JOHOR BARU - SOAP, probably the first hygiene product ever made by humans, has a history spanning more than 4,000 years.

Through evolution, today's soap totally differs from those our ancestors used.

In the beginning, soap was invented to clean dirt and oil from the skin. Later on, its uses extended to cover cleaning fabrics.

Although there are no records of what early soaps look like, they are probably a simple solid substance made from oils and sulfate and without any fragrance.

Soap has been developed and fine-tuned over the years until it is now available in the form of soap bars and soap cakes, and finally in liquid form like bathing foam and gel.

Factory-made soaps are characterised by the use of fragrance, preservatives and colouring meant to attract buyers while ensuring a longer shelf life.

Whatever their forms, soaps churned out from factories have different chemical compositions and may not be suitable for those with sensitive skins, skin allergy or skin complications.

To cater to this niche market, entrepreneurs are now producing hand-made soap.

These soap makers are not worried about competition from products easily available in supermarket shelves. Despite the high prices, response towards the hand-made products has been good.

After all, their products are made with the finest natural ingredients and they are not harmful to the environment.

Yong Sai Peng and his wife Eng Sem Hwee, both 40, have sensitive skins. The problems are more obvious when they holiday overseas, where the extreme winter or summer condition can complicate their problems.

When they toured Taiwan few years ago, they were astounded to see a large variety of hand-made soaps, some of which come in floral, herbal and fruity scents.

They brought home some and found that the products, though pricey, worked for their skins.

From then on, the couple, both graphic designers, decided to master the art of soap-making.

After acquiring the basic skills in Taiwan and Thailand, the couple turned a room at their home in Taman Pelangi Indah, Johor Baru, into a "laboratory", which they filled with all the essential items for soap-making.

Initially, they only shared their creations with friends and relatives.

Slowly, their confidence grew and as a result, they started selling their soaps from their shop, Soap Gallery and Marketing, in Taman Molek.

Recalling his soap-making venture, Yong says he treats his small enterprise more as a hobby than a money-making venture.

"It feels great to share nature's goodness with friends, relatives and customers. My greatest success is having my customers saying their skin felt better after using my natural soap products.

"Making soap also helps me to relieve stress."

Soap is basically a chemical reaction between sodium hydroxide dissolved in filtered water and vegetable oils in a controlled temperature.

Among the vegetable oils used are rice bran cooking oil, virgin coconut oil and virgin olive oil.

Hands and machine are used to stir the mixture to achieve maximum chemical reaction before essential oils are added. Essential oils are mainly used for floral and herbal-flavoured soaps.

The mixture is poured into a silica casing and wrapped with a plastic sheet to keep it warm.

It is then placed in polythene box for up to 24 hours before it is taken out from the casing and left to cool and harden, which takes about 50 days.

The soap bar is then sliced into soap cakes and sealed with plastic to prevent oxidation.

Depending on the customers, certain designs are stamped onto the soaps to enhance its aesthetic value.

Yong says the type of oils used will determine the quality of the end products.

"Natural soaps are gaining popularity because of its cleansing and moisturising effects while not harming the skins."

Among the popular floral scents are lavender, lotus, vanilla, jasmine, leelawadee, ylang ylang and marigold.

The fruity scents are avocado, mango, pineapple, orange, strawberry, lemon, mangosteen, green apple and banana.

Floral and fruit flavour are favourites among the younger generation while the elder generation prefers herbal-based soaps, such as cinnamon, lemongrass, safflower, black sesame, green tea, turmeric and oatmeal, among others.

The gallery is located at 25, Jalan Molek 2/1, Taman Molek. The couple will also set up a stall in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee each Saturday.