When you invest in a bar of natural soap, your overall health and well being will benefit as well since more than 60% of anything we put on our skin is absorbed into the body. But with a wide array of body cleansing products in the market, how does a simple bar of natural soap competes with the fancier perfumed body wash and shower gel? Essentially, all body cleansing products, natural or synthetic, have the same objectives to remove dirt, perspiration, bacteria and unfortunately some if not all of your natural body oil as well. This dries your skin out and result in a vicious cycle where the common solution is to apply moisturiser after shower or to look for a body cleanser that is specifically moisturising, where the additives help to replenish the oil first removed during the cleansing process.
Unless your body cleanser is of a natural or pure botanical source, chances are it is packed with 20 to 30 man-made chemicals, including fragrance. In order to remain thick, coloured and perfumed, a typical shower wash/gel must contain at least 20 chemicals - a mixture of synthetic and a small amount derived from plants. It will also contain detergents, a blend of aroma, salt for thickening, glycerin and preservatives. Most of the plant extracts used have very little practical purposes and are just for clever marketing so the product can have fancy names and tag lines.
Unless your body cleanser is of a natural or pure botanical source, chances are it is packed with 20 to 30 man-made chemicals, including fragrance. In order to remain thick, coloured and perfumed, a typical shower wash/gel must contain at least 20 chemicals - a mixture of synthetic and a small amount derived from plants. It will also contain detergents, a blend of aroma, salt for thickening, glycerin and preservatives. Most of the plant extracts used have very little practical purposes and are just for clever marketing so the product can have fancy names and tag lines.
Glycerin is a natural occurring byproduct in the process of soap making. It is removed during commercial manufacturing in order to produce a harder, longer lasting bar of soap and subsequently resell as a separate ingredient in the cosmetics industry. Glycerin is however retained in handmade soap (with the exception of Melt & Pour) and this results in a softer, more emollient bar of soap that keeps your body natural oil and moisture level in check.
While we are on the topic of glycerin, it helps to know that due to the high content of this super moisturising liquid, natural soap tends to dissolve quicker when in constant contact with water and produces a layer of gel after use. For this reason, dry your natural soap out between use and do not leave it sitting in a damp shower or a pool of water. If you use soap everyday, consider 2 or 3 bars of your favourites and rotate them every second day. And there, you now have a luxury bath spa.
While we are on the topic of glycerin, it helps to know that due to the high content of this super moisturising liquid, natural soap tends to dissolve quicker when in constant contact with water and produces a layer of gel after use. For this reason, dry your natural soap out between use and do not leave it sitting in a damp shower or a pool of water. If you use soap everyday, consider 2 or 3 bars of your favourites and rotate them every second day. And there, you now have a luxury bath spa.
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