The balsam fir is a beautiful species of evergreen tree that is known for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Its needles have been consumed as an herbal remedy, and sometimes even brewed into a tea that's rich in vitamin C and other potent antioxidants. Lately, soap makers have been using balsam fir to infuse a lot of their soaps. These bar soaps not only have a lovely scent, but they're therapeutic for users, soothing both the skin and the mind. But how do you choose one? In many stores, there are several on the shelves, so how do you know which one to pick? Here are a few tips to help you make the selection.

Look for the vegan label.

With as easy as it is to make vegan soaps these days, there is really no reason for companies to use animal products in their soaps. Many companies that make balsam fir soap are quite eco-friendly and concerned with doing the best for the planet. As such, these soaps do tend to be vegan. But it's still worth checking for that "vegan" label before you buy, just to be sure. If there's no vegan label, check the ingredients' list. Some companies make vegan balsam fir soap but don't feel the need to label it as such. 

Consider the size of the bar.

Different people prefer different soap bar sizes. Some might prefer a small bar because they're trying balsam fir soap for the first time and want to make sure they like it. Others prefer a large bar because it looks more impressive on their soap dish, or because it will last longer. Selecting your balsam fir soap based on bar size alone may seem silly, but if you're torn between two bars, pick the one that's more ideally sized.

Test the scent.

Some balsam fir soap contains a higher proportion of balsam fir oils than other soap. So, before you choose a bar, hold each of the soaps up to your nose, and give them a whiff. You may prefer a more lightly scented soap if you don't want the scent to linger on you all day. Or, if you're using balsam fir soap for therapeutic reasons, you may want the most scented bar you can find. This is why it's nice to have variety.

If your local store carries several balsam fir bar soaps, the tips above should help you distinguish between them.