This week's "Spotlight Natural Soap" is Lavender Bouquet...a.k.a. Lavender-Lavender.
[caption id="attachment_1298" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="Lavender Bouquet Natural Soap by Heirloom Soapworks"]
[/caption]This natural soap has been a bestseller for me for the last seven years, and is one of my personal favorites, as well as my husband's. Dying to know what's in it? Well, here we go:
Olive Oil: Olive oil is the main ingredient percentage-wise. Nourishing and mild, said to have many healing properties. Full of "unsaponifiables" -(these don't turn into soap during the saponification process, but rather remain in the bar of finished soap to nourish and moisturze your skin.) Contributes creaminess to the final soap's lather. Small, tight bubbles.
Saponified Coconut Oil -Always in a smaller percentage than olive oil in my soaps, coconut oil is moisturizing in small amounts, but can be drying if too much is used in a recipe. Coconut oil contributes to the finished soaps hardness. The trick is to use enough to harden the bar and nourish skin -without getting too much. Contributes to a "bubbly" lather.
Saponified Palm Oil - Palm oil contributes hardess and makes for a stable lather. Cleans gently and effectively.
Unrefined Shea Butter - The "queen" of butters (in my opinion). Why? Well it's non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) yet it moisturizes very effectively. Rich in vitamins A and E, and is useful in treating wrinkles, skin rashes and itching. Like olive oil, unrefined shea butter is rich in unsaponifiables that remain in the finished soap to nourish skin.
Unrefined Mango Butter - Also high in healing unsaponifiables, mango butter is said to help with the dryness that is associated with psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis & wrinkles.
Unrefined Cocoa Butter - Rich in antioxidants, cocoa butter also helps the skin retain moisture. Helps to smooth rough, dry skin.
Lavender Essential Oil - Properties include: antidepressant, deodorant, antiviral, relaxing, calming, said to be good for psoriasis....plus it smells lovely!
Honey - A wonderful ingredient that acts as a natural humectant -holding moisture next to the skin. Also acts as a natural preservative to keep soap fresh!
Alkanet Root Powder -Natural colorant.
Pink Clay - Great for sensitive and dehydrated skin, and gives a lovely pink to natural soaps.
Lavender Flower Buds - Just for pretty!
There you have it! Nothing particularly fancy or unusual, but when combined, these ingredients make a mighty fine all-natural soap. It's gentle, conditioning and mild enough for face and body, whith a creamy lather that leaves your skin soft and smooth. Hmmm -maybe that's why folks love it so!
If you would like to try a bar of our Lavender Bouquet natural soap, just visit our online Soap Shoppe or one of these fine St. Louis-area retailers.
Happy Soaping everyone!
3 comments:
I really like the fine powdery shade of lavender you achieved here. I have yet to try alkanet, but after Ambra shared the rumex story with us, well..I think my next Lavender soap will be with rumex. Lovely looking soap, Becky, will you share a "cut" picture with us?
Where do you get your unrefined mango butter? I can't find it ANYWHERE. I can only find refined mango butter.
Hi, I usually get my wildcrafted Mango Butter from Liberty Natural Products. Here's a link to thier site: http://www.libertynatural.com
Hope that helps! :)
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