Barrs By The Bay: April 2009

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

New soap... HEMP & BAMBOO WITH MINT...

I made 4 lbs of soap yesterday for wedding favors for our daughters best friends upcoming wedding. This is a hemp oil, bamboo (fresh, clean scent) bar. I swirled a fresh green color, and added Moroccan Mint Herbal tea throughout for a gentle scrubby effect. I am very happy with it. It's the first batch of 5 total batches for this event.

SOME SOAPING DEFINITIONS...

There are many different ways to make soap. We make the Cold Processed, Hand Milled and Handcrafted types. Keep reading to learn more about them.

Cold Kettle Soap
Cold kettle refers to a popular method of soap making, and is also known as cold processed soap making. The cold kettle or cold processed method means that no external heat is applied during the soap making process.

Cold Processed Soap
Cold processed soap is also known as cold kettle soap. See cold kettle soap above.

Commercial Soap
Commercial soap is one term used to describe the soap that is produced by the large corporations. This so called soap is available in most every supermarket, discount and drug store. No longer a true soap, but rather a detergent, it is produced using what is called continuous process soap manufacturing. This method allows ingredients to be added throughout the soap making process.

Glycerine Soap
Glycerine soap is created from a cold processed or similar hand made soap base. The glycerine soap is made translucent through a process using alcohol and sugar. Available in craft stores and from soap makers that offer soap making supplies. Also referred to as melt and pour soap.

Hand Milled Soap
Hand milled soap is also known as rebatched soap. Hand made or cold processed soap base is grated and mixed with water usually over heat to liquefy the mixture. You can then add emollients, herbs, spices, essential oils, fragrance oils and coloring before pouring this soap into molds. The soap is then removed from the molds and placed on a rack or shelf to let the excess moisture evaporate and allow the bar of soap to harden.

Handcrafted Soap
Handcrafted soap is used to refer to melt and pour soap making where the soap base is already made and it is handcrafted into individual bars or loaves of soap. The melt and pour soap base is also known as glycerin soap and is available in a clear base. This method also allows the hobbyist to create their own handcrafted soap by adding their favorite essential or fragrance oil as well as any herbs or spices. You can also use various methods to color the soap. The melt and pour soap base can be used to create layered soap, and imbedded soap where a shape or design of a different color is embedded within the glycerin soap.

Handmade Soap
Handmade soap usually refers to soap that is made by combining a base (oils) with an alkali (sodium or potassium hydroxide) through a process known as saponification to create a salt (soap). This is usually done by hand, and not by an automated mechanical process. Handmade soap does not always mean that it's a natural soap.

Lye Soap
Lye (sodium hydroxide) soap is just another term for handmade soap or natural soap. This is a term that has survived from the early days of soap making when commercial lye was first available and you no longer had to create your own solution using wood ashes. You cannot make bar soap without using lye as it is necessary to convert the base oils or fats into soap. When made correctly, there is no lye remaining in the finished soap.

Melt and Pour Soap
Melt and pour soap making is a popular craft today as it allows the hobbyist create their own handcrafted soap without having to use any caustic chemicals or waiting for the finished soap to cure. See handcrafted soap above.

Natural Soap
Natural soap generally refers to the fact that only natural ingredients are being used to create the soap. Some natural ingredients used are vegetable base oils, pure essential oils and herbs and spices. This usually means that only natural source ingredients are being used in the soap making process. Natural soap can be hand made, and has been referred to as such.

Superfatted Soap
Superfatted soap is a handmade soap that has an extra amount of oils added as an emollient that are not saponified during the soap making process. These extra oils can be included in the formula or added after the base oils and sodium hydroxide solution have been thoroughly mixed.

Some interesting facts about the ESSENTIAL OILS we use...

Essential oils are rejuvenating agents in that they facilitate the elimination of waste and dead cells and promote regeneration of new healthy cells. Added to a carrier oils such as jojoba oil or olive oil they will nourish and help the skin retain its natural moisture.

1. Bergamot oil has a spicy lemon-orange like scent and it is excellent for acne prone skin. Loaded with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and drying properties bergamot is ideal for spot treatment for existing blemishes and oily skin. Bergamot pure essential oil is an excellent natural antiseptic and is excellent in skin care products because it instantly starts the healing process. Using the oil in a facial steam bath is effective for cleansing and healing the skin. The citrus aroma also has a calming affect on the mind and soul.

2. Chamomile oil is strongly aromatic, with a distinct scent of apples. It contains key constitutes that have a soothing effect on the skin. It soothes your skin, lessens and eliminates stress thus bring a natural glow, beauty and a youthful appearance back to your skin. Excellent for skin care particular, eczema, wounds, burns and congested or stressed skin. Applied externally as a wash or compress for skin inflammations, it immediately begins to heal skin and soften the skin. The essential oil was found to reduce the time required to heal burns and the herb kills certain bacteria. Chamomile, like lavender is a miracle worker in skin care.

3. Tea Tree oil is an excellent antibacterial treatment making it a valuable acne fighter as well as a natural wound cleaner. Tea tree oil is not just soothing and disinfecting; it is capable of penetrating into the lower skin layers with its anti-inflammatory and disinfectant qualities. This makes tea tree oil excellent in skin care and personal hygiene. Tea tree oil is fast acting and acts to clear up the skin and calm the injured area. The healing properties of this oil make it one of the best essential oils to have in your purse or medicine cabinet.

4. Lavender oil is regarded as the most versatile of oils and is an excellent choice for those new to aromatherapy. It has antibacterial and soothing properties and is excellent as a preventative treatment that effectively stops breakouts while clearing the redness often associated with acne prone skin. Lavender essential oil is helpful with acne, dermatitis, eczema, sores, spots, and wounds. This is one of the few oils that can be used straight on the skin, but use common sense with the use of any essential oil.

5. Clove oil is a very potent essential oil that has burning and purifying properties. In its pure form it is very irritating and should be blended with a carrier oil (like jojoba oil) before being applied to the skin. This soothing oil is one of the best oils for spot treatment of acne. When diluted, clove oil can be applied to the skin to treat newly forming or existing breakouts because it acts very quickly. Clove oil should never be used full strength except on the advice of a licensed homeopathic professional.

Please Note - When you first begin working with essential oils, take care in handling them. When you buy oils, write the names and date purchased. Pure essential oils can last from six months to two years. Due to the large quantity of plant material required, pure essential oils are expensive, but they are also highly effective - only a few drops at a time are required to achieve the desired aromatherapy results. Synthetic oils are available at a lower price, but they do not have the healing aromatherapy powers of the natural essential oils. Always keep essential oils in dark colored glass bottles and stored in a cupboard (away from direct sunlight) in a dry, cool area in your home.

NEW SOAPS & INGREDIENTS...

As of Feb 1, 08, I will be making new, CP soaps using herbal, green & white teas. They will not contain any artificial ingredients. Since these soaps take up to 4 weeks to cure, they will not be available until after March 1.
(To view previous batches that will be continued, click here)

The first batch (16- 4 oz bars) is Pomegranate White Tea.
Batches to come: Pear'nillaberry Tea Swirl, Licorice Spice, Moroccan Double Mint, Lemon Gingernut Cream

My newest CP soaps contain the following ingredients:
*olive oil
*canola oil
*coconut oil
*castor oil
*sodium hydroxide
*herbal, green, white tea
*dried herbs and/or spices
*high-quality fragrance or essential oils
may contain:
*natural color pigments
*honey
*goats milk
*coconut milk
*shea butter
*cocoa butter
*glycerine
*jojoba oil
*almond oil

Barrs By The Bay

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

New soap... HEMP & BAMBOO WITH MINT...

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