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Our handmade soaps are specially formulated to deliver the very best in skin care while using only safe, truly natural ingredients. We never use solvent extracted pomace olive oil (even though it's much cheaper), harmful synthetic chemicals, preservatives, petroleum products, artificial dyes, or synthetic fragrance oils. Why? Because natural matters! With so many companies falsely claiming to be "all natural", we're proud to say that our commitment to natural is real. We handcraft our soap using the slow cold process method, which means no external heat is used so the goodness of the natural ingredients are preserved for you. Each bar begins with a high percentage of skin-loving cold pressed olive oil to which we add food grade coconut, organic palm, high oleic sunflower and castor oils for a rich creamy lather that nourishes as it moisturizes. Next we add responsibly wildcrafted and organic botanicals, vegetable butters, and cleansing earth clays for their exceptional skin care benefits. Finally, we scent our fragrant olive oil soaps with only pure essential oils extracted from plants . . .fresh clean scents, the way mother nature intended. So how can you tell fake soap from real soap? (Sorry sodium lauryl sulfate, real soap will have nothing to do with you!)
fake soap real soap Fake synthetic soap stuff is defined as all those mostly synthetic, so called "soaps" that are full of harsh detergents and cancer causing chemicals . . . the ones that fill the shelves of many stores today. This includes those pretty "glycerin" soaps shown above (many of them are made with cheap, harsh synthetic soap bases), most of the commercial shower gels and liquid soaps on the market, many of the supposedly "natural" soaps found at your local health food store, the highly touted "hypoallergenic" soaps recommended by uninformed dermatologists (there's no such thing!), and virtually all of those triple milled ooh-la-la overpriced French soaps. Check out the ingredients (if they bother to give you any) and you'll see just how many cheap oils or animal fats (also known as sodium tallowate) and synthetic petro-chemicals their so called "soaps" really contain. Don't buy into it! You can't add a pinch of herbs and a natural sounding name and make fake synthetic soap real. Read labels carefully, ask questions, inform yourself. While it's true, some of you may have been using these commercial soaps for years now without noticing any terribly ill effects, after you read this page, you'll know just how much better and safer your bathing experience can be! Armed with a little bit of knowledge, real handcrafted natural soap is fairly easy to spot. First, it should say "soap" on the label. By law, fake soaps can't use that term so they call it a "beauty bar" or a "moisturizing bar" or some other nonsense. Next, look for soaps with cold pressed or extra virgin olive oil as a main ingredient which is rich in antioxidants and skin nutrients. Most evil corporate soaps contain very little or none because it's quite expensive, and those who do often use pomace olive, an inferior grade of oil extracted with harmful chemical solvents. Is your skin worth only the finest? We think so! In addition to cold pressed olive oil, we add coconut oil for a big bubbly lather, organic palm oil to increase the longevity of the soap, and a little castor oil for a creaminess second to none. We intentionally use certified organic palm oil because it doesn't deplete the rainforest like the conventional palm oil used in most soaps. Try the microwave test to distinguish real soap from glycerine soap a.k.a. melt and pour soap. (You know, the little kits you can buy at the craft store for "making soap" with kids?) A melt & pour soap will begin to liquify with a minimum of 10 seconds in the microwave. Cold process soap won't melt that easily. Most of these soap bases don't have as much skin care value as real cold process soaps and many of them (especially the cheap ones) contain harsh and even harmful ingredients. To be fair though, I must add that some of the more expensive melt and pour soap bases (like the ones we use for our cute glycerin soap gift sets) have improved natural formulas. While they still aren't generally as good for skin care, they do come in artful shapes and beautiful designs and for that reason alone, they can be lots of fun to give and to use. Be especially wary of fragrance oils, perfume oils, potpourri oils, and nature identical oils which are all different words for synthetic fragrance oils. Avoid them. They're toxic, they pollute our environment, and they're one of the biggest causes of skin irritation and skin sensitivities in cosmetics and toiletries. Just because a fragrance (or product) has a botanical sounding name does NOT mean it came from a plant either. Cranberry, watermelon, peach, pear, apple, strawberry, fig, pomegranate, coconut and many others (the list is long) are all synthetic chemical scents. There are no natural counterparts. Likewise, many soaps supposedly containing vanilla, jasmine, rose, lemon verbena, and sandalwood are also made with synthetic scents because the real essential oils, absolutes, or concretes are quite expensive or in the case of sandalwood, endangered. The bottom line? If an oil doesn't have a latin botanical name, then it's not a true essential oil and it has no aromatherpeutic benefits. Ask the soapmaker. Go to the health food store and smell the real essential oils. After a while, your nose will know the difference. Look for soaps made with real essential oils which are extracted from botanicals and are safe and therapeutic when used properly. They're more expensive, but well worth it in terms of your health and the health of our planet. If the label just says "fragrance", "parfum", or "perfume", it's probably a fake synthetic scent. Other harmful synthetic additives to avoid are FD&C colors, dyes, antibacterial triclosan & triclocarban, EDTA, TEA, DEA, sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulfates, and other chemical sounding names you don't recognize or can't even pronounce. Avoid them all. They're not kind to your health or the environment. Of course the real test will be when you use a soap. If it dries your skin out or makes it feel tight or itchy, question its origin. On the other hand, there's nothing like well made, glycerin rich, handcrafted natural olive oil soap to leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and nourished. So if you're looking for skin loving soap, take the time to seek out natural handmade real soap . It may cost a little more, but your skin will thank you for it.
Antibacterial Soaps? Find out why they're a bad Idea! IMPORTANT UPDATE ON TRICLOSAN: Triclosan, the antibacterial agent commonly found in antibacterial soaps, lotions, acne products, cosmetics and other personal care products is dangerous! It is classified as a pesticide by the EPA and as a drug by the FDA. The EPA considers it a major risk to human health and to the environment. "Chemically triclosan is almost the same as some of the most toxic chemicals on earth: dioxins, PCB's, and Agent Orange. Its manufacturing process may produce dioxin, a powerful hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects in the parts per trillion (one drop in 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools!)." If you use any products containing triclosan, my advice to you is to stop using them immediately and throw them away. The stuff is THAT dangerous. - from Dr. Christine H. Farlow, author of Dying to Look Good. Care & Feeding of Natural Handmade Soap Since our olive oil soap is in its pure and natural state, it doesn't contain any synthetic preservatives or artificial hardeners. It doesn't need to. With just a little care and feeding, you can prolong the life of your soap and it will serve you very well. Don't let your soap drown in water. Feed your soap plenty of fresh air between uses. Always use a well drained soap dish to keep soap dry. Use of a wash cloth or loofah will extend the life of your soap. It's best to use your new soap within six months of purchase. It won't stay fresh forever! Store unused soap in a dark, dry, relatively cool location such as a lingerie drawer or linen closet. Our truly natural ingredients: Aloe Vera - Aloe barbadensis - native Texas succulent, often called "The Miracle Plant", soothing, emollient, antibacterial, heals skin irritations, burns, and wounds, promotes new skin growth, moisturizes, protects, and counters the effects of aging; restores skin damaged by the sun's UVB rays; we use certified organic aloe Annatto Seed - Bixa orellana - imparts a beautiful earthy yellow color to foods and cosmetics and is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, and emollient Beeswax - Cera alba - unbleached and pure, cosmetic grade, used to give a waxy feel to cosmetics, also possesses healing qualities, only our balms contain beeswax, our soaps do not Black Walnut -Juglans nigra - posseses anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and antiseptic properties and is believed to be beneficial for eczema, psoriasis, jock itch, and ringworm Black Willow Bark Extract - Salix nigra - analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, potent antimicrobial, contains salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) which is the ingredient that aspirin was originally synthesized from, increases cell renewal by increasing turnover of the stratus corneum layer smoothing the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, non-irritating and very gentle Bluebonnet - Lupinus havarrdii - native Texas wildflower, the state flower of Texas, cleansing, useful for skin irritations, dandruff, and blemishes; our bluebonnets are farm grown Calcium Bentonite Clay - adsorbs and absorbs dirt, oil, and toxins from the surface of the skin, cleanses, tightens, and tones, lends a slippery feel to soaps and increases lather, great for purifying the skin, helpful in treating acne, eczema, itching, hives Castor Oil - Ricinus communis - soothing, lubricating, rich in fatty acids, acts as a humectant to draw moisture to the skin and hair, gives a rich creamy lather to soaps Cedarwood - see Juniper Chaparral - Larrea tridentata - native Texas shrub, antimicrobial, antiseptic, deodorizing, disinfectant, used for itchy scalp, dandruff, skin irritations, rashes, wounds, and body odor Chickweed - Stellaria media - naturalized Texas herb, high in vitamin C, antioxidants and minerals, emollient, demulcent, analgesic, soothing, healing, useful for skin irritations, itching, inflammations, rashes, sores, and painful small joints; we use responsibly wildcrafted herb Cinnamon - Cinnamomum zeylanicum - Has a stimulating, uplifting, warming, effect and is antiseptic and astringent. Clay (Kaolin, Moroccan Red, French Green, Rose) - cleanses and tones, absorbs dirt, oil, and toxins from the skin, increases lather, and lends natural color to our soaps Cocoa Butter - Theobroma cacao - the fat of the cocoa bean, smells like chocolate, super emollient, for chapped skin and lips, dry skin, mature skin, stretch marks, skin irritations, and wrinkles Coconut Oil - Cocus nucifera - emollient and healing, used in soaps to produce a big fluffy lather Coffee - Coffea arabica - scavenges free radicals which cause premature aging and many other skin disorders, acts as an astringent, sunscreen, odor absorber, and anti-cellulite ingredient Cucumber - Cucumis sativus - cooling, soothing, and healing, useful for irritated skin, freckles, windburn, sunburn, wrinkles, and skin eruptions Earth Pigments (ultramarines & iron oxides) - We use only naturally derived cosmetic grade earth pigments which have been used safely for many many years. These pigments are made from naturally occuring compounds like iron, sulfur, china clay (kaolin), and sodium carbonate. We never use harmful synthetic FD&C dyes or CI colors. Almost all artificial FD&C and CI colors approved for use by the FDA are made from coal tar oil, or are synthetically produced from petroleum products. Despite these derivatives having been shown to cause cancer when injected into the skin of mice, they are still widely used today. Essential Oils - fragrant natural botanical extracts that possess many healing properties on both the physical and emotional levels, used in the ancient art and science of aromatherapy Green Tea - contains polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants that help protect skin against the adverse effects of UV radiation sun damage and possibly photochemical damage that can lead to skin cancer; fights bacteria, reduces inflammation, decreases hormone activity, and treats acne Honey - provides emollience, healing, antimicrobial properties, and vital nutrients for the skin Horsemint - Monarda punctata - native Texas wildflower, contains an aromatic antiseptic called thymol, strongly antibacterial, useful for wounds, acne, infections, as an insect repellant, and a fragrant hair tonic, Monarda citriodora - native Texas wildflower, contains citronellol, a lemony aromatic substance used in perfumes and insect repellants, we use both types of horsemint which are responsibly wildcrafted by ourselves or our friends Juniper (also known as Cedar) - Juniperus virginiana/Juniperus mexicana - native Texas trees, known by native Americans as "The Medicine Tree", antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, astringent, deodorizing, detoxifying, healing, useful for oily skin, acne, wounds, burns, cellulite, dandruff, psoriasis, sore muscles and joint pain, and as an insect repellant, the essential oil is calming, soothing and strengthening; all of our cedarwood products come from Texas and are responsibly wildcrafted from fallen trees Jojoba Oil - Simmondsia chinensis - our organic golden jojoba oil is unrefined thereby retaining all of its healing properties, a natural mimic of the oil secreted by human skin used to protect against premature aging and wrinkling and to lubricate skin and hair, a pure liquid ester that will never go rancid, non-comedogenic (will not clog pores), a powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, a soothing and conditioning agent,and useful for the treatment of acne, great for sensitive skin Mesquite - Prosopis spp. - native Texas tree, cleansing, antimicrobial, astringent, soothing; responsibly wildcrafted Neem Oil - Azadirachta indica - tree native to India, used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine, commonly referred to as the "village pharmacy", antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, insect repellant, kills parasites, helpful for treating acne, dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, herpes, cold sores, ringworm, fungus, itching, diaper rash, skin cancer, wounds, and sunburn; we use organically grown neem Oats - Avena sativa - native Texas grass, soothing, moisturizing, demulcent, softening, calming, good for rashes, itching, bites, and all skin irritations, oatmeal also serves as a gentle exfoliant and cleanser; we use certified organic oats Olive Oil - Olea europaea - used extensively in skincare for centuries, high in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant and a superior moisturizer, used to nourish and protect the skin and to combat the effects of aging, draws moisture to the skin while allowing normal skin functions to take place, one of the very best oils for natural skin care; we use only cold pressed and/or organic olive oils (never the cheaper solvent extracted pomace oil): recent research has shown that olive oil possesses oleocanthal - a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-aging compound and pain killer Palm Oil - adds longevity and hardness to the soap, we intentionally use certified organic palm oil because it doesn't deplete the rainforest Pink Himalayan Sea Salt - posesses the ability to re-mineralize the body with minerals and trace elements essential to soften skin as well as ease aches and pains
Prickly Pear Cactus - Opuntia spp. - a native Texas cactus, gelatinous pads are used as a healing poultice for acne, wounds, ulcers, bruises, bites, burns, arthritis, swelling, and pain; astringent, hydrophilic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, possesses similar properties to aloe vera, fruits are high in anti-aging antioxidants, bio-flavonoids, and vitamin C; we use certified organic and responsibly wildcrafted cactus that we gather from our own rural property Red Sandalwood - Pterocarpus santalinus - we use it for the gorgeous deep purplish rose color it lends to our soap and as an exfoliant, but it is also said to have analgesic properties; responsibly wildcrafted Sea Salt - sodium chloride - contains 84 elements and minerals found naturally in the human body which are essential to good health, used as a treatment for psoriasis, eczema, acne, and general good health, relieves muscle tension, soothes and softens the skin; we use natural solar dried salt from pristine waters Shea Butter - Butyrospermum parkii - Extracted from the kernels of a wild African tree, shea butter is an excellent emollient with great healing properties. High in triglycerides and fatty acids, its soft buttery texture melts easily into the skin. Traditionally used by indigenous people for burns, wounds, sunburn, muscle aches and as a moisturizing beauty aid for hair and skin. Sodium Hydroxide - Commonly known as lye, this is what transforms our premium vegetable oils into pure natural soap. All bar soap is made with it. If you make the soap properly though, there is no active lye left in the final bar. Please don't compare our lye soap with grandma's old fashioned lye soap. Our exact scientific formulations and improved ingredients insure a milder product that's much gentler to your skin than the soaps of yesteryear. Sunflower - Helianthus annuus - native Texas wildflower, the herb was traditionally used to heal wounds, burns, bruises, and in the bath for arthritic pain, light penetrating sunflower oil leaves a protective moisturizing barrier on the skin and is high in antioxidant vitamin E and essential fatty acids, the seeds and petals are a gentle exfoliant Vitamin E - tocopherols - a natural anti-oxidant that helps to slow the aging process by scavenging free radicals, heals, moisturizes, and protects, prevents scarring, and reduces UV exposure; we use only natural vitamin E, never synthetic Yarrow - Achillea millefolium - naturalized Texas wildflower, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, healing, styptic, used for acne, wounds, dandruff, irritated skin, rashes, burns, scarring, cellulite; responsibly wildcrafted Witch Hazel - Hamamelis virginiana - native Texas tree, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, soothing, healing, helps prevent wrinkles, controls oil, tightens pores, and relieves itching Yucca Root - Yucca spp. - anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, laxative, alterative, pain killer. Contains natural saponins, the precursor to cortisone. A soap made from the crushed roots is said to be an effective treatment for dandruff and skin irritations. The root is also poulticed and applied to inflammations, wounds, bleeding cuts, sprains etc. The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any physical or emotional condition. While allergic reactions to our pure and natural ingredients are uncommon, we recommend you test our products first on a small patch of skin for 24 hours. In the unlikely event that redness or irritation develops, discontinue use. " I have very dry skin and your soap makes a world of difference, again let me tell you I think it is a miracle product for both of us. Thank you so much. WE LOVE IT!!!" - Kathy Dollison in Texas
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