Why Real Soap for Women Starts with Plant Oils and Fewer Ingredients

Soap for Women: Is Your Bar Hurting or Helping?

Think all soap for women is the same? Think again.

Most bars lining store shelves are made to look and smell appealing, but what's inside tells a different story. Harsh detergents. Mystery fragrances. Fillers that dry out your skin.

We've been conditioned to believe that "clean" equals foamy, fragrant, and squeaky. But if your skin feels tight, itchy, or irritated after your shower, that's not just clean. That's your skin waving a red flag.

So, is your soap helping your skin, or just getting by on scent?

Let's find out.

Why Generic Soap Was Never Made for You

Soap is soap, right? Actually, no, it's not. 

The truth? Most commercial soap wasn't formulated with your skin in mind.

Women's skin tends to be thinner, more delicate, and more prone to moisture loss. It needs support, not stripping. Yet many soaps are formulated with a one-size-fits-all approach — and that "all" typically favors thicker, oilier skin types.

Women's skin tends to have a thinner barrier and is more prone to dryness and irritation, especially when exposed to harsh soaps, explains Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Ever stepped out of the shower only to feel dry within minutes? That's not just clean, that's your skin crying out for help. And chances are, it's reacting to a formula full of SLS, synthetic fragrance, and preservatives designed to preserve shelf life, not your delicate skin barrier.

So no, it's not "just soap." And it's definitely not all made for you.

The pH Factor – Why It's Not Just About the Number

You've probably heard that "low pH" is better for your skin. That's true, but not the whole picture. Your skin naturally maintains a slightly acidic pH, ranging from 4.7 to 5.7. This acidity helps protect your barrier and keeps the good bacteria in balance [1].

But here's what many don't realize. Not all alkaline products are harsh. And not all low pH ones are gentle.

Most natural soap bars have a pH level of around 8 to 10. That's just how real, traditional soap is made through a process called saponification. But that doesn't automatically mean it will dry out or damage your skin.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that soaps made without harsh surfactants, synthetic preservatives, or artificial fragrances can be very gentle, even at higher pH levels [1-8]. What matters more is how the formula is designed and what it leaves behind on your skin.

A 2015 study found that long-term use of soap did not impair the skin's natural ability to regulate pH [2]. A 2018 study confirmed that cold-process soaps retain more unsaponified fatty acids, which contribute to skin-conditioning benefits and a gentler sensory feel compared to industrially processed soaps [3].

So, is a higher pH always a problem? Not if the formula is balanced.

Bonuderm  Natural Soap for Women

Coconut oil, a key ingredient in Bonuderm's soap, is known not only for its cleansing properties but also for its soothing and skin-loving effects. It has been shown to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing benefits, making it especially helpful for irritated or eczema-prone skin [7]. A well-formulated soap, even with a higher pH, can still be gentle and non-irritating.

In addition to coconut oil, our soaps are formulated with shea butter and almond oil, nourishing ingredients that are left slightly unsaponified. This technique, known as superfatting, enables the bar to cleanse while still delivering genuine moisture [3].

There are no synthetic fragrances, no harsh additives, and nothing hidden. Just a creamy, soft lather that actually feels good, even on sensitive skin.

In fact, our original fragrance-free bar soap was created out of real frustration. Our founder spent years using soaps marketed toward women and sensitive skin that left her skin dry, tight, and uncomfortable. She needed something soothing, so she made it.

We hear this all the time from customers: "This is the first soap I've used that didn't sting or leave me dry."

Because at the end of the day, it's not just about the pH. It's about how your skin feels and how well the product supports your skin barrier. Bonuderm soaps do just that, naturally and gently.

What's Really in Your Soap? Let's Play Label Detective

Ever picked up a bar of soap, flipped it over & suddenly felt like you were reading a science textbook? You're not alone. Many soap labels are packed with hard-to-pronounce ingredients that can be harmful or irritating to the skin. We believe in keeping things simple. If an ingredient doesn't meet our clean, natural standards, it doesn't make the cut. Instead, you'll find only the ingredients your skin truly needs and none that it doesn't. Below are a few ingredients we intentionally leave out.

The Usual Suspects - Ingredients You Might Want to Avoid

• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): That luxurious foam? Often thanks to SLS, but it also removes natural oils, causing dryness, redness & irritation, especially for sensitive skin.
• Fragrance (Parfum): A catchall term that can hide dozens of undisclosed chemicals. Often, a trigger for itching or allergic reactions.
• Parabens (Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben): These preservatives mimic estrogen and have been linked to hormonal disruptions, thyroid issues, and reproductive effects.
• Preservatives (DMDM Hydantoin, Methylisothiazolinone): Linked to skin sensitivity and potentially  health concerns[9-10]
• Triclosan [11]: Once popular in antibacterial soaps for women, it's now banned in several countries, including the U.S., over concerns that it disrupts hormones & promotes antibiotic resistance.
• Tetrasodium EDTA & Pentasodium Pentetate: Synthetic, non-biodegradable chelating agents that can accumulate in waterways. They offer no skin benefits and are excluded from our formulas.
• Petrolatum: Petroleum-based and not biodegradable. It's not aligned with our values of skin-friendly, earth-friendly care. We just don't use petroleum products.
• Sodium Thiosulfate: A chemical additive with no skin-loving benefits. It lacks moisturizing, soothing, or barrier-supporting properties. That's why we exclude it from our formulas.
• Propylene Glycol: A synthetic humectant. Generally considered safe, but may trigger irritation in sensitive skin types prone to redness or rashes.
• Synthetic Colorants (FD&C Dyes, Micas, Titanium Dioxide): These provide aesthetic value but can cause sensitivity in some individuals. 

Grab the soap you use every day and flip it over. Do you see any of these ingredients? No need to panic. However, it may be time to reconsider what you're putting on your skin.

Let's compare a typical soap bar with a gentle one made for skin like yours:

Every moisturizing soap tells a story. Make sure it's one your skin actually wants to experience.

What Sets Bonuderm Apart- Safe, Minimal soap

At Bonuderm, we're committed to transparency and using only the safest and gentlest ingredients. Our luxurious, natural soap for women is carefully crafted, formulated with clean and gentle plant oils, and free from unnecessary additives. Here's what makes our soap special:

• Saponified oils of coconut, almond, and castor – Gentle cleansing and rich moisture
• Shea butter – Locks in hydration and softens skin
• Sorbitol & starch – Natural, plant-based humectants that draw in moisture
• Sodium lactate – Keeps your skin smooth and hydrated
• Kaolin – Soothing, calms irritation
• Vitamin E – A natural antioxidant for skin protection

Wondering what saponified oils mean? It's the traditional process of making real plant-based soap. We mix natural oils with water and lye (sodium hydroxide). Once it cures, the lye is fully reacted, and none is left in the final bar. Just creamy, gentle soap you skin will love.

A simple, gentle soap formulated for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Testimonials

→ Browse all Bonuderm soaps here.

FAQs

Can I use the same soap on my body and intimate areas?

Most are too harsh for intimate skin. Bonuderm is pH-friendly and made with gentle ingredients, making it safe for use on all areas, including sensitive and delicate ones.

What's the difference between "natural" and "skin-friendly" soap for women?

Just because something's called natural doesn't always mean it's nourishing your skin. Some "natural" soaps still contain additives or harsh ingredients that can dry out your skin. Skin-friendly means it actually works with your skin, not against it. No stripping, no stinging, no tight feeling after you rinse.

Bonuderm is both. We keep it real with natural ingredients your skin understands and formulas that feel as good as they are clean.

Why does my skin feel dry after showering with regular soap?

That tight, dry feeling? It's your skin telling you the soap is too harsh. Many people use sulfates and synthetic products that strip away natural oils. Bonuderm skips all that, so your skin stays soft, not stripped.

References

1. Lukić, M., Pantelić, I., & Savić, S. D. (2021). Towards Optimal pH of the Skin and Topical Formulations: From the Current State of the Art to Tailored Products. Cosmetics, 8(3), 69. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics8030069.
2. Takagi, Y., Kaneda, K., Miyaki, M., Matsuo, K., Kawada, H., & Hosokawa, H. (2015). The long‐term use of soap does not affect the pH‐maintenance mechanism of human skin. Skin Research and Technology, 21(2), 144-148. https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.12170
3. Prieto Vidal, N., Adeseun Adigun, O., Pham, T. H., Mumtaz, A., Manful, C., Callahan, G., Stewart, P., Keough, D., & Thomas, R. H. (2018). The Effects of Cold Saponification on the Unsaponified Fatty Acid Composition and Sensory Perception of Commercial Natural Herbal Soaps. Molecules, 23(9), 2356. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23092356
4. Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P., Moore, D. J., Subramanyan, K., Misra, M., & Meyer, F. (2004). Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic therapy, 17 Suppl 1, 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04s1002.x
5. Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P., Mukherjee, S., & Chandar, P. (2013). Stratum corneum fatty acids: their critical role in preserving barrier integrity during cleansing. International journal of cosmetic science, 35(4), 337–345. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12042
6. Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P., Moore, D. J., Subramanyan, K., Misra, M., & Meyer, F. (2004). Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic therapy, 17 Suppl 1, 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04s1002.x
7. Özokan, Kadri & Bilginer, Abdulkerim. (2024). Development of Natural Castile Soaps from Vegetable Oils. Experimed. 10.26650/experimed.1509904.
8. Jay, A. PROPOSAL ON SOAP RESEARCH PROJECT. https://www.academia.edu/18252723/PROPOSAL_ON_SOAP_RESEARCH_PROJECT?sm=b
9. Fletcher, J. (2022). Everything you need to know about DMDM hydantoin. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dmdm-hydantoin
10. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. https://www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/methylisothiazolinone/
11. General Health. https://generalhealthmagazine.com/2025/03/01/what-is-triclosan-and-why-is-it-banned-in-some-products/