You take, on average, a 15 minute shower for an average 80 year life span..that's 438,000 lifetime minutes spent in the shower. Do you ever wonder what you're rubbing on your skin during this time?
People today love the idea of handmade soap! It's a wonderful and inexpensive "luxury" item. What makes it luxurious? The fact that it has been custom crafted for the end user, hand-poured-not out of a giant machine in a factory. So, is all hand-made soap created equal? It is not. There are many talented and crafty soapmakers out there who make their soaps to be super cute and smell great! These are made for the purposes of being fun and for the novelty of having a hand made soap. That in itself is still luxurious, regardless of the ingredients. Though, if you're looking for functionality, because you have sensitive skin, or skin concerns, then you should seek specialty ingredients. Not all soapmakers are using organic ingredients and 100% pure essential oils. Mostly because they're very expensive to get and there are very inexpensive synthetic alternatives out there. Also, you have a lot more variety with synthetic ingredients. For example, you can't get essential oils of strawberry, pineapple or cucumber. It simply is not naturally possible. Maybe you don't have skin care issues to address, but the thought of possibly rubbing animal lard (tallow) on your body are a bit more than you can handle. Then make sure you ask what is in the handmade soap you are buying.
Many handmade soaps are made from tallow (animal fat), because it's easy to get, inexpensive and highly moisturizing. It's not wrong to do this, but a matter of preference. If that's the case for you, then be sure to look for soaps that contain pure, plant, nut or seed oil bases (instead of animal fat).
Whenever possible, try to look for USDA organic certified oils-as these are grown without chemical treatments. If you love fragrances (like I do), but don't want chemical aka synthetic fragrances (because the chemicals give you a headache like they do to me), then make sure you look for 100% Pure Essential Oils in your handmade soaps. When someone takes the time (and spends the money) to make a high quality soap with USDA Organic Certified ingredients, 100% Pure Essential Oils, and all natural colors, don't be afraid to ask what their soaps' functions are because we have given this a lot of thought ;)
Check out my website to learn more and please email me if you have any questions or skin concerns!
want to refer someone to the shop I went to in center of Cranford. Handmade soaps with high coconut oil content. What is the name, address & ph# of the shop? It's on the same street as Little Scoops.