Celtic Naturals » soap

Read the Labels: What’s in Soap?

admin — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:14:25 +0000

Author: Angela J. Buckley

As the words in the labels become lengthier, it is becoming more difficult to discern their meaning. Education is how you, the consumer, can protect yourself. Is there a product or ingredient name that you would like to have explained? Email me and we’ll respond. Have a comment, question or concern about one the ingredients below? Please let me know!

angela@celticnaturals.com Angela J. Buckley

Once upon a day, we didn’t have to read labels. You didn’t need to. You went to the Farmer’s Market to buy essentials, such as flour, oil and fruits and vegetables. Then you went home and “processed” yourself, that is, you baked, you sewed, you made it. As a result, you knew exactly what was going on your skin and into your mouth. However, as society progressed, individuals specialized in producing products. Still, the customer and the vendor knew each other. This intimacy in the marketplace served as a protection to the customer. Individual service, mindfulness of the customer’s needs and limitations where (and still are!) the hallmark of the small vendors.

Today, with globalization, the vendor is no longer uniquely tied to her customer. Without the direct personal interaction, labeling becomes a safety requirement. However, labeling is a shared burden. The manufacturer must honestly follow the law and serve the interest of its customers. Reading and writing is a two-way street. The manufacturer writes, but the consumer must read, and comprehend.

Labels by Law

Labels are designed by law to protect the consumer. However, the practicality of law is compromise between manufacturers, lawmakers seeking reelection and watchdog groups. As a result, different products have different labeling requirements. Soap, for example, has an exemption. Soap is not required to have any product or ingredient label on it. Other skin care products are required to list all ingredients that exist in the product at levels greater than 1%, unless the ingredient is specifically an active ingredient, or the ingredient has been listed by the FDA. In California, any ingredient found on their “Cancer List” must also be listed.

Below are terms and ingredients most commonly found in all natural soaps.

Glycerine: Glycerine is a natural humectant, which means that it attracts moisture. This wonderfully useful ingredient has many uses. In skin care, it is most notable for its ability to smooth and soften. It absorbs naturally into the skin while drawing in moisture. Glycerine is a natural byproduct of the soap making process. Unfortunately, during the ramp to WWII, glycerine was also need as an intermediate ingredient to use smokeless gun powder and other explosives.

Saponification (the soap making reaction) was the primary source of glycerine production, essential to the War Effort. It became patriotic (and profitable) in the USA to remove the glycerine from soap. The resulting soap was drying and aggressive to skin.

Lye: In order to make a natural bar soap, sodium hydroxide better known as lye, is required for the reaction. A warm lye solution is mixed with a warm oil/fat solution to create soap. In a proper reaction, there is no lye left in the soap, as it is broken down and consumed by the soap process. The proper soap is completed in a pH range that is safe for human skin, typically with approximately 5% extra oils for skin moisturizing.

Potassium hydroxide: The “lye” used to make an all natural liquid soap. Although the process requires more time (and energy), the reaction process is essentially the same. A liquid paste is created, then diluted with water and adjusted with a boric acid solution to bring the pH into range that is safe for human skin.

Sodium hydroxide: see lye.

Saponified: Saponify, saponification all refer to the soap making process. The saponified precursor indicates that the coconut oil has been used in the soapmaking process. Frequently, the manufacturer will then leave “sodium hydroxide” off the label, since it was consumed during the soap making process. Furthermore, all natural soap manufacturers attempt to write clear, understandable ingredient lists. Most consumers do not understand the proper chemical name of sodium cocoate, therefore, the label reads saponified coconut oil. There are currently no legal guidelines (as of yet) which say how an ingredient is named, so long as it is clear to the consumer.

Sodium palmate: saponified palm oil using sodium hydroxide for solid soaps

Sodium olivate: saponified olive oil using sodium hydroxide for solid soaps

Sodium soyate: saponified soybean oil using sodium hydroxide for solid soaps

Sodium cocoate: saponified coconut oil using sodium hydroxide for solid soaps

Sodium tallowate: saponified beef tallow using sodium hydroxide for solid soaps

Potassium palmate: saponified palm oil using potassium hydroxide for liquid soaps

Potassium olivate: saponified olive oil using potassium hydroxide for liquid soaps

Potassium soyate: saponified soybean oil using potassium hydroxide for liquid soaps

Potassium cocoate: saponified coconut oil using potassium hydroxide for liquid soaps

Potassium tallowate: saponified beef tallow oil using potassium hydroxide for liquid soaps

Sodium bicarbonate: baking soda

Sodium borate: Borax

Sodium tetraborate: Borax

Disodium tetraborate: Borax

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/read-the-labels-whats-in-soap-4031887.html

About the Author

Angela is the founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of Celtic Naturals. As a mother, trained engineer and environmental enthusiast, she believes it is possible to be green and glam. She specializes in teaching others how to live toxin-free. Her blog topics range from green living to healthy cooking, from gardening to organic self-beauty tips. Please visit www.celticnaturals.com for toxic free skin care tips and products.

Balancing Facial Care: Product Focus

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:48:51 +0000

Introducing the latest in facial care from Celtic Naturals: a Balancing Facial System.

This three step system includes a bar soap, toner and serum. Continuing our focus on all natural systems, Celtic Naturals has assembled a skin care line that will serve sensitive, sun damaged, normal and oily skin.

Step 1: Coffee Soap

Coffee Based Natural Bar Soap uses gentle oils for a moisturizing, gentle clean. A gentle soap is important for inflamed, acne damaged skin as well as sun damaged or sensitive skin. Our coffee soap uses organically grown, locally roasted coffee brewed in place of traditional water. This coffee is rich in antioxidants. Coffee is a natural astringent.

Directions:

Using warm water, lather the soap and gently apply to face and neck. Using upward circular motions, focus on trouble zones. Rinse thoroughly using warm water and pat dry using a clean, cotton cloth.

Ingredients:

saponified olive, coconut, palm oils, coffee

Step 2: Balancing Facial Toner

After washing, apply the toner using a sterile cotton ball or pad. The toner helps remove residual oils and close pores, preparing the skin for the serum.

Directions:

Apply to cotton ball, using gentle circular upward motions, cleanse neck and face. Concentrate on problem areas. Repeat application as necessary. Use care around eyes and sensitive areas.

Ingredients:

witch hazel, tea tree hydrosol, peppermint hydrosol, ethyl alcohol

Step 3: Balancing Facial Serum

Designed to be safe for sun-damaged, sensitive, combination and oily skin types, this serum utilizes a revolutionary comprehensive blend of essential oils instead of traditional preservatives. This serum has vitamins, gentle carrier oils and soothing extracts to tone and calm the skin.

Directions:

Moisturize daily as part of your morning and evening cleansing routine. Massage into face and neck using upward motions. Apply using fingertips in upward, circular motions. Use care in the eye area.

Ingredients:

Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Simmondsia chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, Emulsifying Wax NF, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Butyrospermum parkii (Organic Shea) Butter, Lavendula angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Camellia sinesis (Organic White Tea) Extract, Calendula (Organic) officinalis Extract, Aspalathus linearis (Organic Rooibos Tea) Extract, Olea europaea (Organic Olive) Oil, Daucus carota (Carrot) Oil, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Sodium Hyaluronate, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Oenothers biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Rosa mosqueta (Rosehip) Oil, Borago officinalis (Borage) Oil, Ureidohydantoin-Comfrey, Polysaccharide gum (Xanthan Gum)

Shelf Life:

12 months

Personal Environmental Activism

admin — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:04:37 +0000

Do you think the environment is important, but don’t have a spare moment to volunteer? Do you want to pass along strong environmental values to your children? Become a Personal Environmental Activist.

What’s involved?

Make a commitment to the environment.

Find an area of your life you can improve environmentally, ideas incude:

Reduce your use of harsh and toxic cleaning chemicals.
Reduce your personal exposure to toxins by using all natural skin care products.
Increase your recycling efforts.
Eliminate dryer sheets by using dryer balls.
Choose alternative transportation once a week: carpool, bike or walk.

Take action personally.

Share your experience with others.

The list of options above is by no means an extensive list, however, these are excellent first steps. Taking these first initial steps are simple and achievable improvements in your life. Fit these actions into your current life. When they become second nature, reconsider your actions and make improvements accordingly. It’s a reiterative process. We all learn as we go, and the environment will thank us for our efforts.

Congratulations! By becoming a Personal Environmental Activist, you have exhibited two very important characteristics: stewardship and leadership. You have begun the journey of stewardship, showing that you are caring, cleaning, supporting and maintaining the environment. Leadership by example is a very powerful tool. Children and neighbors will see your actions.

Please post your comments below. Take the pledge today. What will you do to become an PEA?

Smooth Hands Clean House

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:39:45 +0000

Grout Cleaning with Baking Soda

Fall has arrived in Central Ohio. Summer camping, canoeing, bike riding and gardening activities have taken a toll on the Buckley household. With outdoor activities a priority, I seldom spend time inside to focus on those extra cleaning chores – like the grout. Honestly, I’d prefer to just ignore the white grout and pale tiles the contractor installed, but enough is enough. Before the dirt and grime of winter arrives, I will clean the grout in our kitchen and entry way.

The trick is, of course, to maintain a clean toxin-free kitchen and home, while maintaining healthy cuticles and nails. There will be no use of harsh chemicals that cause difficulties breathing, no detergents that strip the oils from my skin. This leaves me with a scrub brush, water and baking soda.

Baking soda is surprisingly effective at removing dirt and grime. Your grandma probably knew this trick, but with aisle upon aisle of cleaning agents from which to choose, our generations have forgotten some simple tricks. Baking soda also softens the water, so scrubbing and cleaning is not harsh on your skin.

You Will Need

Baking Soda
Stiff Scrub Brush with Ergonomic Handle
Bowl
Water
Towel/Sponge
Dab of olive oil

Create a paste

Create a paste with 1/2 cup water to 1/2 cup baking soda in a bowl. Mix together so the baking soda is fully dissolved. You will see some separation. Pour the the solution over each grout line that requires cleaning. If the paste becomes too thick, add water as you approach the bottom of your bowl.

Scrub

Using a scrub brush with an ergonomic handle and stiff bristles, follow the grout lines. Use care when scrubbing to position yourself properly. A towel under your knees and shoulders located directly over the area you are scrubbing will help prevent sore muscles or carpal tunnel discomfort.

Clean Up

Your scrubbing has now been rewarded with a dirty mess of brown water atop the grout and tile. Use a sponge or towel to soak water and remove excess baking soda. You may need to rinse once or twice to be thoroughly rewarded with a clean area.

Limited Repeats

Scrubbing is not fun. I know, you already know this, but taken in small spurts, it is not hard on your back, your knees or your wrist. The limited exposure to the water is not hard on your fingernails and cuticles. By working only with this amount of baking soda and water each time, you can scrub only a 3 foot x 3 foot area.

The small amount of paste made here was intentional. By limiting your scrubbing to 10 – 15 minutes, you prevent injuries — and you are rewarded with a small section that is super clean — providing you with the motivation to clean the next section. Taken in bits and pieces, the task is not overwhelming.

Although our floors and walls are cleaned regularly, grout focused cleaning happens only once a year. It’s OK if the task is spread out over a few days. Small tasks fit into busy workdays more easily than one large one, and it’s so much easier on your skin and body.

Review

Congratulations! Now you have soft hands and clean grout. Follow up with olive oil rubbed into your cuticles while they are still damp to keep them healthy and moist.

Unless you have significant stains, you will see immediate improvement. The stains in our grout include mildew, coffee and spaghetti sauce. See our next post on getting tough on grime if this is not successful for you.

Anti-Chlorine Soap Test Batch

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:00:01 +0000

Join up for our newsletter or follow @CelticNaturals on Twitter to reserve a test bar of this great soap. Only 10 bars available, so sign up quickly! Spicey lemongrass and cinnamon combo with nourishing sea weed to combat the effects of chlorine after your swim.

Ingredients: saponified soy, coconut, palm, castor and olive oils, sea weed, lemongrass and cinnamon.

Spring Cleaning

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:00:50 +0000

Have we all survived the winter? Spring is in the air and Celtic Naturals has many changes to announce.

We are excited to announce another local retailer in Central Ohio. Welcome, Clintonville Outfitters! They are retailing hand sanitizers, bar soaps, stainless steel water bottles and lip balms. All of them are good for you and for the environment. Check them out. You can smell great on your next camping trip.

Celtic Naturals is also announcing a new web address in coming weeks. We have officially secured the domain www.celticnaturals.com. Yes, that’s right, without the hyphen. We are very thankful that we can provide you simple communications. Our Twitter, Facebook and web addresses will now be consistent. Stay tuned for progress.

We will also be launching a new store. We have heard your requests. In an attempt to make your shopping experience more pleasurable, we will begin using a new online store system. You will still be able to find all of your favorite products, but hopefully, you will find them more quickly and easily. We really are looking forward to hearing your feedback on this. More information as we move forward.

Humidity and Your Skin

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:44:09 +0000

Do you have a hygrometer in your home to measure humidity? You can get an easy digital one that reports temperature and humidity. More expensive versions report the pressure and predict weather patterns. More importantly, why do you want one and how does it relate to skin care?

I know that the weather turns cold and dry in various parts of the world because my phone starts ringing and my inbox becomes flooded. People confide to me that each winter, their skin dries out. No amount of lotion seems to do the trick. What can they do?

Here are some fantastic, all natural tips to help you deal with the current weather situation facing most people in the United States right now.

1. Problem: Low humidity in the home. Our home recently registered 20% humidity. Although the hygrometer runs regularly, I didn’t pay attention until my cuticles started taking a beating. Solution: Install a humidifier, at minimum use a room humidifier for the nights. Recommended humidity in the home should be around 40-60%. This level of humidity allows the skin to hydrate and does not dry out those precious mucous membranes that protect you from viruses. It also also not so high that it promotes fungal or bacterial growth. If you only experience periodic dips in humidity in your home, consider trying these cost-effective options:

Strategically place water near your heater vents (assuming you don’t have a dog: I never had luck with this method when my golden retriever was alive.)
Keep a battery of house plants.
Leave an inch of water in the bathtub.

2. Problem: Dry skin after showering. Solution: Examine your soap as well as your shampoo. Always use an all-natural soap that has not been purged of glycerin, as most commercial products have been. Not only is this good for the environment, but it’s a great step for your skin! It is extremely difficult to find an all-natural shampoo that works for all hair types and lengths. If you have not yet delved into the “No ‘poo” world (nor ever intend to do so), at minimum re-examine your shampoo. Make certain it is not the drying agent in your skin care. For extreme skin sensitivities, wash your hair in the sink and avoid skin contact with the shampoo.

3. Problem: Biting dry wind. Outdoors activities, including commutes expose our skin to dessicating winds. Solution: Cover up, not only with clothing but with all natural protective lotions. The absolute cheapest option is to “oil up” with olive oil, but olive oil is best when used on the body and not the face. Choose a heavier-than-normal lotion for exposed areas, such as face and hands, and keep the lip balms handy. We recommend Re-Cycle Mint Lip Balm for such occasions. Check back soon for the commercial introduction of our lotions. In the meantime, some few lucky individuals are testing them here in Central Ohio. At 20% humidity, I hope they feel protected!

4. Problem: Dry skin, dry lips. Solution: Drink more hydrating liquids. Primarily, this means water. Sorry coffee lovers, but until your skin becomes balanced and hydrated, now is the time to avoid all diuretics. Skip the coffee, skip the soda. It’s time to drink herbal tea and water.

Celtic Naturals Winter Catalog Is Here!

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:02:31 +0000

Browse a few natural gift ideas from Celtic Naturals this season. We are looking forward to your comments and feedback.

Standard Resolution: Celtic Naturals Winter Catalog 2009

For lower bandwidth: Celtic Naturals Winter Catalog 2009

Dedicated Winter Catalog Ordering Page.

H1N1 Flu Virus, Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizers

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:35:09 +0000

What you should know.

“One of the most powerful weapons against the new H1N1 virus is summed up in a three-word phrase you first heard from your mother: wash your hands.” NY Times

The official 2009-2010 flu season begins October 4, 2009. Unfortunately, the H1N1 virus doesn’t realize that! Reports from the Influenza Division of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate a slightly higher than normal flu activity for this season, with rates of medical visits for influenza-like illnesses at 3.6%, up from the national baseline of 2.4%. To prevent its spread, follow the same common sense practices we’ve heard most of our lives:

Lather Up!

Follow these simple steps to wash hands with soap and water:

Wet your hands with warm water and apply soap.
Rub hands together to make a lather and wash all surfaces.
Continue lathering for 15-20 seconds. Try singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” to gauge the time.
Rinse hands well under running water.
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

No Water?

Soap and water are preferred methods, but using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands is an adequate replacement. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast-acting. When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

Apply product to the palm of one hand.
Rub hands together.
Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

Hand sanitizers are perfect in a pinch, and Celtic Naturals will be offering an all-natural hand sanitizer beginning October 4, 2009. However, nothing replaces washing your hands with warm soap and water. So whenever possible, use all natural moisturizing soaps with that will protect cuticle health and prevent cracking such as the Cinnamon-bellied Flower Piercer or our anti-microbial/anti-bacterial blend in European Winter.

References:

“FluView: A Weekly Surveillance Report Prepared by the Influenza Division, 2008-2009 Influenza Season Week 35 ending September 5″, 2009Center for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/pdf/External_F0935.pdf, September 11, 2009

Center for Disease Control, “Wash Your Hands”, http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/ September 16, 2009

Parker-Pope, Tara, The New York Times, “With Soap and Water or Sanitizer, a Cleaning That Can Stave Off the Flu”, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15well.html?_r=1 September 14, 2009