True soap is very basic. It consists of oils, lye, and water. Glycerin is created during the process of making bath and body works candles also called saponification. That's all that is needed to cleanse the body properly without disrupting the PH levels of the skin.
Store-bought or artificial soap has a plethora of chemicals and detergents. Glycerin is removed for its monetary value and sold to other companies to be placed in more expensive skincare products. Other chemicals are then added to replace glycerin being removed. What you end up buying is a bar of chemicals that irritate and disrupt the skin's natural balance. It's not soap at all! And all of those chemicals get passed on to your liver to process in an attempt to eliminate them from your body.
More and more people are opting for cleaner, eco-friendly skin care options. We want to know and control what we are putting on our bodies. Skin is our largest organ, and everything that touches it gets filtered through our liver. Almost all or most of homemade soap ingredients can be read in one breath, and you'll know exactly how the product is sourced, how it is made, and what you are absorbing.
Homemade soap consists of base oils, butters, lye, and additives that are usually from a natural source. Almost any natural additive can be added to homemade soap to treat various skin conditions and complaints while reducing unnecessary chemical intake, resulting in beautiful skin. Natural soap actually relieves irritated skin, many times improving psoriasis and eczema.
Mass-produced soap is full of chemical cocktails and harsh detergents that usually leave the skin irritated, overly cleansed, and dry. Some chemicals are shown to cause cancer, such as triclosan.
Since homemade soap is often crafted in small kitchens or small shops, ingredients are most often sourced and disposed of responsibly and not tested on animals. Even if you have to ask how it is made, you'll get a good honest answer.