When you visit Šibenik, a city of rich history and Mediterranean charm, you will likely want to take home something authentic. Not mass-produced tourist trinkets, but a real, tangible trace of this region. That is exactly the story Sapunoteka tells—a family business dedicated to producing soap and natural cosmetics. Founded in 2009, this small local venture blends tradition, expertise, and a love for nature, with products that carry the true scent of the Šibenik hinterland and coast.

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It all began with simple curiosity. As a child, Marija Plavčić spent time in the countryside with her grandmother, watching how soaps were made by hand from olive oil and lard. That traditional process left a lasting impression on her. Later, as a chemist, Marija began to explore soap-making in greater depth. She started experimenting and producing her own soaps, looking for ways to improve them and make them different from the traditional ones. She was joined by Ivan Milišić, a wood technologist, and as life and business partners, they created Sapunoteka. Their main motivation was to find a way to build a career, stay in their home region, and offer the market something local, unique, and aligned with modern trends.

Unlike the old recipes from her grandmother's time, Marija and Ivan opted for a completely vegan approach. Sapunoteka products contain no animal fats, milk, honey, wax, lanolin, keratin, or other animal-derived raw materials, and animal testing is strictly prohibited. The story developed slowly, step by step. After several years of producing only soaps, they expanded their range to include cosmetics.

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The philosophy of Sapunoteka rests on three core values: ecology, ethics, and expertise. Their formulations are based on professional standards and principles, while deeply respecting traditional experience. They use over 100 different ingredients in their production, sourcing them from local producers whenever possible. The emphasis is always on raw materials that clearly reflect the region, such as olive oil and essential oils of lavender, sage, and immortelle.

This ecological approach is also evident in their packaging. Sapunoteka uses raw and recycled cardboard and aluminum tubes, similar to those that were popular fifty years ago. Plastic has been completely eliminated, further highlighting their commitment to sustainability. Everything is produced in small batches, without parabens, artificial fragrances, or unnecessary additives. The soaps are made using the cold-process method, and the business is moving toward partially integrated production. They already have their own olive grove, with plans for other plantations in the future.

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For many years, production took place in Tromilja, a small village near Šibenik. As the business grew, so did the need for more space, leading to the relocation of production to a new, dedicated facility in Bilice. Although they are a small producer, Sapunoteka has successfully broken into the market. Their range today includes olive oil soaps, sea salt soaps, face and hand creams, body lotions, scrubs, body and hair oils, essential oils, beard and shaving products, gift sets, and a newer addition: solid shampoo bars.

A large portion of sales takes place at fairs, especially during the summer, where Marija and Ivan have direct contact with customers. However, you can also find their products in small independent shops, souvenir stores, and herbal pharmacies throughout Croatia, and their solid shampoos and part of their range are available in dm stores. Sapunoteka is also recognized beyond Croatia's borders, exporting to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Netherlands. Occasionally, they can be found in large retail chains during special promotions, and they are also available through their webshop.

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However, for visitors to Šibenik, the most interesting address will be the "Lokal" shop in the very heart of the city. This is their own store where, alongside Sapunoteka products, they also offer other local and authentic Croatian goods. It is the ideal place to experience this brand firsthand.

When you are in Šibenik, Sapunoteka is a local story you definitely need to discover. Their products are more than just cosmetics; they are an authentic trace of the destination, carefully crafted from local ingredients and enriched with a love for nature. Visit the "Lokal" shop, take in the scents of lavender, immortelle, and olive oil, and take home a piece of the Šibenik region that will remind you of the Mediterranean long after you leave.