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Handmade Soap
Why You Should Use Handmade Soaps
The very earliest soap recipe can be traced to the reign of Nabonidus in 556-539 BCE, where ashes, cypress oil and sesame oil were used. Ancient Egyptians were also regular bathers, and combined animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to create a soap-like material. Today handmade soaps are made with many of the same ingredients. They are a great alternative to traditional mass-produced soaps, and are free of chemicals.
Chemicals/Hazards of Conventional Soaps
More than 5,000 different chemical fragrances are put into soaps and cleaning products that are used on a daily basis. This is a far cry from the basic make-up of early soaps. Since fragrance formulas are regarded as trade secrets, manufacturers do not need to identify the chemical makeup of what is going into their soaps and body washes. Many groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council are fighting to have harmful substances banned from personal care products, and they claim that the Food and Drug Administration fails to regulate chemicals such as triclosan and triclocarban, which are suspected endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive and developmental harm in laboratory studies.
Some soap brands use inferior-quality chemicals that may actually worsen the condition of users skin. Chemicals like Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and parabens, or chemical preservatives, are commonly used in the mass production of bath soaps. Ninty-five percent of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum such as benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Human consumption is not the only issue; recently the Canadian government announced it would add two silicon-based chemicals found in soap and hundreds of other personal-care products to its list of toxic chemicals after tests showed they posed a danger to wildlife.
Benefits of Handmade Soaps
Handmade soaps also allow the maker to be creative and experiment with many different oils, essences, natural exfoliates. Since these soaps are hand-crafted, they are able to have a wider variety of looks and styles. Handmade soaps can make unique gifts or party favors that are specifically tailored. From baby and wedding showers to birthdays, handmade soaps are a great way to make a personal and customized gift. Compared to conventional bar soaps, handmade soaps are very mild since most are made from vegetable-based oils, like as olive, coconut, and palm. Glycerin is another key difference between commercial soaps and handmade soaps. Glycerin is a clear organic compound that absorbs water and keeps skin moist. Since glycerin is so useful, it only makes sense for soap manufacturers to remove it, right?
Glycerin is usually removed from soap during the manufacturing process to be used in skin creams and more expensive soap products. This is why most bar soaps often leave skin feeling dry. Handmade soaps leave that valuable glycerin in, and often add additional natural ingredients that improve skin’s texture and health rather than worsen it. Soaps made with natural ingredients tend to irritate skin less and are not tested on animals. Handmade soap is fairly simple to make, and you can find a variety of formulas and instructional guides online for all types of soap-making: melt and pour, cold process hot process and rebatching.
If you would rather purchase handmade soaps from a soap artisan, there are many online venues that sell hand-crafted soaps, like ArtFire.com.
Lily Evans is an independent author and marketing consultant.
About the Author
All-Natural, All-Beautiful Hand-Made Soap
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The Tea Spot Steeping Mug, 3-Piece Handcrafted Porcelain Ceramic Tea Mug with Infuser & Lid, 16-Ounce, color: Blue Sky $17.19 Enjoy tea for one without the hassle of preparing a full pot with this steeping mug set by The Tea Spot. Hand crafted out of stylish blue porcelain, the mug insulates and keeps your tea warm and drinkable. The set includes an infusing insert for your loose leaf teas, along with a matching lid. Loose teas are known to bring superior flavor and freshness to your cup, and can be inserted directly int… |
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Dish Soap Bottle Apron – Cats – Dress Up Your Dish Detergent Bottle $7.50 My 97-year old mother-in-law, Ann, has created these aprons so you can dress up your dish detergent bottle. Each apron is handmade in the USA…. |
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Dish Soap Bottle Apron – Easter – Dress Up Your Dish Detergent Bottle $7.50 My 97-year old mother-in-law, Ann, has created these aprons so you can dress up your dish detergent bottle. Each apron is handmade in the USA…. |
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AGS Campers Kit Includes Camp Soap 4 Oz Towel 12 X 30 Inch Durable Scrubber Sponge $16.98 Scrubber Sponge – Durable Scrubber Sponge is useful to wash/scrub dishes, pots and pans, barbecue grills, camp stoves, etc…. |
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Coghlans Soap Holder Virtually Unbreakable Plastic Container $5.08 Coghlans plastic Soap Holder…. |
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Azul Pietra / Atlantis Marble Hand-Made HONED Shampoo Niche / Shelf – SMALL $199.99 Perfectly suitable for both residential and commercial applications… |
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Mouse Mats of Making soap from North Wind Picture Archives $14.99 Photo Mouse Pad, Making soap. Woman making soft soap by hand with an outdoor kettle to render lard. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of a photograph. Chosen by North Wind Picture Archives. Standard Size Mouse Pad 7.75 x 9.125. High density Neoprene w linen surface. Easy to clean, stain resistant finish. Rounded corners. This item is shipped from our American lab…. |
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Olive Oil Soap Homemade 2.2 Lbs $29.00 Pure organic homemade olive oil soap made with extra virgin olive oil and mineral salts… |
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Goat’s Milk Soap by Nanny Kid Farm (3 ounce) NannyKid Farm has been in business since 1999, when it all started in Wheatland, Wyoming with a foal. In April of that year the Chesers family’s daughter, Heidi, was given an orphan foal, Annie. With Annie came the need to find the healthiest milk to raise her on. After extensive research they finally decided that goat’s milk would be best. By the time Annie was grown, the Cheser’s discovered that… |
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Soap Making 101 Kit $26.45 Includes 5 project ideas and instructions. The A-to-Z on making boutique quality soaps. Awesome fresh handmade beauty products made totally by you. Makes up to 10 unique & beautiful bars. Suitable for children over 12 years of age…. |
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Omega Nutrition Flax Handmade Bath Soap 4.8 oz $5.2 Omega Nutrition Flax Handmade Bath Soap 4.8 oz |
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Omega Nutrition Rainforest Handmade Bath Soap 4.8 oz $5.2 Omega Nutrition Rainforest Handmade Bath Soap 4.8 oz |
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Sulwhasoo Herb Soap 2×70g $41 A traditional luxurious handmade soap Cleanses & nourishes skin with many Korean medicinal ingredients Blended with natural olive oil honey & 6-year-old Korean red ginseng extracts Processed for 40 days to optimize effects Leaves skin remarkably smooth & energized |
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Soap,Antibacterl,18ct,Cr $77.99 SOAP,ANTIBACTERL,18CT,CR |
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Soap,F/Adf00180 $50.99 SOAP,F/ADF00180 |
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Neemaura Naturals Ultra-Sensitive Soap Mint (Normal to Oily Skin) 1Bar $7.29 Ultra Sensitive Soap Description : ? Ultra-Sensitive Soap ? For normal to oily skin ? Handmade with Neem oil For over 4000 years the concentrated oil from the sacred neem tree has been used. Its skin rejuvenating qualities have long been extolled by Ayurvedic practitioners. Today we combine the ancient beautifying power of neem with the traditional American art of handmade soapmaking to give you the finest hand and body soap in the world. This soap, like no other, is made for people with dry, cracked or damaged skin. Our special aromatherapy blend of essential oils is designed to enhance your enjoyment of our soap. This ultra-sensitive soap for normal to oily skin types has an uplifting and invigorating scent of mint to enliven and refresh. Our special soapmaking process removes excess alkali (a major cause of dryness and irritation) from the soap. Therefore it is always mild, hypoallergenic and completely natural. Because of our gentle formulation, you can use any of our Ultra-Sensitive soaps with confidence for face, body and shaving. For best results use with Neem Aura Naturals concentrated Neem Cream or Hand and Body Lotion, and our complementary herbal dietary supplements of organically grown Neem Leaf Capsules or Neem Leaf Extract. Supplement Facts: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive and neem oil, organic spearmint leaves, our special blend of essential oils, rosemary extract and nothing else. All natural ingredients. Never any synthetics. We use only the finest plant oils-never any animal by-products. Our soap is cruelty free. ? Notes: No animal ingredients? No synthetic colors or fragrances? Moisturizing vegetable oil base |
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Neemaura Naturals Ultra-Sensitive Soap Cornmeal/Honey (Combo Skin) 1Bar $7.29 Ultra Sensitive Soap Description : ? Ultra Sensitive Soap ? For Combination Skin ? Handmade with Neem Oil For over 4000 years the concentrated oil from the sacred neem tree has been used. Its skin rejuvenating qualities have long been extolled by Ayurvedic practitioners. Today we combine the ancient beautifying power of neem with the traditional American art of handmade soapmaking, to give you the finest hand and body soap in the world. This soap, like no other, is made for people with dry, cracked or damaged skin. Our special aromatherapy blend of essential oils is designed to enhance your enjoyment of our soap. This ultra-sensitive soap for combination skin types features the wonderful emollient properties of honey and uses cornmeal for its gentle cleansing action. Our special soapmaking process removes excess alkali (a major cause of dryness and irritation) from the soap. Therefore it is always mild, hypoallergenic and completely natural. Because of our gentle formulation, you can use any of our Ultra-Sensitive soaps with confidence for face, body and shaving. Supplement Facts: Saponified oils of palm, coconut, olive and neem oil, cornmeal, honey, our special blend of essential oils, rosemary extract and nothing else. All natural ingredients. Never any synthetics. We use only the finest plant oils – never any animal by-products. Our soap is cruelty free.? No animal ingredients? Cruelty free? No synthetic colors or fragrances? Long lasting? Hypoallergenic? Ultra-sensitive for combination skin type? Moisturizing vegetable oil base Directions: For best results use with Neem Aura Naturals concentrated Neem Cream or Hand and Body Lotion, and our complementary herbal dietary supplements of organically grown Neem Leaf Capsules or Neem Leaf Extract. |
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SOAP IT UP POLO $69 SOAP IT UP POLO |
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Cubavera Soap on the Rope $12.5 Cubavera Soap on the Rope |
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Soap Jet $11.94 Soap Jet Soap JetInternal reservoir hold up to 6oz. of liquid soapConnects to standard garden style hose fittingsGreat for washing all types of boats and vehicles |
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Soap,Sanifrsh,Antib,800ml $4.99 SOAP,KIMCARE,ANTIB,800ML |
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Soap,Gntl Ltn Ref,12ct,Pk $57.99 SOAP,GNTL LTN REF,12CT,PK |
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Soap,Sprdty Hand,2/3.5,Gn $62.99 SOAP,SPRDTY HAND,2/3.5,GN |
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Soap,Hnd,All Prps,18ct,Gn $65.99 SOAP,HND,ALL PRPS,18CT,GN |
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