The Bubbly Truth About Lather
- Michael Douglas-Smith
- Sep 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 13
Who doesn't love a good lather? That rich, cloudy foam can transform washing into a pleasurable ritual. It seems fun and makes you feel clean and refreshed, right?!...
But what is lather exactly and is more lather proof of effectiveness - or proof of harmful additives?
To answer these questions, we will
explore the science behind lather and
compare the ingredients in mass-produced soaps to the ingredients found in handmade soaps.
What is Lather?
Lather is the foam that forms when soap or detergent is mixed with water and air. It consists of tiny bubbles capturing air, creating that satisfying frothy texture.
The bubbling action is mainly due to surfactants, which are compounds that reduce the surface tension of water. This allows the soap to spread, generate bubbles and even lift dirt and oil off your skin.
Surfactants are present in both commercial and handmade soaps, but the types of surfactants used vary greatly. For example, a commercial soap may contain synthetic surfactants, while a handmade soap might use coconut oil or olive oil to create a surfactant during the process of saponification (the process of oils turning to soap).
How is Lather Formed?
It’s quite simple. When you rub soap between your hands or on a washcloth, the surfactants get agitated. This agitation, combined with water, generates bubbles.
The quantity of surfactants directly influences the amount of lather produced. However, it's essential to note that not all lather is equally beneficial.
To understand this, it's helpful to know the difference between mass-produced "soaps" and handmade soap.
The Difference Between Mass-Produced and Handmade “Soap”
The difference lies in the ingredients. Let's take a look.
Mass-Produced Soaps
Most soaps you find in stores are technically synthetic detergents rather than soap in the traditional sense. They are engineered to create a significant lather, which many people mistakenly link to cleanliness.
You may notice these mass-produced "soaps" contain ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and are labeled as "beauty bar". This is because the FDA will not allow products with such ingredients to be labeled as "soap"!
These ingredients (SLS or SLES) are synthetic surfactants and are designed for quick foam production. While these can create impressive levels of lather, unfortunately they may also strip the skin of natural oils and weaken the skin’s barrier; thereby reducing moisture and leaving your skin feeling dry or irritated.
In fact:
In one small study, applying SLS led to a noteworthy drop in skin hydration, moving from “normal” to “dry” levels in just a day .
In a much larger group of 1,600 people, nearly 42% experienced signs of irritation—like redness, itchiness, or scaling—after just a 2-day SLS patch test
Handmade Soaps
In contrast, handmade soaps typically use oils derived from plants and other fats combined with lye through a process called saponification. The FDA recognize the final product as soap and therefore, they are labeled as soap. This is because soap is simply created with two main ingredients: oil/fats and a lye solution.
The lather from real soap tends to be creamier and less frothy than that of mass-produced varieties. However, this doesn't mean they are ineffective at cleaning.
Many users find that handmade soaps cleanse without stripping the skin of moisture. Turns out, this finding has enough evidence to make it a worthy consideration beyond a popular trend.
Recent peer-reviewed literature documents the moisturizing properties of handmade soaps and suggests they can be effective in maintaining the skin's natural moisture balance (see references below).
In one most recent study (Kanyama et. al, 2025), scientists indicated that hand made soaps, made without synthetic surfactants, are clinically effective at cleaning, less toxic and even more biodegradable than mass produced, synthetic "soaps". Findings demonstrated that hand made soaps are more gentler on the skin and better at preserving the skin's natural oils.
Is Frothy Lather an Important Indicator of Quality?
Though a frothy lather can seem to enhance the washing experience, clouds of lather are not necessarily a measure of a soap’s quality; in fact, evidence suggests it may be an indicator that it's too harsh!
The bubbly truth is that the effectiveness of a soap's lather actually lies in how it cleans and nourishes your skin. This is reflected by a creamy lather that seems to cushion the skin and lifts away dirt; leaving your skin's natural moisture intact while rinsing away cleanly.
The Real Secret to Clean, Happy Skin
Hey, the lathering aspect of soap is enjoyable, however, it’s vital to focus on the ingredients that create it, and how your skin feels after use.
Mass-produced soaps may offer a frothy experience, but they typically come with concerns about skin health, leaving the skin feeling dry and tight.
Handmade soaps, although sometimes less bubbly, provide a gentler, more nourishing alternative, leaving the skin feeling soft and nourished.
At the end of the day, the real secret to clean, happy skin lies in the ingredients of the products you are using to support its health.
Why Wait? Try Handmade Soap Today!
Douglas Smith Soap Company’s handmade soaps are a smart choice. Each bar is carefully crafted with plant-oils and gentle formulations that cleanse without stripping, helping your skin stay soft, hydrated, and healthy.
Plus, because we make them in small batches, you get the care, quality, and attention that mass-produced soaps just can’t match. Treat your skin to a soap that works with it, not against it.
If you made it this far, THANK YOU for reading!
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Have a topic you'd like to suggest? Let us know in the comments!
Treat Yourself and Your Skin Well,
Michael and Kevin
References:
Geier, J. (2003). Patch testing with the irritant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is useful for clinical diagnosis. Contact Dermatitis, 48(2), 80–83. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0536.2003.480209.x
Lio, P., & Berman, B. (2023). A review on the incorporation of sodium lauryl sulfate into homemade cleansers to avoid fragrances and preservatives. Journal of Integrative Dermatology, 2(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.64550/joid.777a8f93
Nova, J. F. (2025). Study on bar soaps and liquid hand wash. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 76(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1468-2494.2025.tb01012.x
Devi, S., & Sultana, S. M. (2024). Formulation and evaluation of herbal soap. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11(3), 456–463. https://doi.org/10.26452/ijrps.v11i3.456
Kanyama, T., Masunaga, A., Kawahara, T., Morita, H., & Akita, S. (2025).
Natural soap is clinically effective and less toxic and more biodegradable in aquatic organisms and human skin cells than synthetic detergents. PLOS ONE, 20(6), e0324842. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0324842
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