About This Project

The Background

My name is Andrea Kovacs. I live in Budapest and I have been making soap and natural cosmetics at home since 2023. What started as a curiosity about the ingredients in commercial skincare products turned into a genuine passion for the craft.

The trigger was a skin reaction to a moisturiser I had been using for years. When I looked at the ingredient list properly for the first time, I counted twenty-three components and could identify perhaps four of them. That seemed like a reasonable moment to start learning what was actually going onto my skin.

I made my first batch of cold process soap in my kitchen in the Ujlipotvaros neighbourhood, using a recipe I found online and ingredients from the Nagycsarnok. The result was imperfect, slightly lopsided, and took six weeks to cure. It was also, without question, the best bar of soap I had ever used.

What This Site Covers

Sazencoreno focuses on practical guides for making soap and natural cosmetics at home. The articles cover techniques, ingredients, and sourcing information specific to Hungary. Everything described here is something I have made myself, usually many times.

I write about cold process soap making, natural skincare oils, and herbal bath products. These are the areas I know well enough to write about with confidence. I do not cover topics I have not personally tested.

How the Guides Are Written

Every recipe and technique on this site is one I use regularly. I test formulations multiple times before writing about them. When I mention specific suppliers or shops, it is because I buy from them, not because they have asked me to mention them.

I update the guides when I find better methods or when circumstances change, for example when a supplier stops carrying a particular ingredient. The date at the top of each article reflects when it was last reviewed.

I do not accept sponsored content, paid product placements, or free products in exchange for coverage. The guides reflect my actual experience.

Why Hungary

Hungary has an underappreciated tradition of herbal medicine and natural remedies. The country grows excellent lavender, chamomile, and calendula. Budapest's markets carry high-quality oils and botanicals at prices that make this hobby accessible. And the city's growing community of craft makers means there are opportunities to learn from others and share knowledge.

The guides include sourcing information for Hungary because finding the right ingredients was the hardest part of getting started. Knowing where to buy proper sodium hydroxide or cold-pressed jojoba oil in Budapest would have saved me considerable time in the early days.

Contact

If you have questions about any of the guides, or if you have suggestions based on your own experience, I would like to hear from you. You can reach me through the contact page.