Dr. Bronner’s crazy-ass Magic Soap labels Maybe you’ve seen these before: the wacky labels on Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. (Click the image to enlarge.) This is what you get when your product packaging is designed by a philosopher who spent time in mental hospitals: labels stuffed to the gills with nutty religious rantings and ravings. (See other Magic Soap labels here.) The man himself, Emmanuel Bronner, preached an “All One God” faith as well as “Moral ABCs,” which he expected would unite the human race. He also, obviously, made soap. He died in 1997, but his family continued the business, and have vowed to leave the labels untouched as a memorial. If nothing else, they must set a record for use of explanation points. Read more about Dr. Bronner over at The Straight Dope. UPDATE: In comments, SD points out a documentary called Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox. Check out the trailer to see the doctor in action. —Posted by Tim Nudd

August 1, 2006 | Permalink

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Comments

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I have used Dr. Bronner's soap from time to time over the years -- and know many others who do, too -- and I love the label. It stands out as so eccentric and so old-fashioned that I find it irresistible.

Posted by: Rhea | Aug 1, 2006 9:44:24 AM

And my personal theory that all things can be linked to emerging Adfreak mascot John Hodgman is proven again:
http://covers.fwis.com/areasofmyexpertise

Posted by: CorruptedJournalist | Aug 1, 2006 10:20:15 AM

Clearly, the folks at Dr. B's are doing *something* right. However: this soap was recommended to me years ago. I almost bought it -- then noticed the crazy crap on the label and said, "No, thanks."
"Clean living" is one thing -- but I'd rather not hear kooky opinions from my soap.

Posted by: CKL | Aug 1, 2006 10:20:52 AM

regardless of what it says, i like the whole look of the label. call me crazy. but its so bad that its come back around to being good.

Posted by: jay slack | Aug 1, 2006 10:43:41 AM

And you know about the documentary about the whole thing, right? www.magicsoapbox.com

Posted by: SD | Aug 1, 2006 10:46:25 AM

He raises a good point. Missiles are anti-social.

Posted by: CorruptedJournalist | Aug 1, 2006 11:14:03 AM

brings back sweet memories of my grandma who kept a bottle of the peppermint soap in the bath... it is very old school southern

he might have been a loon, but the product was/is far better then ivory

Posted by: heathen6 | Aug 2, 2006 3:56:15 AM

Sure Dr Bronner raves in a weird syntax about universal unity and brotherhood. But if it is the soap that matters to you, then you may discover a great product. It has in fact reduced my scalp dryness by more than 90%. Not saying it will do the same for others, because the causes for dry scalp differ. And, I am not saying it is a cure, but it provides relief for me better than any prescribed or non-prescribed soap.

Posted by: Dr. Mariano A. Parks | Sep 23, 2006 11:35:12 AM

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