14 Mar Aqua Soap: A Side by Side Comparison with a Leading Soap Brand

At Necesse Naturals we like to keep things simple. That’s why all of our products are made with 100% natural, organic, ethically sourced, and cruelty-free ingredients. We can’t speak for the other guys, though. Some of the leading brands of body wash, facial cleansers, lotions, moisturizers, and other beauty products can contain harmful chemicals. Some of these are parabens, phthalates, chemical fragrances, SLS and/or its related compound, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), and, sometimes, even formaldehyde. Yup, that stuff you had to smell in science class that’s used to preserve corpses. Every now and then, it creeps its way into your beauty products.

So, with this in mind, we decided to take a closer look at Aqua, our unscented natural soap, and compare it to the leading facial cleanser on the market today. What better way to really see what goes into your products than checking how it measures up to the competition?

Right off the bat, we can see just how different these two products are. Aqua only has four ingredients, all of which are natural, organic products, and all of which you can pronounce! In a 2008 interview while promoting his book “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto”, Michael Pollan said “don’t buy products with more than five ingredients or any ingredients you can’t easily pronounce.” Granted, he was talking about food, but still, with some notable exceptions, this is a good rule of thumb to live by with the things we put on our skin as well as in our bellies.

An important thing to keep in mind with commercially-produced products of any kind is that the ingredients list is laid out in a very specific manner, with the most prominent ingredients being included at the top of the list and the least prominent all the way at the bottom. Off the top, the leading brand of face wash starts off with two great ingredients in water and glycerine, a naturally-occurring substance that helps your skin retain moisture while cleansing. But the third item? This is one of the main ingredients Necesse Naturals refuses to use – sulfates!

Sodium laureth sulfate or SLS is what helps products foam up. It’s in shampoos, body wash, bars of soap, face wash – you name it! And, unfortunately, it’s known to be a big proponent of irritation to the skin. It strips skin and hair of its natural oils which can cause irritation, terribly dry skin, and can exacerbate conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Necesse uses palm oil in our Aqua cleanser. Actually, it’s the base for our product which helps ensure that it’s both long-lasting and has a high lather without stripping your skin of its moisture. All of our palm oil is certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) and is 100% ethically and sustainably sourced from a plantation that’s been managed and certified according to RSPO principles.  

Aqua also uses coconut oil as one of its primary ingredients. This all-natural powerhouse has been used as a cleanser alongside olive oil and castor oil, two of Aqua’s other ingredients, since the days of Pliny the Elder in ancient Rome. Coconut oil has incredible anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that can easily help repair your skin’s natural moisture barriers. It’s also incredibly useful for soothing irritation and rashes, making it ideal for those with skin conditions.

On top of sulfates, the leading brand also contains parabens. More specifically, it contains Methylparaben and Propylparaben, preservatives that help products last for months and even years in our bathroom cupboards and medicine cabinets. These ingredients can have detrimental effects on the human body and the environment, something Necesse is absolutely not on board with!  

Along with the sulfates and parabens, this leading cleanser also contains menthol. “But wait,” you’re probably thinking, “menthol comes from the peppermint plant. It’s a natural extract. It has to be good … right?” Wrong. Not all things that grow in nature are great for your skin, and menthol is one such thing. It may help to clear up a cough, but menthol has a sensitizing effect on the skin which can actually lead to chemical burns if too much is applied.

When it comes to what’s best for your body it’s always important to check the label. Whether it’s what we eat or what we put on our skin, it’s best to be aware. With Necesse Naturals products like Aqua Soap, everything’s right up front where you can see it (and pronounce it)! All natural. All organic. All ethical. All good for you!

Necesse Naturals is a natural products company that is focused on helping people live healthier lives. Designed for portability and flexibility, Necesse Naturals’ products are long-lasting and travel-friendly. They won’t break down. They’ll be with you when you need them! Learn more at necessenaturals.com