Why Should I Buy Handmade Soap?
What Will It Do For Me?
When I started my soap making journey, I was surprised by the number of people who told me they had already started moving away from the use of commercial “soap” products. They cited their desire to eliminate their exposure to the chemical additives present in these brands. The alternative, handmade soaps, are far gentler on your skin. These bars are created without synthetic agents such as parabens and other petrochemical products usually added to commercial products as preservatives.
OutsideIn Soaps are made with cold pressed Olive, Coconut and Almond Sweet Oils, as well as unrefined Palm Kernel Oil Flakes. During the process of soaponification, these oils are combined with sodium hydroxide resulting in just plain glycerol and soap. While commercial manufacturers often remove the glycerin created and sell it for use in other skin care products, we do not. According to Healthline.com:
“Glycerin is great for the skin because it acts as a humectant, which is a substance that allows the skin to retain moisture. It can increase hydration, relieve dryness, and refresh the skin’s surface. It’s also an emollient, which means it can soften skin. This is great if eczema or psoriasis leave you with rough or dry patches. Glycerin also has antimicrobial properties, which means it can protect the skin from harmful microorganisms.”
Additionally, because no chemicals are added to OutsideIn Soaps, they retain all of the original benefits of the oils they are made from. These benefits are cited fairly consistently across the internet. Below is a summary of my reading. I am not a medical person and cannot attest to these claims; you will need to decide for yourself.
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Olive Oil |
Locks in moisture, is rich in Vitamins A, D, E, and K, and contains lots of antioxidants |
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Coconut Oil |
Hydrates, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, skin smoothing, antioxidant |
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Palm Kernel Flakes |
Vitamins A, K and antioxidants, skin softening |
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Sweet Almond Oil |
Improves skin tone, helps reverse sun damage, moisturizing, stimulates cell growth, vitamin A, E & D (don’t use if you have nut allergies) |
Please remember, you should always try any new product on a small patch of skin first.
Lastly, for many, the main selling point of OutsideIn Soap is the fragrance. Each of our recipes includes a unique blend of essential oils which have been derived directly from plants. They contain none of the synthetic perfumes and fragrances often used in commercial products. While open to debate, in addition to smelling wonderful, these oils may also offer some emotional and physical benefits.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It is a porous membrane and absorbs what it is exposed to; the air, the liquids and yes, the soap. When purchasing your soap, take a look at the ingredients and decide if they are something you want to add to your system. In the case of artisan soap, you might also consider what value the design and fragrance add to your self-care routine. Enrich your life!
1 https://www.healthline.com/health/glycerin-for-skin-whitening#benefits
This content is not intended to provide medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider regarding specific health questions.