Choosing a herbal soap by its ingredients

Read beyond the product name

A soap's name gives you a starting point, but the ingredient list is the better place to compare bars. Look at the complete blend, the way the bar is described and the directions on its pack. A botanical ingredient does not by itself establish that a finished soap suits every person.

Ramraj Organic's collection includes botanical blends, plant oils, milk ingredients and textured bars. Compare these features to find a bar for your everyday bathing routine.

Compare the blends

Neem Aloe lists neem extract and aloe vera alongside ingredients including glycerine, coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil. Rosemary Aloe lists rosemary oil, rosemary leaf extract and aloe vera with glycerine, olive oil and sesame oil. Read each full product list rather than assuming the two aloe blends are otherwise identical.

Haldi Chandan combines turmeric and sandalwood with ingredients including aloe vera, goat milk and plant oils. Kesar Chandan lists saffron and sandalwood with rice, goat milk, glycerine, coconut oil and olive oil. These give you two different ingredient combinations to explore.

Honey Rose Milk includes milk cream, honey, rose ingredients, shea butter and a natural scrub. Hibiscus Cucumber lists hibiscus and cucumber extracts with a hibiscus leaf scrub. If you prefer a textured bar, these descriptions give you something specific to compare.

Glow Mist lists rice extract, goat milk cream and coconut extract among its ingredients. Wonder Soap has a broader blend including multani mitti, activated charcoal, botanical extracts, essential oils and shea butter. The complete list on each product page helps you check ingredients you personally prefer or avoid.

Consider the whole bar and your routine

Consider the complete blend, texture and how the bar feels in use. Check the full ingredient list for anything you prefer to avoid, and follow the directions on the pack.

Use the bar as directed on wet skin, lather and rinse thoroughly. These products are for external use. Avoid contact with eyes and discontinue use if irritation occurs, following the instructions supplied with the product.

Pick a practical pack size

The catalog lists 100 g bars with several pack choices. Check the currently available options on the product page before ordering; compare the total number of bars and total pack price rather than the displayed price alone.

Once in use, let the bar dry between washes and store spare bars in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture. Check the manufacture and best-before details on the pack. Buying the size you will actually use keeps your routine simple.