Archive for Natural soaps
Soapedia: Your Guide to Soapaliciousness
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A few years back I was strolling in one of the upscale malls in my area and came across a soap store. Yes, a soap store! In other words, heaven on earth for those obsessed with bath and beauty (ME!). The soaps were so beautiful, all different colors, shapes, and sizes. And the scents! Lavender, vanilla, and even more exotic ones like yellow cake, cotton candy, and melon slushie! I walked around the store, delighted at every turn, yet after a while walked out without making a purchase. Why? It turns out the soaps were not all natural. They were made with artificial colors and fragrances, which can be quite irritating to the skin. Needless to say, I was disappointed.
I always feel excitement when I get e-mails from readers! Last week an e-mail from Sara reminded me I wanted to give soap making a try. Making your own cosmetics isn’t as hard as you (and I used to) think it is! I’ve found an easy soap recipe you can use to make your own homemade soap. The great thing about it is you can vary the recipe to suit your needs. Don’t like strawberries? Try oatmeal. Like a more fragrant soap? Add essential oils. The possibilities are endless!
Making your own natural soap can be fun!
Here’s what you will need:
A soap bar, shredded – I recommend glycerin bar soap or a castile soap bar (I like Kirk’s Castile-) 2 cups OR liquid glycerin 2 cups
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tbsp almond oil
1/4 tsp Vitamin E
2-3 strawberries
Glass bowl or measuring cup
Pot
Water
Spoon
Mold
- Grate the soap bar into a glass bowl or measuring cup. It will resemble mozzarella cheese but please don’t put this on your pizza!
- Add almond milk and oil, mix well.
- Boil water and place the heat resistant glass bowl/cup inside the pot.
- Stir the mixture as it melts.
- Keep stirring over the next 45 minutes.
- Puree the strawberries and mix with the Vitamin E.
- Remove soap mixture from heat, add strawberries and Vit E. Stir.
- Pour into molds. After 3-4 weeks, they will be ready to use!
In total the process takes about 45 minutes and you are left with a beautiful natural soap! In this way, you’re sort of like the mad scientist….of soap! I was even thinking of making this my class science project for this year. If you attempt the process, I’d love to hear your results as well as the concoctions you come up with.
Watch the video at Youtube as it gives you complete directions, plus photos for each step. Thanks to Tangela (aka Lenise2Me on Youtube) for this great video tutorial. Please make sure to visit her website Classic Bath and Body Products and check out all her yummy looking soap creations!
Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!
Always Bet on Black
Posted by: | CommentsA few months ago I posted about all the benefits of shea butter. It’s one of my favorite natural moisturizers. At that same music festival where I bought the shea butter, I also found another miracle product that I have been using religiously for months now. Just what is this substance? Well it comes in a big block, it foams very well, and it’s black!
It’s African Black Soap! Maybe you’ve heard of it but never really knew what it can do. When I am in the shower, I simply scrape off a little piece and rub between my hands. The result is a fabulous foam. I use it on my face and it cleanses so well. It also great to use in areas where you sweat as it kills odor causing bacteria. African black soap originates from West Africa, where palm and palm kernel oil are combined. The black color comes from the extraction process of blending them together.
Always bet on black!
What can African Black Soap do for you? So much! It:
-relieves acne and removes blemishes
-prevents rashes, itching, or dry skin from developing
-rejuvenates skin, leaving your body fresh and clean
-clears up pimples, rashes, eczema, fungus, ringworm, and body odor
Ever since I started using this soap, I have found my skin to be cleaner and clearer…because even at the age of 34, I still develop the occasional blemish. This soap is good for all ages. If you decide to purchase African Black Soap, just make sure it is 100% natural. Target sells a variety of African Black soap mixed with other ingredients, which I have not tried yet. I also use soaps made by Sundial a.k.a.Nubian Heritage. They come in other varieties as well black soap and are available at Imedmart.com. They are very affordable at around $2.26 a bar. I’ve also found a body wash and body scrub in addition to the bar soap at Amazon.com.
If you have any of the skin problems above, African Black soap may be the solution you have been looking for. So where did the title for this post come from? If you’re a Wesley Snipes fan, you know it’s from the movie, “Passenger 57.” Seems like Wesley really knew what he was talking about, because black soap is a sure bet for clear beautiful skin. Just for fun, take a look at the clip from the movie below. If you’d like more information, feel free to send me an e-mail on the contact page. Are you familiar with African Black Soap? Your comments are welcome.
Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!
