Welcome to Portfolio Soaps!
I’m delighted you've discovered my collection of artisan handmade soaps. Let me share with you the journey behind Portfolio Soaps, a brand inspired by my experiences as a healthcare professional during the Covid 19 pandemic and my enduring passion for the visual arts. So no surprised bars are named after some of my most beloved artists and designers.
The Inspiration Behind Portfolio Soaps
Portfolio Soaps emerged from the toll that necessary but excessive hand washing with commercial soaps took on my skin during the pandemic. This experience prompted me to seek a gentler solution, but one also effective for everyone, not just healthcare workers.
Rediscovering My Creative Spark
Exploring the ancient craft of cold process soap-making unexpectedly reignited my creativity. I became fascinated by the alchemical process during a liquid soap-making class—and how it blended art with science.
However, it was the beautiful bar of soap I used during the course that captivated me: the luxurious lather, silkiness, and how pampered it made my hands feel. Ironically, I had always disliked bars of soap! This inner conflict led me to enrol in a cold process soap course, and over the next few months, I crafted hundreds of bars which I gave away. Little did I expect the feedback to be so positive, or it would ignite a collection.
Ingredients and Craft
Every bar of Portfolio Soap is meticulously handcrafted in small batches using a bespoke formulation of oils and plant butters. At Portfolio, our hallmark is the use of high-quality, ethically sourced tropical plant butters and oils in our custom recipes. Each batch is enriched with clays, botanicals, and pure essential oils, with unscented bars also available.
Hand-cutting ensures minimal waste and a reduced environmental footprint. While our recipes remain consistent, the unique characteristics of each batch make every bar one-of-a-kind.
Inspired by My Heritage
Childhood holidays and travels have profoundly shaped my choice of soap ingredients and scents. Fragrances have a unique ability to transport us through time, uplift our spirits, and soothe our senses. For me, it’s the blend of French polish and wood shavings from my father's workshop, mingled with my mother’s cherished roses and the comforting aroma of baking treats cooling on a rack, that evokes a time of simple pleasures.
Those memories also include school holidays spent in my grandma’s garden, where the scent of tree-ripe mangoes and sweet-smelling wild orchids filled the air. I recall the joy of evening visits from shimmering hummingbirds, fruit bats, and owls.
These cherished experiences form the heart of my soap collections, blending nostalgia with the contemporary to provide enduring inspiration. What are your favourite childhood scents?
Commitment to ethical practices & sustainability
Aligning my passion with environmental stewardship is crucial, and choosing ethically sourced tropical oils is a key part of this commitment. For those concerned about the impact of these ingredients, it’s important to recognise their significant benefits. By opting for ethically sourced tropical oils, we support millions of smallholder farmers in tropical regions, providing them with stable incomes and importantly empowering women.
This trade not only preserves cultural heritage through traditional methods but also contributes to essential infrastructure, such as schools and healthcare facilities. It fosters community development and builds resilience, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in these regions.
Moreover, ethical sourcing practices promote biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. They help safeguard ecosystems, protect wildlife habitats, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration. By making this choice, you commit to responsible consumerism and environmental stewardship, ensuring both sustainable economic and ecological outcomes.
Ready to Awaken Your Senses?
In a world filled with routines and habits, cleaning your skin can be more than just a task—it can be a deeply pleasurable experience. My simple aim is to transform this daily routine into a unique indulgence for pure, skin-kind enjoyment.
Join me in this mission that honours both your skin and our planet. Ready to explore the gallery of soap and start your sensory, skin-kind journey.