Why Handmade Soap Sometimes Feels ‘Slippery’ And Why That’s Not a Bad Thing

Some people use handmade soap for the first time and immediately panic.

“Why does this feel slippery?”

“Is it not washing off?”

“Am I still dirty?”

“Has soap betrayed me?”

Relax. Your soap has not joined the dark side.

That slightly slippery or creamy feeling is common with many handmade soaps, especially cold process soaps. It does not automatically mean the soap is bad, greasy, unfinished, or unsafe. In many cases, it simply means the bar is made differently from the harsh, squeaky soaps you may be used to.

The simple answer

Handmade soap can feel slippery because of its natural glycerin, the oils and butters used in the recipe, and sometimes superfatting.

This can create a creamier feel on the skin. It may rinse differently from a commercial soap that leaves your skin feeling aggressively squeaky.

Slippery does not always mean unclean. Sometimes it means your skin has not been stripped to the emotional state of a dry biscuit.

Why do we expect soap to feel squeaky?

Most of us grew up thinking “squeaky clean” is the gold standard.

If your skin squeaks, the soap must have worked. If your face feels tight after washing, surely that means all the dirt is gone. If your arms feel like paper, congratulations, hygiene has occurred.

Not quite.

That squeaky feeling can sometimes mean your cleanser has removed a lot of oil from the skin’s surface. Some people like that feeling, but for many skin types, especially dry or easily irritated skin, it can feel uncomfortable after a while.

Clean skin does not need to feel tight. 

What makes handmade soap feel different?

Traditional soap is made when oils or fats react with an alkali, such as lye, to form soap. When made properly, the lye is used up in the reaction and does not remain in the finished bar.

Handmade cold process soaps are usually made with a specific blend of oils and butters. These ingredients affect the final bar’s lather, hardness, creaminess and after-feel.

A handmade soap will also contain naturally formed glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it can attract water. In soap, it can contribute to that smooth, almost silky feeling.

Then there is superfatting. This is when the soap is formulated so that a small amount of oils or butters remain in the finished bar. That can make the bar feel creamier and less stripping.

Put those together, and the soap may feel more slippery than what you are used to.

Is slippery soap still cleaning?

Short answer, yes.

A soap does not need to make your skin squeak to clean it.

Soap works by helping lift away oil, sweat and dirt so they can be rinsed off with water. A handmade bar can still clean properly even if it feels creamier while you use it.

The key is how your skin feels after rinsing and drying.

If your skin feels clean but not tight, that is generally a good sign.

If it feels greasy, coated or like something is sitting heavily on top, the formula may not suit you or you may be using too much.

How to use handmade soap properly

Handmade soap is not complicated, but a few small habits help.

Wet the bar and your skin properly.

Lather the soap between your hands, directly on your body, or with a washcloth if you use one. Avoid synthetic loofahs - they seem like they are helping, but in reality they just abrade your skin and never fully dry out, turning into essentially a bacteria farm. Real loofahs or natural fibre washcloths are best. 

Massage the lather over your skin.

Rinse thoroughly.

Do not keep rubbing just because the soap does not give you that squeaky feeling. This is how men turn a normal shower into a sanding project.

After use, keep the bar somewhere it can dry between showers. Do not leave it sitting in a puddle. Handmade soaps often last better when they are allowed to drain and dry properly, so invest in a soap dish with good drainage, or simply a metal bathroom rack which gives great 360 degree airflow.  

When is slippery not okay?

A creamy feel is normal. A slimy, mushy bar is not ideal.

Your soap may be sitting in too much water if it becomes soft, sticky or melts quickly. Use a draining soap dish and keep it away from constant shower spray.

Also, if your skin feels irritated, itchy, red or uncomfortable after using any soap, stop using it. Even a well-made soap may not suit every person.

Skincare is personal. Annoying, but true.

The bottom line

Handmade soap can feel slippery because it is often made with different oils, butters, natural glycerin and sometimes extra unsaponified oils from superfatting.

That creamy feeling is not automatically a problem. It may simply mean the soap is less stripping than the harsh bars you are used to.

The real test is not whether your skin squeaks.

The real test is whether your skin feels clean, comfortable and not like it has been left in the sun to bake.

FAQs

Why does handmade soap feel slippery?

Handmade soap can feel slippery because of its natural glycerin, oils, butters and superfatting. These can make the bar feel creamier on skin.

Does slippery soap mean it is not washing off?

Not necessarily. If you rinse properly and your skin feels clean, the soap is doing its job. Clean skin does not need to feel squeaky.

Is handmade soap supposed to feel creamy?

Many handmade soaps do feel creamier than commercial bars because of their formulation and the ingredients used.

Why does my handmade soap get mushy?

It may be sitting in water for too long. Use a soap dish with drainage and let the bar dry between uses.

Is squeaky-clean skin good?

Not always. A very squeaky feeling can sometimes mean your cleanser is too stripping for your skin.