Making My Own Soap - Soap Making Day!

Good Morning!
This morning we spent a couple hours making our own soap.  The house is filled with many different scents - some new favorites, some old ones. 

The melt and pour type of soap making is quite simple.  You melt your base (I chose goat milk) over low heat (my electric range - 2) and it took up to ten minutes to melt the bar.  I created three different types of bars - base with coconut lime oil // base with bronze mica powder and cinnamon oil // base with manoa oil (plumeria or frangipangi scent) butter and a mixture of green melt natural color and turquoise mica powder mix. 

Coconut Lime Goat Milk Soap
1/3 of the 2lb goat milk base, melted
.25 ounce of coconut lime organic scent

Over low heat in a medium sauce pan, melt the base.  Once completely melted, remove from heat.  Cool about five minutes and add fragrance.  With a spoon, scoop the mixture into the molds.  Let cool completely.

Cinnamon Stick Goat Milk Soap
1/4 of the 2lb goat milk base, melted
1/3 of one of the 1/4 blocks of goat milk base, melted
.30 ounce of cinnamon stick organic scent
1/4 tsp bronze mica powder

Over low heat in a medium sauce pan melt 1/4 of the two pound bar.  In a small sauce pan over the same heat melt 1/3 of one of the remaining quarters and the bronze mica powder to make color base.  Once melted, cool for five minutes and then scoop the colored portion by tablespoon to the bottom of the mold and let it cool until it was almost firm - about five minutes.  Spray with rubbing alcohol (helps both pieces stick together). When the soap in the medium sauce pan has melted completely, take it off the heat and add fragrance.  Scoop by tablespoon over bronze colored base.  Cool completely.

Manoa Butter Goat Milk Soap
1/4 of the 2lb goat milk base, melted
1/3 of one of the 1/4 blocks of goat milk base, melted
1 Tbsp manoa butter
1/4 tsp green mica powder
1/4 of one of the small bars of green color bar

Over low heat in a medium sauce pan melt 1/4 of the two pound bar and most of the manoa butter. In a small sauce pan over the same heat melt 1/3 of one of the remaining quarters, the manoa butter, and the green colors to make color base. Once melted, cool for five minutes and then scoop the colored portion by tablespoon to the bottom of the mold and let it cool until it was almost firm - about five minutes. Spray with rubbing alcohol (helps both pieces stick together). When the soap in the medium sauce pan has melted completely, take it off the heat and cool for about five minutes. Scoop by tablespoon over green colored base. I had some of the green mixture left over and tried adding swirls of green in base once I had cooled the base a little in the molds... didn't do so well... but I do have flecks of green embedded in my base.  Cool completely.

Notes:
* I found that very low heat on the stove worked best.  I could stir the base and not get bubbles.  It didn't take long to cool though.
* Using a tablespoon to scoop into the molds worked best.
* I liked the mica base best and it worked best either being added to the butter first and then melted, or added the powder in right as the soap base has started to melt.  If you wait until it is mostly melted it doesn't mix well.

The melt and pour variety is very easy to make on your own... and not much of a challenge other than if you want to build lots of layers and colors.  Cold preparation will be my next foray.  I also want to try adding some seeds and / oatmeal to a couple bars and see how that works. 

Blessings... E

A couple things to note:
* I found that the individual molds worked better for me.  I was able to stack them (they have lids), they take up less space, and they unmold easier.
* I used my manoa butter goat milk bar this morning... mmmm... smells heavenly of Hawaii.  The manoa butter has a frangipangi / plumeria smell to it.  There was very little lather, but that is fine with me.  And afterwards my skin felt very soft and supple!  Yumm.

Rub-a-dub-dub!

When I finished writing the "fresh face" post, I realized that I should have just broken it out into two separate posts - ahh.. hindsight!  So, let's talk more about liquid soap, bar soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, and fabric softeners.

People with skin sensitivities need to pay particular attention to this post as well as "fresh face" and "healthy skin."  All three talk about the things that touch your skin having potentially adverse reactions.  Skin sensitivities typically are either due to a food allergy or a skin reaction to something it has come into contact with.  Everything you purchase (including food) that does not say 100% organic or botanical may have artificial colors, artificial scents, chemicals, carcinogens, and / or preservatives; not to mention pesticides, hormones, and herbicides. 

One more thing before we get started, "anti-bacterial."  The marketing companies have done a GREAT job at brainwashing us on the "benefits" of anti-bacterial ANYTHING.  Let me give you a couple REAL facts about these products.  1. Anti-bacterial soap does NOT clean your hands any better than any other type of soap.  2. However, it DOES increase the "super" bugs like MRSA.  Germs adapt to all the chemicals we put into our bodies - or clean things with - and become resistant.  If you have allergies, you understand this concept - how often do you need to change your allergy medicine because it stops working?  This also applies to hand sanitizer.

Recommended reading: http://willtaft.com/146/antibacterial-soap-danger-still-a-hot-topic

Liquid Soap - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and triclosan are the most dangerous ingredients of any soap product and is found in liquid soaps.  Triclosan when combined with chlorinated water creates chloroform gas.  It is a carcinogenic - cancer causing chemical.  Not only will you find it in liquid soap but deodorants, cosmetics, childrens toys, clothes, kitchenware, first aid products, and a host of others.Sodium Lauryl Sulfate has been used world wide as a skin irritant.  YES!  I did write exactly what I meant.  Testing facilities use it to irritate the skin to test other agents to heal the irritation.  Not only that, it can cause hair loss, cateracts, and cancer.  It also is a carcinogenic.  Aubry organics (http://www.aubrey-organics.com/) has all natural liquid soap if you are determined to use it!

Recommended reading - Triclosan: http://www.natural-soap-making.com/triclosan-dangers.html
Recommended reading - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html

Bar Soap - so... this is a copy and paste from "fresh face."  When I was a child there were only 3 - 4 choices now we have HUNDREDS - and not all of them good.  READ YOUR LABELS!!!  There are artificial colors, perfumes, and other harmful things in even your soap.  You want to use something as natural as possible.  So... some good soap manufacturers - http://www.plantlife.net/ - 100% botanical ingredients, no preservatives, carcinogens, synthetics, or chemicals.  www.aubrey-organics.com/ - same as above - not only soap, but hair care products, makeup, pet care, and cleaning products.   http://www.iherb.com/ is my source for all my essential oils, they also have a good source of soaps.  Before you go out and order a bunch - go to a natural foods / health food store that carries soaps and take your nose.  What do you want from your shower or bath?  To relax?  To energize?  To feel sensual?  What?  Find the scents you like and record them.  Plantlife.net has samplers if you still aren't sure.  My favorite scent for an energizing / eye opening morning shower has mint or eucalyptus in it.  It is fresh, and bright, and has a cool, invigorating sensation.  For a calm restful bath it has ginger blooms - while it isn't heady floral, it is a soft musky floral scent.  I also love sandalwood and patchouli. 

Laundry Detergent - Remember that like body wash / soap laundry detergent and softeners touch every part of your body.  The same issues with commercial soaps are found in laundry detergent and more.  There are so many toxins in laundry detergent that I don't have room to list.  I will include in the recommended reading a good page for you to review.  Instead of detergent try the laundry ball, or "soap nuts."  Seventh Generation (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/) has some good cleaning products too that are earth friendly and non-toxic.

Recommended reading: http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/07/06/the-toxic-dangers-of-typical-laundry-detergent.htm
Soap Nuts: http://www.naturoli.com/soapnuts/what.html

Fabric Softeners - I think this lady says it best about fabric softeners, "When marketing fabric softeners and dryer sheets, advertisers promise soft, fragrant towels, sheets and clothes.  The reality is, fabric softeners contain a very high amount of strong and toxic chemicals.  The chemicals used are so strong, that large amounts of fragrances are used to cover up the fumes from the chemicals.   For those reasons fabric softeners and dryer sheets is known as one of the most toxic household product used today." from http://greenandchic.com/blog/alternative-to-fabric-softeners.  I haven't used fabric softeners in years.  I have a mix of eucalyptus oil and lemongrass oil in water that I use in place of liquid fabric softener (32oz spray bottle, 40 drops eucalyptus oil, 15 drops lemongrass oil, and water - shake well before using).  This kills bugs / moths etc... and I like the smell of the eucalyptus and lemongrass.  You can also use the dryer balls or fragrance sticks.  http://www.gaiam.com/ also has some great things for natural living. 

Recommended reading: https://shop.sixwise.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=92

So now that I have provided two days of doom and gloom... we will revert back to some more positive things tomorrow.  Blessings... E

A Fresh Face

Everyone has different skin - and to try and give everyone specific directions here would take way too much time and I would probably miss someone along the way!  So, instead I will again point you to my favorite book on herbal recipes and point you in the direction of some good products to purchase, along with my daily regiment.

I wash my face at LEAST twice a day, and usually three.  When I first get up in the morning, I clean my face using a cotton ball and Neutrogena's Clean Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent.  In the shower I wash my face with oatmeal soap, and wipe my face once more with Neutrogena and a cotton ball.  If I wear makeup during the day, I remove it as soon as i can with the Neutrogena.  And then I clean my face again before bed, again with the Neutrogena.  Please remember that I have very oily skin. 

So... soap.  When I was a child there were only 3 - 4 choices now we have HUNDREDS - and not all of them good.  READ YOUR LABELS!!!  There are artificial colors, perfumes, and other harmful things in even your soap.  You want to use something as natural as possible.  So... some good soap manufacturers - http://www.plantlife.net/ - 100% botanical ingredients, no preservatives, carcinogens, synthetics, or chemicals.  www.aubrey-organics.com/ - same as above - not only soap, but hair care products, makeup, pet care, and cleaning products.   http://www.iherb.com/ is my source for all my essential oils, they also have a good source of soaps.  Before you go out and order a bunch - go to a natural foods / health food store that carries soaps and take your nose.  What do you want from your shower or bath?  To relax?  To energize?  To feel sensual?  What?  Find the scents you like and record them.  Plantlife.net has samplers if you still aren't sure.  My favorite scent for an energizing / eye opening morning shower has mint or eucalyptus in it.  It is fresh, and bright, and has a cool, invigorating sensation.  For a calm restful bath it has ginger blooms - while it isn't heady floral, it is a soft musky floral scent.  I also love sandalwood and patchouli. 

Don't stop reading labels once you find your soap - next onto the shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and anything else that touches your skin!  We aren't going to hit all of them since this is about your face - but the sites I listed above will help you find good products. 

Once I have a clean face, I use only Neutrogena products on my face.  My skin is very sensitive and no other seems to work well without causing rashes or breaking out.  I use a moisturizer and an eye moisturizer before using a light base.  Make sure with your makeup that you check for SPFs - and don't use any that have them.  If you are wondering why - go back to the post about sunshine and read.  I have heard many good things about the mineral makeup but that has all been about wear - not about safety.  Here are some things to read.. and I am certain there are health warnings about ANY makeup being used.  I am just here to educate and make you think.

Recommended reading: http://www.vivawoman.net/2008/02/21/do-mineral-makeup-pose-health-risks/
http://www.hospitalsoup.com/health-e-living/mineral-makeup-is-mineral-makeup-dangerous

My recommendation is to wear makeup as little as possible.  Get enough sun on your face to give you a light tan (if you are able).  Wear a hat when you are going to be in the sun for a while.  And keep your hands and face clean.  I use vinegar regularly to quickly clean my face - always using a cotton ball. 

If you are interested in creating your own natural beauty regiment you can find Rosemary's book on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Rosemary-Gladstars-Herbal-Recipes-Vibrant/dp/1603420789/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299556985&sr=8-1