Top 5 Ingredients to Avoid in Soap (And What We Use Instead)
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Walk into any grocery store and you’ll find shelves stacked with soaps that look clean — sleek designs, “dermatologist-recommended,” “fresh scent,” “moisturizing.” But flip the label, and you’ll see the truth: they’re packed with lab-made chemicals, artificial fragrance, and synthetic fillers that do your skin more harm than good.
At Stench Soap Co., we don’t play that game. Our bars are 100% natural — no compromises, no chemical junk. Here’s a breakdown of five common ingredients to avoid in soap and what we use instead.
1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
🚫 Why to avoid:
SLS is a harsh detergent that creates that “big foam” people associate with clean — but it also strips your skin’s natural oils, causes irritation, and is one of the top culprits for dry, flaky skin.
✅ What we use instead:
Coconut oil — a natural cleanser with plenty of lather that gets you clean without destroying your skin barrier.
2. Synthetic Fragrance (Parfum)
🚫 Why to avoid:
“Fragrance” is a catch-all term that can legally hide up to 3,000+ undisclosed chemicals, including hormone disruptors and allergens. If it just says “fragrance” and nothing else, it’s mystery soup.
✅ What we use instead:
Essential oils — like peppermint, cedarwood, eucalyptus, and lemongrass. You know exactly what you’re getting, and it comes from nature — not a lab.
3. Triclosan
🚫 Why to avoid:
This synthetic antibacterial ingredient has been linked to hormone disruption, antibiotic resistance, and environmental toxicity. It’s banned in many countries, but still shows up in soap.
✅ What we use instead:
Tea tree oil, charcoal, salt, and spirulina — all-natural additives that fight bacteria without messing with your health or the planet.
4. Tetrasodium EDTA
🚫 Why to avoid:
Used to enhance shelf life and prevent “soap scum,” EDTA can cause skin irritation and isn’t biodegradable — meaning it sticks around long after it’s washed down the drain.
✅ What we use instead:
Time and good formulation. Our cold process soaps are cured for 4–6 weeks to ensure shelf stability — no chemical preservatives needed.
5. Artificial Colorants & Micas
🚫 Why to avoid:
Synthetic dyes (like Red 40, Blue 1, etc.) can cause skin reactions, especially in sensitive individuals. Many micas are mined unethically or treated with chemicals for vibrancy.
✅ What we use instead:
Clays, herbs, and natural exfoliants. From kaolin clay and charcoal to spirulina and oatmeal — our bars get their color from the real stuff.
Bottom Line: Read Your Labels
Soap isn’t regulated like food. That means brands can get away with calling something “natural” while packing it full of chemical additives. At Stench, we believe in no secrets, no shortcuts, and no fake ingredients.
So the next time you pick up a bar of soap, flip it over. If the ingredient list looks like a science experiment — put it back.
If you want real ingredients you can actually pronounce, you’re in the right place.