The skin is the largest organ in the body and your overall health depends on how you care for it. The unfortunate reality is that many people don’t realize how absorbent and porous the skin is. You may not think twice about applying bottled soap that contains toxic chemicals on the skin. In order to save your skin from hazardous chemical soaps, switch to natural, chemical-free soaps. Don’t know how to find natural soap? Make the recipe in this article.
When you wash with natural soaps, you help to maintain pH levels. The pH of natural soaps often range between 9-10, as that is naturally alkaline. Additionally, soaps that contain moisturizing carrier oils, like olive oil or coconut oil, supply the skin with healthy fats that provide moisture. In addition to caring for your skin, the use of natural soaps benefits the environment as well. Natural soaps do not release harmful chemicals that can deteriorate the planet. Handmade and homemade soaps are also cruelty-free, meaning there is no animal testing involved. This is a common problem for many major soap or beauty product manufacturers.
Honey
It may not seem like a go-to soap ingredient, but honey is a wonderful addition to any homemade soap. It imparts a warm, sweet scent and the inherent sugar content increases the lathering ability. The amount of lather that your soap produces is related to the right balance of oils and sugar. A proper balance will increase the suds, making your soaping experience more enjoyable. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning that it attracts water molecules and helps your skin retain moisture.
Castile Soap
Castile soap is a non-toxic, biodegradable soap that is typically made from olive oil, but it is occasionally crafted with coconut or avocado oil. It lathers just like store bought chemical soaps, but it doesn’t contain the harmful chemicals. Experts say that Castile soap is likely the closest relative to the very first soap ever made. Castile soap gets its cleansing properties from plant-based oils, so it gives you a deep clean and provides your skin with healthy fats at the same time. Not only is Castile soap safe for sensitive skin, but it also may help to hydrate the skin. When most soap manufacturers make synthetic soaps, they filter out glycerin, which is a byproduct that absorbs water from surrounding air. Glycerin is beneficial for your skin because it helps your skin retain as much moisture as possible.
Vitamin E Oil
If you want to reduce early signs of aging and improve the overall health of the skin, supply it with lots of antioxidants. According to research, antioxidants fight free radicals and oxidative stress, which is one of the leading causes of premature aging. Vitamin E oil is a natural antioxidant and is commonly included in various lotions, creams, gels, soaps, and other products. If you regularly have itchy skin, or you deal with eczema, vitamin E oil may work to tame the itching. Vitamin E oil moisturizes the skin and may offer temporary relief from itching, if your skin itches because of dryness. Additionally, the hydrating properties of vitamin E oil may prevent or treat fine lines and wrinkles. More research is necessary on the efficacy of vitamin E oil wrinkles and fine lines, though.
Homemade Honey Orange Body Wash
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup liquid Castile soap
- 40 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 10 drops rose essential oil
- 2 tablespoons vitamin E oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- Pour all of the ingredients into a large bottle, screw on the top, and shake well to combine.
- It’s as simple as that! Use it and let us know how you like it in the comments below.
