OK, ladies, this one speaks to me on an extremely personal level... I've gone through puberty, child-bearing, and am now in the midst of menopause... all difficult times for a woman's body, but I'm here to tell you, this last "woman's transition" is HARD! It's like feeling pre-menstrual pretty much all the time. And there's the added hot flashes (who knew being warm could be so debilitating?) and night sweats, when you wake up with your hair plastered to your head and so hot you can't breathe... then there's that puffy, bloated, swollen feeling... water retention is ridiculously un-fun!
On the other hand, reaching that milestone in life that some people call "becoming a wise woman" (I have my doubts about my wisdom at this juncture, but it could come... it could!), is freeing in many ways, no more monthlies (relief!!!), no more birth control (sweet relief!), I'm feeling a sort of settling down and the freedom to be and do whatever and whoever I want to be, I'm no longer Mama (even though I still am a Mama), no longer daughter (I'm still that too), so while it's scary to move away from all those identities I have relied upon for my own identity, it's freeing at the same time... it's quickly becoming the one of the best times of my life...
But back to the bad stuff...
I think I'm gonna develop a soap (since that's where my talents seem to lie) to help ease us menopausal women (and even benefit pubescent and child-bearing aged women!) into this fascinating phase of our lives...
My research of late has shown me that hot flashes can be helped a bit by using peppermint, spearmint and clary sage... lemon and grapefruit help with bloating and water retention... peppermint and ginger help with fatigue... night sweats can be eased some with grapefruit, lime and clary sage... clary sage eases the hormone imbalances... and lavender soothes and calms fears and irritability...
Research continues but I'm definitely headed in the direction creating a soap and maybe a lotion for the "wise women" among us!
www.southernheartsoaps.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Uglies
Every soapmaker ends up with some soap that doesn’t look quite as nice as we’d like. Pieces cut from the ends of a mold, soaps that have crumbly or broken edges, soaps that get a powdery residue on them from the saponification process for whatever reason (humidity levels in the air, heating or cooling at a slower or faster rate than is optimal, etc.) These soaps are still wonderful, good-quality, skin-loving, perfectly good soap, they’re just “ugly!” Always eager to reduce waste and utilize everything… we generally keep these “Uglies” for our own personal use or cut them up in smaller pieces to give out as free samples at craft shows…
Well, the Uglies have been building up with our increased production and sales, and we came up with the idea of doing something more productive with them… so we’ve grated them all down, mixed them all together, added some ingredients to add super-moisturizing qualities, and created a new soap…
Uglies are re-milled with a potpourri of fragrance and the same quality ingredients found in our other soaps.
Want to have a soap named after you? April will be “Name That Soap” month. Place an order of $10 or more in April and receive a free “Ugly” soap to try. To have this new soap named after you, submit your idea for a name for this new soap through our website “Contact Form.” On Friday, April 30, the winner of the contest will be chosen based on the creativity and originality of the entry. The winner will receive a gift basket featuring their new soap!
Well, the Uglies have been building up with our increased production and sales, and we came up with the idea of doing something more productive with them… so we’ve grated them all down, mixed them all together, added some ingredients to add super-moisturizing qualities, and created a new soap…
Uglies are re-milled with a potpourri of fragrance and the same quality ingredients found in our other soaps.
Want to have a soap named after you? April will be “Name That Soap” month. Place an order of $10 or more in April and receive a free “Ugly” soap to try. To have this new soap named after you, submit your idea for a name for this new soap through our website “Contact Form.” On Friday, April 30, the winner of the contest will be chosen based on the creativity and originality of the entry. The winner will receive a gift basket featuring their new soap!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
April Showers...
What better way to celebrate April Showers than with a soap named after you!!! At southernheartsoaps.com we are planning an "April Showers Soap Naming Contest" for a new soap we are creating... check back often for more details over the next few days.
Honey... sweetness for the skin
Honey in soap and lotion? Sounds pretty and all-natural and sweet-smelling, sure, but why is it a good ingredient? What makes it good for your skin?
I knew it was good for the skin and that it's extra-moisturizing, so did a little research to find out what else it does.
The National Honey Board had some great buzz on this amazing bee product...
All-natural honey has been used as a beauty product since the days of Cleopatra. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it has the ability to attract and retain moisture. The skin’s ability to stay moist (or hydrated) is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity. As skin ages, or as it is exposed to environmental stresses and chemical agents, it loses its ability to retain water; it becomes dry and appears wrinkled. Honey’s natural hydrating properties make it ideal for use in moisturizing products.
Studies have also revealed that honey has significant natural antioxidant properties. Antioxidants play a role in protecting the skin from the damage of UV rays, and aiding in skin rejuvenation. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can cause skin damage, premature aging and even skin cancer. The Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association reports that, because chemical and physical barrier sunscreens can cause skin irritation, companies are researching the use of antioxidants, anti-irritants and moisturizers in sun care products. Honey has potential for use in these products.
A recent review of medical research documents honey’s effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial agents inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. This review states that, "Honey’s antimicrobial properties make it useful for the treatment of minor acne flare-ups. Also, unlike some acne treatments, honey doesn’t dry the skin."
Honey is antimicrobial for many reasons, including its high sugar content, which limits the amount of water available to bacteria for growth; its relatively high acidity (low pH); and its low protein content, which deprives bacteria of nitrogen needed for growth. The presence in honey of hydrogen peroxide, and the antioxidants honey contains, also inhibit bacterial growth.
Honey’s prospects in skin care are looking even sweeter; research is currently underway to develop a process using honey to create alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are an important ingredient in many skin creams and moisturizers because they help exfoliate the skin. Exfoliation increases the renewal of the skin cells and gives skin a younger, more vibrant look. Exfoliation can also cause skin irritation, so honey’s natural moisturizing ability makes it a perfect fit for AHA products.
Yep... honey is a lot more than just a sweetener for your tea!
I knew it was good for the skin and that it's extra-moisturizing, so did a little research to find out what else it does.
The National Honey Board had some great buzz on this amazing bee product...
All-natural honey has been used as a beauty product since the days of Cleopatra. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it has the ability to attract and retain moisture. The skin’s ability to stay moist (or hydrated) is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity. As skin ages, or as it is exposed to environmental stresses and chemical agents, it loses its ability to retain water; it becomes dry and appears wrinkled. Honey’s natural hydrating properties make it ideal for use in moisturizing products.
Studies have also revealed that honey has significant natural antioxidant properties. Antioxidants play a role in protecting the skin from the damage of UV rays, and aiding in skin rejuvenation. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can cause skin damage, premature aging and even skin cancer. The Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association reports that, because chemical and physical barrier sunscreens can cause skin irritation, companies are researching the use of antioxidants, anti-irritants and moisturizers in sun care products. Honey has potential for use in these products.
A recent review of medical research documents honey’s effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial agents inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. This review states that, "Honey’s antimicrobial properties make it useful for the treatment of minor acne flare-ups. Also, unlike some acne treatments, honey doesn’t dry the skin."
Honey is antimicrobial for many reasons, including its high sugar content, which limits the amount of water available to bacteria for growth; its relatively high acidity (low pH); and its low protein content, which deprives bacteria of nitrogen needed for growth. The presence in honey of hydrogen peroxide, and the antioxidants honey contains, also inhibit bacterial growth.
Honey’s prospects in skin care are looking even sweeter; research is currently underway to develop a process using honey to create alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are an important ingredient in many skin creams and moisturizers because they help exfoliate the skin. Exfoliation increases the renewal of the skin cells and gives skin a younger, more vibrant look. Exfoliation can also cause skin irritation, so honey’s natural moisturizing ability makes it a perfect fit for AHA products.
Yep... honey is a lot more than just a sweetener for your tea!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Logos and Photos and Wedding Invitations... Oh My!
When you think of Dove Soap you think of that little dove pressed into the top of each bar and poised gracefully on each package... I wanted a logo so that one day (I'm dreaming big here!) my Southern Heart Soaps logo would be recognized just by the logo...
Fortunately I work for a newspaper and have access to all sorts of graphic design software and the newspaper business is a "hurry up and wait" sort of job, so I have a fair amount of downtime and can work on little projects in between waiting on our writers and sales people to get their work to me so I can get it into the paper. This week my project has been a LOGO and pictures for the website.
I am also getting married in 3 months and have been busy crafting and printing wedding invitations and travel information packets for my guests... these invitations have multiple components to cut and trim and glue and sort and organize and stuff into envelopes and address and mail. Whew! made me tired just typing that!
But I digress... back to logos... created a logo this week that, to me, is simple, elegant, and hopefully memorable... used the basic logo to create a letterhead, business cards, website moniker, and more. I like it... hope my customers do!
Now I'm on a quest to create a photo or photo collage for the header on the website... something that catches the eye and makes a person browsing around the net want to come in for a closer look... something whimsical and fun... something that says "soap" but more... bubbles, suds, lather, clean, fun, healthy, sweet, happy... I've looked at others' sites... and some I like, some I don't... I want the photo to let people know (in a graphically pleasing sort of way, of course) who we are at Southern Heart Soaps and not just be a boring, static, still-life, bar of soap (even though that's what we are selling!) I want life, action, love, movement, laughter and fun all in ONE picture at the top of a web page... is this possible? and where do I find it?
The quest continues amid wedding invitations and newspaper editing, and housework, and working in my "mad scientist laboratory" creating and mixing soap and lotion. Let the juggling commence! www.southernheartsoaps.com
As they say in the Gaelic... "Slainte"
Fortunately I work for a newspaper and have access to all sorts of graphic design software and the newspaper business is a "hurry up and wait" sort of job, so I have a fair amount of downtime and can work on little projects in between waiting on our writers and sales people to get their work to me so I can get it into the paper. This week my project has been a LOGO and pictures for the website.
I am also getting married in 3 months and have been busy crafting and printing wedding invitations and travel information packets for my guests... these invitations have multiple components to cut and trim and glue and sort and organize and stuff into envelopes and address and mail. Whew! made me tired just typing that!
But I digress... back to logos... created a logo this week that, to me, is simple, elegant, and hopefully memorable... used the basic logo to create a letterhead, business cards, website moniker, and more. I like it... hope my customers do!
Now I'm on a quest to create a photo or photo collage for the header on the website... something that catches the eye and makes a person browsing around the net want to come in for a closer look... something whimsical and fun... something that says "soap" but more... bubbles, suds, lather, clean, fun, healthy, sweet, happy... I've looked at others' sites... and some I like, some I don't... I want the photo to let people know (in a graphically pleasing sort of way, of course) who we are at Southern Heart Soaps and not just be a boring, static, still-life, bar of soap (even though that's what we are selling!) I want life, action, love, movement, laughter and fun all in ONE picture at the top of a web page... is this possible? and where do I find it?
The quest continues amid wedding invitations and newspaper editing, and housework, and working in my "mad scientist laboratory" creating and mixing soap and lotion. Let the juggling commence! www.southernheartsoaps.com
As they say in the Gaelic... "Slainte"
Friday, March 26, 2010
Molding soap... a work in progress
When I think of making soap I think of the formula (or recipe)... what kind do I want to make? what fragrance do I want? what therapeutic properties do I want from this soap?
What shape to make it is a little lower in my priorities. But soap starts out in a liquid form so it can't just be thrown out on the table or left in the pot to become soap... a mold is vital!
I've used everything you can think of as a soap mold... from the glass baking pan I used for my first cold-processed soap batch years ago (which I cut up in squares like brownies and scooped out of the pan with a spatula)... to wooden molds lined with butcher paper... to Pringle's cans... to Gladware... my favorite thus far has been silicon cupcake pans with cute shapes like hearts, flowers, snowflakes, and Easter bunnies... but
I'm realizing as we build up inventory for the upcoming craft show we are participating in at St. Martin's of the Fields Church in Columbia, SC... my silicon pans are not big enough, I don't have enough of them to accommodate the larger batches I'm needing to mix up in order to have enough product for this project...
My dear Hue-Man (Hugh) to the rescue... using the concept of the good ol' Pringle's can... he has made some wonderful soap molds from 3 inch round PVC pipe, plugged at one end and standing tall enough to get about a dozen perfectly round soaps from each one.
Should have seen us figuring out how to get the soap OUT of the mold after the first batch was poured and cured in the new molds... soap, no longer liquid, and quite hard and packed tightly into the tube... wouldn't budge!!!
OK... something to push it out... a dowel... no soap isn't that hard, the dowel would have just pushed a hole through the soap... need something round and almost the diameter of the tube... hmmmmm... Hugh looked through the house and tried one thing after another... an old empty Grey Goose bottle we were using to keep water by the stove fit perfectly... we pushed... and pushed... and pushed and after the both of us had used all our strength and muscle... the soap finally slid out nicely... exhausting!!!!
There had to be a better way!!! Dear Hugh to the rescue once again!!! He came up with the simple idea of using the hairdryer to warm the outside of the mold just a little, softening the outer edges of the soap just enough to make it slippery... and the next batch slid right out of the tube... success!!!
We now have beautiful, perfectly round soaps and can make several dozen at a time. Craft fair here we come!!!
What shape to make it is a little lower in my priorities. But soap starts out in a liquid form so it can't just be thrown out on the table or left in the pot to become soap... a mold is vital!
I've used everything you can think of as a soap mold... from the glass baking pan I used for my first cold-processed soap batch years ago (which I cut up in squares like brownies and scooped out of the pan with a spatula)... to wooden molds lined with butcher paper... to Pringle's cans... to Gladware... my favorite thus far has been silicon cupcake pans with cute shapes like hearts, flowers, snowflakes, and Easter bunnies... but
I'm realizing as we build up inventory for the upcoming craft show we are participating in at St. Martin's of the Fields Church in Columbia, SC... my silicon pans are not big enough, I don't have enough of them to accommodate the larger batches I'm needing to mix up in order to have enough product for this project...
My dear Hue-Man (Hugh) to the rescue... using the concept of the good ol' Pringle's can... he has made some wonderful soap molds from 3 inch round PVC pipe, plugged at one end and standing tall enough to get about a dozen perfectly round soaps from each one.
Should have seen us figuring out how to get the soap OUT of the mold after the first batch was poured and cured in the new molds... soap, no longer liquid, and quite hard and packed tightly into the tube... wouldn't budge!!!
OK... something to push it out... a dowel... no soap isn't that hard, the dowel would have just pushed a hole through the soap... need something round and almost the diameter of the tube... hmmmmm... Hugh looked through the house and tried one thing after another... an old empty Grey Goose bottle we were using to keep water by the stove fit perfectly... we pushed... and pushed... and pushed and after the both of us had used all our strength and muscle... the soap finally slid out nicely... exhausting!!!!
There had to be a better way!!! Dear Hugh to the rescue once again!!! He came up with the simple idea of using the hairdryer to warm the outside of the mold just a little, softening the outer edges of the soap just enough to make it slippery... and the next batch slid right out of the tube... success!!!
We now have beautiful, perfectly round soaps and can make several dozen at a time. Craft fair here we come!!!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Spring has sprung...
Spring is here and this soaper's thoughts are reeling with summer soap ideas. Getting ready to launch our grapefruit cold process soap and grapefruit lotion in just a few days. A friend gave me the idea just yesterday that since I already make a citronella soap, why not add a lotion! She wants it to keep in her purse at her daughter's softball practices and such. Why not? It would be good for keeping those pesky mosquitoes and gnats away and soften the skin at the same time, what's not to like... I'm gonna do it! Cassie Nell's Don't Bug Me citronella soap and now lotion will be available on the website by this weekend I think!
Great idea, Dana, and thanks for thinking of it!
On to more ideas... I have one or two up my sleeve for summer... something with rosemary maybe? or spearmint? eucalyptus? sweet orange? thought about a citrus combination if I can get some lemon and lime oil to mix with the orange and grapefruit or maybe just lemon/lime... something like a 7-Up scent, LOL! We'll see...
Check us out at www.southernheartsoaps.com for new summer soaps and lotions coming soon!
Great idea, Dana, and thanks for thinking of it!
On to more ideas... I have one or two up my sleeve for summer... something with rosemary maybe? or spearmint? eucalyptus? sweet orange? thought about a citrus combination if I can get some lemon and lime oil to mix with the orange and grapefruit or maybe just lemon/lime... something like a 7-Up scent, LOL! We'll see...
Check us out at www.southernheartsoaps.com for new summer soaps and lotions coming soon!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Happiness is... grapefruit!
Grapefruit essential oil is one of the lesser known citrus oils; however, it has a number of uses in aromatherapy and is well liked by children for its gentle properties.
Grapefruit essential oil is anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, detoxifying, anti-depressant, immune boosting, skin-toning and mentally rejuvenating. It is used to treat acne, oily skin, cellulite, muscle stiffness, water retention, obesity, colds, flu, depression, headaches, jet-lag, stress, and nervous exhaustion. It is good for use in a diffuser to disinfect a room.
Grapefruit is known as a "happy" oil due to its uplifting qualities and is liked by children for this reason; it is said to improve concentration and self-confidence. It is used in aromatherapy spa treatments to improve lymphatic drainage and to ease muscle stiffness, by dispersing lactic acids.
Grapefruit essential oil is anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, detoxifying, anti-depressant, immune boosting, skin-toning and mentally rejuvenating. It is used to treat acne, oily skin, cellulite, muscle stiffness, water retention, obesity, colds, flu, depression, headaches, jet-lag, stress, and nervous exhaustion. It is good for use in a diffuser to disinfect a room.
Grapefruit is known as a "happy" oil due to its uplifting qualities and is liked by children for this reason; it is said to improve concentration and self-confidence. It is used in aromatherapy spa treatments to improve lymphatic drainage and to ease muscle stiffness, by dispersing lactic acids.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Essential oils for healing wounds and reducing scars
Essential oils have a long history of use in natural skin care, well-known for healing damaged skin, as well as reducing the appearance of old scars from trauma and surgical wounds, and other incidents. Essential oil blends for these applications are gentle, safe for regular use, and have a wonderful aroma.
Lavender essential oil is the most commonly used aromatic oil due to it's pleasant, soothing aroma and broad range of healing effects. Lavender is also included in many skin care blends as it contains properties which stimulate tissue regeneration. Lavender is an anti-inflammatory.
Another essential oil is Helichrysum, an oil with an earthy aroma. This oil would be used when the skin is in need of regeneration, and where inflammation may be present. It is also often used for bruising and impact related injuries.
The essential oil distilled from the leaves of common Sage is included in blends where the wounds are old - where the healing happened some time ago and has left some unsightly scarring. This can work on keloid scars, acne scars, etc., though application need be regular and should continue for 3 to 6 months. Sage oil has properties which help break up the scar tissue and stimulate regeneration. Sage oil should be used with great care and in small amounts. While it can be used for stretch marks, it should only be use after pregnancy, and not during by expectant mothers. Sage is best used for wounds and scars that have already healed to reduce appearance.
Rosemary essential oil contains regenerative properties, and stimulates cellular metabolism. This oil helps new skin form, bringing nutrients into the cells and supports the removing toxins and wastes.
For wounds that are currently healing, a small amount of an antimicrobial oil, such as Tea Tree, can help the process. It can prevent redness and irritation that is the result of your body dealing with bacteria at the sight of the injury.
Essential oils need to be diluted in carrier oils. Carrier oils include oils such as sweet almond oil or olive oil.
Lavender essential oil is the most commonly used aromatic oil due to it's pleasant, soothing aroma and broad range of healing effects. Lavender is also included in many skin care blends as it contains properties which stimulate tissue regeneration. Lavender is an anti-inflammatory.
Another essential oil is Helichrysum, an oil with an earthy aroma. This oil would be used when the skin is in need of regeneration, and where inflammation may be present. It is also often used for bruising and impact related injuries.
The essential oil distilled from the leaves of common Sage is included in blends where the wounds are old - where the healing happened some time ago and has left some unsightly scarring. This can work on keloid scars, acne scars, etc., though application need be regular and should continue for 3 to 6 months. Sage oil has properties which help break up the scar tissue and stimulate regeneration. Sage oil should be used with great care and in small amounts. While it can be used for stretch marks, it should only be use after pregnancy, and not during by expectant mothers. Sage is best used for wounds and scars that have already healed to reduce appearance.
Rosemary essential oil contains regenerative properties, and stimulates cellular metabolism. This oil helps new skin form, bringing nutrients into the cells and supports the removing toxins and wastes.
For wounds that are currently healing, a small amount of an antimicrobial oil, such as Tea Tree, can help the process. It can prevent redness and irritation that is the result of your body dealing with bacteria at the sight of the injury.
Essential oils need to be diluted in carrier oils. Carrier oils include oils such as sweet almond oil or olive oil.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Citronella Soap... Don't Bug Me!
I first started making soap with citronella essential oil added for my dad who for some reason was more attractive to mosquitoes than average people. He worked outside a lot and was constantly spraying himself with insect repellents. Since he has some lung difficulties I worried that the repellents weren't good for him. He enjoys using natural products whenever he can (although he doesn't hesitate to use a chemical if he thinks it necessary!) so I told him I would try to make a soap with citronella oil and see if it might help the "skeeter" problem.
He swears by the stuff now and sings its praises to anybody who will listen. I usually make him a couple dozen bars every spring and he has come to expect it.
I have since learned through research and reading that citronella essential oil is a natural oil which is distilled from the citronella plant, a member of the geranium family. And it's quite effective in repelling those pesky mosquitoes.
A few years after I began making "bug soap" for my dad, my little niece Cassidy Nell came along and seemed to have the same issue with mosquitoes that Daddy did, so I started making it for her and decided to name it after her.
If you want to keep the bugs away, use citronella soap! Our "Cassie Nell's Don't Bug Me" citronella soap is made from saponified palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil and citronella oil, all gentle and nourishing to the skin. And the scent lingers to repel those "skeeters" long after the wash water is thrown out. Another thing that people do with it is to rub the soap onto their clothing like their socks and sleeves and hats to give extra protection, but be sure to perform a color test against your fabric before applying.
Check it out and our other products at www.southernheartsoaps.com
He swears by the stuff now and sings its praises to anybody who will listen. I usually make him a couple dozen bars every spring and he has come to expect it.
I have since learned through research and reading that citronella essential oil is a natural oil which is distilled from the citronella plant, a member of the geranium family. And it's quite effective in repelling those pesky mosquitoes.
A few years after I began making "bug soap" for my dad, my little niece Cassidy Nell came along and seemed to have the same issue with mosquitoes that Daddy did, so I started making it for her and decided to name it after her.
If you want to keep the bugs away, use citronella soap! Our "Cassie Nell's Don't Bug Me" citronella soap is made from saponified palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil and citronella oil, all gentle and nourishing to the skin. And the scent lingers to repel those "skeeters" long after the wash water is thrown out. Another thing that people do with it is to rub the soap onto their clothing like their socks and sleeves and hats to give extra protection, but be sure to perform a color test against your fabric before applying.
Check it out and our other products at www.southernheartsoaps.com
Coffee and soap
Sitting here with my first cup of coffee this morning two days after Daylight Savings Time begins, all that comes to mind right now is coffee ;)
Yesterday evening I made a big double batch of cold processed coffee soap.
I used my "trinity of oils" palm, coconut, and olive... then added coffee and coffee grounds to the mix.
No need in adding any essential oils to this soap... coffee absorbs odors and in no time at all, the scent would be gone anyhow.
That's the reason for my coffee soap... to absorb odors, it's main use is as a kitchen soap, wonderful for absorbing those "hard to get rid of" odors like fish, onions, and garlic on your hands... plus with those coffee grounds added, you get an exfoliating scrub along with the deodorizing! It would be good for scrubbing the hands of gardeners and mechanics as well... anybody who gets super dirty and smelly! And it's gentle and moisturizing to the skin, won't strip all the natural oils and moisture like some "super scrubbing" soaps out there.
Check out my Southern Cook's Coffee Soap at www.southernheartsoaps.com
Yesterday evening I made a big double batch of cold processed coffee soap.
I used my "trinity of oils" palm, coconut, and olive... then added coffee and coffee grounds to the mix.
No need in adding any essential oils to this soap... coffee absorbs odors and in no time at all, the scent would be gone anyhow.
That's the reason for my coffee soap... to absorb odors, it's main use is as a kitchen soap, wonderful for absorbing those "hard to get rid of" odors like fish, onions, and garlic on your hands... plus with those coffee grounds added, you get an exfoliating scrub along with the deodorizing! It would be good for scrubbing the hands of gardeners and mechanics as well... anybody who gets super dirty and smelly! And it's gentle and moisturizing to the skin, won't strip all the natural oils and moisture like some "super scrubbing" soaps out there.
Check out my Southern Cook's Coffee Soap at www.southernheartsoaps.com
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Keeping it simple
In my early days of soapmaking, I read everything I could get my hands on and tried all the latest and greatest combinations of oils to make my soap more moisturizing, more skin-conditioning, better lathering and on and on...
I tried all the exotic oils and butters that claimed to make soap better.
And I'm sure all those oils and butters have their place and are wonderful... however...
After a lot of experimentation I decided to "keep it simple" by using what has become to be known as the "trinity of oils" in soapmaking... palm oil, coconut oil, and olive oil... and adding only natural essential oils for fragrance and very few other additives, as I said... "keeping it simple" and as basic as possible and still be a quality, skin-loving product.
I chose...
Palm oil because it has similar qualities in soapmaking as lard, but is a vegetable-based product instead of animal-based in that it gives soap bars a hardness and is mild and gentle to the skin.
Coconut oil because it is gentle and mild to the skin and because it gives soap wonderful lather.
And Olive oil because it is very good to the skin, soothing and emollient. Olive oil promotes a smooth, radiant complexion, helps maintain skin's elasticity, and is high in antioxidants, including vitamin E.
At Southern Heart Soaps, Lotions, and Potions, we are "keeping it simple" with quality "trinity of oils" in every bar of soap!
www.southernheartsoaps.com
I tried all the exotic oils and butters that claimed to make soap better.
And I'm sure all those oils and butters have their place and are wonderful... however...
After a lot of experimentation I decided to "keep it simple" by using what has become to be known as the "trinity of oils" in soapmaking... palm oil, coconut oil, and olive oil... and adding only natural essential oils for fragrance and very few other additives, as I said... "keeping it simple" and as basic as possible and still be a quality, skin-loving product.
I chose...
Palm oil because it has similar qualities in soapmaking as lard, but is a vegetable-based product instead of animal-based in that it gives soap bars a hardness and is mild and gentle to the skin.
Coconut oil because it is gentle and mild to the skin and because it gives soap wonderful lather.
And Olive oil because it is very good to the skin, soothing and emollient. Olive oil promotes a smooth, radiant complexion, helps maintain skin's elasticity, and is high in antioxidants, including vitamin E.
At Southern Heart Soaps, Lotions, and Potions, we are "keeping it simple" with quality "trinity of oils" in every bar of soap!
www.southernheartsoaps.com
Thursday, March 11, 2010
All soap is made with Lye... No Lie!
Homemade soap isn't what it used to be. Wondering whether or not it was going to melt your skin off because of too much lye? Well, those days are long past because making soap today is a much more exacting process than it was just a few short decades ago.
In early times, soap lye was produced from straining water through wood ash. The problem with this process was there was absolutely no way to determine the strength of the lye. So when it came time to mix the lye with the oils that make up soap, it was equally impossible to determine how much oil was needed to correctly saponify the oils.
Sometimes, when the lye created by wood ash was unknowingly strong, and an underestimated amount of oil was mixed, it would produce a soap that would literally burn your skin or at least make it very red and itchy! Conversely, when a mild lye was mixed with too much oil, a soap was created that didn't do a very good job of cleaning and was thrown out to be used as laundry detergent. In either case, not knowing the strength of the lye made soap making a guessing game.
Today, all of that has changed!
Lye, (or, sodium hydroxide) is manufactured to be an exact science. Every spoonful of lye used to manufacture soap today has been manufactured to an exact standard. Thus, we are able to know exactly how strong the lye is which allows us to perfectly mix the correct amount of oils with the lye to produce a mild, effective, healthy soap.
When we make soap, being able to correctly mix proper amounts of oils and lye, causes ALL of the lye to saponify into the oils and because the proper amounts have been measured, there is therefore no remaining lye left in the soap! A molecular transformation takes place that changes the nature of lye from a caustic substance to a substance the you can literally swallow with no ill affects. It's the process known as "saponification".
Truth be told, almost ALL soap bars today, including all the nationally known brands, use lye, (properly saponified of course) to make soap! That's right, almost ALL soap today is made from lye.
Here now lies the problem with commercial soap bars and why they are so terrible for your skin. When lye and oils saponify, a natural occurrence takes place. Glycerin is created...wonderful...natural...healthy ...glycerin is created. Glycerin is an extremely necessary component of healthy, elastic skin. Glycerin naturally moisturizes the skin and keeps its healthy glow and feel. Everyone (men included) want their skin to feel soft, smooth and moist. Glycerin is what provides us that wonderful feeling. It's the feeling we seek when we bathe our bodies in hand and body lotion after showers and shaving.
But guess what?!? The commercial soap manufactures know this also. During their manufacturing process, they extract the glycerin from the soap and replace it with detergents and chemicals. They then process the glycerin into other products like hand and body lotion, creams, balms, and other moisturizers. That's right, they remove it from their soaps just so they can sell you an additional product that contains what you should have had in the bar of soap you bathed with in the first place! Now that your out of your bath or shower, you must apply their additional product to make your skin feel soft or risk dry, tight skin usually within 30 minutes after bathing...pretty sneaky huh?!?
At Southern Heart Soaps, Lotions, and Potions, we leave the soap alone after saponification, leaving that wonderful skin-loving glycerin in the soap to moisturize your skin.
www.southernheartsoaps.com
In early times, soap lye was produced from straining water through wood ash. The problem with this process was there was absolutely no way to determine the strength of the lye. So when it came time to mix the lye with the oils that make up soap, it was equally impossible to determine how much oil was needed to correctly saponify the oils.
Sometimes, when the lye created by wood ash was unknowingly strong, and an underestimated amount of oil was mixed, it would produce a soap that would literally burn your skin or at least make it very red and itchy! Conversely, when a mild lye was mixed with too much oil, a soap was created that didn't do a very good job of cleaning and was thrown out to be used as laundry detergent. In either case, not knowing the strength of the lye made soap making a guessing game.
Today, all of that has changed!
Lye, (or, sodium hydroxide) is manufactured to be an exact science. Every spoonful of lye used to manufacture soap today has been manufactured to an exact standard. Thus, we are able to know exactly how strong the lye is which allows us to perfectly mix the correct amount of oils with the lye to produce a mild, effective, healthy soap.
When we make soap, being able to correctly mix proper amounts of oils and lye, causes ALL of the lye to saponify into the oils and because the proper amounts have been measured, there is therefore no remaining lye left in the soap! A molecular transformation takes place that changes the nature of lye from a caustic substance to a substance the you can literally swallow with no ill affects. It's the process known as "saponification".
Truth be told, almost ALL soap bars today, including all the nationally known brands, use lye, (properly saponified of course) to make soap! That's right, almost ALL soap today is made from lye.
Here now lies the problem with commercial soap bars and why they are so terrible for your skin. When lye and oils saponify, a natural occurrence takes place. Glycerin is created...wonderful...natural...healthy ...glycerin is created. Glycerin is an extremely necessary component of healthy, elastic skin. Glycerin naturally moisturizes the skin and keeps its healthy glow and feel. Everyone (men included) want their skin to feel soft, smooth and moist. Glycerin is what provides us that wonderful feeling. It's the feeling we seek when we bathe our bodies in hand and body lotion after showers and shaving.
But guess what?!? The commercial soap manufactures know this also. During their manufacturing process, they extract the glycerin from the soap and replace it with detergents and chemicals. They then process the glycerin into other products like hand and body lotion, creams, balms, and other moisturizers. That's right, they remove it from their soaps just so they can sell you an additional product that contains what you should have had in the bar of soap you bathed with in the first place! Now that your out of your bath or shower, you must apply their additional product to make your skin feel soft or risk dry, tight skin usually within 30 minutes after bathing...pretty sneaky huh?!?
At Southern Heart Soaps, Lotions, and Potions, we leave the soap alone after saponification, leaving that wonderful skin-loving glycerin in the soap to moisturize your skin.
www.southernheartsoaps.com
My passion for soapmaking... the beginning
I always thought I should have been born in the Pioneer Days, when I was a little girl, my favorite books were the Little House books, by Laura Ingalls Wilder... later on I read them to my children and then to my grandson.
One Memorial Day weekend camping trip to Stone Mountain, Georgia, a couple, in historical costumes were selling their own, homemade soap. They talked a little about the process and had a big pot of uncured soap being stirred as they spoke. The finished soaps were displayed, cut in rough rectangles, and lined up in wooden trays... and they smelled so good. I bought two bars, one delicious smelling peppermint/rosemary shampoo bar and a cinnamon shaving soap.
A few months later in our local electric co-op monthly magazine, there was an article on lye soap and a selection of recipes. Curious to see if I could actually make soap from lye and lard and water, I purchased some Red Devil Lye and made my first soap... it worked! I made a second batch that didn't work but the first one was soap!
The local public library didn't have many soapmaking books, but I checked every one of them out and read them cover to cover, using the knowledge to experiment with my own cold-process soapmaking skills. Research on the internet followed and in no time I had printed out hundreds of pages of soap recipes, oil saponification charts, and essential oil benefit lists and continued to study and research and experiment.
I was hooked!
One Memorial Day weekend camping trip to Stone Mountain, Georgia, a couple, in historical costumes were selling their own, homemade soap. They talked a little about the process and had a big pot of uncured soap being stirred as they spoke. The finished soaps were displayed, cut in rough rectangles, and lined up in wooden trays... and they smelled so good. I bought two bars, one delicious smelling peppermint/rosemary shampoo bar and a cinnamon shaving soap.
A few months later in our local electric co-op monthly magazine, there was an article on lye soap and a selection of recipes. Curious to see if I could actually make soap from lye and lard and water, I purchased some Red Devil Lye and made my first soap... it worked! I made a second batch that didn't work but the first one was soap!
The local public library didn't have many soapmaking books, but I checked every one of them out and read them cover to cover, using the knowledge to experiment with my own cold-process soapmaking skills. Research on the internet followed and in no time I had printed out hundreds of pages of soap recipes, oil saponification charts, and essential oil benefit lists and continued to study and research and experiment.
I was hooked!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
News from the "Lab"
We've been in the "lab" mixing up some new lip balms and lotions... Mmmmmm good!!! more later.... visit us at:
Southern Heart Soaps Lotions and Potions
Southern Heart Soaps Lotions and Potions
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Stearic Acid in Cosmetics
You've read the ingredient stearic acid in many cosmetic products, but what is it? Why is it used? Stearic acid is a white, wax-like substance, a naturally derived fatty acid used as a thickener and emulsifier. Lotion is made from basically oil and water, we all know oil and water do not mix... an emulsifier is necessary to hold the oil and water together. Check out Pam's Soap Kitchen at my Website for my Cold Process Handmade Soaps. We use only natural ingredients WITHOUT preservatives and using only natural essential oils.
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