Here we discuss the use of soap for various purposes, including as a home remedy for wounds and skin problems. Despite its antibacterial properties, soap is not registered with the Swedish Medicines Agency for medical use, but many have testified to its positive effects in treating chafing wounds and other skin problems!
Last edited on May 8, 2024
Soap has a high pH value and is naturally antibacterial, which has made the soap bath for sore feet, ingrown toenails and cuts a popular home remedy. BUT soaps are rarely registered with the Norwegian Medicines Agency, which is a requirement in order to be allowed to market and sell them for such purposes. It is also the reason why you have probably heard that soap can fix chafing and ingrown toenails, maybe even received the advice of a health care professional but can't find a word about this on the soap bottle or on the manufacturer's website. It is a cleaning product and is therefore not classified by the Swedish Medicines Agency during the chemical inspection, and that is the explanation.
Was your grandmother wrong when she advised you to take a foot bath with soap to heal your chafing wounds? No, probably not, there are many who testify to the positive effect.
Eczema, there are people who claim to get eczema when they use soap - this is probably due to the residual resin that can remain in tall oil soaps. Then try a soap based on linseed oil or Västerbottens soap based on rapeseed oil. Many people who switch from other cleaning products to soap find that their hands become soft and nice and that the skin does not dry out - this is about the product not harming you when you use it, not that you use it as skin care, so the answer is yes, soap is a good choice.
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- Why is soap not registered with the Swedish Medicines Agency for medical use?
Soap is considered a cleaning product and is not subject to the requirements for registration with the Norwegian Medicines Agency. This is due to its classification under the Chemicals Inspectorate rather than the Medicines Agency.
- Can soap be used to treat skin problems such as chafing and ingrown toenails?
Many people testify to the positive effects of soap baths for wounds and skin problems!
- Why can some people experience that they get eczema when they use certain types of soaps?
Eczema can be caused by resin residues left in some pine oil soaps. Switching to a soap based on linseed oil or canola oil may be an option for those who experience problems with eczema.
Order natural cleaning products here: Västerbotten soap