What Is Soap?

Soap is the result of a natural chemical reaction called saponification—where rich, nourishing oils and butters are combined with lye (either sodium hydroxide for bar soap or potassium hydroxide for liquid soap) and a liquid such as water, milk, or aloe.

During this reaction, the lye acts as a powerful emulsifier, generating heat that binds the oils and liquid into a new substance: soap. And while lye is essential to the process, none remains in the final product when properly made—just pure, skin-loving soap and naturally occurring glycerin, which helps retain moisture and keeps your skin supple and soft.

That’s the Fiercely Feminine way: real ingredients, real chemistry, and real care.

But here’s something most people don’t realize:

Most Store-Bought “Soap” Isn’t Technically Soap

When you see products labeled as beauty bars or cleansing bars—from brands like Dove, Dial, or Olay—they may look like soap, but under FDA guidelines, they’re not.

Why? Because true soap must be made through the process of saponification and contain the alkali salts of fatty acids as its main cleansing agent. Most commercial bars skip that entirely, instead using synthetic detergents and chemical surfactants to mimic foam, extend shelf life, and stabilize fragrance. As a result, they're legally classified as cosmetics or detergent-based cleansers, not soap.

At Fiercely Feminine, we honor the origins of true skincare. Rooted in the ancient art of saponification, our soaps draw on a rich Mediterranean tradition—where cleansing was an experience of quiet luxury and grace. Once a sacred daily practice, bathing has too often been reduced to a chore or marketed as indulgence. But in truth, it has always been essential: a moment of renewal, of beauty, of coming home to yourself. We carry that legacy forward with pure ingredients, no synthetic shortcuts, and a fierce devotion to the ancient art of soap making. For the woman who nourishes her home, embraces her femininity— and understands that “her” beauty begins with “her” self-love.