Handmade soaps are made from vegetable oils (sometimes also animal fats) and butter, which are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that are essential for healthy skin. And, real handmade soap contains glycerin. You will not find any soap out there that takes all the stuff out of their soap to sell you a 2nd product. In contrast, handmade soaps are working hard to find wonderful skin-loving ingredients to create the most beneficial soaps for our beautiful skin.
Detergents originated in 1916 Germany, and commercial "soap" as we know it today came into existence during WWII. Detergents are synthetic (often petroleum-based) cleansers that strip your skin of the natural oils your body needs for healthy skin and can cause skin breakouts and irritation. Even if you find a bar of real soap at the store, it may not be so good for you. Many commercial soaps contain chemical-based dyes, colors, fragrances, lathering agents, preservatives, and other "stuff" we can't pronounce. These additives can damage our sensitive skin and hair and contaminate our drinking water. Some commercial "soaps," toothpastes, and body washes even contain triclosan, which can promote cancer.