Tattva Botanica Skin & Wellness Journal

By Kesang & Soumya Founders Tattva Botanica  Coconut oil contributes cleansing ability, rich lather, and durability to many handmade soap formulations. Coconut oil is one of the world's most widely used ingredients in handmade soap—but does that automatically make it the best choice for every skin type? For many people, coconut oil is associated with nourishment, tropical skincare traditions, and natural beauty routines. Because of this familiarity, it's easy to assume that a soap containing coconut oil behaves in exactly the same way as the oil itself. In reality, soap making is much more sophisticated. During saponification —the natural chemical reaction that transforms oils into soap and naturally occurring glycerin—coconut oil changes its characteristics. Instead of remaining a simple plant oil, it becomes one part of a carefully balanced formulation designed to cleanse the skin while working alongside other botanical ingredients. This is why two handmade soaps containi...

By Kesang & Soumya Founders Tattva Botanica Olive oil has been treasured for thousands of years not only as a culinary staple but also as one of the most respected ingredients in traditional skincare. Long before synthetic cleansers became common, soap makers across the Mediterranean relied on olive oil to create gentle cleansing bars that were valued for their simplicity, craftsmanship, and skin-friendly properties. Today, olive oil continues to be one of the most important ingredients in premium handmade soaps. From traditional Castile soaps to modern artisan formulations, it contributes to a mild cleansing experience, a creamy lather, and a balanced formulation that many people associate with everyday skin comfort. However, olive oil soap is also surrounded by misconceptions. Some believe it directly moisturises the skin in the same way as applying liquid olive oil, while others assume that using extra virgin olive oil automatically creates a superior soap. In reality, the scien...