Pure-n-Simple Soap
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Archive for November, 2009
Do you ever wonder about the history of soap? Well, you probably would if soap was no longer available to you. You would need to find some way to get clean and handmade soap may be your only option.
People have been using soap for thousands of years for everything from personal hygiene to housecleaning. The first soap probably came from the soap plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum). When crushed and moistened the roots of this plant formed foam that was used as shampoo.
Several hundred years ago people learned that alkalies and fats when combined with fire formed saponified compounds. Modern soap is made from oil and fat that react when combined with lye. Often times, handmade soaps are made from palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or canola oil.
You may or may not recall me mentioning oregano having antibacterial properties in a previous post about Super Germs. Since then I have been hearing a lot good things about oregano, and have done some research. I have learned that not only is oregano known to have antibacterial properties, but antifungal properties as well. It is the oil that is extracted by either cold pressing and steam distillation from the leaf of the plant that is used, and should not be mistaken by the common household Oregano (Oregano marjoram) but the (Oregano vulgare). Oregano vulgare is a species of wild Oregano that grows in remote mountainous areas of the Mediterranean, such as Greece.
Oil of Oregano can be taken topically and internally, and is most often mixed with other oils such as olive oil, because full dosages of the oil can be irritating both externally and internally. Many have successfully used this oil to treat cold sores, athletes’ foot, toenail infections and much more. It has been noticed that Oil of Oregano is the most effective natural antibiotic available today. When shopping for natural skin care products that have antibacterial properties look for ingredients such as Oil of Oregano and Tea Tree oil. These oils have a solid track record in fighting off germs and they are 100% natural.
Why natural lip balms work better, and why they are better for your lips.
Ever wonder why it seems like the more you apply a lip balm, the more you feel the need to keep reapplying it to your lips, which ultimately leaves your lips unsatisfied. Well, most likely the lip balms you may be using are petroleum based, which does not absorb into the skin, like natural ingredients such as Shea Butter which hydrate the skin. Applying petroleum based lip balms on chapped lips will not solve the issue, but in fact could make it worse. They may smell and taste wonderful, but if you are looking for the best therapeutic lip balm, you will be most successful using a natural lip balm with natural ingredients like Shea butter, beeswax, wheatgerm, coconut, jojoba to name just a few.
Natural shampoo bars! Great for traveling and less clutter in the shower.
Ever since I have made the switch from my old shampoos and conditioners to a single shampoo bar; my hair has not only benefited from the rosemary and lavender as it sooths and refreshes, and the castor and jojoba oil as it moisturizes my scalp, but I have also realized that there is a lot less clutter in the shower. I no longer have several different shampoo and conditioner bottles lined up along the shower wall. Which brings me to my next great observation of now being a satisfied user of a natural shampoo soap bars, is that they are great for traveling! Ever notice how much space those shampoo and conditioner bottles take up? With a shampoo bar you have your shampoo and conditioner all in one. So not only do you get a much healthier product with no harmful ingredient like Formaldehyde, but on a practical side, they conveniently take up less space.
I always love seeing the reaction from those who stop by our table at markets and festivals who never have seen a felted soap bar before, or pick up and read the article that I leave on the table that my son wrote on growing loofa sponges. We often hear “well isn’t that wonderful” and the old saying; “you learn something new every day”. One other product that I have started to make, that I thought was really neat, and is one of those products that not many are familiar with, but are very impressed when they try it, are solid lotion bars.
Unlike body lotions and creams, the hand lotion bar is solid, having a waxy texture to it. The solid lotion bars are made of Shea Butter, coconut oil, beeswax, grape seed oil, and pure essential oils. They are great for treating really callused skin, like those of your hands, elbow, the heel of your foot, and most popular, rubbing the lotion bar into your cuticles. By gently rubbing the lotion bar into the cuticles or calluses, allows deep penetration and long lasting results, leaving your skin feeling healthy, silky and smooth.
Most of us guys really don’t care what kind of soap we use, if it’s commercial or handmade soap, as long as it cleans and doesn’t leave us smelling like flowers or perfume. I have watched the reaction of couples over the years that have visited our booth at various shows, and of course it most often is the wife who is curious and wanting to ask the questions, try the lotion and smell the different soap bars, while the husband stands there patiently looking ahead to see if the next couple of tables have anything good to eat. I admit, this would be me, and I still find great tasting food much more interesting than soap, but as I have continued to help grow my family’s natural skin care company, researching and using these natural skin care products, I have slowly been converted.
I think for guys like myself who work construction or are just outdoors-men would notice a huge difference if given the opportunity to experiment using natural handmade soap vs. commercial soaps and detergents. Guys who live lifestyles such as this are constantly exposed many harsh elements that can cause all sorts of skin irritation, whether it be harsh chemicals in building materials, the blazing sun, or freezing cold temperatures, and as I have learned throughout all my research having healthy skin helps contribute to a healthy immune system.
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that consists of three types of cells, keratinocytes, melanocytes, and langerhans cells. The predominant cell in the epidermis is the keratinocyte, which makes the protein karatin. Once these cells have divided and matured they move to the upper layer of the epidermis which is called the stratum corneum; this is where they die and become hardened proteins and lipids forming a protective crust. The dead cells from the stratum corneum are constantly sloughed off and replaced with new ones. As we get older this process tends to slow down which is when exfoliating your skin, such as with a loofa sponge is extremely helpful.
The melanocyte cells in the epidermis produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives the skin its tone and color. Melanin is found not only in the skin but the eyes and hair as well. Finally the langerhan cells are the cell that are in direct relation to the immune system. They prevent unwanted foreign substances from entering through the skin.
The dermis is the middle layer of the skin that consists of two layers the upper and lower. The upper layer is the papillary and the lower is the reticular dermis. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerve endings and sebaceous glands that are always producing sebum. Sebum is the skins natural oil that rises to the epidermis lubricating and protecting the skin.
Finally, the hypodermis (subcutaneous fat), is the bottom layer of the skin made mostly of fat. This is where the skin is attached to the bones, and muscles, supplying them with blood vessels and nerves. The subcutaneous fat acts a heat insulator and shock absorber protecting the tissue below from trauma and cold.
We need to understand that when applying things on our skin, they do not just stay there. They do get absorbed. Prime examples of this are nicotine patches, hormones patches, and Dramamine patches. When these patches are applied the drugs are being released into our body through the skin. Some may argue that the harmful chemicals we are finding in our products such as shampoos, and household cleaners, are in such small amounts and are harmless in these small dosages. Well think about it, there is no such thing as small dosages when you factor in the amount of different products you are exposed to in a single day, over a very long period of time. Products like tooth paste, deodorant, soaps, shampoos, hair gel, dish soap, laundry detergent, clothes, plastics, food, there is no escape from the invasion of these chemicals.
Do not become discouraged, but rather informed. Know what you are putting on you and your families body. Take a good look at the products you are using and research the ingredients. Discipline your self to either make your own products which might actually save you few bucks, or find companies that make natural products and make that switch. I much rather spend a few more dollars on natural shampoo bar knowing that I have therapeutic essential oils penetrating through my skin than harmful carcinogens such as formaldehyde.
There are a lot of people today who find it very important to eat healthy and exercise regularly. They will spend money on gym membership fees, exercise programs, organic foods, vitamins and nutritional supplements; however one really important factor that is most often overlooked is skin care. This is usually one area that unless a rash is present, or suffering from dryness, itchy or flaky skin, does any thought go into natural skin care. Typically once a person knows and understands the importance and functions of the skin do they begin to think differently on what they put on their skin.
The skin is the largest organ of the human body which is roughly between 15 to 20 percent of the total body weight, consisting of millions of cells, thousands of sensory points, 100 sweat glands and 15 sebaceous glands to every square centimeter of skin on the body. The skin has three different layers, the epidermis, dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue, all which serve important functions.
Formaldehyde is a strong smelling chemical compound that is colorless, flammable and classified by the EPA as a carcinogen which is a (cancer causing chemical). This popular ingredient is commonly used in manufacturing building supplies such as insulation, plywood, particle board, glues and adhesives. Formaldehyde is often used as a preservative and has found home to many products that we use to clean our homes and wash our bodies with such as shampoos, hair gel and kids bubble baths. As more and more people are becoming aware of what is in the products they use to bathe their children wash there cloths and clean their homes with, have desperately been turning to natural products, making laundry soap of their own, and learning how to make their own household cleaners using natural ingredients like vinegar.
Formaldehyde has many names and there are many formaldehyde releasing preservatives such as quaternium-15 that are found on the labeling of most cosmetic and personal care products. It is important to research these ingredients and the different names associated with them, because the companies selling you these products and our government aren’t. I just recently read that the FDA is not required to regulate personal care products until after they are released to the market place, and the ingredients cannot be reviewed or approved before sold to the public? When I hear news such as this it compels me to research and inform myself of the ingredients that are in the products I am buying, and making those decisions for myself and family if I think it is safe enough to use, and not relying on govt. agencies and the companies selling the product to do this for me.
I do understand that the amount of harmful chemicals such as Formaldehyde, are used in small percentages, which can easily be found on the Internet, but why is it that in other countries such as Japan and Sweden they have banned the use of this ingredient in all cosmetics and toiletries. I cannot help, but to be suspicious when cancer rates and asthma, breast cancer, autism and many other sickness and disease are at all time highs. It seems like we live in a day where health and nutrition is very popular. There are many trying to change their diets and join memberships to gyms, and quite smoking. Health is highly valued today, and I am becoming more aware of the so many subtle health dangers we are exposed to today that were non-existent just a few generations ago.
I believe that not only diet and exercise are major keys to overall health but also information as well. Inform yourself! Learn how to read labels and what the ingredients are that you are ingesting or rubbing all over your body. Remember also that your skin is permeable and what goes on it will get into your body as well.