The Skinny on Super Fat (and Why Your Skin Loves it).
- Michael Douglas-Smith
- Sep 17, 2025
- 4 min read
Have you ever wondered why some soaps leave your skin feeling “soap-er” soft while others feel a little harsh? The secret ingredient might just be something called “super fat.”
In this post we will discuss
what super fat is,
why it matters and
where you can find soaps that contain it
What is Super Fat?
Super fat is simply the extra oils left behind during the soap-making process, the ones that don’t fully turn into soap. It’s intentional—and perfectly formulated to treat your skin like royalty!
Think of it as your bar’s way of buttering you up (pun intended!)—those leftover oils stay in the mix to keep your skin moisturized, pampered, and nourished. In other words, super fat makes sure your soap isn’t just cleansing—it’s super kind to your skin.
Why Super Fat Matters
Super fatting delivers extra moisture, which is vital for those dealing with dry or sensitive skin. These oils create a protective layer on your skin, locking in hydration. In fact, using soaps with super fats can significantly reduce skin dryness, measured by lower transepidermal water loss (aka moisture loss through the top layer of skin) and less flaking, compared to typical soaps (Khosrowpour et al, 2022).
In contrast, many commercial soaps lack super fats, leading to a drying effect. If you've ever felt the need to apply lotion immediately after using a store-bought soap, you know exactly what we're talking about! These soaps often strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it uncomfortably tight (Schmid-Wendtner et. al, 2024).
Super-fatted soaps are also a game-changer for sensitive skin (think eczema, dryness, or anyone whose skin demands a little TLC). With hydration built right in, your daily wash isn’t just cleaning—it’s soap-ercharging your skin’s health (Özokan & Bilginer 2024).
Where to Find Super Fatted Soaps
You can find super fatted soaps in handmade soaps! No wonder they say “handmade is best made!”
Seriously, if you’re on the hunt for super-fatted soaps, your best bet is to explore handmade bars—that’s where soap makers really get creative with extra oil. It's a feature worth asking for, as consensus in the handmade, soap-making industry suggests 5–8% super fat to be just right to keep your skin soft and happy without weighing down the bubbles (unless the bar is 100% coconut oil then the consensus is around 20%).
You’ll find super-fatted soaps mostly in handmade soap shops, skincare boutiques that offer handmade products, and online artisan marketplaces. Keep in mind, most makers don’t label their soaps as “super fatted,” so don’t hesitate to ask—an honest maker will happily tell you and point you to the bars that give your skin that extra nourishing boost!
Ready to go? Enter DREAMY in the promo code at check out for 10% off each item.
Order them here:
The Skinny on Super Fat:
Understanding super fatting gives you insight into what makes handmade soaps truly nourishing and we hope this post has been informative.
Overall, super fatting isn’t just a fancy technique—it’s a skin game-changer. Those extra oils stick around to pamper, protect, and hydrate your skin, turning every wash into a mini spa moment.
So, what are you waiting for?
Choosing handmade soaps with super fats means saying hello to luxurious lather, extra softness, and a little bubbly indulgence your skin will love.
When you select hand made soaps that are super fatted, you're also making a conscious choice for skin that stays soft, healthy, and resilient with every wash.
At Dougas-Smith Soap Co., we super fat our soaps for your skin's benefit between 5 and 8%. If you're ready to improve your skincare routine and experience the benefits of super-fatted soaps, we invite you to explore our collection in the link below!
Don't forget to enter DREAMY in the promo code for 10% off each item in your cart.
If you made it this far, THANK YOU for reading!
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Treat Yourself and Your Skin Well,
Michael and Kevin
References:
Khosrowpour, Z., Ahmad Nasrollahi, S., Samadi, A., Ayatollahi, A., Shamsipour, M., Rajabi-Esterabadi, A., & Firooz, A. (2022). Skin biophysical assessments of four types of soaps by forearm in-use test. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 21(4), 3127-3132. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14589
Schmid-Wendtner, M. H., Korting, H. C., & Kuss, O. (2024). The Evaluating Skin Acid–Base Balance After Application of Cold-Processed Soaps. Cosmetics, 12(3), 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12030120
Özokan, G., & Bilginer, G. (2024). Development of natural Castile soaps from vegetable oils. Experimed, 14(3), 194–202. https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.2024.1509904
Classic Bells. (n.d.). Superfat. Classic Bells. https://classicbells.com/soap/superfat.asp
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