Let’s be honest: many of us tend to grab whatever flashy, colorful sale product we find at the grocery store without thinking twice about it. It’s all part of a brand’s marketing plan to do whatever they can to grab your attention so that you’ll make a purchase. Some people are now looking past that flashy marketing and actually reading the labels.
Mass produced products, specifically bath and beauty products, are often made with a mix of synthetic fragrances and harsh detergents that can strip our skin’s natural oils. In addition, they can harm the environment through plastic waste and chemical runoff.
Choosing natural, vegan products isn’t just a trend; it’s about going back to basics. When you choose a bath or beauty product that is made with plant-based ingredients, you’re providing your skin with antioxidants and vitamins it recognizes instead of layering your skin with silicone or petroleum. Natural products not only benefit you but also the planet. Your body stays healthy and hydrated while reducing the impact of microplastics and toxic by-products.
If you ever considered making the switch to natural, vegan and Earthy friendly products, a great place to start is with a brand that has been doing things right for years: Crate 61.
Based in Toronto, Crate 61 specializes in cold-process soaps that feel like a luxury treatment, rather than just a basic wash. They don’t cut corners with fragrance oils or cheap fillers. Instead, they use a rich, vegan base of extra-virgin olive oil and avocado oil, scented only with pure essential oils.
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing morning wake-up (check out the brand’s Eucamint bar) or something soothing like Oatmeal Shea, Crate 61 soaps provide a clean, plastic-free option that shows you don’t need lab-made chemicals to get your body clean and keep your skin healthy.
Crate 61 was kind enough to send me a few samples of their soaps to try out for myself. I received the following bars of soap.
Enjoy the sweet, uplifting combination of vanilla and orange in this handcrafted soap bar. Cold-processed with 100% plant-based ingredients, this soap creates a creamy lather that deeply moisturizes and refreshes your skin. Enriched with shea butter, olive oil, and avocado oil, it leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. Packaged in FSC-certified paperboard, this soap is a pure indulgence, free from synthetic ingredients and artificial dyes.
This is my favorite scented soap from the samples I received. The smell is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Even my husband and son agree on the scent. It’s something everyone can enjoy.
I would have thought this smelled like a creamsicle, but it doesn’t. Unless you want to consider this a creamsicle scent for adults. It’s not a chemically induced sweet scent. That is because it’s scented with pure essential oils.
This soap is listed as a “medium grit.” I believe that has to do with the texture of the soap. Because it’s made with natural ingredients you’ll find little bits and pieces in the soap, but that’s a good thing. That natural texture acts as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and leave behind smoother, cleaner skin.
You can see in my photo (above) how the texture of the soap is, and it’s suppose to look like that because it’s natural. Mass produced processed soaps have a glossy, smooth appearance achieved by using chemical ingredients.
For the record that IS my photo above. I just changed the background because my tub looks a bit “worse for the wear” and I didn’t want to show it off to the world.
As far as how the product works, I love it. You wouldn’t think a natural product would have a nice lather to it, but this soap does. It leaves my skin feeling refreshingly clean.
Often when I step out of the shower my skin feels “tight” (for lack of a better description) to where I need to apply moisturizer right away. I did not experience that feeling when using this soap. I still would add a moisturizer, but that is only out of force of habit.
This bar has an invigorating sweet citrus aroma that is wildly popular with many of our customers and friends! Our Avocado Grapefruit Bar Soap is made exclusively with plant-based and cruelty free ingredients and packaged in a fully biodegradable paperboard box. Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and unrefined avocado oil lend a rich bubbly lather that will leave your skin super soft and moisturized.
This is a no-grit soap which means it’s great for every day use. It doesn’t exfoliate your skin but rather it just leaves your skin squeaky clean.
I would never think to pair of avocado and grapefruit, but the scents do work very well together. It’s a good every day soap.
Soothing meets floral in this calming and romantic bar soap. Infused with the relaxing aroma of lavender and the delicate scent of rose geranium, this cold-processed, plant-based soap creates a creamy lather that comforts both skin and senses. Crafted with nourishing oils like shea butter, olive oil, and avocado oil, it delivers gentle hydration while leaving your skin soft and lightly fragranced. Packaged in eco-friendly FSC-certified paperboard, it’s free from synthetic ingredients and artificial dyes—perfect for a serene, all-natural cleanse.
You can’t go wrong with the scent combination of lavender and rose. It does have the flowery rose scent, but not too much were men can’t use it. I didn’t tell my husband or son what the scents were when I first received the soaps. I wanted to get their unbiased opinions. The both thought it was a nice scent.
This is a light grit soap, which is still great for every day use while giving you a “hint” of exfoliation.
The brand also has other interesting scents soaps including Canadian Maple, Alpine & Spice, Cedarwood & Pine, and one that sounds really nice to me – Cocoa & Vanilla Espresso (that “speaks” to the coffee lover in me).
You might think soaps like this are pricey. That is not so. Each bar sells for $4.95, which is not bad at all with all things considering. You can also purchase bundles to save some money too.
I personally think these soaps would make a great gift too. You can give them “as is” or use them to create a gift basket. During the holidays these would make great stocking stuffers, “Secret Santa” gifts and gifts for teachers.
If you would like to learn more about Crate 61 and see all that they have to offer (they have more than just soap), visit them online at Crate61.com. You can also follow them on social media to keep up to date on new products, sales and more.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
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