Sobal Soaps

Rachel Smiddy is a small-batch soapmaker, crafting in Cork City. Her brand name Sobal (‘subble’) is the Irish word for foam or lather. Rachel works exclusively in the cold process tradition. This is because the cold process method best preserves the skin-nourishing properties of the oils and essential oils being used to create a soap by working below forty degrees celsius. Having a deep respect for the world around us, Rachel gives priority to organic. She colours and decorates her soaps with all natural ingredients, from plant materials, clays, shells, and flowers, to the natural hues of the oils and essential oils themselves. Committed to sustainability, Rachel also avoids plastic, keeps waste to a minimum, and chooses ingredients that are sustainably sourced.

Every step of her process is done by hand—from blending the oils to cutting and curing each bar. For Rachel, soapmaking is a quiet, creative way to connect with the natural world and offer back something simple, clean, and kind.