Beautiful Bars - Soap Folk Review

Searching for plastic free soap in the UK??  Soap Folk has got your back!


Soap Folk is a UK natural beauty brand based in the market town of Stroud, and founder Fiona has generated a lot of fans for her sustainable creations since launching in 2016.  The range includes plastic free handmade soaps, lip balms, body oil, and even beautiful greeting cards, all of which are ethically made.  You won't find any palm oil or synthetic ingredients here - everything in the supply chain is fully traceable, and everything has a low impact on the environment!

And as the UK's only certified organic specialist soap makers, Soap Folk is most definitely a brand worth checking out if you haven't already.  Their formulations are gentle on the skin, moisturizing, and many are ideal for multi-tasking making these plastic free green goodies even more perfect for minimizing waste.

I've had the pleasure of trying much of their range, and I have to say I am a huge fan of their soaps in particular.  With eight varieties available, you could have a soap for all occasions - one for the kitchen sink, one for the bathroom sink, one for shaving, one for travel, one for your body, one for your hair, and some on deck!  Soap Folk's bars are lovely, with a super gentle formula that lathers nicely, and provides a delightful scent that can uplift your spirits or calm your mind depending on the fragrance.  And there are lots of vegan friendly options in the range - yay!

Today I'll be sharing my thoughts on the excellent eight, and hopefully giving you some insight into which to try first.  Though as I will explain, it's just as easy to try out a selection as it is to pick up a single bar!  How cool is that??


Soap Folk Review - plastic free soap UK


Calendula Soap:

"Unscented and made with a blend of organic olive oil steeped in calendula and moisturising cocoa butter, this is the perfect choice for dry or delicate skin."

A must for those with sensitive skin, skin conditions, or who just love pampering themselves with a super calming treat - the newest addition to the Soap Folk range is an ultra gentle creation that you don't want to miss.  This Calendula bar provides a rich lather that does not dry out your hands or strip your skin, so you are left clean and soothed.  The blend contains 70% olive oil that has been steeped in healing calendula, plus moisturizing cocoa butter that is super nourishing.  This is definitely a perfect pick for those needing a pick me up for their skin!

Not only that, but it smells delicious.  It's creamy, faintly sweet, and softly herbal, and it feels like a cozy hug for your senses every time you lather up.  I love the aroma, and I find it really moreish so I can't help but look forward to washing my hands (which is great since I'm doing it so often right now!).  And the addition of tiny calendula petals to the soap is such a beautiful visual.  Soap Folk definitely hit a home run with this one.

Since the soap is so gentle, I would be happy using this on my body, but right now I have been mainly treating my hands since they are feeling the effects of all the extra vigorous washings.  While all Soap Folk formulas are gentle, this one is even more so as it contains fewer surfactants and focuses on being as soothing as possible.  I appreciate the nurturing qualities of these ingredients, and can already feel a difference in my skin since starting to use Soap Folk's creation.  If you are needing a soap that is kind to skin and planet, I can't recommend this one enough!

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate**, Sodium Cocoate**, Sodium Shea Butterate**, Aqua, Glycerin**, Sodium Cocoa Butterate**, Calendula officinalis flower*, Sodium Castorate**, Helianthus annuus seed oil*, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract*.  *Organically produced ingredient ** From organic origin.  Of total ingredients: 100% natural origin, 85% organic


Rose Geranium Soap:

"This is one of our best selling scented soaps. The sweet floral fragrance and velvety lather makes a luxurious combination."

Soap Folk has made a staple with the Rose Geranium blend, as it is just so memorable.  When you think of soap, this is a fragrance that is a total classic - delicate yet slightly heady, gently (and naturally!) perfumed, softly sweet and floral...  It surely captures the heart of soap-making.

The Rose Geranium bar has a rich lather as well as a lovely aroma, and it is exactly what you want from a soap.  You get a dose of moisture, a thorough cleanse that gets rid of all the dirt and grime, and a light fragrance that stays around for a while so you can enjoy the soothing scent even after you are done washing up.  Plus, Soap Folk includes a small amount of kaolin clay in this formulation so you can receive even more of a detox while you suds up!

I like to keep a bar of the Rose Geranium soap around for guests, as this is such a nice treat and I know anyone and everyone will appreciate its gentle touch.  It's classy, super cute, and the perfect way to make someone's visit feel all the more special.  Plus, I get to enjoy finishing off the bar once they leave - win win!

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate**, Sodium Cocoate**, Sodium Shea Butterate**, Sodium Sunflowerseedate**, Aqua, Glycerin**, Sodium Castorate**, Sodium Cocoa Butterate**, Ilite/Kaolin*, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil*, Cymbopogon Martini Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil*. Naturally occurring allergens: d-Limonene, Geraniol, Linalol. Palm Oil Free
*Organically produced ingredient ** From organic origin
Of total ingredients: 100% natural origin, 86% organic


Soap Folk Review - plastic free soap UK - Peppermint, Rose Geranium


Peppermint Soap:

"Refreshing Peppermint soap is your saviour for those early morning wake up showers."

This is a suds-tastic star, and I can't help but love the energizing minty freshness of the Peppermint bar.  Soap Folk provides a timeless formula with this soap, and the blend of peppermint and rosemary is just so perfect.  Naturally cleansing, antiseptic, and antibacterial, this creation is just what I want to clean and revive my skin, and the herbal undertones of rosemary add just the right amount of clarity and complexity to the aroma.  Plus, this oil is great for healing and soothing as well as clarifying - great for those wanting a clearer and revitalized complexion!

While this is not the ideal for sensitive skin, it is great for waking up or for treating your skin after too much sun exposure.  The Peppermint bar provides a lightly cooling sensation that I just adore, and I find it perfect for mornings where I just can't shake that groggy feeling!

The Peppermint formula is one of my top picks from the Soap Folk range, and I think it is a great addition to anyone's shower routine.  I use this as a body bar mainly as the gorgeous oils get picked up in the steam and work to clear my mind, uplift my mood, and awaken my senses.  It's also fantastic if you have allergies, a headache, or a cold!  Just lather it up, massage into your skin, and let the blend of oils work their magic.

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate**, Sodium Cocoate**, Sodium Shea Butterate**, Sodium Sunflowerseedate**, Aqua, Glycerin**, Sodium Castorate**, Sodium Cocoa Butterate**, Mentha Piperita Oil*, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil*, Illite. Allergens: d-Limonene, Linalol. *Organically produced ingredient ** From organic origin. Of total ingredients: 100% natural origin, 85% organic


Spiced Apple Soap:

"Made from lots of lovely lather boosting ingredients including organic apple juice, coconut and castor oils, this is our bubbliest soap yet."

Love 'spoopy' Halloween season, or a big fan of Christmas cheer?  Well, you can have that all year round now thanks to the Spiced Apple bar from Soap Folk!!  This little beauty is packed full of seasonal scents, with mulled cider and apple pie vibes that bring a great sense of warmth and comfort which is perfect for cold evenings or when you just need that cozy feeling.

This is an extra bubbly bar, so if you like a lot of suds from your soap this is definitely one to check out.  Plus, with all that extra lather the Spiced Apple bar is ideal for shaving, and Soap Folk even say it can double as a shampoo!  That's some true potential from a single formula, and if you're looking to reduce waste in the bathroom this is a great way to do so.

The soap is easy to handle, and lathers up quickly so you can have a smooth, close shave without any irritation, cuts, or nicks.  I find the Spiced Apple soap a delight to use, as it cleanses skin without drying or stripping your body, works so well as a shaving foam when you suds it all up, and is a brilliant multi-tasker.  What more could I ask for??

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate**, Sodium Cocoate**, Sodium Sheabutterate**, Aqua Glycerin**, Sodium Castorate**, Sodium Cocoa Butterate**, Sodium Sunflowerate**, Pyrus Malus Juice*, Eugenia caryophyllus Leaf Oil*, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Leaf Oil*. Naturally Occuring Allergens: Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Eugenol, Linalool. Palm Oil Free. *Organically produced ingredient ** From organic origin  Of total ingredients: 100% natural origin, 86% organic



Lavender & Oatmilk Soap:

"This soap is rich with smooth creamy oat milk to give you all the skin soothing benefits of oats without the scratchiness. Beautifully fragranced with calming organic Lavender essential oil."

Highly fragrant in all the right ways, the Lavender & Oatmilk bar is a delicately gentle creation that will soothe your skin and your senses.  Oats are highly effective at reducing redness and irritation, so the formula here is ideal for those with upset skin.  The blend works to relieve your hands, adding moisture and hydration while also helping protect, repair, and of course cleanse away dirt and germs.  You can't help but feel well treated when using Soap Folk's relaxing and softening soap!

You'll find this offers a pretty silky lather, but despite the foaming goodness you will not be met with dry or tight skin.  That is because the Lavender & Oatmilk soap (along with all the other lovely plastic free bars) uses no harsh surfactants - just pure and natural methods to produce the ultimate washing experience.

The Lavender & Oatmilk blend is a favourite of mine for the bathroom to wash hands.  Of course you can use it for many other things, but this peaceful product is just what I want when I rinse away at the sink.  It gives me a moment of calm, and that's ideal during these chaotic times!

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate**, Sodium Cocoate**, Sodium Shea Butterate**, Sodium Sunflowerseedate**, Aqua, Glycerin**, Sodium Castorate**, Sodium Cocoa Butterate**, Avena Sativa Bran*, Lavandula Hybrida Herb Oil*. Naturally occuring allergens: d-Limonene, Linalol. Palm Oil Free  *Organically produced ingredient ** From organic origin


Soap Folk Review - plastic free soap UK


Milk & Honey Soap:

"Our best seller on-line. Gentle, creamy and incredibly moisturising."

The only non-vegan soap in the line, but also one that is very much loved by customers who struggle with extreme dryness, the Milk & Honey formula is an unscented soap perfect for those with sensitivities or cracked skin.  The product is incredibly gentle, and the mix of coconut milk and honey combines to give your hands a super dose of TLC.

Coconut milk is incredibly gentle, and it contains high levels of Vitamin C which work to maintain elasticity in the skin.  This natural ingredient can also improve fine lines, add needed nourishment, and ease skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.  It's a soothing sensation!  And when paired with organic honey, Soap Folk has created the ultimate plastic free bar for those needing that little extra help with healing.  Honey can hydrate, balance out bacteria, and leave skin looking all the more radiant and clear - it's definitely a powerful pairing!

This Milk & Honey soap adds moisture while you lather up, and the bubbly lather will be sure to wash away the day.  It provides a thorough cleanse, and your skin is left feeling refreshed but not at all stripped.  For that reason, this bar in particular is great for multi-tasking - use it for your hands, face, body...  It can do it all!

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate**, Sodium Cocoate**, Sodium Shea Butterate**, Sodium Sunflowerseedate**, Aqua, Glycerin**, Sodium Castorate**, Sodium Cocoa Butterate**, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice*, Mel*. Palm Oil Free
*Organically produced ingredient ** From organic origin
Of total ingredients: 100% natural origin, 86% organic


Lemon & Bergamot Soap:

"Refreshing Lemon essential oil is paired with uplifting Bergamot, to lend a sophisticated twist on a classic citrus fragrance."

This is the only blend from Soap Folk I have not yet tried, but it is most definitely on my list.  It sounds like a must for those looking for an uplifting boost, and I cannot wait to experience the zingy zesty notes and the skin balancing benefits.

Soap Folk states that this bar is the colour of sunshine, and honestly that is exactly what I would expect from such an inspiring formula!  This sounds like it will boost my mood, pamper my skin, and work as a lovely all-purpose soap that can be used on my hands, body, or possibly even face.  As soon as I get my hands on the Lemon & Bergamot bar I will be sure to share my thoughts!

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate**, Sodium Cocoate**, Sodium Shea Butterate**, Sodium Sunflowerseedate**, Aqua, Glycerin**, Sodium Castorate**, Sodium Cocoa Butterate**, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil*, Kaolin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil*, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil*, Allergens: d-Limonene, Linalol. *Organically produced ingredient ** From organic origin. Of total ingredients: 100% natural origin, 86% organic


Juniper Berry Soap:

"With its warm and woody scent, Juniper Berry soap calms and clarifies mind and body."

I adore a bit of juniper in the winter season, but I'm thrilled I can now catch these notes all year round with Soap Folk's plastic free formula.  This bar has a blend of cedarwood, bergamot, sweet orange, and juniper, giving it a comforting aroma that is warm, familiar, and grounding.  This is a favourite of mine in the Soap Folk range, and I can't help but feel more calm when using this gorgeous product.

This soap contains oils that offer antibacterial properties, blemish fighting goodness, and antimicrobial activity, making this a great option for those with acne prone skin or who want that little extra oomph when it comes to having clean hands.  It's also lovely for those with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis!  Plus, Soap Folk also added kaolin clay which I find provides a lovely detox every time you use the soap.  It quickly cleanses away toxins, provides an incredibly gentle exfoliation, and works to balance out the skin's natural oils.  Perfect!

Again, the blend is brilliantly suited for multi-tasking, as you can use this little bar for your hands, body, or face without worrying that it will dry out your skin.  The lather is just right, and I even find myself using this for shaving as it gives such good results.  This is another bar that I can't recommend enough, as it's just such a great way to reduce waste and it smells so nice!

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate**, Sodium Cocoate**, Sodium Shea Butterate**, Sodium Sunflowerseedate**, Aqua, Glycerin**, Sodium Castorate**, Sodium Cocoa Butterate**, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil*, Kaolin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil*, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil*, Allergens: d-Limonene, Linalol. *Organically produced ingredient ** From organic origin.  Of total ingredients: 100% natural origin, 86% organic


Soap Folk Calendula Soap Review - plastic free soap UK


You can pick up any of these beauties as a single bar of soap, or if you are looking for a lovely plastic free present (or just a treat for yourself!) you can choose from four Soap Folk gift sets!  They even offer stunning greeting card packs now made with recycled paper and vegetable friendly inks - it's never been easier to send a loved one a little pick me up!  As for the soap kits, there is a twine wrapped trio, a mini bar edit, and two collections featuring six bars (a vegan friendly one and another that contains the Milk & Honey formula).  All are perfectly packaged and offer great value, so I definitely recommend checking them out if you are in need of a gift or a restock on soap!

Or if you are wanting that little bit extra bit of sustainable goodness you can snap up some offcuts!  This grab bag includes offcuts and "imperfect" pieces that come in all shapes, sizes, and scents.  As Soap Folk says, "with their wonky edges or rippled faces, these offcuts might not be winners in the looks department, but they still make for a lovely soap."  And for the amount you are sent this is certainly an affordable way to try out this wonderful eco brand!

I'm super curious to hear which bar is catching your attention.  Is it the newest addition to the lineup, the ultra-gentle Calendula formula, or is it one of the bestsellers like the sweetly floral Rose Geranium blend?  Whichever you choose, I'm sure you will be so pleased with how lovely these plastic free creations from Soap Folk are!

5 comments

  1. I usually buy my grandmother soap for Christmas because she has everything else. Will bookmark this post for when we are closer to December

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. soap is such a great gift - we often do the same! x

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  2. These sound absolutely lovely and I can imagine the Peppermint one being perfect for use during the hot weather spells we get x

    www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brown card gives real elegant look to the packaging and looks really professional. Choose good printer to print your Custom Soap Boxes.

    ReplyDelete

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