A Cleanser Without Soap: How Sans Savon is Redefining Skincare
By Shahara Lum
In today’s skincare industry, we are always bombarded with countless products claiming to provide the ultimate solution for sensitive skin, hydration, and protection. Yet, according to Erica and Eli Halliwell, Founder and CO-Founder of the new soap-free cleansing brand Sans Savon, we might be getting it all wrong.
The real issue with traditional skincare products isn’t the ingredients they promise to deliver but the very thing they are built on — soap itself. They believed it was time to develop a more health-conscious option to replace harsh, alcohol-laden soaps.
The Problem with Regular Soap
Eli Halliwell points out that traditional soap, while a revolutionary product in the history of hygiene, may not be the best choice for our skin.
“Soap has been a wonderful invention — clean hands have dramatically increased life expectancy alone,” Eli explains, but he points out a flaw in how it interacts with our skin. “Our bodies were not designed for soap, which damages our skin in many ways.”
He highlights three major issues: soap is too harsh, it strips the skin’s microbiome, and it has the wrong pH level.
Soap’s fundamental role is to clean by stripping away oils, dirt, and impurities. However, it also strips away our natural protective lipid barrier. “It weakens the skin’s ability to perform its primary function: to create a protective barrier between the inside of our bodies and the potential environmental damages of the outside world,” Eli Halliwell explains. By depleting this essential lipid shield, soap forces our skin to work overtime to rebuild its natural defenses, often leading to dryness, irritation, and a compromised barrier.
What was their solution?
With a background in creating detergent-free hair care products at Hairstory, Erica, and Eli wondered if the same approach could be applied to skincare. “We knew that detergent-free cleansing has an incredibly positive impact on the health and appearance of your hair and scalp,” which led them to explore the potential of a similar method for hands and body. Thus, Sans Savon was born.
“Sans Savon is the only non-foaming, soapless cleansing product on the market for hands and body,” the founder asserts. Instead of relying on soap or detergents, their products utilize plant-based esters and fatty alcohols, a proprietary blend of ingredients that cleanse without over-stripping the skin’s natural protective layers. This soap-free approach not only leaves skin clean but also hydrated and moisturized — “you’ll realize quickly that you won’t really need any lotion on your hands or body.”
Sans Savon Balancing Cleansing & Protection
The main challenge Sans Savon faced was finding a formula that balanced effective cleansing with skin protection. Traditional soaps may effectively clean, but they remove the natural oils and microbiome. Sans Savon’s solution lies in its unique formulation.
“The heart of the Sans Savon cleansing system is a proprietary blend of fermented oils, esters, and glycerin derivatives,” all derived from sustainable sources like upcycled avocados, olives, and grapeseed oil. These ingredients are strong enough to remove dirt and bacteria, but gentle enough to preserve the skin’s lipid barrier and microbiome.
“Skin is smooth and soft, with a gentle shine,” Eli says, explaining how these naturally derived ingredients provide a light protective coating after each use. The result is a system that cleans without over-cleaning — something that sets Sans Savon apart from other “sensitive skin” products that still rely on soap or detergent-based formulas.
Protecting the Microbiome and Skin pH
Another essential aspect of Sans Savon’s innovation is its focus on the skin’s microbiome and pH balance. Eli explains that soap’s high pH (9–10) disrupts the skin’s natural acidity, which typically ranges from 4.5–5.5. “Because it is alkaline and raises the pH of our skin, soap erodes the lipids that make up the very structure of our skin.” Sans Savon products, on the other hand, are formulated to align with the skin’s natural pH, helping maintain its structural integrity and protective barrier.
Moreover, while traditional soaps tend to kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, Sans Savon takes a more selective approach. The products contain naturally derived antimicrobials that target dangerous germs while preserving and feeding the microbiome with prebiotics. “Sans Savon promotes a healthy microbiome through the prebiotics we include in the formulation,” which helps the skin defend itself against invasive bacteria.
Why is this product so unique?
Sans Savon’s product line is thoughtfully designed, with options ranging from body bars to hand and body washes. The development of each product required unique problem-solving. For example, the body bar, is described as “essentially a body oil in solid form,” posed challenges in balancing the right amount of hardness and product deposition.
This bar not only cleanses but moisturizes, smells incredible, and lasts a long time. “If you’re a bar person and you use the bar, I don’t see how you could ever want to use anything else again,” Eli says with confidence.
The hand and body wash products were created together, with the main goal being to strike a balance between cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting the skin’s microbiome. Specifically, the hand wash contains a robust antimicrobial formula for eliminating harmful bacteria, while the body wash targets odor-causing bacteria without disrupting the skin’s microbiome.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Sans Savon is also committed to sustainability. The brand carefully considered the environmental impact of its packaging, ultimately opting for 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles. These bottles, while designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, are also functional and durable, capable of withstanding the demands of shower use. “Packaging is a massive problem,” the founder acknowledges, adding that the company made efforts to minimize waste and use sustainable materials throughout.
Sans Savon’s ingredients also reflect its dedication to sustainability. Around 20–25% of the ingredients used are upcycled, sourced from materials that would otherwise be discarded, such as grapeseed oil from vineyards and cedar wood oil from forest clippings. This focus on eco-friendly practices is integral to the brand’s mission of creating “cleaner, healthier ingredients” for its consumers.
The Future of Sans Savon
As the beauty industry continues to evolve, Sans Savon is positioning itself as a leader in the soap-free revolution. The founder and co-founder draw a parallel to the rise of alternative milk products like Oatly, noting that while traditional soap will never be entirely replaced, there is a growing segment of consumers willing to embrace new approaches. “We’re excited to be on this journey and we’re taking it one day at a time,” Eli says, hinting at future innovations and product expansions.
For now, Sans Savon’s focus remains on building awareness and growing its presence in the U.S. and Canada. With its pioneering approach to soap-free skincare, microbiome health, and sustainability, Sans Savon is well-positioned to make waves in the beauty industry, one customer at a time.
As Eli aptly puts it, “It’s hard, and it’s expensive, but you do it by winning over one customer at a time and hoping they tell their friends.”
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