During the medieval times, it was believed that washing was evil and cleansed away the spirit. Even more ironic, the priests who would bathe the lepers never got leprosy, because they were a part of the small population of people who cleaned themselves. All of the citizens believed this to be the work of god, and after all, “cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Now everyone bathes on a regular basis. Many people shower up to three times a day. Bathing has become just as relaxing as necessary. Unfortunately, many of us are picking up soaps and rinses at the store, many of which contain toxic chemicals and drying-agents.
Some of soap’s ingredients can enter the skin and go straight into the bloodstream. Since we shower every day, we are constantly lathering ourselves in potential risks. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and should never be neglected!
Popular additives include:
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a foaming agent that has been linked to breast cancer. It is also a skin irritant.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is another type of foaming agent, very similar to Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Although similar, the effects of the Lauryl Sulfate are more intense and severe. It can permanently damage eye tissue and cause formations of various carcinogens within the body.
- Propylene Glycol, or “antifreeze,” can cause severe skin and eye irritation and respiratory toxicity. This “antifreeze” can also cause “immunotoxicity,” which occurs when the immune system is negatively affected by chemical substances.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine, yet another foaming agent, causes blisters, skin irritation and immunotoxicity.
- Triclosan, which is an antibacterial and antifungal agent, can combine with chlorine in tap water and create “chloroform” in the body. It has been linked with immunotoxicity, organ sensitivity and allergies.
- DMDM Hydantoin, a microbial, when entering the body may form formaldehyde. It is also a skin irritant and can create immunotoxicity.
If all of this concerns you the way it concerned my partner and I, you might want to take a natural approach and create your own soaps. Just like cooking your own meal, you’ll know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. Making the soap will give you the purity your family’s skin deserves. Creating the soap can also be fun, and could even be a project to let the kids join in on. You can customize each soap with the ingredients your skin craves; whether you have dry or oily skin. Finding the right balance will be as simple as using your own discretion.
When I decided to start making soaps, I went for the easy route and ordered soap “base” by the pound online. It is really inexpensive- whole pounds can be purchased for as little as $5! All of the ingredients will be listed, so there will be no confusion about what you’re ordering. Just like eco-friendly laundry products, the base you will be purchasing will be environmentally- and bodily- friendly.
Generally, the soap base will be part glycerine and part moisturizer. If you want to go the traditional route and use lye, be very cautious. Making soaps with lye can be dangerous and the steps must be followed very strictly.
Creating Your Soap:
1. Decide what type of soap you want to make. In a small bowl place any essential oils, moisturizers and additives. Stir and set aside. Popular additives include:
- Spices such as clover, cinnamon, basil and rosemary
- Diced fruits and roots like apple, banana and ginger
- Essential oils like patchouli, vanilla or sandalwood
- Dried flowers
- Milk and yogurt
- Sugar (exfoliation)
- Cut up natural loofah
- Shards of wax from scented candles
- Food coloring
- Moisturizing agents such as aloe, vitamin E, olive oil and almond oil
2. Cut the soap base into small cubes and place into a large, heat-resistant measuring cup. You can choose to microwave the soap in intervals of 30 seconds, while stirring, or you can place the measuring cup in a large pot of water and steadily bring it to a boil. Either way, you are going to continuously stir. If heating in a pot, you are going to see the soap transition from stringy to marshmallow-like. Once it has reached this thick and frothy marshmallow-like state, take it off the heat.
3. Add the bowl of your ingredients and mix in.
4. Pour liquid soap into soap molds.
5. Allow to cool and pop out. You may want to place your molds into the refrigerator before popping out. This may ease the friction. If your soap is an oiler soap, it will pop out easier. Look around for interesting soap molds. They can be clever or simple; from a mold of a famous statue to a star or a heart. You can also add other things to the soap as it dries, such as a rope (“soap on a rope”).
Making soaps doesn’t have to just be just a hobby. For many health and environmental enthusiasts, hand-crafted beauty care is a must for sensitive bodies. When making your own soaps, you won’t have to worry about dangerous “anti freezes” and microbial massacres. Instead you can focus on customizing your family’s ingredients, which is one simple step for overall health. The skin you’re in shouldn’t be coated in toxins; instead your own, usable, soapy works of art.
About the Author:
Alexandra Meehan, addicted to writing, is a research hound who plays guitar, spends free time camping and scrapbooking, and writes her own sonnets. When she isn’t watching an old movie or spending the day at the beach, she loves to check out junk yards and antique shops to find interesting relics like old statues and retro signs. Self-proclaimed “Green Queen,”Alexandra constantly reads articles on sites like http://www.ecohomeinspired.com/. She is married, lives in Florida with her wife and dog.
Categories: Green Living, Guest Posts | Tags: eco-friendly soap, laundry soap, natural soap, soap | Permalink