Welcome back GFZ's,

Today’s happy Earth story is bubbling over with hope! Meet Heman Bekele, the 15-year-old scientist from Virginia who’s been named TIME’s Kid of the Year for inventing a revolutionary soap that could one day treat and even prevent skin cancer. 

We talk a lot about how solid soaps are the unsung heroes for our planet because they save tonnes of plastic from being produced and reduce shipping emissions by not transporting bulky liquid soaps, but today, we talk about a soap that could also save lives! 

Meet the 15 year old Heman Bekele

Heman’s passion for science started in a way that would make any parent nervous: mixing household chemicals into “potions” under his bed at the age of seven. But what began as a childhood experiment grew into a deep-rooted determination to tackle one of the world’s most serious health issues—skin cancer. Growing up, Heman spent time in Ethiopia and was struck by the sight of labourers working long hours in the blistering sun without skin protection. That memory stuck with him and fueled his desire to find a solution for the people who needed it most.

How does the soap bar that prevents skin cancer work?

So how did this young scientist take an idea and turn it into an invention? Heman’s soap uses imiquimod, a drug traditionally applied as a cream to fight skin cancer. His innovative twist was to infuse this tumour-fighting compound into a bar of soap, making it simple for anyone to use.  “Almost everyone uses soap and water for cleaning. So soap would probably be the best option.”

Will the product not just wash off? Yep, that is why this soap is harder to make than we think. He designed the soap using lipid nanoparticles to adhere the imiquimod to the skin, activating the body’s immune response to fight off cancer cells. Similar to how moisturisers or fragrances persist after washing.  

It’s a simple concept with enormous potential to bring affordable, life-saving treatment to people around the world. And because soap is a universal product, it could make skin cancer treatment more accessible, especially where healthcare resources are scarce. Even better? His soap comes with biodegradable packaging, so it’s as kind to the planet as it is to people.

In a world where the average cost of skin cancer treatment can soar to $40,000, Heman’s soap offers a glimmer of hope for a more equitable future. His vision doesn’t stop with the invention—he plans to turn his project into a nonprofit to provide affordable treatment to as many people as possible.

As we head into the weekend, let’s take a little inspiration from this teenage innovator. “We’ll never run out of ideas in this world,” Heman says. “Just keep inventing. Keep thinking of new ways to improve our world.” If a 15-year-old can create soap that fights cancer, imagine what else we can all do!

Soap, the solid choice

At Go For Zero, we are big solid bar enthusiasts. Not only because they cut out unnecessary plastic bottles, but they also last 6 x longer than liquid soaps, saving so much money! From hydrating face cleansers and body washes to our bestselling bars to clean dishes and laundry and remove stains, soap bars are the solid choice for our Big Mama. We are excited this might make its way into the medical world too!

Thanks for tuning in this week! Until next week we think you'll love our recent story about Going with the Flow: The Future of Healthcare Lies in Menstrual Blood, it's a goodie! 

Much love, 

GFZ Team oxox