Natural Handmade Soaps
How We Make Our Soap
Our handmade soaps are made the old fashion way using the cold process method. This handmade soap-making method involves mixing sodium hydroxide with water then adding it to selected oils. Once mixed is goes through a saponification process. In this process all the sodium hydroxide is neutralized and by the end of the process contains non at all.
Natural glycerine forms during this process which is retained in the end product. Most commercial soaps have the glycerine removed. Glycerine acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to your skin keeping it hydrated.
We keep our ingredients list simple but rest assured every ingredient has its purpose. The main ingredients are Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter & Castor Bean Oil.
50% Olive Oil Base: The Benefits
Most of our handmade soaps have a 50% olive oil base. Recent research has found that olive oil contains natural properties, oleocanthal, which has been known to be a great anti-aging and anti-inflammatory agent. Olive oil has been reported to help people with a variety of skin conditions.
Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E and beta carotene as well as antioxidants and has been reportedly useful in the stimulation of new cell generation. The second most dominant oil in our soaps is coconut oil. Coconut oil is packed with fatty acids and vitamin E, it has anti bacterial properties. It is very moisturizing to the skin and will cleanse without stripping the natural oils from the skin. It has been known to be beneficial to people with problem skin.
Botanicals & Scents
We often use botanicals in our handmade natural soaps. Commonly used ingredients are herbs and flower petals. Also used are rose buds, lavender buds, nettle leaves, cornflower petals, Jasmine buds, safflower, calendula, comfrey, chamomile, poppy seeds and white sage. You may also find Himalayan salt and Active charcoal.
Some other inclusions in the handmade soaps are a variety of clays which add benefits such as hydrating the skin, drawing out impurities, absorbs excess oils without drying, gentle skin exfoliator and detoxifying. These benefits depend on which clay is used my favourite is Kaolin, others I use is red, green and pink.
For our scents we use both Essential Oils and fragrances that meet Australian Standards, they are all skin and body safe plus safe for inhalation if in a candle. Having a variety of scents is important for customer satisfaction. Our essential oil blends are designed by our Aromatherapist for intent and purpose. We have a large range of handmade soap with all natural colours and essential oils plus a great selection of highly fragranced and coloured handmade soaps that are visually pleasing.
Eco-Friendly Soy Candles
Our Soy Candles are all handed poured by myself using eco-friendly 100% natural biodegradable soy wax. The melting point of the wax is 49 degrees so it is a lot safer to use because the wax is not hot enough to burn the skin.
Soy wax is water soluble so if you have a spill you can clean it up with hot soapy water. Soy wax burns cleaner than other types of wax so there is less soot, it also emits fewer toxins into the environment. Soy wax burns up to 50% longer than other types of wax therefore it is more cost-effective.
Soy permeates more fragrance in the air than other waxes, so you get a better scent throw. Soy wax does form a memory so it is best to burn your candle to the very edge of the container the first burn, otherwise you may end up with a tunnelling effect down the centre of the candle. The first burn should be about 1 hour per inch in diameter.
It is advisable to trim your wick to ¼ inch before each burn to prevent smoking, crackling and spitting. It is advised against blowing out your candle, it is best to either put the lid back on or dip the wick in the melted wax. Please remember to leave 2cm of wax in the bottom of the jar to absorb the heat from the flame. This prevents the jar from overheating and possible cracking. Candle safety is important to us.