When I started making soap 5+ years ago, I was just looking for the healthiest, chemical-free option. I didn’t plan to make soap myself but, after browsing so many options in the store and researching the ingredients, I was discouraged and disappointed by what I found.

Here’s the truth: most of those bars aren’t really soap at all—they’re detergents made with synthetic ingredients, chemical hardeners, and artificial fragrances. If you want something truly nourishing for your skin, look no further than a simple, old-fashioned bar of handmade lard soap.

That started my journey of lots or learning and testing recipes. Now, I’m thrilled to offer my handmade soap at our farm stand. I’m even more proud and excited that I get to source the lard from Oak Shire Farm, who is not only local to me but uses regenerative and sustainable practices.

Many of you may know Oak Shire Farm from the Nelson Co. Farmers Market where they offer delicious breakfast sandwiches with their forest-raised pork. They also sell retail cuts of pork. It was important for them to use all of the animal so, I am glad this soap-making partnership allows the lard to go to good use.

Not familiar with lard soap? There are some great benefits:

Gentle and Skin-Friendly

Handmade lard soap is rich in natural fatty acids that closely mimic the oils our skin naturally produces. This means it cleans without stripping away your skin’s protective barrier. Store-bought “beauty bars,” on the other hand, often use harsh surfactants that leave skin tight, dry, and prone to irritation.

Naturally Moisturizing

Lard is deeply conditioning, helping lock in moisture while providing a rich, creamy lather. Unlike commercial soaps that rely on petroleum byproducts or synthetic moisturizers, handmade lard soap contains glycerin—a natural byproduct of the soap-making process that’s often removed from factory-made bars to be sold separately as lotion. With handmade soap, the glycerin stays right where it belongs: in your bar, keeping your skin soft.

Fewer Ingredients, More Transparency

Less is more when it comes to ingredients. I use high-quality ingredients, each one beneficial for the skin. All ingredients are listed directly on the label so you know exactly what’s in it: lard, lye, water, olive oil, coconut oil, and a few natural extras like essential oils, herbs, or clays. Compare that to the long ingredient list on a store-bought bar—sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and dyes—and it’s easy to see which option is kinder to your body.

Long-Lasting and Luxurious

Lard creates a hard, long-lasting bar that doesn’t melt away in the shower after just a few uses. The lather is rich, creamy, and soothing—more luxurious than the foamy, quick-rinse lather you get from detergent-based soaps.

Pro tip: Natural soap likes to dry out between uses. Be sure to use a soap dish instead of letting the soap sit in water to extend the life of the bar.

Handmade Lard Soap in a variety or colors and fragrances.

Traditional and Sustainable

For centuries, families made soap at home using what they had on hand, often rendering fat from their own kitchens or farms. Using lard today carries on that ancestral skill. Instead of relying on imported palm oil (which has major environmental concerns), lard uses an ingredient that might otherwise be discarded, turning it into something useful and beautiful

In short: my handmade lard soap is nourishing, simple, sustainable, and time-tested—everything a real bar of soap should be.

You can find my soap at our farm stand or at the Nelson County Farmers Market.

The Skin Benefits of Lard Soap