Natural Handmade Soaps
100% Natural, Paraben-free, Preservative-free
Introduction
Natural handmade soaps have been used for centuries, but commercial cleanser and beauty bars have replaced them for the past few decades. Although some people still use natural handmade soaps, we encourage more people to use natural soaps as they are healthier alternatives, and do not contain harmful chemicals or preservatives that are present in commercial cleansers. For more information, please click here to read our blog on commercial cleanser vs. natural handmade soaps.
Saponification is the process by which triglycerides are reacted with sodium or potassium hydroxide to produce glycerol and a fatty acid salt, called ‘soap’. When sodium hydroxide is used, a hard soap is produced. Using potassium hydroxide results in a soft soap. Through the process of Saponification and curing, the lye (Sodium Hydroxide) added to base vegetable oils/butters disappears and we are left with a beautiful glycerin-rich bar of soap. The glycerin is not added to the soap but instead, it is produced as a by product of the Saponification process.
Ingredients used in our natural handmade soaps
Base Oils/Butters
Mango Butter
Aids in softening, soothing, and moisturizing the skin. It is also used for helping with decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and preventing wrinkle formation. (14)
Almond oil
Besides moisturizing and nourishing the skin with vitamins and minerals, almond oil can help with reducing dark circles, stretch marks, and acne. (19)
Calendula (Calendula Officianlis)
Calendula is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating, and skin moisturizing flower. The healing properties of calendula are mainly because of their high concentration of carotenoids. (5)
Castor Seed Oil
Castor seed oil could potentially reduce skin inflammation and soften skin. It can also be used to assist in healing skin problems such as sunburns, acne, dry skin, warts, and stretch marks. (3)
Coconut Oil
It can be used to help with managing symptoms of dry skin and psoriasis. Traditionally, coconut oil is also known to be a great moisturizer and skin softening agent. (4)
Palm Oil
Palm oil is a very good moisturizer which contains high concentrations of vitamin A and vitamin E as well as carotenoids that can help with preventing skin aging and wrinkle formation. (16)
Olive Oil
Olive oil has the potential to improve several skin conditions such eczema, psoriasis, yeast infection, and ringworm. Olive oil also helps moisturize and exfoliate the skin. (15)
Shea Butter Fruit
Its high content in vitamin A, D, E, and F helps nourish and hydrate the skin while helping prevent and heal fine lines and wrinkles. It also can be used to help treat eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. (18)
Avocado Oil
Besides its soothing and moisturizing effects, avocado oil helps reduce the skin aging process and protect against UV light due to it high vitamin E and omega-3 concentrations. (2)
Apricot Kernel Oil
Similar to most oils, Apricot Kernel Oil helps soften and soothe the skin while keeping it moisturized for a long period of time. Also, this base oil nourishes the skin and helps reduce skin aging. However, this oil is not recommended for people with acne because it’s capable of clogging skin pores. (23)
Essential Oils
Anise Essential Oil
Contains lots of antioxidants that can potentially reduce skin aging and wrinkle formation. Anise oil has antibacterial properties and can also help with reducing skin inflammation. (8, 22)
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is a flower traditionally believed to have anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, balancing, energizing, soothing, healing, toning and stimulating properties. (13)
Peppermint Essential oil
Traditionally, this essential oil is known to secrete oil from the skin and prevent the clogging of the pores with oil, thereby helping with preventing acne. (10)
Other Ingredients
Oat
Oat is hypoallergenic making it a good ingredient for treating eczema and other medical conditions that result in skin inflammation and irritation. Furthermore, oat helps sooth and soften the skin. (21)
Rose water
Traditionally known to reduce skin inflammation and redness due to its antibacterial properties. It is also a great ingredient for dry skin as it can help with hydrating the skin. (1)
Strawberry
Rich in ellagic acid, an acid that could potentially help reduce wrinkle formation caused by UV radiation. (6)
Activated Charcoal
Contains carbon with increased absorbency allowing it to attract dirt and oil trapped deep in the skin. (7)
Green Tea
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of green tea help cleanse the skin and reduce skin inflammation. Moreover, topical treatment with green tea helps protect the skin from UV radiation and aging. (12,13)
Coffee Extract
Coffee extract helps improve skin wrinkles, firmness, texture, and dryness by increasing collagen and elastin production in skin cells. (17,20)
Goat’s Milk
Helps with managing acne prone skin due to its anti-bacterial properties. It also reduces skin inflammation and is packed with skin nourishing minerals and vitamins. (11)
Sina Natural Handmade Soaps
All of our soaps are registered with Health Canada and are safe to be used. Our natural handmade soaps are made by our experienced pharmacy staff and contain nourishing vegetable oils and butters and no harmful ingredients or preservatives. Below we have a listed all of our natural handmade soaps along with their ingredients.
Almond Rose Soap
Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Shea Butter Fruit, Sodium Hydroxide, Rose Flower Distillate, Silk Amino Acids, Fragrance oil, Mica.
Strawberry Cream Soap
Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Shea Butter Fruit, Sodium Hydroxide, Strawberry Fruit, Cream, Distilled Water, Titanium Dioxide, Fragrance Oil.
Lavender Soap
Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Lavender Flower Buds, Sodium Hydroxide, Distilled Water, Fragrance Oil, Mica.
Activated Charcoal Soap
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Activated Charcoal, Anise Oil, Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Distilled Water.
Green Tea Soap
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Camellia Sinensis, Brassica Campestris, Sodium Hydroxide, Distilled Water, Fragrance Oil, Mica.
Coffee Soap
Ingredients: Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Walnut, Coffee extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Distilled Water.
Calendula Soap
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Shea Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Sweet Almond Oil (and) Calendula officinalis (Flower) Extract, Calendula officinalis (Flower) Petals, Annatto Powder, Sodium Hydroxide, Distilled Water.
Goat’s Milk Soap
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Mango Butter, Goat Milk, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa (Oat), Titanium Dioxide
References:
1. Adkins, Jen. “Rose Water: Recipe and Skin Benefits.” About Style. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://skincare.about.com/od/spa/a/Rose-Water-Recipe-And-Skin-Benefits.htm>.
2. “Avocado.” WebMD. WebMD. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-890avocado.aspx?activeingredientid=890&activeingredientname=avocado>.
3. “CASTOR BEAN.” WebMD. WebMD. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-897-castor.aspx?activeingredientid=897&activeingredientname=castor>.
4. “Coconut Oil.” WebMD. WebMD. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1092-coconutoil.aspx?activeingredientid=1092&activeingredientname =coconut oil>.
5. Duran, V., et al. Results of the clinical examination of an ointment with marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Int. J. Tissue React. 2005 27(3): 101-6.
6. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. “Antioxidant Found In Berries, Other Foods Prevents UV Skin Damage That Leads To Wrinkles.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 April 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421154318.htm>.
7. Friedman, Molly. “Charcoal and Its Purifying Properties Are the Latest Health Fad.” NY Daily News. NY Daily News, 3 Aug. 2014. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/ charcoal-purifying-properties-latest-health-fad-article-1.1889169>.
8. Ganguly, Ranita. “The Amazing Star Anise and Its Health Benefits.” The Health Site. 26 June 2014. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/the-natural-health-benefits-of-star-anise-or-chakra-phool/>.
9. Greive, Kerryn, Diana Tran, Joshua Townley, and Tanya Barnes. “An Antiaging Skin Care System Containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Vitamins Improves the Biomechanical Parameters of Facial Skin.” CCID Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (2014): 9-17. PMC. Web. 27 July 2015.
10. “Herbal Oil: Peppermint Oil Benefits and Uses.” Mercola.com. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/peppermint-oil.aspx#_edn11>.
11. Johnson, Lance. “Top Five Reasons to Use Goat’s Milk Soap.” NaturalNews. 14 June 2013. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.naturalnews.com/040766_goats_milk_soap_personal_care_products.html>.
12. Katiyar, Santosh K. “Skin Photoprotection by Green Tea: Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Effects.” Curr Drug Targets Immune Endocr Metabol Disord Current Drug Targets – Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders (2003): 234-42. PubMed. Web. 27 July 2015.
13. Michalun, Natalia, and M. Varinia Michalun. Milady’s Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary. Third ed. Milady Thomson Learning, 2001. Print.
14. “Natural Handcrafted Soap – Handmade All Natural Soaps.” Natural Handcrafted Soap – Handmade All Natural Soaps. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.naturalhandcraftedsoap.com/Mango-butter.cfm>.
15. “OLIVE.” WebMD. WebMD. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-233-olive.aspx?activeingredientid=233&activeingredientname=olive>.
16. “Palm Oil.” Earth Goodness. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.earth-goodness.com/natural-oils/palm-oil>.
17. Palmer DM, Kitchin JS. A double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and tolerance of a novel phenolic antioxidant skincare system containing Coffea arabica and concentrated fruit and vegetable extracts. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010 Dec; 9(12):1480-7.
18. “Shea Butter – Revival of African Wonder.” Nature Purity. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.naturepurity.com/holistic/shea.html>.
19. “Skin and Hair Benefits of Sweet Almond Oil.” The Health Site. 29 Jan. 2015. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.thehealthsite.com/beauty/skin-and-hair-benefits-of-sweet-almond-oil/>.
20. Velazquez PMC, Dieamant GC, Eberlin S, et al. Effect of green Coffea arabica L. seed oil on extracellular matrix components and water-channelexpression in vitro and ex vivo human skin models. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2009 Mar; 8(1):56-62.
21. Walters, Sheryl. “Oats for Beautiful Skin.” NaturalNews. 25 Sept. 2008. Web. 27 July 2015. <http://www.naturalnews.com/024319_skin_natural_smooth.html>.
22. Yang, et al. Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activities of Illicium verum Against Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2010; 13(5): 1254-62.
23. Zhang, Jing, Hong-Di Gu, Li Zhang, Zhen-Jun Tian, Zhi-Qi Zhang, Xiu-Chao Shi, and Wen-Hong Ma. “Protective Effects of Apricot Kernel Oil on Myocardium against Ischemia–reperfusion Injury in Rats.” Food and Chemical Toxicology 49.12 (2011): 3136-141. PubMed. Web. 27 July 2015.