Let’s talk about the risks of soap making.

People who make soap must comply with certain requirements. This makes perfect sense, because the product comes into contact with the skin. If this contact results in redness, itchiness, or burning or tingling sensations, it may be down to the skin, but the soap could certainly also be the cause.

After all, soapmaking involves chemistry and brings with it a certain number of risks. Three basic ingredients are necessary in order to make soap: water, fat, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The latter is a caustic agent that can dissolve virtually anything and must therefore be used with great caution. If used wrongly, it can even result in serious burns. So, buy only pure sodium hydroxide specifically intended for cosmetics (e.g. https://www.gildewerk.com/product/natriumhydroxide-per-kg/). And always wear gloves, long sleeves, and safety goggles. Make your soap in a clean area with sufficient ventilation and do only one thing at a time. Don’t get distracted, because accidents resulting from wrong quantities can easily happen.

It is therefore mandatory for anyone who makes their own soap (on a small or large scale) to comply with the European Hygiene & Cosmetics Regulation. Doing this isn’t easy, because this regulation is complicated, is subject to constant changes, and is being more and more strictly enforced by the authorities.

Over the past years, we’ve witnessed various dramatic cases involving soap makers who have not complied with this regulation. Some have been hit with penalties running into thousands of Euros, while others have been forced to close down their operations. We’ve even seen cases that have led to jail sentences!

So don’t take any risks. Join our growing family of responsible soap makers and make sure that your soap products always comply with the European Hygiene and Cosmetics Regulation. If you do, you can offer your customers – throughout all of the EU – creative products with peace of mind. Products that aren’t just top-quality, but are also safe for use by consumers and will not harm the environment.