What is Shingles?

If you have had chickenpox you very well could receive shingles without any warning.  Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and even if a person has already had chicken pox the virus can still live but remain dormant in nerve cells.  If then later in life it does become active it can cause shingles also known as herpes zoster.  Generally those who suffer from shingles are over the age of 60, and the chances of getting shingles are higher the older you are; however it is not uncommon for young people to get shingles as well.

Many doctors have prescribed medications for treating shingles in the past that contain steroids in them.  Recent research has been suggesting avoiding such steroids for treatment, questioning the effectiveness of these steroids.  There still remains no definite cure for shingles, but there are many natural remedies and natural skin care  products available for you to consult with your doctor about.  Here are a list of natural remedies and things to do to help relieve the painful symptoms of shingles, and remember to always consult with your health care provider before exploring any new forms of treatment, even if they seem harmless.

1.    Eat a healthy diet, try to eliminate sugars, and make sure you are getting plenty of vitamins, B12, E, and C
2.    Reduce your stress!  Shingles have been known to be triggered by increases anxiety and stress.
3.    Avoid wearing tight clothing and itchy fabrics such as wool.

Some natural remedies to consult with your doctor to see if they would help your particular symptoms are.
1.    Mix some cayenne pepper with some body lotion such as goat’s milk lotion and rub on affected area.  Cayenne pepper is known to relieve the itching and burning.
2.    Take some uncooked oatmeal and mix it up until it becomes a pasty form, and apply to relieve the burning and itching.
3.    Apple cider vinegar taken internally and externally can be very affective in relieving symptoms from shingles as well.
4.    Also there are many essential oils such as geranium oil, and herbs like lemon balm, oregano, and rosemary that can be use to help reduce symptoms of shingles.

Don’t wait for the symptoms to get much worse before seeking medical attention, shingles can lead to many serious complications, such as skin infections, loss of vision and hearing, long term nerve pain known as postherpetic neuralgia, paralysis on one side of the face, and much more.  Though there is no cure for shingles yet, there are many natural remedies to reduce the symptoms.  If you or someone you know is suffering from shingles, encourage them to seek out some of these natural treatments with their doctor, and hopefully experience much relief.

Pure-N-Simple Soap- Goat's Milk Lotion, Cyber Monday Sale!

Pure-N- Simple Soap is having a Cyber Monday Sale on their goat's milk lotion!  When you purchase one 4 oz jar of lotion at regular price of $8.00 receive a 2 oz jar of lotion for FREE.  This sale is only valid for today November 28 2011 and will expire by midnight.

http://www.purensimplesoap.com/cyberMondaysale.html

These 2 oz jars make great stocking stuffers and are great for traveling.  Pure-N-Simple Soaps goat milk lotions are great for all skin types, leaving your skin silky and smooth.  These lotions are scented using essential oils with many fragrances to choose from as well as the option of unscented as well.

Take advantage of this amazing deal today

http://www.purensimplesoap.com/cyberMondaysale.html

Practical Party Favors

Looking for practical gift ideas as party favors, for weddings, baby showers or any special occasion?  Many soap crafters make handmade soap bars that are in 2 inch rounds that are much cheaper than a 4 oz square soap bar, and often when purchased in large quantities, may possibly even see a discounted rate.  These make great thank you gifts.  I would recommend that if you are choosing soap bars as a thank you gift to choose an unscented bar to be safe, everyone reacts differently to different scents, and an unscented hand crafted soap bar is safely mild to use on just about all skin types.  Hopefully on the soap label will be the soap crafters contact info; so that if they do enjoy the soap, they can visit their website and shop for more.  You never know you may have some guests who suffer from sensitive skin and they could very well be thanking you down the road.

Make your own laundry soap.

Who isn't trying to stretch a buck today, with gas prices still pretty high and unemployment through the roof; the unstable economy has many of us cutting back, looking for ways to save money and live more practical.  Well I would like to share with you a project that could save you and your family some extra cash and that is to make your own laundry soap.  Not only will you save some money but it is much milder and safer for you and the environment, still keeping your clothes freshly clean.  You do not need to be an experienced soap crafter to make your own laundry soap, it is actually very simple and unlike making some handmade soaps that take up to 4 to 6 weeks to cure, you can make your own laundry soap and use it in just a day.

There are several different recipes you can find on the Internet, here is one that I use and am very pleased with.  All you need is a 2 gallon bucket with a lid, 1/3 bar of Fels Naptha, ½ cup of washing soda, and a ½ cup of borax powder.  Your Fels Naptha will need to be graded and have 6 cups of water added to it in a sauce pan and heat until soap begins to melt.  Then you will need to add 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup of borax and stir until it has dissolved.  Now remove from heat and pour 4 cups of hot water into your bucket, add your soap mixture and stir.  Add 1 gallon plus 6 cup of water and stir.  Now all you need to do is let it sit for 24 hours and it will gel up. When it is ready to use it will have a gel like clumpy appearance; you can use a large wooden spoon to stir the gel substance into liquid form and use only 1/2 cup per load.  This recipe will supply you with an estimated 64 loads and cost less than six bucks!

Permeability of Your Skin

There are a lot of people today who find it very important to eat healthy and exercise regularly.  They will spend money on gym membership fees, exercise programs, organic foods, vitamins and nutritional supplements; however one really important factor that is most often overlooked is skin care.  This is usually one area that unless a rash is present, or suffering from dryness, itchy or flaky skin, does any thought go into natural skin care. Typically once a person knows and understands the importance and functions of the skin do they begin to think differently on what they put on their skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body which is roughly between 15 to 20 percent of the total body weight, consisting of millions of cells, thousands of sensory points, 100 sweat glands and 15 sebaceous glands to every square centimeter of skin on the body.  The skin has three different layers, the epidermis, dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue, all which serve important functions.

We need to understand that when applying things on our skin, they do not just stay there.  They do get absorbed.  Prime examples of this are nicotine patches, hormones patches, and Dramamine patches.  When these patches are applied the drugs are being released into our body through the skin.  Some may argue that the harmful chemicals we are finding in our products such as shampoos, and household cleaners, are in such small amounts and are harmless in these small dosages.  Well think about it, there is no such thing as small dosages when you factor in the amount of different products you are exposed to in a single day, over a very long period of time.  Products like tooth paste, deodorant, soaps, shampoos, hair gel, dish soap, laundry detergent, clothes, plastics, food, there is no escape from the invasion of these chemicals.

Do not become discouraged, but rather informed.  Know what you are putting on you and your family’s body.  Take a good look at the products you are using and research the ingredients.  Discipline yourself to either make your own products which might actually save you few bucks, or find companies that make natural products and make that switch.  I much rather spend a few more dollars on natural shampoo bar knowing that I have therapeutic essential oils penetrating through my skin than harmful carcinogens such as formaldehyde.

What does natural and organic mean to you?

Natural and organic seems to have taken on multiple definitions today, and often a misleading conception is that because the label says organic, or natural it must be safe.  I find this to not always be true, and which is why I think it is very wise if it is indeed a natural product you are searching for; to be informed and educated on how to read labeling and understand what the ingredients are.  

One example of this is, if you are chemically sensitive and want to give natural homemade soaps a try.  There are many soap makers that hand craft soaps from home that may not be using all natural ingredients, such as essential oils and instead use less costly fragrance oils.  Fragrances oils are nice, they smell great, and are more available, but they are synthetically made having no therapeutic properties and can cause further skin irritation for the one who is chemically sensitive searching for that chemical free product.  Just because a product says all natural, organic or even doctor recommended, does not mean it is safe for everybody.   We are all different and are bodies react differently to natural and non- natural products and should never assume because the label tells us it’s natural and organic that its safe to use.

However going back to my original thought and title to this post; what does natural and organic mean to you?  Do you simply trust what the label says, or do you agree that it is important to know how to read and understand the ingredients that are in that particular product, and to know your own body and how it reacts to these ingredients as well, or have you never given this any thought at all, and I have just given you something new to think about?

Lavender; more than just aromatherapy

Lavender is one of the most recognized herbs, known distinctly for its aromatherapy; however this wonderful plant offers more than just a pleasant scent.  It is known to be the “go to herb” for treating anything from the shoulders on up.  Lavender oil is commonly used for treating headaches and muscle cramps, but also contains many benefits when used in natural skin care products as well.

Lavender is known to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-toxic, cytophylactic; which encourages growth of new skin cells, and vulnerary effects on the skin.  Lavender oil consists of high levels of linalool which is what gives it the ability to effectively promote skin healing.  These healing properties prevent tissue degeneration and stops bleeding in wounds.

Considering all the amazing benefits Lavender oil has on the skin, it is no wonder this oil is used in so many skin care products such as natural shampoo’s, handmade soaps, and lotions.  Not only do you receive the wonderful aromatherapy from such a product, which plays an important therapeutic role for the nervous system and treating insomnia and headaches, but any one suffering from skin problems such as eczema to acne can greatly benefit from this amazing oil in their skin care products.

Oil of Oregano; the best natural antibiotic.

You may or may not recall me mentioning oregano having antibacterial properties in a previous post about Super Germs.  Since then I have been hearing a lot good things about oregano, and have done some research.  I have learned that not only is oregano known to have antibacterial properties, but anti-fungal properties as well.  It is the oil that is extracted by either cold pressing and steam distillation from the leaf of the plant that is used, and should not be mistaken by the common household Oregano (Oregano marjoram) but the (Oregano vulgare).  Oregano vulgare is a species of wild Oregano that grows in remote mountainous areas of the Mediterranean, such as Greece.

Oil of Oregano can be taken topically and internally, and is most often mixed with other oils such as olive oil, because full dosages of the oil can be irritating both externally and internally.  Many have successfully used this oil to treat cold sores, athletes’ foot, toenail infections and much more.  It has been noticed that Oil of Oregano is the most effective natural antibiotic available today.  When shopping for natural skin care products that have antibacterial properties look for ingredients such as Oil of Oregano and Tea Tree oil.  These oils have a solid track record in fighting off germs and they are 100% natural.

Natural shampoo bars! Great for traveling and less clutter in the shower.

Ever since I have made the switch from my old shampoos and conditioners to a single shampoo bar; my hair has not only benefited from the  rosemary and lavender as it soothes and refreshes, and the castor and jojoba oil as it moisturizes my scalp, but I have also realized that there is a lot less clutter in the shower.  I no longer have several different shampoo and conditioner bottles lined up along the shower wall.  Which brings me to my next great observation of now being a satisfied user of a natural shampoo soap bars,  is that they are great for traveling!  Ever notice how much space those shampoo and conditioner bottles take up?  With a shampoo bar you have your shampoo and conditioner all in one.  So not only do you get a much healthier product with no harmful ingredient like Formaldehyde, but on a practical side, they conveniently take up less space.

Layers of The Skin & What They Do

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that consists of three types of cells, keratinocytes, melanocytes, and langerhans cells.  The predominant cell in the epidermis is the keratinocyte, which makes the protein karatin.  Once these cells have divided and matured they move to the upper layer of the epidermis which is called the stratum corneum; this is where they die and become hardened proteins and lipids forming a protective crust.  The dead cells from the stratum corneum are constantly sloughed off and replaced with new ones.  As we get older this process tends to slow down which is when exfoliating your skin, such as with a loofa sponge is extremely helpful.

The melanocyte cells in the epidermis produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives the skin its tone and color.  Melanin is found not only in the skin but the eyes and hair as well.  Finally the langerhan cells are the cell that are in direct relation to the immune system.  They prevent unwanted foreign substances from entering through the skin.

The dermis is the middle layer of the skin that consists of two layers the upper and lower.  The upper layer is the papillary and the lower is the reticular dermis.  The dermis contains blood vessels, nerve endings and sebaceous glands that are always producing sebum.  Sebum is the skins natural oil that rises to the epidermis lubricating and protecting the skin.

Finally, the hypodermis (subcutaneous fat), is the bottom layer of the skin made mostly of fat.  This is where the skin is attached to the bones, and muscles, supplying them with blood vessels and nerves.  The subcutaneous fat acts a heat insulator and shock absorber protecting the tissue below from trauma and cold.

Why natural lip balms work better, and why they are better for your lips.

Ever wonder why it seems like the more you apply a lip balm, the more you feel the need to keep reapplying it to your lips, which ultimately leaves your lips unsatisfied.  Well, most likely the lip balms you may be using are petroleum based, which does not absorb into the skin, like natural ingredients such as Shea Butter which hydrate the skin.  Applying petroleum based lip balms on chapped lips will not solve the issue, but in fact could make it worse.  They may smell and taste wonderful, but if you are looking for the best therapeutic lip balm, you will be most successful using a natural lip balm with natural ingredients like Shea butter, beeswax, wheatgerm, coconut, jojoba to name just a few.

Can't Afford to Live Healthy

If I could afford to live a healthier lifestyle, I would; is what I hear often from friends and family, as I am also discouraged at times when doing my grocery shopping.  Eating healthy organic food is expensive; eliminating unhealthy eating habits is hard.  Taking the easy road, the more convenient way will always be more attractive.  We are always in search of bargains and deals, we have become a society that wants to work less and get paid more, and we want to microwave everything, giving us immediate results.  We have compromised many natural ingredients, giving products longer shelf life, and producing larger quantities for larger profits.

Well hey I am all for getting a great deal, prosperity, and yes patience is something I am always working on improving, and  as a business owner, profit is what we want and more of it, but you know what, It all means nothing if you’re dead or very ill.  I know you may be thinking this is bit extreme, but I cannot tell you how many people I know or have met who are suffering from cancer, asthma, skin allergies, and on and on.  All of which many of these illness have direct relations to what the body has been exposed to over and over again from many of the products we buy on a daily basis such as personal care, to what we wash our cloths with and scrub our floors.

So how much is your health worth to you and your family?  I know it is hard to pass up great deals, especially when you have many mouths to feed.  You may be asking questions like why I would spend $4.50 on one bar of handmade soap, when I can get much more for less.  When I hear someone say I choose to eat the way I do because I cannot afford to eat healthy, or buy healthier products, makes me question two things, priorities and spending habits.

It’s no secret our economy is not doing well; many of us have lost our jobs and are cutting back, but I want to challenge everyone not to not cut back on your health, but rather other less important areas, such as how many cups of coffee or lattes you buy every day.  If the average cup a coffee is let’s say $1.50 and you buy two cups per day, 5 days a week adds up to be $15.00 a week, $60.00 a month, and $720.00 annually on just coffee. Maybe you do not drink coffee but, eat out more often that you can really afford to, because of the convenience. I can dissect this all day long using several examples; the bottom line is be honest with yourself, can you really not afford to live healthy?  What are you spending your time and money on?

Why we do not use animal tallow in out products

In earlier times soap makers traditionally used animal fats in making their soaps, most likely because this was an accessible ingredient that was easily available, most often from pigs.  Today most handmade soap makers will use vegetable oils such as olive, palm oil, cocoa butter, Shea butter, and almond oil to name a few.  Most commercial soap making companies today still use animal fats because it is much cheaper than using vegetable oils.

Animal tallow is believed to cause clogged pours which can lead to several different skin problems such as acne, eczema, blackheads, and psoriasis.  The animal fat does allow the soap bar to become hard allowing it to last longer, however vegetable oils are a great natural substitute that makes the soap just as hard, and no animals have to die for the result.  Though vegetable oil base soaps are more expensive, they are much healthier for your skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

One of the most considered, dangerous ingredients found in personal care products today is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which is most commonly found in many shampoos. Research has revealed that (SLS) is easily absorbed into the skin and can cause damage to the immune system.  When (SLS) is absorbed into the skin it mimics the activity of the hormone Oestrogen, which is possibly responsible for many health problems such as, menopausal symptoms, PMS, decreased male fertility, and breast cancer.

The (SLS) that are used in the many personal products we use on a daily basis are the same of which you would find in engine degreasers.  The same way it dissolves grease on engines will it dissolve the oils on your skin.  A rule of thumb we like to stick to in the natural skin care industry, is if you wouldn’t eat it, you should not put in on your skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laueth Sulfate can be found in many products that we use on a regular basis, including, soaps, shampoos, tooth paste, shaving cream, laundry detergent, dish soap, stain removers, carpet cleaners, sun creams, and mouth wash are a few I can think of, and I am sure if you further research this you will be surprised how many products have this ingredient.

So if it is so harmful, why are most companies still using it?  Well this is an excellent question which is why many including myself have already made the switch to using natural skin care products , and natural household cleaning agents, and continue to get engaged in learning and becoming more informed of what we put on and in our bodies.

(SLS) is very cheap and is used as a foaming agent known as a surfactant.  As sad and disturbing it is, the only conclusion I can come up with is greed for profit.  All business’s are in business to make money which is not a bad thing at all of course, and will try to cut cost as much as possible to maintain higher profit margins.  The good news is,  I have noticed a trend that more consumers are becoming more informed, and searching natural alternatives; therefore this has led to an increase in company’s large and small making natural products.  But buyer beware, the key is to study and do your research, not all products that are advertised and marketed as safe, and doctor recommended are actually natural and safe.

Patchouli; Do you love or hate it?

Patchouli is definitely one of those scents you either love or absolutely hate.  Over the years I have listened to people share with me at different markets and shows that I have sold our natural skin care products at; how they will buy any thing with patchouli in it, while others absolutely despise the scent.  This pungent, musty, earthy scent is most commonly referred to as “hippie perfume”.  I will admit that patchouli is not one of my favorites and though it may not be as popular as it was during the 60’s and 70’s, we still sell a lot of our patchouli lavender goats milk soap bars.

Here are some patchouli facts for all you patchouli lovers out there.  This herb comes from the mint family, and is not only used as a scented fragrance, but as an insect repellant and many other medical uses.

Patchouli does have antiseptic properties, which is why in some Asian countries, it is common practice to use this herb for treating venomous snake and insect bites.

There is much folk-lore stated that Patchouli induces relaxation. The Chinese have been using Patchouli for some time now in treating headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and colds. During the 18th and 19th centuries silk traders used Patchouli leaves to protect their silks from moths laying their eggs on them as they traveled from village to village.

Patchouli is contributed to many physical benefits such as treating acne, athletes foot, eczema, dandruff, wounds, sores, oily skin, dry skin, wrinkles and scars. Patchouli also is noted for having psycho and emotional benefits, relieving nervous tension, acting as a stress reducer, clears confusion and known to be an aphrodisiac.

For some the scent brings back memories of the past that are either good or bad, and others either just can’t stand the smell or absolutely love it.  So which are you?  Do you absolutely love Patchouli, or do you hate it.

Super Germs

We had just recently received a pamphlet  in the mail from our good friends at Heritage Essential Oils on how to fight Super Germs.  I had never heard of the term Super Germ before, and was very curious to read on.  Super Germs are simply germs that have become resistant to the overuse of antibiotics, making them far less effective, if not effective at all.  One example of a Super Germ is (MRSA).  This staph infection has become resistant to the antibiotics methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin.  Also pseudomonas aeruginose which contributes to 57% of the death rate in pneumonia cases and E.coli are other forms of bacteria that have grown a resistance.  As I continued to read on, I learned of some interesting statistics that I feel are important to share and also learned of some the wonderful natural essential oils that are available to us, allowing us to fight off these Super Germs and live a healthy lifestyle.

One of the interesting statistics I have just learned of is that the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. today is hospital-acquired infections.  Prior to that is heart disease, cancer and strokes.  The amounts of these deaths are more than the amount of people who die each year of breast cancer, Aids, and automobile accidents combined.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDS); from 1999 to 2000 over 135,000 estimated hospitalizations occurred with people diagnosed with (MRSA) killing about 12,000 annually.

So how do we protect ourselves from these Super Germs?  Well more and more research is leading towards natural treatments such as the use of essential oils.  These oils have amazing therapeutic benefits when inhaled, ingested or applied topically.  The main reason researchers have found that make these oils so effective, is due to the complexity of the chemical constituents found in the oils.  There are a hundred or more components in these oils making it very difficult for the Super Germs to build a resistance.

I have mentioned the essential oil Tee Tree being used in handmade soaps in a previous post, as a great alternative rather than using antibacterial soaps that contain Triclosan in them.  Well here is a list of many other natural oils that are effective to fighting off these Super Germs with Tea Tree being top on the list.

1.    Tea Tree
2.    Geranium
3.    Thyme
4.    Oregano
5.    Cinnamon Bark & Clove
6.    Mountain Savory
7.    Basil
8.    Lemon myrtle
9.    Peppermint & Spearmint
10.  Lavender
11.   Lemongrass
12.   Eucalyptus

I hope you have found this information as useful as I have, and that it encourages you to become more informed and do some research of your own.  I have always had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and have worked landscape construction most of my life; it was not until just a couple of years ago that I was fascinated with the concept of plants I am very familiar with offering so much more than just aesthetics.  This has compelled me to research the medical and culinary values the plants have to offer us.  I am extremely thankful for modern medicine, but entirely fascinated with what nature freely provides to us as well.

Formaldehyde in products such as shampoo!

Formaldehyde is a strong smelling chemical compound that is colorless, flammable and classified by the EPA as a carcinogen which is a (cancer causing chemical).  This popular ingredient is commonly used in manufacturing building supplies such as insulation, plywood, particle board, glues and adhesives.  Formaldehyde is often used as a preservative and has found home to many products that we use to clean our homes and wash our bodies with such as shampoos, hair gel and kids bubble baths.  As more and more people are becoming aware of what is in the products they use to bathe their children wash there cloths and clean their homes with, have desperately been turning to natural products, making laundry soap of their own, and learning how to make their own household cleaners using natural ingredients like vinegar.

Formaldehyde has many names and there are many formaldehyde releasing preservatives such as quaternium-15 that are found on the labeling of most cosmetic and personal care products.  It is important to research these ingredients and the different names associated with them, because the companies selling you these products and our government aren’t.  I just recently read that the FDA is not required to regulate personal care products until after they are released to the market place, and the ingredients cannot be reviewed or approved before sold to the public?  When I hear news such as this it compels me to research and inform myself of the ingredients that are in the products I am buying, and making those decisions for myself and family if I think it is safe enough to use, and not relying on govt. agencies and the companies selling the product to do this for me.

I do understand that the amount of harmful chemicals such as Formaldehyde, are used in small percentages, which can easily be found on the Internet, but why is it that in other countries such as Japan and Sweden they have banned the use of this ingredient in all cosmetics and toiletries.  I cannot help, but to be suspicious when cancer rates and asthma, breast cancer, autism and many other sickness and disease are at all time highs.  It seems like we live in a day where health and nutrition is very popular. There are many trying to change their diets and join memberships to gyms, and quite smoking.  Health is highly valued today, and I am becoming more aware of the so many subtle health dangers we are exposed to today that were non-existent just a few generations ago.

I believe that not only diet and exercise are major keys to overall health but also information as well.  Inform yourself!  Learn how to read labels and what the ingredients are that you are ingesting or rubbing all over your body.  Remember also that your skin is permeable and what goes on it will get into your body as well.

Staying healthy today involves more than just diet and exercise.

Staying healthy means more than a good diet and plenty of exercise today; consumers are becoming more informed of the subtle dangers in the ingredients of their personal care products, and aware that the skin is like a giant sponge that absorbs just about everything it comes in contact with, especially organic solvents and petroleum based chemicals such as Sodium Laurel Sulfate. Over long periods of time these chemicals have been proven to accumulate in the body’s organs and tissue leading to a mountain of health issues.  This is why it is so important to not only take care of our body, by making wise decisions on what we put in our body, but on our body as well.  Choosing natural skin care products like handmade soaps will help the largest organ of your body; the skin, be the first defense against harmful substances, dehydration and infections.

A number of health professionals today are recommending completely chemical free personal care products, after learning from several case studies that nearly everyone tested showed high levels of petroleum based carcinogenic chemicals in their fatty tissues.  A Denver physician, Terry Friedman, MD stated, “To stay healthy, people have to do more than just exercise and eat healthy.  Consumers should also avoid personal care products that contain toxic synthetic ingredients that penetrate the skin and accumulate in there tissues.  In some cases, these products can have greater impact on health than either diet or exercise,” (Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2009).

I have lots of friends who will exercise like crazy but have a horrible diet, justifying it by the amount of exercise that they do.  I myself am guilty of this, having a high metabolism and being extremely active would  justify my sweet tooth all day long.  Just because on the outside one may look healthy, the junk they are putting on the inside could be killing them.  The same goes for the skin.  It was not until I got in to the handmade soap and natural skincare business that I realized how important it is for our overall health by taking care of our skin.  I am a firm believer that for a healthy lifestyle all three factors are vital for maintaining overall health, exercise, diet, and skin care.

Tips For Choosing Handmade Soaps

There are many different types of handmade soaps on the market today, and depending on the soap maker and individual preferences can leave the consumer with many options to choose from.  If you are currently in the market for handmade soap here are some useful tips.

Look for soaps that have a vegetable oil base such as olive, coconut, palm, sunflower or soybean.  These are just a few of the most common oils used in soap making today.  I personally use olive oil.  This oil offers the best quality of all the oils.  It is a great moisturizer and does not interfere with the skins normal functions.

If you are shopping for natural skin care products and looking for handmade soaps for sensitive skin, you may want to stay away from soaps that have fragrance oils in them.  These are oils that are synthetically produced by chemist, and though they do offer a larger variety of scents and are cheaper in cost, they are known to irritate the skin for those who suffer from sensitive skin or allergies.  

Essential oils are always a plus.  They offer wonderful color and aromatherapy as well.  These oils are not man-made; they are concentrated extracts from plants and herbs by distillation or expression, however for real sensitive skin I would choose an unscented bar. I recommend also choosing a soap that has no animal fats or tallow.  Tallow in commercial soaps is usually listed as Sodium Tallowate, and is known to clog the skins pores and remains on the surface of the skin creating a barrier.

Herbs and spices are used in homemade soaps to add color and texture.  Ingredients such has oatmeal, cornmeal, ground almond and cinnamon are great for exfoliation, and herbs such has lavender, calendula, and rosemary are a few of the many herbs that are commonly used in soap making that offer wonderful color, textures and therapy as well.

Also another great thing to look for in handmade soaps is added emollients such as Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera that are soothing and softening to the skin.

One other handmade soap tip is after you have purchased and used your new soap bar, be sure to let it dry out after each use.  Unlike commercial soap, these handmade soaps are in their most natural state, having no artificial hardeners in them and are full of glycerin, which make the soap turn mushy and soft if left in a puddle of water.  So be sure to place you handmade soap bar on a soap tray to dry after every use.

Antibacterial Soaps

The best way to keep toxic chemicals out of your home is to know where these chemicals are coming from, and how to make wiser choices when buying common consumer products for your household.  One misleading product that most consumers buy believing they are buying a healthy and safe product to protect themselves and family from germs, are antibacterial soaps.  These products contain the chemical Triclosan, also known as Irgasan and Microban; in them which is considered by the EPA as a pesticide.  Triclosan has been proven to be effective in hospitals in fighting off infections, but one may want to reconsider using these products after learning of some of the interesting facts recent research is revealing.

Nearly 50% off all soaps on the market today contain some form of antibacterial agent in them.  There have been studies that households using antibacterial products had no reduced colds, sickness or signs of infections than households that do not use antibacterial products.  More and more research is showing direct relations from chemicals such as Triclosan to cause severe health issues, such a weakened immune system, cancer, birth defects, decreased fertility, skin allergies, and much more.  Our skin is permeable and what we put on it will work its way into our bodies.

There are many ways you can keep your skin and body healthy without using Triclosan.  For one you can start by using natural handmade soaps such as goat milk soap, that are made with pure essential oils and no harsh and unnecessary chemicals in them.  Some essential oils such as tea tree oil have antimicrobial properties.  It is important to wash your hands often, especially before eating, after going to the bathroom, when you are around sick people or preparing food.  Be sure to lather the soap for at least 10 to 15 seconds and rinse with warm water, drying your hand with a clean towel.    I think most importantly you should wash your hands often, and when in public areas, try not to touch areas of your face, especially during flu season.

Rosemary; from the kitchen to cosmetics and skin care.

The common household herb Rosemary is most recognized as a spice for flavoring food and beverages; however this aromatic evergreen shrub is increasingly being used in natural skin care products.  Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) is native to western Asia and southern Europe, particularly the Mediterranean area, and since ancient times as been used as a symbol of friendship, loyalty, and remembrance.

For the past 1,000 years Rosemary as been recorded as being used to treat headaches, colds, respiratory disorders, eye wash, and even as a hair stimulant.  Rosemary stimulates circulation and increases the blood supply to the skin, which is why we are seeing more commonly Rosemary being used in cosmetics and natural skin care products such as shampoo bar, lotion, and soaps.  The extracts from this plant help rejuvenate the skin, restoring its youthful appearance by strengthening capillaries and also stimulates hair bulbs preventing baldness.