Handmade Soap Facts
Yvonne Takhtalian
How many people know what soap really is? Several of the cleansing bars that you buy at the store, for example, are detergents-and not soaps at all. They are called syndet bars, or synthetic detergent bars. They are made from synthesized chemicals and are usually much harsher than soap. Detergents contain petroleum distillates rather than oil. On the other hand, true soap is made from natural oils (such as olive, coconut and palm) and is a gentle cleansing product more appropriate for use on skin than is detergent. Soaps, unlike detergents, are made by combining sodium hydroxide or lye, oils and water in a process known as "Saponification". Some people may question the use of lye in handcrafted soap. The fact is that all soap is made with lye. What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin. There is no lye present in the finished bars of soap. The oils in our soaps are put there for a specific purpose. The coconut oil creates a wonderful lather. The olive oil is used for a high quality, long lasting bar. Canola and Palm oil carry nutrients to the skin, and the safflower oil make a creamy bar. Glycerin is a skin soothing emollient that adds to the goodness of handmade soap. In commercial soaps the glycerin is removed for sale to the cosmetic industry to sell separately, sometimes at a higher price than the soap itself! Glycerin is important to skin care because it is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air, which in turn moisturize your skin. A whole 1/5 of a bar of our soap is glycerin. Most soaps have artificial ingredients to scent or color. Some handcrafted soap is scented with fragrance oils. These are synthetic chemicals that are mixed together to imitate a particular scent. They have contributed in many cases to chemical sensitivity in some people. They also have no aromatherapy benefits. The scents in our soaps should come only from essential oils, which are steamed or pressed from plants. Essential oils are the fragrance emitting components of plants and are at the heart of aromatherapy. Not only do they smell good; they have many beneficial effects on the body, mind and spirit. The coloring in our soap should come from nature as well. The petals of Lavender and Rose can be used. Earth Pigments can also be used, which are simply finely ground rocks. This makes the colors rich and earthy, rather than artificial looking.
About the author: Yvonne Takhtalian, C.N.H.P, H.I. spent the past 10 years developing & improving Vita-Myr Natural Products helping thousands like you heal gum disease & gingivitis. She just released a new line of 100% Natural Vita-Myr Soaps to compliment her Vita-Myr Mouthwash & Toothpaste. Find out more http://www.vitamyr.com/ or email Yvonne mailto:vitamyr@mindspring.com Copyright © 2004 Vita-Myr® International Inc All rights reserved
The latest information and news on Skin Care:
For a limited time, Oasis Skin Care in San Francisco is offering a Brazilian wax for only $35.San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) February 06, 2012 San Francisco skin spa, Oasis Skin Care, San Francisco?s announces its Valentine?s Day special: a Brazilian wax for only $35, starting Feb. 6 and running through Feb. 17. The regular price of a Brazilian wax at Oasis Skin Care is $55.?Cida is a rare gem. I had ...
New Science in Skin Care Available to Consumers
WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Prolastil.comProlastil Skin Cream and Eye Serum Scientific UpdateThe products, marketed under the name , Prolastil E-50 work by increasing the amount ...
TapeRelief(TM) Replaces Multiple Products Used for Ostomy, Wound Care and Ski...
LAS VEGAS -- TapeRelief(TM), a new topical cream that provides a soothing and effective barrier between human skin and medical tape and adhesives, can replace multiple products commonly used for wound ...
Spoiler Alert! Aura Laser Skin Care Teases Top-Secret Product
Pharmaceutical skin-care line will be latest innovation for Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care, no stranger to breaking the dermatological mold.Seattle, WA (PRWEB) January 31, 2012 Pay no attention to that revolutionary product behind the curtain! At least, not for a few more weeks, until Aura Laser Skin Care is ready to debut what?s already being heralded as a major skin-care ...
Aura Laser Skin Care Announces Staff Additions
Busy Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care starts 2012 with biggest hiring spree in clinic?s history, bringing on four new estheticians to meet growing demand.Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) January 29, 2012 Aura Laser Skin Care announced today a major addition to its clinical staff, tripling its number of active medical aestheticians to better serve its rapidly increasing patient base.Katy ...
Health Tip: Wash Skin Properly
(HealthDay News) -- Good skin care can help keep it healthy, moisturized and acne-free.
Celebrate Your Skin's Natural Beauty With Avon Naturals
Get ready to start the New Year with a skip in your step and a refreshingly youthful glow! And, what better way to feel renewed and revitalized than to give your skin care regimen an invigorating boost?
Apsara Skin Care, Inc. Introduces 100% Natural Facial Toners
Apsara Skin Care, Inc., based in San Jose, California, welcomed 2012 with the launch of a new product category of facial toners. Keeping with its clean and green philosophy, all Apsara facial toners are chemical & alcohol free. They are based on rosewater, and formulated using the purest herbal and floral extracts to safely raise the beauty quotient of your skin. Detailed product information can ...
Aura Laser Skin Care Announces Record-Setting 2011
New products, unique focus helped Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care reach new heights in 2011, setting records for number of patients seen and number of successful treatments.Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) January 30, 2012 Aura Laser Skin Care announced today that 2011 went down as the biggest year in the clinic?s history, with new records set for number of patients treated and number ...
Skin Friendly Receives National Certification
DALLAS, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A local business specializing in skin care solutions focused on preventing exposure to harmful elements before they can create a problem, received national certification ...