The second most significant cause, is that soapstone is the only truly "organic" countertop that I know of (other than wood). I was happiest choosing a kitchen counter that did not demand any level of synthetic material. Granites and other stones demand sealers. Quartz composite and other man-made counters have resins/binders/etc. Soapstone is a completely all-natural solution and the only standard therapy is oil (mineral oil, bees oil, getting common choices).