Soap and Your Skin

 

To start off, we need to discuss the differences between soaps and detergents.

 

What is the definition of soap?  By definition, all soaps are created when a specific amount of oil is combined with a specific amount of Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)(or any other caustic alkali-hydroxide).

 

What is the definition of detergent?  By definition, detergents are man-made synthetic chemicals that act like soap.  Hence, detergents are not soaps.

 

When you see a bar with the words like “Beauty Bar”, “Cleansing Bar”, “Shower Cleaner” or any other descriptive term that does not include the word SOAP, then it is, by default, a detergent.

 

There are specific measurements needed to ensure that the number of oils used are in fact enough to always totally consume all the Sodium Hydroxide.  Our soaps are formulated to provide 5% excess oils to ensure that the Sodium Hydroxide is consumed and there is a residual amount of the original oils in the soap so the goodness of the oils can nourish your skin.  After all the Lye is totally consumed, our soaps are then by design, Lye Free since the Lye is all chemically changed and therefore does not exist in our soap.  In the soap making process, Lye is combined with the fatty acids in the oils.  Our “Lye Free” soaps are formulated to be safe for all parts of your skin, from your face to your toes.

 

All soaps are made with either Vegetable oils and/or animal-based fats.  In the early history of soap making, soaps exclusively made with animal-based fats.  Then at about the 1400s, plus or minus a few hundred years, some cultures started using vegetable oils in the soap making process, mostly out of necessity (scarcity of available animal fats).  Our soaps are made exclusively with all vegetable oils/butter and with that, are VEGAN and CRUELTY-FREE.

Specifically, ALL of our soaps are made with the same base formulation that uses Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, and Avocado Oil.  When our vegetable oils are combined with the Sodium Hydroxide, the result is soap and glycerin.  All of our soaps have naturally forming glycerin, unlike many of the commercially available soaps that remove the glycerin so it can be sold in other products resulting in Dry feeling commercial soaps.

Glycerin is very beneficial to the skin.  It is known to treat oily skin conditions like acne, skin infections, wrinkles, and fine lines.  It is also known to attract moisture to the skin and making it soft and supple.  For these reasons, additional vegetable glycerin is added to each and every bar of soap we produce.

Coconut Oil possesses antimicrobial properties that can help treat acne (due to high concentration of lauric acid with antibacterial properties) and protect the skin from harmful bacteria.  Coconut Oil contributes significantly to soap Hardness, Cleaning, and Bubbly properties.

Palm Oil has high concentrations of Palmitic acid that act as an emollient, softening the skin and help retain moisture by forming an occlusive layer. Studies have shown that Palmitic acid does possess antioxidant properties.  Palm Oil also has high concentrations of Oleic acid that promotes healing and repairing.  As an anti-inflammatory substance that stimulates wound healing, Oleic acid can also help calm, balance, and help repair skin.  Palm Oil brings skin Conditioning and Creaminess to each bar of soap.

Shea Butter has high concentrations of Oleic acid (see Palm Oil) and Stearic acid that functions as a surfactant to help wash away excess oil and dirt from the skin, stearic acid also acts as an emollient, having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.  Shea Butter adds to the Hardness, Conditioning, and Creaminess to each bar of soap.

Olive Oil brings VERY high concentrations of Oleic acid (see Palm Oil).  Olive Oil also adds to the Hardness and Creaminess of each bar of soap.

Castor Oil has high concentrations of ricinoleic acid that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, useful in treating irritated skin.  It may also protect the skin from bacterial infections by keeping out microbes that can cause disease.  Castor Oil also adds to the Bubbliness, Conditioning, and Creaminess of each bar of soap.

Avocado Oil has high concentrations of Oleic and Palmitic acids (see Palm Oil).  Avocado Oil also brings additional Conditioning and Creaminess to each bar of soap.