Answering the big question: What is the best natural soap?

Reading Time: 10 min

If you’ve ever flipped over a soap bar and wondered what half the ingredients actually are, you’re not alone. A growing number of us are paying closer attention to what touches our skin and with good reason. Our skin is smart, sensitive, and absorbs more than we often realize. That’s why the shift toward clean, chemical-free skincare isn’t just a trend, it’s a return to basics.

In Canada, something beautiful is happening. Small-batch soap makers are reviving traditional methods, working with local botanicals and nourishing oils, and creating bars that feel as good on your conscience as they do on your skin. The quality? Exceptional. The values? Even better.

So when someone asks, “What’s the best natural soap?” the answer isn't just about lather or scent. It's about ingredients, intention, and impact. This guide is a starting point for finding your own favorite bar, made right here in Canada

What Makes a Soap “Natural”?

Let’s break this down, simply.

A truly natural soap is made with ingredients you could almost cook with: olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, maybe a handful of herbs or a drop of lavender essential oil. No synthetic fragrances. No dyes that look like highlighters. No unnecessary stuff.

Look for short, clear ingredient lists. You’ll often see terms like saponified oils—that just means oils that have been turned into soap through a natural process called saponification. It's the same basic method soap makers have used for centuries.

But it’s not just what’s inside—it’s how it’s made. The best bars are usually hand-poured in small batches, where each recipe is fine-tuned for skin feel and function. And when a brand cares about the planet as much as your skin, you’ll notice that too—in their packaging, their sourcing, and the stories they tell.

If you’re new to decoding labels, this guide from Softie Beauty on what to look for in handmade soap is a super helpful place to start.

The Case for Canadian-Made Soaps

There’s something reassuring about knowing where your soap comes from—and what’s gone into it. Canadian soap makers have built a quiet reputation for doing things the right way: sourcing locally, producing in small batches, and putting transparency at the heart of everything.

Many of these brands use locally sourced ingredients, like Alberta-grown canola, Quebec wild botanicals, and BC coastal herbs. This not only cuts down on transport emissions, it also keeps the formulations tied to place and season, which feels both grounding and good.

Canada also benefits from strong regulatory frameworks that guide labeling and safety standards, especially for cosmetic and skincare products. When a brand claims “natural,” you’re more likely to see ingredient lists that back it up.

But what really sets Canadian soaps apart is their makers. Most of these brands are led by women, artists, and wellness-driven founders who treat soapmaking like both a craft and a calling. Choosing these bars means supporting artisans and independent makers who value care over mass production.

Top Canadian Natural Soap Brands to Know

1. Rocky Mountain Soap Company (Canmore, Alberta)

A pioneer in the clean beauty scene, Rocky Mountain Soap crafts 100% natural bars using organic shea butter, essential oils, and a commitment to environmental responsibility. Their line is broad—great for those looking to explore scents and functions while staying true to nature.

What we love about this brand:
They’ve been doing natural long before it was trendy—and you can feel that consistency in every bar.

2. Damascus Soap (Vancouver, BC)

Rooted in Syrian tradition and handcrafted in Canada, Damascus Soap brings heritage skincare into the modern day. Their bars like The Classic, made with olive oil, laurel berry oil, and coconut oil, are aged for months using ancient techniques. What sets it apart from other natural soaps is that it’s not just for the body, it’s a single, balanced solution for face, body, and even hair. Thanks to its rich yet gentle formula and low-foaming lather, it cleanses without stripping the skin or scalp, making it especially valuable for those with sensitivities or a minimalist approach. It’s an ideal pick for anyone who appreciates simplicity, authenticity, and slow-made care.

3. Anto Yukon (Yukon)

Drawing from the wild landscapes of the North, Anto Yukon infuses its bars with local botanicals and a healthy dose of storytelling. Each soap is wrapped in artwork, making it feel like a gift to yourself every time you use it.

4. Graydon Skincare (Toronto, Ontario)

Known for their modern, plant-powered approach, Graydon’s soaps are vegan, essential-oil scented, and gentle enough for sensitive skin. Bonus: their formulas are developed with input from dermatological professionals.

5. SSSOAPS (Toronto, Ontario)

Is a Toronto-based brand redefining soap as a daily act of care. Founded by artist Sandro Petrillo, their small-batch bars are handmade using nourishing plant oils, clays, and essential oils. Free from palm oil and synthetic scents, each bar is minimalist, sustainable, and skin-loving.

6. Good Juju (Toronto, Ontario)

This zero-waste brand blends charcoal, avocado oil, and woodsy florals into bars designed to detox and hydrate at once. Their packaging is plastic-free, and their soaps are perfect for anyone leaning into a more sustainable lifestyle.

7. Paume (Toronto, Ontario)

Focused more on hand care, Paume makes luxurious cleansing bars and balms that marry skincare with sustainability. Their ingredients list reads like a spa menu: aloe, coconut oil, and plant-based emollients.

8. Crate 61 Organics (Canada-wide)

With wide distribution and an easy online store, Crate 61 makes accessible, handmade bars using biodegradable, vegan-friendly ingredients. Great for households wanting to make the switch to natural without overthinking it.

9. Mountain Sky Soap (Canada-wide)

Their bars are eco-conscious, plastic-free, and soothing for sensitive skin. With fun designs and gentle formulations, Mountain Sky keeps things family-friendly and down-to-earth.

10. Fruits & Passion (Montreal, Quebec)

brings everyday luxury to the sink. Made in Quebec, their Cucina soaps are biodegradable, olive oil–enriched, and beautifully scented. With blends like Coriander & Olive Tree, they offer a gentle, nourishing cleanse wrapped in a sensory experience.

11. Boreal Folk (Quebec)

Wildcrafted and seasonal, Boreal Folk harvests botanicals straight from Canadian forests. Their bars are earthy, raw, and deeply rooted in a love for the land.

 What Makes These Brands the Best?

There’s no shortage of soap bars on the market, but the ones we’ve highlighted stand out for a reason.

First, they’re made with clean, plant-based formulas, think olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and real essential oils. No petroleum byproducts, no synthetic perfumes, and definitely no questionable additives. These ingredients aren’t just gentler on your skin they’re often better for the planet too.

Many of these brands also go beyond what’s inside the bar. They focus on ethical sourcing and eco-friendly packaging, often using compostable or recyclable materials and working with fair-trade suppliers. It's about delivering a product that feels good on your skin and aligns with your values.

And for anyone dealing with dryness, irritation, or skin conditions like eczema or acne, natural soap can make a visible difference. Ingredients like glycerin, laurel oil, and botanical extracts support the skin’s barrier and reduce flare ups without stripping your natural oils. You can explore these proven benefits of natural soap for sensitive skin in more detail through makers like Mountain Sky Soap.

Finally, what really sets these brands apart is their commitment to values. Whether it's being vegan, cruelty-free, or zero waste, they’re making products that go beyond the bar because sustainability, transparency, and community matter too.

How to Choose the Best Natural Soap for You

Start with your skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, look for soaps with olive oil, shea butter, or laurel oil ingredients that nourish and protect. For oily or acne-prone skin, bars with activated charcoal or tea tree might help balance without over-drying.

Next, consider your scent preferences. Do you love a grounding, herbal bar? Something floral? Or are you better off with an unscented formula that won’t trigger sensitivities?

Texture matters too. Some bars are soft and creamy, perfect for winter skin, while others are hard-milled and built to last in a humid shower. If you’re used to big bubbles, know that natural bars often have a gentler lather, but your skin will thank you.

Don’t forget to scan the label for any ingredient sensitivities or allergies (especially to nuts, essential oils, or fragrances). And if sustainability is part of your decision-making, look for palm-oil free, biodegradable, or zero-waste packaging.

Choosing your soap should feel intentional, not overwhelming. With so many great Canadian options out there, you’re bound to find one that fits like a second skin.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single answer to “What is the best natural soap?”—and that’s the beauty of it. Your skin, your values, and your rituals are personal. But what’s clear is that Canadian brands are doing something special, blending nature, tradition, and care into every bar.

Whether you’re choosing based on ingredients, scent, packaging, or a love for slow-made things, you’re not just buying soap, you’re supporting makers who care deeply about what they create and why it matters.

So go ahead. Try a bar from one of these trusted names. It’s a small switch, but one that can transform your skincare routine and maybe even how you move through your day.

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