Coming Clean: The Truth About Soap
By Chere Deshayes
What Is Soap?
Soap is the oldest cleanser around. It is created
by a chemical reaction between oils, water and lye. Although lye is
used to make soap there is no lye left after saponification (the chemical
reaction that makes soap) is complete.
There is no such thing as a bar of soap that was made
without the use of lye. Different kinds of soap are made using a variety
of different oils. Both animal & plant oils can be used in the soap
making process, each adding different qualities to the soap.
Conventional Bar Soaps
Much of the soap available in the store today is not
really soap at all, but a detergent. Detergents are a petroleum based
product, like gasoline and kerosene. Have you ever noticed how regular
soap leaves your skin feeling dry, itchy and tight? Alkali, the most
common irritant in soap is often the culprit.
Others ingredients in mass-marketed soap have been
proven harmful to human health and can cause severe skin irritations
in some people. These include ingredients such as DEA, Isopropyl Alcohol,
BHT and Triclosan (commonly found in anti-bacterial soap).
The most common ingredient in conventional bar soaps
is sodium tallowate. It is the natural product of combining tallow,
or beef fat, with lye. The attractiveness for tallow for mass producing
soap is that it processes quickly, produces a hard bar of soap and
is cheap and plentiful.
The New Bar On The Block
While there is nothing new about handmade soap, its
popularity is growing rapidly. The sales of handmade soap continue
to grow as part of society’s movement toward buying products that
are healthy and good for the environment.
With the ever increasing use of synthetic chemicals
and studies about their dangerous effects, consumers are on the lookout
for more “green” alternatives.
Benefits Of Handmade Soap
Evidence abounds of the healing properties of a handmade
bar of soap. Those who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis
and eczema, as well as people that have sensitive skin or are hypoallergenic
often find immediate relief by switching to handmade soap.
Compared to store bought soap, handmade soap is very
mild. They are often made from vegetable-based oils, such as olive,
coconut, and palm and do not contain the potentially harmful chemicals
found in conventional bar soap. One of the biggest differences between
commercial soap and handmade soap is glycerine. Glycerine is a clear
liquid that absorbs water from the air and is a key factor in keeping
skin soft and healthy.
Glycerin soap is especially good for sensitive and
delicate skin, and for children. Because it is a high quality by-product
in the soap making process, many mass commercial soap manufacturers
often extract the glycerine and sell it as a by-product to be used
in higher priced products like lotions and skin creams.
Handmade Soap Is Good For Your Body
For adults, the skin covers approximately 20 square feet of
the human body. It is the largest human organ and is the bodies first
line of defense against dehydration, temperature, infection and harmful
substances. Handmade soaps give your skin the care it deserves and
make bathing a gentle, soothing experience.
Handmade Soap Is Good For Your Mind
For many of us today, life seems to move at an often hectic
pace. While the stress of everyday life increases, personal time is
at minimum. A fragrant, handmade bar of soap is a simple indulgence
that fosters a feeling of relaxation and being pampered. Treat yourself
or someone you love to the benefits of handmade soap!
About The Author: Chere Deshayes is the owner of
Bath Plantation, a company that specializes in fine handcrafted bath
and body products. Subscribe to her FREE newsletter at http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html
or visit her site at http://www.bathplantation.com.
