Prebiotics in Soap??? Are you lot bonkers? (No we haven't quite lost the plot yet)

Prebiotics in Soap: Why Your Skin’s Microbiome Deserves some good stuff to help it 

I get it. Soap’s meant to clean, not feed your skin’s ecosystem. But what if I told you that marshmallow root, dandelion, and parsley are doing more than just smelling nice?

Let’s get one thing straight: your skin isn’t a blank canvas. It’s a living ecosystem and it's also the largest organ of the body so it makes sense to support and look after it. So if you’re slathering it with synthetic stuff and mystery fragrances, you’re not just stripping the dirt—you’re stripping balance.

I've spent many years researching ingredients that would help my fussy skin and then making concoctions/soap in the kitchen to see if they worked. After a while I found a few crackers that I continue to use time and again.

Herbs: prebiotic herbs. The unsung heroes of natural soap and skincare. Especially for those whose skin is hormonal, outdoorsy, and gloriously imperfect like mine was and lets be honest most of us suffer with fussy skin at some point in our life.

What Are Prebiotics, Anyway?

Prebiotics are plant compounds that feed the good bacteria on your skin. Not to be confused with probiotics (which add bacteria), prebiotics support what’s already there—your skin’s natural defence.

When your microbiome’s happy, your skin:

Stays calm and less reactive.

Retains moisture better.

Fights off flare-ups and inflammation.

Some of the best Herbs that are Microbiome-Friendly

Parsley Not just for garnish. Parsley is rich in chlorophyll and vitamin C, helping to detoxify and brighten skin while feeding beneficial microbes. It’s especially good for skin that’s been exposed to the elements—sun, wind, and garden grit. We pop a good dollop of Parsley powder into our Mountain Larch soap - making this soap great for those that like a touch of exfoliation without that 'errr this is scrubbing my skin like a Brillo pad' feel.

Dandelion Root Is powerhouse for skin. Dandelion root is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and packed with minerals. It helps soothe flare-ups and supports skin’s natural detox pathways. We;ve even had reports back from customers that our Patchouli Spice soap is great for calming down nettle stings. We don't know for sure because we haven't tested it but it's something we will be looking into over the next few months.

Marshmallow Root Softness in a root. Marshmallow is mucilaginous—meaning it creates a gel-like texture that’s deeply hydrating and calming. It’s a prebiotic dream for dry, reactive, or weather-worn skin. Especially good in colder months when your barrier’s feeling fragile and the cold wet weather has got to it.

Frankincense Powder Needs no introduction. Frankincense is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, but it also acts as a prebiotic—supporting skin’s resilience and regeneration. Plus, it smells great too. No wonder it's been used for millennia.

Nettle Powder Nettle isn’t just a stinging weed (that we've all been caught by) —it’s a brilliant for skin that’s been through it. Packed with minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc, nettle powder helps calm inflammation, balance oil production, and support the skin’s natural detox process. It is known to help skin deal with flare-ups, dryness, or hormonal chaos, nettle offers that quiet resilience. We use it in our Original Herb bar not because it’s trendy—but because it works. It's the herb that I (Cath) first researched when my skin was fussy and I started making my own soap and I've been using it for the past 20 or so years to help keep my skin a bit happier.

Why It Matters for Real-Skin

If you’re an outdoorsy kind of guy or gal, and done with the beauty industry’s airbrushed nonsense, prebiotic soap is your pal. It doesn’t just clean—it restores.

No stripping of natural oils. No fakery.

Just herbs that know what your skin needs.

Soap that respects your microbiome and your lifestyle.

Try to Feed Your Skin, Don’t Fight It

Your skin isn’t broken. It’s evolving. And it deserves ingredients that work with it—not against it.

So next time you reach for a bar (or a bottle of shower gel,) ask yourself this: Is this feeding my skin’s ecosystem—or just foaming for show?

If it’s packed with parsley, dandelion, marshmallow, and frankincense… you’re on the right track.