Somerset-Made Soap and Sustainable Palm Oil

The Somerset Toiletry Company’s Beginnings

Founded in 1999, serial entrepreneur Roger Buoy and aromatherapy expert Sakina Buoy identified a gap in the market to produce beautiful, honestly priced luxury toiletries. Following the initial success of producing body care for other companies, the business developed their own distribution range which can now be found in over 50 countries. Over the years the company has been recognised for many prestigious awards for business and design, including the Queens Award.

Somerset-Made Soap and Sustainable Palm Oil

Since unveiling the ‘Ministry of Soap Factory’ in 2021, The Somerset Toiletry Company mission has been to produce beautiful triple-milled soap with a minimal impact on the environment. A key part of this commitment is manufacturing all soap exclusively with RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil. The palm oil used is traceable from only two locations, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The Somerset Toiletry Company’s supplier works directly with smallholder farmers to sustainably improve their palm oil yield whilst supporting with employment, housing, education, and medical facilities via the NBPOL foundation.

The best choice for the planet and the consumer

While the decision to use RSPO-certified sustainable palm-oil came with higher production costs, Sakina Buoy felt that it was a commitment her company had to make. With sustainably harvest palm oil being NINE times more productive than the next alternative, Sakina felt that the use of sustainable palm oil was the best choice for the planet and therefore the best choice for The Somerset Toiletry Company’s consumer.

The Somerset Toiletry Company’s trip to Papua New Guinea

In August 2023, The Somerset Toiletry Company visited the plantations and tribes in the heart of Papua New Guinea that cultivate their sustainable palm oil in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem and wildlife. The company was thrilled to see first-hand the effort their supplier puts into producing palm in a sustainable way, supporting native people and the environment in PNG. It saddens Sakina to know that many companies do not actively promote the use of RSPO-certified palm oil due to the controversy surrounding the subject. The trip only solidified The Somerset Toiletry Company’s commitment to sustainably sourced palm oil and the business will continue to promote its use going forward.