Send This Site to a Friend
Handmade Soap Facts
Yvonne Takhtalian, C.N.H.P, H.I.
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.
Yvonne Takhtalian, C.N.H.P, H.I. spent the past 10 years
developing and improving Vita-Myr Natural Products helping
thousands like you heal gum disease and gingivitis. She just
released a new line of 100% Natural Vita-Myr Soaps to compliment
her Vita-Myr Mouthwash & Toothpaste. Find out more about
effective natural relief of gum disease at
http://www.vitamyr.com/ or email
questions/comments to Yvonne at
mailto:vitamyr@mindspring.com Copyright © 2004 Vita-Myr®
International Inc All rights reserved. Natural Products For
Healthy Living ®
Find More Related Info:
Also See:
Skin, Hair, Fashion &
Beauty Care, Plus Weddings
Relationships &
Marriage
Women's Health & Women's
Issues
Your Health and Wellness Center
