You clean up good

Artisanal soaps

Dr Nirali Shah

A dentist by profession with an interest in artisanal soaps, Dr Nirali Shah initially started making soaps by using the melt and pour method with premade bases, using ingredients like orange peel and papaya powders and fragrances. She now makes cold-processed soaps using almond milk, honey, rosehip oils, annatto seeds, ubtan powder and ingredients like bergamot and cedarwood for fragrance, licorice powder for glow and French green clay and colloidal oats for exfoliation. The soaps do not include any preservatives. Her soap prices start at Rs 200.
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TO ORDER: @soapdhun, Instagram

Ruchita Shah

Mollis Soaps by Ruchita Shah has a range of handmade, sulphate and paraben-free cold-processed soaps and includes a variety of bars with notes of lavender, rosemary, clary sage, orange and peppermint, ingredients like chia seeds for exfoliation, and blends of creamy vanilla, warm oak, sandalwood, patchouli and Japanese cherry blossom. They are naturally coloured using elements like kaolin and French red clay. They also reuse soaps that don't make the final batch, ensuring zero wastage. Their soaps are for Rs 425.
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TO ORDER: https://www.basque.co.in/collections/mollissoaps

Lehar Maan and Shrutika Vaishnavi

This women-driven operation began in 2018. They use vegetarian ingredients and biodegradable cellophane paper for wrapping. They primarily use cold-pressed essential oils rather than synthetic fragrant oils, their spearmint and charcoal with chocolate soap bars proving most popular. They work with the oils of the season, using citric oils in summer and spicy flavours in winter. The soaps range between Rs 150 and Rs 180.
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TO ORDER: @soapernatural_handmadesoaps, Instagram

Rashmi Rai

Delhi-based Rai is a visual artist and fine art photographer who has been associated with the arts for many years, with interests in calligraphy, water colour and crocheting. The craft aspect of soap making is what attracted her most, urging her to learn the art through online videos during the pandemic. She started last December making small batches of six soaps and now makes up to 20 a day. She makes cold-processed soaps using natural ingredients. A 110 gm bar is priced at Rs 250.
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TO ORDER: @hand.made_soaps, Instagram

Karina and Karishma Chhabada

Sisters Karina and Karishma took an online course on soap-making some years ago but with their college closed during the lockdown, and having experienced the benefits of homemade soaps firsthand, the thought of starting a homegrown business struck them. Along with lye, an element that chemically transforms as the soap is cured over five-six weeks, they use ingredients like almond, coconut, palm and safflower oils. Their soaps range between Rs 40 and Rs 150.
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TO ORDER: @soapdope_, Instagram