Beauty Information


Coming Clean: The Truth About Soap


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.


MORE RESOURCES:

Tradition Counts More Than Beauty at a Pageant
New York Times, United States - 12 hours ago
And the judges also sought a special kind of beauty: those who most resembled Puerto Rico’s native Indian tribe, the Taíno, received higher marks. ...


Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. New Face of Classic Beauty
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
Beauty begins with beauty -- and in this environment -- one is constantly reminded and perpetually surrounded by an aesthetic of the highest order. ...
The Dr. on The Doctors MarketWatch
all 10 news articles


WCBD

Wacky beauty tips go beyond cucumbers and mud masks
WCBD, SC - 5 hours ago
Beauty sees no limits, just ask Caitlin Spargo. “The weirdest thing I have ever tried was Preparation H under the eyes to reduce puffiness,“ says Spargo. ...


Capital News 9

Danes' victory is no beauty
Schenectady Gazette, NY - 8 hours ago
By Bob Weiner (Contact) Struggling from the floor, behind the arc and at the line, the Great Danes still played strong enough defense to bounce Bryant for ...
Nothing pretty except a victory Albany Times Union
all 26 news articles


Recession-Proof Your Beauty Routine
MarketWatch - 21 hours ago
... and Improved Formulas that Leading Salon Brands Can't Beat Even in a tight economy women don't have to compromise when it comes to their beauty routine. ...


Angel Tree Beauty Pageant set Dec. 6
Jack County Herald, TX - 23 hours ago
The annual Angel Tree Beauty Pageant is Saturday, Dec. 6, at Lamar Elementary School in Mineral Wells. Children through age 35 months will be judged in ...
Shopping under way for community’s ‘Angels’ Mineral Wells Index
all 2 news articles


'Beauty and the Geek' seeks local nerds
Wicked Local Wenham, MA - 19 hours ago
The CW television reality series “Beauty and the Geek” is on the lookout for geeks from the Boston area. Single men over 21 who are intelligent and quirky ...


Nonprofit helps Richmond students learn of city's natural beauty ...
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Nov 30, 2008
Fuller said it's the students' initial reactions to the city's places of beauty that make her smile. "We took Kennedy High to Point Molate last year, ...


Synovate global male beauty survey uncovers attitudes and ...
WebWire (press release), GA - 1 hour ago
KUALA LUMPUR — Leading global market intelligence company Synovate, today released findings from a global male beauty survey showing that 81% of Greek men ...
Are SA men good-looking? Independent Online
all 11 news articles


New York Post

‘Benjamin’ Beauty: A Quick Commentary on ‘Benjamin Button’
RopeofSilicon.com, WA - 21 hours ago
I found the above image over at the New York Times and since I am still not entirely ready to write a full review of the film and it hadn’t been released ...
Pitt, Jolie promote "Benjamin Button" at Elmwood The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com
Angelina: Hate To See Her Go, Love To Watch Her Leave New York Post
all 49 news articles

Beauty - Google News

home | site map
© 2007