You knew it was coming didn't you??? I was going to have to bring in my "other" hobby.  You know makin soap down at the cement pond!  No, No I really make it in the kitchen with all safety gear on.  I know that most just won't "get it" unless you have had it.  My Miami Momma friend of mine gifted me some homemade soap that I loved.  My skin felt so nice and soft.  I went to her website and looked at the variety and prices.  The frugal person in me said, I can do that.  It was not as easy as it appeared but still really doable.  It went from a frugal project into a creative project/ challege!  Why is homemade soap better?  Here are a few reasons why.
a) I use the best oils... it is for my family and friends!! Olive oil is my main ingredient.  Olive oil soap is so nice and mild it has become the "in" green thing to do if you are a man to wash your hair with it.  My husband and both of my stepsons use it on theirs.  I also use coconut to improve lather and castor to improve bubbles.  The main ingredient in store bought is tallow which is the fat around the kidneys of animals.  I think that is just fine by me as I eat animals but some people have issues with this.  John really freaked out one his vegetarian Indian friends by telling them that....
b) when oil and lye come together the by product is glycerin.  Glycerin is a humectant and draws moisture to your skin.  Storebought soap takes the gycerin and sells it.  It adds all sorts of stuff to make the soap harder and or preserve well.  If you look at the soap section they do not even call some soap.  I think by law they can't call it soap so they call it a beauty bar or something.
c) it just smells good!  When you make your own soap you can bring some aromatherapy to the party.  I use lavender from Bulgaria, lemongrass, all sorts of delish scents.
So go buy some homemade soap at your farmer's market or online at etsy.  If you live close you can even come bug me for it, I always have extra!!
The hobbies come together in Tomato basil soap with tomato seed scrubbies... good for garden paws!