So, I know I haven't been keeping up with my blog and for that, I apologize. However, I have been working diligently on some new soaps and getting set up to be in the new An Artisan's Emporium store as well as finishing out my associates degree in Accounting, all while taking care of my 2 year-old.
I've noticed here, lately, that a lot of big name soap and cosmetic companies are listing their products as "natural". I feel that while some companies are using truly natural products and are able to deem their products as all natural, there are other companies who are being less than honest about the products they are selling to the public.
To truly be an all natural product, all of the ingredients used within products should be of natural origin, meaning no synthetics. I can not technically claim that my soaps are "all natural" because they contain Sodium Hydroxide that was not produced in the traditional manner of running water through ashes. Now, if you make your lye in this manner, then it is not lab made and you could use it for natural soap-making. However, the commercially produced lye is lab made. The process uses water, sodium, and electricity. Here is more about the process https://dow-answer.custhelp.com/app/ans ... ng-process.
The saponification process is what happens when lye water mixes with oils to produce soap. Sodium Hydroxide, caustic soda, and lye are all the same thing. While lye is used in soap-making, there is no remaining lye left in the end product, which is soap. So, you are not washing with lye, you are washing with soap. Think of it in terms of cooking. When you are making bread and you use yeast as one of your ingredients, yeast was used to make the bread but the end result is bread. The yeast has been incorporated throughout in order to give you bread. It is what helps your bread rise. Sodium Hydroxide or lye is an important ingredient in making bar soap. Without it, you would just have a complete mess of oils, butters, and whatever else you used.
In fact, there are different grades of Sodium Hydroxide. There is the tech grade of Sodium Hydroxide that is used for making paper, rayon, industrial strength cleaners, etc and then there is the food grade of Sodium Hydroxide that you can use in soap making, pretzel making, olives, soda breads, and other types of foods. Here is some more information on the differences between tech and food grade Sodium Hydroxide that may be helpful https://soapingwithstyle.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/technical-vs-food-grade-sodium-hydroxide/
I happen to use food grade Sodium Hydroxide. In fact, I have never used tech grade. Both are caustic and corrosive. So, which ever you choose, please be careful and take all precautionary measures to ensure you do not mishandle it and get burned.
Now that we know what Sodium Hydroxide is and the difference between food and tech grades, let's get down to the benefits of using handmade soaps.
Because most handmade soaps contain food grade ingredients such as oils, fats, and butters, the handmade soaps tend to be more mild than commercial soaps. Also, commercial soaps are considered detergents, not soap because of the chemicals used in the process. Handmade soaps typically do not contain chemicals and preservatives. In fact, real, handmade soap does not need a preservative at all. Although it may contain water and oil combinations, the ingredients are saponified, so , no need for a preservative. Your handmade soaps generally last about a year after being cured. Here is some additional information on the difference between commercial and handmade soap:
http://www.naturalnews.com/026110_soap_natural_clay.html
Now, just based on my experiences with soaps, I can tell you automatically the difference between handmade and commercial:
- Handmade soaps are typically softer than commercial soaps
- Handmade soaps should never be drying to the skin, no where near the way commercial soaps dry skin. Why is this? Commercial soaps, or should I say detergents, contain any of the following toxic ingredients: Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)- A known carcinogenic and skin irritant (yuck!). Triclosan- A pesticide that is commonly used as an antibacterial agent. (what?!). Dioxane- Another carcinogenic that is derived from coconut which can be toxic to the brain, liver, and kidneys (this is getting scary, guys). Diethanolamine (DEA)- When combined with other chemicals and preservatives in soap, it creates NDEA which is a dangerous carcinogenic. According to Rain Victoria with Natural Essentials, "NDEA is a potent carcinogenic, and it is most strongly linked to the development of kidney and liver cancers. In addition, pregnant women should be especially cautious of DEA, as it is capable of interfering with your body’s ability to absorb a nutrient called choline. Unborn children need choline if their brains are to develop properly. All of these concerns are also likely to apply to triethanolamine (or TEA), which is a derivative of DEA." Formaldehyde- A known toxic ingredient that can lead to weakening of the immune system leaving the body less able to fight off infectious diseases.
- A lot of handmade soap makers use organic ingredients that contain no pesticides.
- You can really tell a difference in the texture and complexion of your skin when you used handmade soaps vs. commercial soaps. You don't get any flaking, peeling, burning, itching, rashes, dryness, and your skin actually is more hydrated, more radiant, softer, and smoother.
- Handmade soaps clean better. The commercial facial soaps used do not take makeup off as well as handmade facial soaps. Based on my experience, I still had to use a makeup remover with a commercial soap, but not with a handmade soap.
Handmade soaps normally do not contain these very toxic and potentially dangerous ingredients. This is some scary stuff. I would definitely urge anyone and everyone to look at the ingredients of not just their soap, but their skin care ingredients as well. It is definitely up to you what you choose to put on your skin. However, I just wanted to everyone to be aware of the chemicals that can be used in some commercially made soaps that are passed off as "natural".
Just try a handmade soap once and you'll definitely notice the difference. Plus, your skin will thank you. In a world that uses chemicals for everything, they definitely do not belong on your skin. It's not necessary and it can actually do more harm than good.
I'll be updating my blog more regularly now that I have some extra free time.
Until next time,
Cheers!
Kristine
Resources:
- Natural News- http://www.naturalnews.com/026110_soap_natural_clay.html
- Natural Essentials- http://www.botanicskinessentials.com/uncategorized/toxic-soap-ingredients/
- Soaping With Style- https://soapingwithstyle.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/technical-vs-food-grade-sodium-hydroxide/
