natural colorants from food-grade ingredients like turmeric, coffee, oils, and natural clays.
Thanks to the cold processed used to make our soaps, we avoid unnecessary preservatives like Triclosan, Parabens, or additives like Tetrasodium EDTA. We also skip harsh foaming agents like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which can be drying and irritating for sensitive skin. We rely only on pure plant oils that gently cleanse and nourish you skin.
This isn’t about trends or greenwashing it’s about integrity. The earth gives us so much, and I believe in honoring that by creating products that are both good for your skin and gentle on the planet, while using sustainable packaging. This is big for me. If we can avoid plastic, we will. Or at least reduce it as much as possible, which is why our soaps are plastic-free and we are always looking for ways to avoid excessive packaging, using only what is truly needed.
Building a Community of Gentle & Intentional Care
One of the most unexpected joys of this journey has been the community that’s formed around Bonuderm. Sensitive skin can be isolating. It often feels like your needs are an afterthought in the beauty industry. But through this brand, I’ve connected with people who share similar stories, struggles, and values. People who want more than just a product; they want to feel seen and know that their choices have a minimum impact on mama earth.
We love feedback, and there is nothing more satisfying than hearing or reading stories from people who say they get healthy, calm skin in just one use, or that they appreciate the plastic-free packaging and made with real natural ingredients. Together, we’re reshaping the conversation around conscious beauty and gentle yet powerful personal care. We’re embracing our unique needs and celebrating them with pure, intentional, low waste daily choices.
This is what our vision is all about. It’s more than selling products; it’s about creating a community of conscious consumers who care for themselves and the planet. We believe that taking care of ourselves, really taking care, is not selfish. It’s necessary. And it’s beautiful.
Looking Forward
As Bonuderm grows, I remain rooted in the same intention that started it all: to create something that feels real, purposefully, simplistic and inclusive. I continue to experiment with cutting-edge botanical derives, infusions, and new blends, always listening to feedback and staying in tune with the needs of the people I serve.
I dream of expanding into other self-care essentials, natural deodorant, waterless products, like powder shampoos and conditioners, body lotion bars. All natural. All effective. Always made with deep respect for the skin and the planet. But no matter how things evolve, the heart of Bonuderm will always be the same: gentle care, minimal waste and full transparency.
Bonuderm is more than gentle soap. It’s a reminder: you are worth the time, the care, and the gentleness you so freely give to others.
Cecilia – Founder & Conscious Beauty Dreamer