Ingredients
I get it – it can be confusing when looking at ingredient listings, and wondering what’s good and bad. Regulations call for a standardised labeling of all ingredients (called an INCI name) and it’s not always clear what they are. In these regulations, they state that every ingredient must be listed, so the customer can make an informed descision on the product they are using. It’s there for the customers safety and information, and is supposed to make life easier for the customer.
Here, I list all the ingredients I use in my soaps, and what they start out as, to help clarify any questions you may have about them.
Aqua
Just water, added during the making of the soap. I use distilled water in my soaps to ensure that no unwanted ingredients can get into the soaps. In reality there is very little water left in any bar of soap, as it evaporates from the bar during the curing process.
Cedrus Atlantica (Cedarwood) Wood Oil
Cedarwood Atlas essential oil is distilled from the wood of the Cedar tree. It’s a very grounding, woody aroma, that is a great base for any blend. It can be overwhelming if overused, and so has to be used in moderation, and usually with other essential oils. I blend the Cedar with sweet Orange, Geranium, and Lavender to bring the best properties of cedarwood out, that produces a wonderful scented bar. It's also an imngredient used in my bath bombs and makes a beautifully fragrant bath.
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil (Lime essential Oil)
The ultimate in citrus scents, Lime essential oil is derived from the cold pressing of Lime peel. It’s said to help alleviate lethargy (It is absolutely invigorating) and is also said to be an astringent. Used in moderation, it gives a freshness to the Lime and Black Pepper soap.
Citrus Sinensis (Orange) Peel Oil
Orange essential oil is extracted from the rind of the Sweet Orange by the cold press method. It is a deliciously sweet and fruity scent, making it the most common essential oil used in perfumes. It goes with most other scents, and brings a brightness to any blend.
Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Oil
A smokey, warm, resinous scent, Myrrh is the resin from the Myrrh tree. I combine this with the Sandalwood Amyris resin to give a deep, subtle scented soap. Unlike essential oils, the resins are thick, and give a dark colour to the soap.
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Powder
Turmeric is widely used in cooking, but has recently been shown to have huge benefits to the skin. Used in soap, it offers a mild exfoliant, and beautiful sunny colour, without any of the residue or staining you get in cooking.
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is used widely in aromatherapy. It has a refreshing, sometimes even medical smell to it. It can be overpowering, which is why it is important to include it in a blend. I use it with Orange and Rosemary to bring a sweet, bright scent to one of our most popular soaps, Eucalyptus & Sweet Orange.
Glycerine
The glycerine in my soaps is produced as a by-product during the cold process method. Unlike some high-street soaps who remove it for other uses, I keep it in, as it’s very beneficial: drawing moisture towards the skin and keeping it hydrated. It also acts as a mild natural preservative through it's anti-microbial properties.
Lavandula Angustifolia
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils. Gentle, soothing and romantic, it offers a beautiful fresh and floral edge to any blend. I use Lavender essential oil in the Sweet Cedarwood soap, which gives it a softer scent.
Neroli Light Oil (Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Parfum)
Neroli is steam distilled from the flower of the Bitter Orange tree, and is a painstaking process making Neroli incredibly espensive. That is partly why I use a natural essential oil blend in my soap that replicates Neroli, rather than all 100% Neroli essential oil.
Neroli light oil is a perfume containing neroli oil and a natural blend of other essential oils to replicate the beautiful and delicate scent of Orange blossom. It's sweet, citrus, and floral, but with a ‘green’ undertone which makes it incredibly popular in modern fragrances.
Neroli light oil is a perfume containing neroli oil and a natural blend of other essential oils to replicate the beautiful and delicate scent of Orange blossom. It's sweet, citrus, and floral, but with a ‘green’ undertone which makes it incredibly popular in modern fragrances.
Pelargonium Graveolens
Geranium essential oil is distilled from the leaves of the geranium plant. It’s used widely used in rose scented products, as it is very close to the scent of the rose, and adds a strong floral property to any blend.
I use it to soften the woody scent of Cedarwood in the Sweet Cedarwood soap.
I use it to soften the woody scent of Cedarwood in the Sweet Cedarwood soap.
Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil
Black Pepper essential oil is steam distilled from the black pepper fruit. Once considered so valuable during the Middle Ages, Black Pepper was used as currency in places such as Venice and Florence. The essential oil is said to have many properties in aromatherapy, ranging from helping boost circulation, helping to ease feelings of anxiety and to fighting free radicals that can harm your skin and cause signs of premature ageing. The essential oil captures the very essence of Black Pepper and provides a warm spicy scent to the Lime and Black Pepper soap.
Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil
Patchouli essential oil is distilled from the leaves of the Patchouli plant. It’s unique fragrance is famously earthy and heavy, and is often used in traditional perfumes and men's fragrance. It is said to have many good properties in aromatherapy, and is often used in relaxing massages. It’s also widely used in cosmetic products to help with the relief of dry skin. It is one of the key essential oils that most people know and love. It's certainly one of my favourites.
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Rosemary essential oil is distilled from the dried leaves of the Rosemary plant. Many of us are familiar with the smell of Rosemary from our own grown garden herbs. It has an energising, citrus, herbacious scent and compliments the Orange and Eucalyptus essential oils I use in the blend for the Eucalyptus and Sweet Orange’ soap.
Sodium Cocoa Butterate
Coconut oil – a firm favourite in soap making, the coconut oil gives added hardness and cleansing properties, whilst still moisturising and gentle on your skin. Coconut oil is widely used in all sorts of cosmetics, for hair and skin.
Sodium Cocoate
Coconut oil – a firm favourite in soap making, the coconut oil gives added hardness and cleansing properties, whilst still moisturising and gentle on your skin. Coconut oil is widely used in all sorts of cosmetics, for hair and skin.
Sodium Olivate
Olive oil – the main ingredient in all my soaps, it gives a gentleness to a bar of soap. Some soap is made completely out of olive oil, giving a soft soap, that takes a year to cure. Olive oil has many beneficial properties, including being anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and also helps moisturise the skin. Overall, a great oil.
Sodium Shea Butterate
Shea butter, extracted from the nut of the Shea Tree – I use a large amount of shea butter in my recipe, this gives hardness to the bar, and also helps to keep your skin soft after washing. It’s packed with vitimins, and fatty acids that help siften skin. It comes with a plethora of health benefits, it’s been proven to have anti-inflammatory, and emollient properties.
Sodium Tamanuseedate (Tamanu Oil)
Tamanu oil has a unique ability to promote the formation of new tissue, significantly helping wounds to heal more quickly. Among other great attributes, such as being anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, tamanu is being used increasing in skin care products. I use Tamanu in the face soap with tea tree, making the soap very gentle on the skin, letting the activated charcoal pull impurities away from your skin.
Vetiveria Zizanoides
Vetiver essential oil is drived from the roots of the Vetiver plant, a green grass native to India.
It has an earthy, grounding scent that is used in lots of high quality masculine fragrances.
Vetiver is said to have many properties in aromatherapy, including help with anxiety, breathing and sleep. To be honest, I just love it with other essential oils, it helps add a roundness and smoothness to the blend.
It has an earthy, grounding scent that is used in lots of high quality masculine fragrances.
Vetiver is said to have many properties in aromatherapy, including help with anxiety, breathing and sleep. To be honest, I just love it with other essential oils, it helps add a roundness and smoothness to the blend.