Natural Soap and Dry Skin Tips

If you are one of those who buys a great smelling moisturizing soap at a department store on a cold, dry, winter day, run a bath and try to soak away
your dry itchy skin only to find that you felt worse than before and suffered that deep down-in-the-skin itch.  It may be the artificial fragrance, color or
preservatives (or something else) causing a negative reaction in your skin. If you tend to have these reactions, you may want to try a natural soap.

Hot summer days and dry winter air and central heating can zap moisture from your skin and may leave you with dry, itchy, irritated skin. Pay attention
to these suggestions for preventing and treating dry skin:

Natural soap can be made from many ingredients, but generally, take the form of a solid and and oil along with essential oils or natural plants - this can
be beeswax, shea butter, coco butter, coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and a myriad of natural fragrances and essential oils, such as rosemary,
lavender or orange.

·    Liquid soap tends to dry skin more than bar soap.

·    Hot showers tend to dry skin. Try turning down the hot water a bit when showering.

·    Try soaking in the bath for a short time. While you soak, your skin is being hydrated.

·    Apply moisturizers as soon as possible after showering/bathing while the skin is hydrated to help trap in moisture.

·    Use moisturizers with little or no water in the ingredients. Many lotions and moisturizers list water as the main ingredient which is evaporated soon

after applying.

·    Avoid harsh soaps. Antibacterial soaps can be especially drying. Commercial soaps often extract the beneficial glycerin and add synthetics that

contribute to dry skin. Try using natural soap.

·    Adding lots of olive oils and other good oils to your diet aids in keeping skin moist and supple.

·    Drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated.

·    Use a humidifier in your home.

·    Wear natural fabrics such as cotton next to your skin.  Cotton sheets are also a good choice.  Synthetic fabrics (and wool) next to your skin can
cause irritation.

Top Ingredients to Avoid in Soap and Shampoos

Top Ingredients to Avoid in: Soap

BHT - Type of Concerns: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs).

DMDM HYDANTOIN - Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns: Formaldehyde.

FRAGRANCE - Type of Concerns: Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity.

METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE - Type of Concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

TRICLOSAN - Type of Concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs).

TRIETHANOLAMINE - Type of Concerns: Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

PABA (PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID) - Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Biochemical or cellular level changes.

Top Ingredients to Avoid in: Shampoo

BHA - Type of concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

COAL TAR - (not to be confused with Pine Tar. Pine Tar comes from Pine Trees. Coal Tar comes from the Coal Industry). Type of concerns: Cancer, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

DMDM HYDANTOIN - Type of Concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs).

FRAGRANCE - Type of Concerns: Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity

OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) - Type of concerns: Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes.

PARABEN - Type of Concerns: Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources.

SODIUM METHYLPARABEN - Type of concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes

SALICYLIC ACID - Types of concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption.

TRIETHANOLAMINE - Type of Concerns: Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

Top Ingredients to Avoid in: Shaving Cream

BENZOCAINE - Type of Concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

BHA - Type of Concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

BHT - Type of Concerns: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs).

DMDM HYDANTOIN – Type of Concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns: Formaldehyde.

FRAGRANCE - Type of Concerns: Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity.

SALICYLIC ACID - Types of concerns: Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption.

SILICA - Type of Concerns: Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes.

TRIETHANOLAMINE - Type of Concerns: Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

The Bottom Line on Soap and Cleansers

The Bottom Line on Soap and Cleansers

Soap is the simplest type of surface-active agent - surfactant - and works by making fat and oil water-soluble and easily removed by wiping or washing. Made from fatty acid salts, soaps clean by reducing the surface tension of your skin with anionic agents such as carboxylate, sulfonate and sulfate ions which are potenial irritants.

At one time, it was thought soaps caused irritation by removing only fat from the outermost layer of the skin, but research indicates that soaps damage affects both the fat and protein structures of this top layer. This can cause unpleasant skin reactions and lead to a rougher skin texture. More bad news: the soap salts that emulsify dirt and oil are by nature alkaline and will raise the skin’s acidic pH as well as provoke swelling of the skin surface. Some studies have shown long-term use of a neutral or alkaline surfactant, such as soap, can increase the amount of bacteria on the skin, while swelling can lead to cellular damage or even breakage. Soap salts can also remove natural moisturizing factors and disrupt the skin’s protective barrier. The fatty acids in soap can have harmful effects too, by plugging follicles (pores) and causing acne.

Soaps may also contain fragrance (often to mask the strong odors of surfactants) and sometimes dyes or pigments. These ingredients can be irritating for people with sensitive skin.

Superfatted Soap/Beauty Bars

* Reduce dryness with lanolin, tallow fat, coconut oil, sweet almond oil or glycerin
* Can plug hair follicles
* Disturb the skin’s natural pH
* Can cause dryness and irritation due to anionic surfactants
* May leave a residue on skin

Dermatological Bars/Cakes

* Chemically different from soaps
* May contain additives to minimize the effect on skin’s pH
* May include emollients to reduce dryness
* May contain anti-acne ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide

Liquid Cleansers

* Generally mild and less irritating
* Often contains glycerin, cetyl alcohol or propylene glycol
* Not considered soap, as they have no fatty acids or alkalis
* Have a pH similar to normal skin
* Rinse off well, decreasing potential for skin reactions
* May contain anionic, non-ionic or silicone surfactants
* May leave a fine moisturizing film on the skin
* Effective in removing cosmetics
Anti-Bacterial/Septic Washes

* Similar to liquid cleansers
* Used to treat acne
* May contain alcohol, antiseptic or antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide
* May reduce the presence of bacteria on the skin
* Active ingredients can dry and irritate

Emulsions

* Milky liquid cleansers, cold creams and cleansing creams
* May contain a mixture of mineral oil, petroleum, water, and some waxes
* Often gentle on skin
* May plug follicles
* Do not usually affect the skin’s pH
* Wash and moisturize the skin

Facial skin care tips and cleansing

Most cleansers, makeup, and other beauty products are full of harsh synthetic chemicals that may be harmful to skin. Natural solutions for healthy skin care are better for you, support a cleaner environment and natural techniques work at least as well.

Essential oils are some of nature’s best helpers in almost every aspect of health. Many times more potent than dried herbs, essential oils contain all the healing properties of a plant in a very concentrated form. For this reason, they are best used in tiny amounts and are often diluted for skin care.

Sea salt is the world’s most mineral-rich exfoliant. The minerals in sea water are known to nourish and heal skin. The same minerals can be found in unprocessed, mineral-rich sea salt, and the coarseness of salt makes it a perfect exfoliant. Try the following whole-body sea salt scrub.

- 1 Cup Sea Salt

- 2 Tablespoons Apricot or Almond Oil

- 5-6 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil

1. Put salt in a bowl and add the oils.

2. Mix well.

3. Store in covered container until ready to use.

This recipe is best used in the shower after washing. Rub a small handful of the salt scrub all over your body in brisk circular motions. Afterwards, use a moisturizing anti aging skin care product.

Fatty oils restore skin’s moisture and flexibility. Part of the benefit of the salt scrub recipe is the apricot or almond oil it contains, which leaves a nice glow and moisture in the skin.

Using an oil cleansing method, surprisingly, is a simple and effective way to clean your face. Using olive oil, castor oil, and hot water leaves a lasting glow. Fatty vegetable oils can be used as moisturizers, makeup remover, cleansers if you want to stay all natural.

Your Organic Skin

Skin is the armor of the body. It is the outside waterproofing, element-fighting surface that protects our internal organs and skeletal structure from the harsh outside elements. Yet skin, overall is ignored most of the time. Healthy skin is important for a glowing completion of course, but if your body is unhealthy – your skin will be also.

The toxic world of industrialization has finally caught up with us. Producing toxic waste disasters, disease and tons of garbage buried so deep it can never breakdown. All these “modern advancements” have left our food supply as little more than a chemical compound in itself. If you can do ONE thing to give your skin and your body a fighting chance, you would be wise to choose as organic a diet as possible. To maintain a healthy skin, organically grown food is must.

In light of recent organic trends in our food, organic skin care products are also gaining popularity. For healthy lifestyle and healthy skin, limiting the amount of toxins and chemicals you put in your body is a must. If the environment or living “green” is important to you, you should also be aware of companies that produce the products you buy and their manufacturing practices.

Organic Skin Care is the most rapidly developing field in the beauty industry. Now what does Organic mean? Organic refers to anything grown or raised naturally. But more specifically, it means plants are grown on certified natural land without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetic modification or irradiation. In many cases, these organic farms are highly regulated by the Federal Food Safety Commission. Organic skin care means protecting your skin from harmful chemicals and using organic products whenever possible.

There are many organic products available on the market today. Most can be found at a local organic specialty stores, food suppliers or a national health food chain like Whole Foods. As organic products become more and more popular, many standard food stores, Like Safeway or Albertsons’ are also providing these products on their shelves. There are also plenty of websites offering organic skin or beauty care products online.

An organic product is preferable for natural skin care balance as it will generally contain far fewer chemical properties then it’s drugstore counterparts and thus have less possibility to cause inflammation or irritation. Of course, even an herbal product can have side effects as they are “chemicals” in their own right, so always be aware of the list if ingredients in the products you buy and the reactions your skin personally has to allergens.