Press: TIROLERIN The Magazine

QUESTION: Tirol Seife has existed since 2022. How did the idea of founding a soap manufactory come about? Was it a long-held thought or a spontaneous decision?

ANSWER: The idea actually came about in 2020 – earlier than many might think. First, I had to work through regulations: what products can be made and how, and what is needed for them? At the same time, the first product tests were underway.

It started with candles. I myself am allergic to many scented candles – most contain synthetic fragrances that really irritated me. So, we wanted to create something better: for people and for nature. Candles made from plant-based rapeseed wax, soy wax, or beeswax, refined with pure essential oils. Even then, the refill system was a central part of our philosophy – not because it was a trend, but because it was self-evident to us. That's how Kerzenlicht Manufaktur (Candlelight Manufactory) was born.

Soap came in parallel – from my own history. At 14, I had allergic reactions to conventional shower gels and soaps. Since then, I've only used natural products and always made them myself. Now we wanted to do it properly: a soap that truly moisturizes, lathers beautifully, and is still 100% natural. That sounds simple – but it's not. A soap made purely from olive oil hardly lathers. So, the challenge was: creamy, pleasant foam and at the same time the best possible moisturizing effect. "I have to say: since I started using our new soaps, my skin has become noticeably softer and more delicate. This is a recipe I developed with all my heart and soul."

In 2022, the decision was made to separate candles and soaps. It was confusing for customers if they knew us as "Kerzenlicht" and then received soap. So, we founded Tirol Seife. What could be more fitting? Tyrol is nature – and that's exactly what our products are.

QUESTION: Tirol Seife is a family business. Who exactly is behind Tirol Seife? And how does working together as a family function?

ANSWER: At the center is me – Edina Szel, founder and managing director. I handle purchasing, calculations, statistics, customer inquiries, offers, and of course, product development itself.

My husband is the second pillar of the company. He's a true jack-of-all-trades – technically, he can literally build and implement anything. Every one of our factory relocations, every expansion, every practical solution in production – that's his work.

We complement each other in a way I could hardly imagine better. I have many – sometimes too many – ideas and am very dynamic. He is my opposite: calm, deliberative, precise. And that's exactly what works. We can weigh the pros and cons, make the best decisions, and continuously develop.

And one more thing I don't want to underestimate: if everyday life requires working on weekends or holidays – there's no argument about it. We have the same goal, the same path. Our shared plans connect us – that's worth more than you might think.

QUESTION: Your soaps are made using the traditional cold process. Can you explain what that means exactly?

ANSWER: In the cold process, vegetable oils and fats are combined with lye at low temperatures – never above 60 degrees. This gentle process has a decisive advantage: the valuable nourishing properties of the oils used are preserved. Olive oil retains its moisturizing properties, shea butter its nourishing vitamins, essential oils their therapeutic effects.

Another advantage: the natural glycerin, which is formed during saponification, remains in the soap – it is not extracted as in industrial production. Glycerin is a natural humectant that leaves the skin soft and nourished after washing.

The cold process takes time. But it is precisely this time that makes the difference: between a soap that cleanses and one that cares.

QUESTION: You perfect every recipe until it truly impresses. What has been the trickiest development so far?

ANSWER: That was definitely our lip balm in paper packaging.

The idea was clear: no plastic, no plastic twist cap – but a paper sleeve that can be pushed up from the bottom. Sounds simple. But it wasn't. Paper packaging works mechanically completely differently from a plastic container. The balm had to have a very specific consistency: firm enough to be pushed out without breaking – but soft enough so that the nourishing properties wouldn't suffer.

We went through many iterations. In the very last test run, I used 1% less of one single raw material – and that was the moment. That one small change made all the difference.

Today, our lip balm is one of our most requested products. Sometimes, it's that one percent that counts.

QUESTION: Palm oil-free, plastic-free, small batches — that's a recurring theme throughout your company. Where does this awareness for sustainability come from?

ANSWER: Can it be done differently? – that was my initial reaction to this question. And I mean it seriously: for me, sustainability is not a decision I consciously made at some point. It's simply self-evident. It's deeply ingrained in me.

In daily production, this specifically means:

-              We produce personalized products exclusively to order. This prevents overproduction.

-              We have fixed production days where we specifically bundle resources.

-              Our soaps are not cut but poured into molds – no production waste is generated.

-              We have close relationships with our suppliers, because reliability also counts in purchasing.

-              And sometimes sustainability also means: saying no – to projects where we would have to compromise on natural ingredients. That's sometimes inconvenient. But it's consistent.

QUESTION: You work with regional ingredients like Tyrolean forest honey. How do you get such raw materials?

ANSWER: With open eyes and the conviction that there is always a solution – you just have to find it.

I discovered the forest honey in a farm shop in Bad Häring – by chance, when I was picking up freshly milked organic goat's milk. Fresh raw milk contains natural bacteria that have no place in a cosmetic product – that's why we pasteurize it ourselves before it's processed. This is a matter of course for us because we want to know exactly what goes into our products at every step.

When I tasted this honey, it was immediately clear: this is something special. For me, forest honey is liquid gold. It nourishes, has antibacterial properties, and does wonders both internally and externally. We now know that this special honey is produced by one of our neighbors – since then, I simply pick it up on foot when we need a few jars.

QUESTION: What do you wish for Tirol Seife in the next five years?

ANSWER:

- The hotel industry is an area where I still see a lot of potential. Hotels generate an enormous amount of waste through single-use amenities. With biodegradable, sustainably produced products and well-thought-out packaging concepts, this can be fundamentally changed. And the beauty of it is: these products simultaneously reflect the attitude and standards of the hotel.

- What I also wish for: collaboration. I look forward to the moment when I can involve experts – at the corporate or even governmental level – to make a difference together. Because I believe many people don't even know what they put their hands on every day. What ingredients they use to care for their skin. Or what a real, honest alternative would be.

Because in the end, it's not just a soap. It's the health of our skin – and our planet.