Store bought soaps usually are made with all kinds of additives (and not necessarily good ones!), fragrances and things. Handmade soaps are made of natural ingredients, hopefully essential oils instead of fragrances and lots of TLC. It makes for a way better soap experience in my opinion and is much better for you, with less chemicals and such. Don’t think there would be any reason for expiration dates unless there was an unusual ingredient in the mix.

I love the soaps from Tonia at [URL removed]

I am sure she would also be able to help you sort out some of the differences, too.

UPDATE from Tonia [URL removed]
1) [URL removed]
[URL removed]

“Soap that was made with no lye discount (and we are assuming is still balanced and not lye heavy) will keep for a LONG time without any rancidity. It might lose its smell over time and get hard as a rock, but will still be good soap. Whenever you add extra fat for mildness, you are lessening the longevity of your bars. If you plan to use them in short order, this is not a problem and most people use their soap within a year or two.”

2) [URL removed]
[URL removed]

“It’s best to use your new soap within six months of purchase. It won’t stay fresh forever!”

3) [URL removed]
[URL removed]

“How long does your Soap stay Fresh?
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions-Handmade Soap – Blue Ridge …
Our soaps usually stay ‘good’ for years. In fact, the older a soap gets, the longer it will last when you finally combine it with water in your shower. However, time does affect the intensity of a soap’s fragrance. For best fragrance, we recommend that you enjoy your soaps within six months of purchase.”

4) From The Soapmaker’s Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch ISBN [phone number removed], page 23:
“A note on Grapefruit Seed [URL removed]
Grapefruit seed extract, a by-product of the citrus industry, is an all-vegetable antioxidant that extends the life of the superfatted bar by an additional six to twelve months.”

hope this helps to answer your question

Blessings to you & yours!

-tonia vaughn / bvaughnfamily

I have found, because handmade soaps are made, usually, from all natural ingredients, allergies are kept to a minimum. A lot of people are not allergic to the natural ingredients; they are allergic to all the chemicals mass produced soaps are made from.

As for expiration dates, expiration dates are there because, for some reason, people are infatuated with [URL removed] exp dates, countdowns, top 10s, etc. They also allow manufacturers a “way out” if anything goes wrong. If you use a product with a date passed the date and something goes wrong, they can then claim they are not liable.

Personally, I have to agree with RavenFireFury, whereas, the only things that expire are those that have natural expiration dates, as in they rot or “go bad” in the sense that you can no longer eat or use them because of spoilage, be it mildew, mold, curdling, etc.

Canned food has been found that has been canned in the late 19th century (1800s) that is still edible, as long as it is still well sealed.

I also know drugs are still good past their exp. dates. I was told once the only reason they have exp. dates is because the manufacturers do not guarantee the effectiveness and strength past that date, and, again, it alleviates the lawsuit for adverse affects if used after the date. However, I know for a fact, drugs past their exp. dates are shipped to 3rd world counties under the ruse of “donations”. I worked for a company for a short time that sent all their health care items, regardless of what they were, to Mexico once they passed their exp. dates. A company can not legally use items past their exp. dates for patients/customers/clients in the USA.

Here’s a great seller of some great handmade soaps with some great [URL removed]
Shameless Pleasures [URL removed]

Thank you John1011 for your kind words, they are much appreciated.
I must say, I’ve never seen anyone who buys handmade soaps, keep them around very long. I used to use only liquid store bought soaps forever, until I tried handmade one day. From that day on, I was hooked.
I read up on everything I could get my hands on, until I thought, I can do this :) The rest is history :)

I will say this, fragrance oils do go bad, I myself do use fragrance oils and essential oils, I myself prefer fragrance oils, as there are so many different " pretty " scents! But fragrance oils do go bad after time, but I dont buy large quantities, so mine always are fresh.

For someone that wants a totally natural bar of soap, then you have to use essentials.

I actually drive 90 minutes each way to buy my products, and they are always fresh, my whole family use’s our handmade bath & body products, including myself, and I wont sell, or have my family use something that I would not use myself. Its gotta be fresh!

Montrose…. have you ever tried handmade soap? If not, bmail me,
I’ll hook ya up with a bar :)

To me personally things do not expire, unless its milk, bread & things of that nature. I have noticed the growing need for dates to be stamped on cans, which to me is odd. If a can of green beans were good in 2008 they are good in 2010..YUM

Things that have scents on them, I think you have to worry about depending on who makes them and who is giving you the guarentee that it still smells as though it should.

Soap expiration dates? no thanks

The different from my grocery store bought soaps that do have an expiration date on packaging? Well quality for one. Usually the people I buy handmade stuff of of using a higher quality product which tends to last longer & it is individually made for a person. When you are buying in the store most of the items are not individually made which means the date gets stamped just like it gets made through the assembly line…

Just a thought~ scubby bubblin fun!

lmao

I also favor handmade soaps and bath products. None of the store additives. I use mine quick enough, bet I bet the ‘expiration date’ so am not worried about buying handmade soaps or bath products such as milkbaths here on Bonanzle.

My grand chrildern have allergics so I make all our soap for clothes and body. It so much better for your skin and keeps it from drying out. even my husband uses it plus 2 sister-in-law etc. it is easy to make and fun the grand chrildern always wants to help. I have even done class for lady and familys. never had any to go bad and it can smell any way I want it to!

I have problems with all of the deodorant soaps and perfumed soaps that are commercially produced. I get lots of itchies and rashes. I have tried the fragrance free goat’s milk soap that ShamelessPleasures makes and it is heavenly! I have also tried the Tea Tree Oil soap from heavenlysoap1 and it is not only great soap but I have been using it as a shampoo to control Eczema on my scalp. I love both of them. I find that using these soaps I use at least half as much lotion after bathing as what I used to use when buying commercial soaps.

I say give the handmade products a try, you won’t be disappointed!

Thank you

I use handmade soap, especially goat’s milk or honey and never had any go bad on me. I once had some handmade bath foam go bad but never the soap. I think it’s because of the glycerin.

I’m a makeup artist who is also a chronic washer of hands, tools, etc. for sanitary purposes. I gotta admit that with consistently washing my hands and showering a lot in various harsh waters n’ such that handmade soaps have saved me and I shall never go back. I use handmade handcrafted soaps for the laundry, shampoo for my hair, my brushes and tools (castile is amazing at cleaning!!), facial skincare, the body, everything and anything and I’ve turned everybody I know onto handmade soaps. Somethin’ about handmade formulas from vegan to non vegan, from handmilled to melt n’ pour, cold n’ hot processed, the melt n’ pour + cold/hot processed blends, etc., they are all amazing. I also love that handmade soaps have so much option and variety to suit the person’s needs and jarred soaps are fantastic as well because the fragrance payoff and hydration is unbelievable. For all the soap artisans out there, thank you so much for creating and sharing your gifts because water is a blessing and cleansing is a necessity. Since I’ve turned onto handmade soaps, I’ve saved so much money, too. And with handmade soaps, you’ll find formulas to suit your every desire! From thinning hair and scalp issues to sensitive skins and eagerly dirty, stinky skins awaiting the shower or bath. From various butters to oils, essential oils to fragrance oils, from herbs to clays, milks to beers, handmade soap is definitely one of the greatest creations from the artisans.

Handmade soaps are made so much better than the store bought ones. They don’t need an expireation date. I have bought many bars and also made many bars of soap and never had one go bad.

I wonder why anyone would have soaps still in existence beyond an expiration?

I would tend to favor handmade soaps if I knew what the ingredients were and proportions of the same.

Some materials or ingredients have not been tested at all or have been tested on humans and animals within the US, the EU and globally. That is an important decision as well.

For those non-handmade soaps, commercial products, the Environmental Working Group has a database on personal products, called Skin Deep. You may be amazed.

[URL removed]

my aunt used to make handmade soap from goats milk & sun dried tomatoes along with other ingredients. She sold them for $9 a bar & couldn’t keep them in stock. She got so overwhelmed from her “hobby” that she finally said no more. LOL! +

I think if they are handmade with any sort of milk, there may be an expiration date.

My Daughter in Law swears by handmade soaps she loves them I have to be careful cause my skin reacts to certain items in natural soaps like golden rod itch
Michele

Once I tried handmade soaps I never went back to store bought. I am so used to the creamy texture and pleasant scent (I usually use oatmeal soaps) that when I smell a commercial soap it smells like pure chemicals and dries my skin out!

Well as a Soap Maker myself I do have to recommend “Handmade soaps” they are Non Drying and not loaded with store bought soap chemicals"

And I may add that the goats milk glycerin soaps are high on the ladder with me. super creamy and handmade soaps can come in a HUGE variety of scents, and of course you can get any product unscented if you hate any fragrance.

I’m forever hooked on the the world of the Handmade..
And maybe soaps should have an expiration date. Lol!

This topic has really got my interest up. I am certainly going to try some handmade soap from our Bonanzlers! Sounds wonderful!!!

Not to mention handmade soaps smell wonderful.