We can’t stress enough how important it is to wash your hands, especially these days. Washing your hands properly can help prevent the spread of germs (like bacteria and viruses), as most of us tend to touch our eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it.
But washing can also be a chance to pamper yourself; God knows we could use some TLC. Enter Whitechapel Soap. Based in Los Angeles, California, the handcrafted soap brand is run by Jared Simons. Describing himself as a humble soapmaker, Simons had a successful career as a cook and chef for over 20 years, before transitioning into soap making.
According to Simons, both cooking and soap making rely on science. “If you don’t understand what’s happening when you’re cooking, it’s never going to make sense,” he explained in an interview with Matter of Hand. “With that, the cooking translates to the soapmaking. I wasn’t that interested in chemistry, I just needed to understand what was going on so I spent a lot of time just looking on the internet.”
The years of experience sourcing ingredients in the kitchen also came in handy, as Simons now looks for the finest natural and sustainable oils. His ingredients olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, as well as water and sodium hydroxide.
Naturally, his soap bars also make the ideal gift. “I actually finish each bar with a boot brush to kind of knock off the rough edge and give it a tumbled look,” says Simons. “So each bar has a little character.”
Take a look at his collection in the gallery below.
