I've been keeping tract of a lot of soapmaking topics online, and one of the main false facts that I keep running across is about the topic of 'HANDMADE LIQUID SOAPS'.
Showing posts with label bar soaps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bar soaps. Show all posts
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The TRUTH about Handmade Liquid Soaps
I've been keeping tract of a lot of soapmaking topics online, and one of the main false facts that I keep running across is about the topic of 'HANDMADE LIQUID SOAPS'.When you make pure true liquid soaps, any variety, (i.e. shower gels, bubble baths, liquid hand soaps, and shampoos) you can still make them without harsh chemicals, detergens, surfactants, and SLS's.
This process is called the 'HOT PROCESS' method of soapmaking. I'm sure you have heard of it, their are some who hot process bar soaps, although being somewhat of the same process as making pure liquid soaps, there are slight differences. The main difference is the use of Potassium Hydroxide instead of the common Sodium Hydroxide (for use in bar soaps, because molecularely, it produces a 'HARD BAR' by crystalizing the oils). Potassium Hydroxide is what we use to make a true liquid soap, it produces a much softer type of soap ideal for melting down into liquid form. Potassium Hydroxide is the base for all liquid soaps. Potassium is much more soluble than sodium and less able to form crystals. Liquid soaps are clear because light passes unobstructed through liquid soap much as it does through a bar of transparent soap.
The truth is in the ingredients, please read ALL ingredients carefully, true liquid soapmakers are few and far between. The actual process can be quite lengthy, it is because of the amount of time it can and does take to create a batch of liquid soaps, from start to finish, they usually carry a slightly hefty price. A true handmade liquid soap, of any form, is a luxury.
True handmade liquid soaps have the same feel on your skin as a true handmade bar soap, they will leave you feeling fresh, clean, and moisturized.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Seasons Change - It's time to change your skincare with it...
The leaves are changing color, the mornings are feeling crisp and clean, our days are getting shorter, you guessed it Fall is here!
Time to pack up the fun, light weight summer clothes that we all have been wearing for the past few months, and time to bring out the sweaters, jackets, and warm clothes for a cooler time of the year. We all go through these changes every single year, we all know what we have to do after Labor Day, pack up the whites and get out the jackets. I bet there is one thing that you haven't thought about yet, your skin care. Have you packed up your summer skin care to prepare your skin for Fall and Winter?
It's one thing we often forget so easily about, because we wait until we need it, instead of preparing our skin ahead of time for the climate changes. During Summer our skin need UV blockers, and protection from the Sun damage, but we also need less moisturizers and less pampering to be perfectly honest. This is the time of year when you are madly scrambling around to find that much needed jacket to help keep you warm, now imagine how your skin feels... our skin is our first line of defense against the harsh elements, it feels the cold first, our skin endures the dry climate that makes our skin so dry, and tight feeling.
What can you do to help your skin through this tough time?
For starters, remember to change your skin care approach when you change your clothing apparel, as you bring out the sweaters and jackets, think that your skin need a 'sweater and jacket' also. No now i don't mean to go out and find a face mask to wear outdoors, but consider the moisturizers you use, they are your face's sweater/jacket. The soap you use is another one, if you use a certain kind of soap during summer but find your skin so tight and feeling like it is going to crack during the colder months of the year, then you should consider changing the kind of soap you use on your face during the Fall & Winter months to a much more moisturizing formula, I will recommend my Goats Milk and Pumpkin Puree bar. You are still going to need UV protection, when the snow flies those harmful rays are reflected off of the bright snow and will actually cause those harmful UV rays to reflect back to your skin like a magnifying glass. Also the cold dry winds, burr, they will burn your skin as much as the ultra bright UV rays will during Fall and Winter, extra moisturizing is much needed.
Depending on your skin type, sensitive, dry, oily, combination, or normal, expect changes, if you have normal skin in the summer your skin may change to a more dry-sensitive skin during the Winter months, don't wait until winter gets here to try to 'fix' it, instead change with the weather. Make the necessary changes along the way, adjust your skin care line and make-up to more suit your changing skin. If you use a non oily foundation during summer because of too much oil, then start now to switch to a foundation with more oil in it to help maintain your skins natural look, moisturize your skin little by little to help keep it at a constant level. If you don't, playing catch up can take a long time!
This is something I really like to let people know, your soap is your first step, simply because it is the main thing you use on your skin on a daily basis, sometimes up to 2 times a day, so start with your soap. Then move onto your toner, if you don't use one, i suggest you purchase one, it helps to keep our pores tight, the wrinkles away, and it also adds that little bit of extra moisture to our skin on a bare necessity basis, I personally like to use 'Witch hazel' it is an astringent, which helps to tighten skin and reduce the size of your pores, it lifts that extra dirt and oil off the skin after you have washed your face, and helps to minimize the first signs of aging. if you have skin like mine and have extremely sensitive skin, I highly suggest using a Witch Hazel with aloe in it, to help moisturize your skin but still keeping your skin taught, without that cracking feeling. I can also say you can make your own toner, by using apple cider vinegar and infusing it with dried lavender, calendula and rose petals to help moisturize your skin, but water the infused apple cider vinegar down to a 50/50 solution, 50% water to 50% vinegar, add the water after you have infused the vinegar with the dried herbs and flowers. I HIGHLY suggest the use of Calendula petals for unfusing, because calendula flowers are used on all skin types and work extremely well for sensitive skin types even baby's can use calendula infused oils. Calendula is also known as 'Pot Marigold'.
After using a good toner you are going to need a lite moisturizer during he day and a heavier moisturizer at night, this will help to keep your skin from looking like you have an oil slick going on. Lite during the day under your make-up, now remember we have already bumped up your liquid foundation to one with a little more oil in it, so we don't want to look like we have rubbed a greasy porkchop all over our faces, we just want our faces to not flake or dry out, especially when you are enduring the harsh elements on a daily basis out of doors. A good grade light moisturizer should be more than enough, if you have changed your soap and used the proper toner for the season. Washing your face every morning and going through the process of wash with a good moisturizing soap, followed up with a good toner, then a light moisturizer, now your make-up ready!
When your home in the evenings, it's the same thing, make sure you clean your face every single night before you go to bed, NO LEAVING YOUR MAKE-UP ON OVERNIGHT! That is the first rule to good healthy skin!
Wash your face with your moisturizing soap, follow us with your toner then use a more heavy moisturizer over night, this gives your skin time to really replenish itself without having to fight the elements.
We can't talk about good skin care without talking about diet, your skin is a direct result of your diet, drink plenty of water, keep hydrated and stay away from greasy and salty junk foods is key to keeping your skin looking beautiful, bright and glowing!
Remember your skin is the largest living oganism in/on your body, treating your skin right is like keeping your heart healthy. It takes a little work and a mindful consiousness, with a little planning and some much needed common sense, your skin can and will be as healthy as your heart is!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Soap and Candle of the Month Clubs
I have most recently started 2 Clubs, one is 'The Soap of the Month Club' the other is 'The Candles of the Month Club'. These two clubs are great ways to gt aquainted with Earth's Essence candles, and soaps. Not sure what your going to like and what your not?
My 'Soap of the Month Club' offers you 2 Different soaps each and every month, that is 2 - 4.5 -5.5 oz. bars each and every month. These are not little tiny sample sized bars, these are full sized bars of soap for you to choose from each and every month. You have choices, you can purchase a simple 3 month choice, or 6 month, or a full 12 month subscription to this wonderful club. What could be simpler, there are no added shipping fees, you get each bar for a remarkable discount, and you get the option to purchase more bars like the ones you just received for low introductory prices.....! What more could you want?
Like my Soap club, my 'Candle of the Month Club' is very similar, in that you will receive 4 votive candles each and every month. These candles are made with high quality palm wax, they smell incredible, and they last an overwhelming 14-15 hours, yeah! When you purchase a subscription to the Candle of the Month Club you will receive a beautiful votive holder for our votives to go into, allowing you the maximum burn time for each of these precious votives. You will receive 4 different scents every month, and the scents/fragrances usually goes along with the seasons.
These two clubs are an incredible deal for those who like candles but are not sure about buying new scents and fagrances online, and...... You are able to 'change' fragrances and or scents almost weekly/daily if you'd like to. You will be receiving these items at remarkable savings to you, and because your a club member, you will also receive wonderful 'gifts' during the Holiday Season! Special soaps and/or candles that no one else will be able to purchase! How's that for special? These subscriptions also make wonderful gifts for that hard to buy for special someone, a friends, your aunt, your uncle, grandma, or that college student!
To purchase your Soap of the Month Club Memebership or your Candle of the Month Membership, go to:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5123615
If you have ANY questions please feel free to contact me.
Thank you!
Michele
Earth's Essence LLC
http://www.earthsessencellc.etsy.com
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