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Why Using Natural Sea Sponges is a Smart Decision.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
posted by Rob 4:00 AM
Ever notice how quickly you go through dish sponges? They fall apart and get real nasty looking within just a couple of week’s time. Many of these synthetic sponges are also filled with unnecessary chemicals such as Triclosan. Which if you are not at all concerned about carcinogens being absorbed into your skin, I guess there is no issue; however if you are trying to make every effort to put only what is safe and natural on your body, often overlook is this one product, “the sponge”. Maybe the amount of exposure of the chemicals from these sponges are not enough to cause any serious health issues, but what if they are, and why not use a sponge that is chemical free, that last much longer.
I have been using natural sea sponges for over a year now and, just amazed how long a natural sponge will last. I have not had to replace my natural sea sponge from my kitchen sink for over 3 months, and it still looks and feels as good as it did when I first started using it. Natural sea sponges have enzymes in them that prohibit the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. Depending on which sea sponge you choose, they can last as long as 10 years if properly treated. Harvesting natural sea sponges by no means interrupts the coral reef at all, the ocean naturally contributes to the harvest of sponges as well through tides and currents. These sponges are harvested by professional sponge divers that incorporate crop rotations. Where sponges have been cut, grow back even thicker and healthier than before. Kind of like dead heading and pruning plants, this stimulates new growth.
Over 90% of the world’s natural sea sponges come from Tarpon Springs Florida, right in our own backyard, keeping many local citizens employed during the economic challenges we are currently faced with. So not only are you receiving great health benefits, durability, and saving money when using natural sea sponges, but you are also buying local products supporting local business.
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The absolute best natural soap bar combo I think would have to be the natural sea sponge soap bar. I had first seen this when I was fishing in Florida just outside of Tampa, near Tarpon Springs, which is where a very large amount of the worlds natural sea sponges come from. Just so that you know sponge’s divers are not at all destroying the coral reef but actually improving it. Sponges are harvested by incorporating crop rotations, and where divers have cut back the sponges within a couple of year’s time have grown back even thicker and healthier than before. Nature also contributes to the regeneration of sponges by naturally removing and replacing sponges from underwater currents and tides.
These sponges are such a wonderful gift, they have no harmful chemicals in them, they are safe and gentle to use on the skin, they last a lot longer then commercial sponges, having natural enzymes in them that help prohibit the growth of mold, bacteria, and mildew. When you take a natural sponge as soft and silky as the sea wool sponge, and combine it with a natural goat milk soap bar, you have just created the ultimate bathing device for not just your children but for you as well. I think everyone would enjoy bathing with one of these soap bars. The soap is mild and full of glycerin, which is moisturizing your skin and the sponge is very soft and gently exfoliates the skin as well.
I had first learned of harmful chemicals like Formaldehyde being found in baby products, such as some of the big name baby shampoos, from a good friend of mine, who for years though she was deliberately going out of her way, and spending the extra dollar, to put only what is pure and natural on that which is most precious. After she had learned of this new startling information she had just received from watching the news, I happened to be over for a visit and this topic came up at the dinner table. Considering I have been in the natural skin care business for a little while of course I was asked what my thoughts were, and what I would be using. I simply stated that if 100% pure and natural is what your looking for, you most likely will not find it in any of the big stores. I recommended finding local soap makers or shopping on-line for 100% natural skin care products.
Of course I gave them a quick tutorial on what to look for in the ingredients, to know if it is 100% natural. Well weeks later she called me up saying that she had started to use an unscented goats milk body lotion on her two older boys, which she added; both suffer from eczema and the lotion appears to be very effective, at night before they go to bed they request for the “special lotion”. The other product she started to use for her family was the unscented goats milk soap bar molded in a natural sea wool sponge. This is an excellent choice, especially for children or any one with sensitive skin. These natural sponge soap bars are very mild and safe to use, and the natural sea wool sponge is one of the softest and silkiest sponges out there which is 100% chemical free.
Well, winter is here again, and although these past few days of Indian summer were most enjoyable we know that the cold and bitter air will be here to stay for a while. With humidity levels at a low this usually is the time of the year most of us suffer from wintry dry skin and begin applying more chap stick, lip balms, lotions, creams and salves. These are all good and do help treat dry skin and chapped lips, especially goats milk lotion, and lip balms with Shea Butter and therapeutic oils in them, but I would also like to mention; by introducing skin exfoliation as a bathing routine will help prevent dry itchy skin as well.
What is dry skin, and what does it look like? Dry skin, is skin that has low levels of Sebum, which is an oily substance secreted by the glands in your skin that helps protect it from drying out. There are many variables that contribute to dry skin conditions such as, change in climate, genetics, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, and exposure to sun, wind, chemicals, cosmetics, and harsh soaps. You will know if your skin is dry if you’re constantly itchy and experience skin cracking. Signs to look for in dry skin other than the itchy feeling; are increased visibility in the fine lines of the skin, cracking of the skin, and dry flakes.
What is Skin Exfoliation? Skin exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the (epidermis) which is the outermost layer of skin allowing new skin cells to develop from the (dermis) the lower layer of skin. It is said that the Egyptians were the first to practice such skin care practices, which interestingly enough is the native home to the Loofah gourd that is still used today as a popular sponge for skin exfoliation.
There are three different types of skin exfoliation; manual, chemical and enzyme exfoliation. Manual exfoliation of course is manually scrubbing off dead skin cells, by using sponges, creams, lotions, scrubs and cleansers. Chemical exfoliation is used to treat the surface of the skin using chemicals such as Alpha hydroxy acids and Beta hydroxy acids. This form of exfoliation is most often used in treating acne, age spots, sun damage and wrinkles. The third form of exfoliation is Enzyme exfoliation which is used for people who have very sensitive skin. These products, rather than scrubbing off or using chemicals, dissolve dead skin cells by using powders, pads, cleansers, and mask that have proteolytic enzymes in them.
How often should I exfoliate? Although skin exfoliation is great skin care practice for maintaining healthier skin, you do not want to over exfoliate. Due to the great effects exfoliation has on the skin can lead many into the trap of over exfoliating. Exfoliation does feel great and leaves your skin feeling healthy, but too much can actually cause even more damage causing the skin to be more sensitive and vulnerable to skin damages.
For face exfoliation it is recommended to only exfoliate twice a week and less than that if you have sensitive skin. Also keep in mind that the skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body and should use gentler products with less abrasiveness. For body exfoliation you can get away with doing it 2-3 times a week; if you have sensitive skin you might prefer to exfoliate less.
There are so many different types of exfoliation products on the market today; I prefer to use the most natural products for all my skin care needs. I have really enjoyed growing my own loofa gourds and making my own loofa sponges as well and molding my handmade soaps into these sponges. This of course is a lot of work but so worth it! Other natural ways I enjoy exfoliating my skin is using milder soaps such as goat milk soap with natural ingredients in them such as oatmeal, ground almond and cinnamon.
Natural Sea Sponges; wonderful, practical, affordable gift idea!
Monday, November 2, 2009
posted by Barbara 6:00 AM
Natural Sea sponges are wonderful to have for bathing and household cleaning, and they make great gifts as well. The holiday season is such around the corner and I think it’s safe to say that most of us want to stretch the dollar, choosing more practical, more affordable and more meaningful gifts to bless our loved ones with this season.
I had noticed a trend this year towards the end of the farmer’s market season, and that is most folks shared with me that they were doing their Christmas shopping early this year. We sold a lot of gifts baskets and specialty bars like our felted bars, loofa and sea sponge soap bars. These all make great gifts and if you are shopping for someone you just never know what to get; everyone could use soap or enjoy a tasty, chemical free, lip balm. One thing I think is often overlooked is the natural sea sponge. If you have a natural sea sponge soap bar, or will be receiving one in the near future, don’t throw your sponge out after the soap has depleted.
The sea wool sponge can last up to 10 years, and the yellow sponge as long as 4 years with the proper treatment. Natural sea sponges have natural enzymes in them that prohibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Though the sea sponge soap bar are great, purchasing a sponge by itself is also great, and very affordable, especially when you get the life expectancy that you do with these sponges. Also keep in mind, no harmful chemical such as Triclosan like that which you would find in commercial synthetic sponges.
I think you will be amazed with the response you’ll receive from those you gift this year with a natural sea sponge soap bars, or even just a plain old sea sponge. Of course you will have to explain the gift and educate them why they are better that synthetic sponges, but once they try their new sponge you will enjoy listening to them share their testimony of how much they love their new natural sea sponges.
Knitted wash cloths, a great alternative to chemical free sponges.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
posted by Barbara 7:00 AM
A great alternative for natural sea sponges are cotton knitted or crocheted wash cloths. If you love to knit or crochet these are fun little projects, they make great gifts, and are chemical free unlike synthetically made sponges. I have been making knitted wash cloth bags that you can put soap bars into and tie shut, and they have been a great hit selling at the farmers markets this summer. With the holidays just around the corner I know that I will be knitting a few more of these wash cloths, I think they will make great stocking stuffers.
What I love about these soap bags is that when your soap bars are near the end of their use and you are left with little scraps, rather than waste that precious handmade soap, you can throw all your scraps in a knitted cotton cloth soap bag, making your soaps last a little longer.
Natural sea sponges, an affordable product switch for healthier lifestyle.
Monday, September 28, 2009
posted by Rob 2:57 PM
If you are already using natural goat’s milk soap and other natural skin care products you probably are already much aware that your skin is permeable, and only want what is most natural and safe to put on your body. You have already taken the steps to be contentious in choosing natural skin care products; my question to you, is have you stopped there? There are many simple and affordable product switches we can incorporate in to our daily activities that will help contribute to healthier living. The natural sea sponge is just one of these switches to consider.
Did you know that just about all synthetic sponges have the chemical Triclosan in them, which is classified by the EPA as a pesticide? Synthetic sponges do not last as long as natural sea sponges, and within a week they begin to fall apart and become infested with mold, mildew and bacteria. Natural sea sponges are more durable, retain more water and have natural enzymes in them that prohibit mold, mildew and bacteria.
The Pure-N-Simple Soap family has not only switched over to natural sea sponges to do everyday household cleaning , but we are molding these sponges into our natural goat’s milk soap bars as well. The sea wool sponge is one of the softness and most recommended sponges for bathing. We have molded a lot of our unscented and Calendula Orange bars with this sponge, creating a very safe and gentle soap sponge. The sea wool sponge being most recommended for bathing for its softness, and the gentle ingredients in an unscented goat milk soap bar make this a perfect choice for bathing your most precious cargo, that being your children. No harmful chemicals, ingredients you can pronounce, and a sponge that comes from nature.
If you want a more abrasive sponge for exfoliating dead skin, the Loofa sponge is the perfect natural choice. This sponge does not come from the sea, and is actually a gourd that you can grow in your garden.