Hello friends, family and neighbors - welcome to Less Soap!
We’re Deb & Todd, a happily married couple making small-batch, handmade cold process soap with a pure, minimalist approach. We created Less out of personal need, a desire for simplicity, and an appreciation for real, earth-friendly body care. Here’s a bit of our story.
Deb’s Story: Why Less Matters to Me
Why do these simple, uncolored and unscented bars speak to my heart? Because I love all things natural, pure, earthy and real... and because my skin needs it!
I have eczema—mostly on the palms of my hands—which is a miserable place to flare up. It doesn’t take much to trigger a reaction. Harsh detergents, anti-bacterial chemicals, synthetic fragrances… all of them wreak havoc on my skin. So I have to be extra careful with what I use. I’m serious about my soap. I never leave home without it—literally. I carry a small bar in my purse everywhere I go so I can safely wash my hands, even in public restrooms or private homes.
Why So Simple?
Because I’ve learned the hard way that “less” really is more. My sensitivities to fragrances and dyes are what pushed me to go fragrance-free. But beyond that, I’ve always been drawn to products that are truly pure and transparent—free from mystery ingredients and flashy marketing claims. I got tired of investigating labels only to discover I couldn’t trust what was in them.
That’s why we created Less Soap: no fragrances, no fillers, no colorants. Just a short list of simple, natural ingredients. Less to worry about. Less risk of reaction. More peace of mind.
A Natural Approach to Personal Care
Over the years, I’ve swapped out most commercial personal care products for simple, wholesome alternatives. No more aisles full of lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and deodorants with long, unpronounceable ingredient lists. Instead, I’ve embraced a minimal, homemade routine:
- I use natural oils like olive, coconut, jojoba, and shea to moisturize.
- I make my own deodorant—super simple and surprisingly effective. (Homemade deodorant recipe coming soon!)
- I wash my hair simply with a bar of soap, coupled with a vinegar rinse for a soft, healthy shine. (How to guide on using soap as shampoo coming soon!)
I love that my shelves aren’t cluttered with bottles full of questionable stuff. I love understanding what I’m putting on my skin. And most of all, I love the peace that comes with knowing it’s safe, gentle, and good for me.
What? No Scent? Why Not?
We get this question a lot. The short answer? Because scent—natural or synthetic—can be a major irritant for a lot of people.
Sure, I love essential oils and incense. But in real life, many of us are overwhelmed by the constant barrage of artificial fragrances in our homes, workplaces, and even on our clothes. And while natural fragrances are often seen as safer, they’re not always harmless—some essential oils can still trigger reactions in people with allergies or asthma.
For example, years ago when I wore essential oils regularly, my housemate started experiencing asthma symptoms—especially on laundry day. Even the patchouli in my natural deodorant triggered her. That experience changed how I use scents, not just for my sake, but for those around me.
That’s why we choose to keep our soaps completely fragrance-free—because everyone deserves to breathe and bathe freely.
Todd's Story: Finding a New Path
For many years I’ve worked in the technology field and, honestly, I’ve been fairly burned out on all things IT for quite a while. A change was needed as the digital realm no longer held the interest it once did.
Although Deb had in years past expressed interest in creating her own soap, I never really gave it much thought, at least not as a possible income source, until shortly after the pandemic. Motivated by the need to find a new interest driver in work life I began a learning journey researching the science and process of cold process soap creation. The more I learned, the more fascinating it became. After making my first batch of castile soap, I was hooked. At last, a new personal passion was discovered and it was one that encompassed very few elements of the tech field that was growing more tiresome by the day.
One positive aspect of this expansive field is that it can be a highly creative process. Many folks who make soaps are skilled artisans that craft amazing works of art that people everywhere enjoy both gifting and displaying in their washrooms.
Once someone becomes a ‘soaper’, they become captive to a compelling and persistent addiction (a good one) and before long they’re batching way more soap than one household can use. This has definitely been our experience too. Deb and I very much enjoy the process of producing high quality handcrafted soap in the evenings with some cool tunes streaming in the background.
So now work doesn’t feel like WORK. Making soap is something I WANT to do and not something I HAVE to do. I remember reflecting on a quote some years back that stated a profound truth that I hoped to implement in my life someday…
“The work you do while avoiding the work you need to do is the work you should do for the rest of your life.”
I’m happy to say that hope is now a reality!