Commercial soaps sold in most stores are not really soap at all, but detergent. Detergents are petroleum-based products that tend to leave your skin feeling dry, itchy and tight. Most commercially produced soaps also contain synthetic lathering agents, artificial colors, and a slew of chemicals we can't even pronounce. Antibacterial and antimicrobial soaps sometimes contain a chemical called triclosan, which is also used in some pesticides and is known to cause cancer. A lot of the chemicals used in the mass production of commercial soaps are irritating and drying to a lot of people’s skin. The natural by-product of glycerin is stripped from the mass produced soap to be sold to companies that produce lotions and creams. These humectants generate smoothness and lubrication. Without it in the soap, your skin can begin to feel tight and hard. People with sensitive or dry skin will find it especially difficult to find mass produced soaps with a high glycerin level. With handmade soaps, on the other hand, the glycerin is left in place and not extracted, leaving the soaps much more moisturizing and smoother on the skin. All of my soaps are made using natural ingredients, no detergents, chemical fillers or preservatives, and retains all of the natural glycerin.  Natural is always better than synthetic!