Cold process soap

Not all soap is created equal. Wild Māra soaps are pharmacist-formulated and handmade in small batches in Nelson, New Zealand, for simple, everyday use. Our herbal soaps combine plant-based ingredients, botanical extracts, mineral clays, pure essential oils, plant oils and butters.

Wild Māra soaps are made using the traditional cold process method — a slow, natural technique that preserves the goodness of every ingredient. Unlike mass-produced soaps, nothing is stripped away.

Which means your skin gets real nourishment — not just a quick cleanse.

Why your skin will love it

Cold process soap isn’t just “natural” — it performs better.

Here’s what makes it different:

  • Naturally moisturising (thanks to retained glycerine)

  • Gentle on sensitive skin

  • Rich, creamy lather from real plant oils and butters

  • No synthetic fillers, parabens or harsh detergents

Because the ingredients aren’t overheated, they keep their skin-loving properties intact — giving you a more nourishing, effective soap.

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three soaps stacked on top of each other with thyme resting beside them
Three artisanal soap bars labeled 'WILD MĀRA' in different colours, a small dish with dried rosehips, a sprig of lavender, a small bowl of clay, and a sprig of greenery on a wooden tray.
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The science made simple

Soap might feel simple — but there’s a little magic behind it.

When plant oils + water + a natural alkali combine, a process called saponification happens — transforming everything into soap + glycerine.

At Wild Māra, every bar is also made with a “superfat” — meaning extra oils are left in the final soap to keep your skin soft, nourished, and never stripped.

Slices of marble-patterned soap with swirls of purple and cream
four Wild Māra soaps packaged on a wooden surface. They are Charcoal & Thyme, Neroli & Rose, Kawakawa & Aloe, and Triple Butter
a wooden soap mold containing freshly poured wet soap
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  • This is where Wild Māra really stands out.

    Botanicals are:

    • Grown in a spray-free Nelson garden

    • Dried and slowly infused into oils over 3 - 6 months

    • Carefully blended into each formulation

    No shortcuts. Just time, patience, and real plants.

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  • Every soap is made using:

    • Cold-pressed plant oils (olive, coconut, avocado, hemp seed, castor)

    • Rich butters (shea, cocoa, mango)

    • Mineral-rich clays for skin benefits

    • Pure therapeutic essential oils

    • Homegrown botanicals

    And importantly:
    No palm oil. No nasties. No synthetic fragrances.

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  • After being made, each bar is cured for 4–6 weeks.

    This allows:

    • Water to evaporate

    • The bar to harden (so it lasts longer)

    • The soap to become gentler on your skin

    Good things take time — and your skin can tell the difference.

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  • Cold process soap is also more sustainable.

    • No external heat = lower energy use

    • Small batch production = less waste

    • Natural ingredients = biodegradable

    It’s skincare that’s kind to your skin and lighter on the planet.

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Ready to feel the difference?

Once you try cold process soap, it’s hard to go back.

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