The convenience and
versatility of store bought soap is quite alluring—you can find
soap at your local grocery or beauty store with any aroma, special
ingredient, and almost any standard brand you desire. Low prices are
another reason many consumers purchase supermarket soaps. If you
aren’t picky about quality or special fragrances, you can find soap
for as little as one dollar, or less. But in comparison to previous
decades, today’s average consumer is privy to a lot more
information about what’s contained in chain products. And there are
a lot of harmful ingredients in the average product, including soap,
that might make you think twice before your next store run. Instead
of subjecting yourself to using products with harmful ingredients,
try making your own soap. If you’re ready for healthier, happier
skin, here’s some info about making your own DIY soap, and why you
should ditch supermarket soaps for good.
How are
supermarket soaps harmful?
Most popular brands
of soap are not what we actually consider soap, but more closely
resemble detergent—yes, the stuff you wash your clothes with. This
is because these soaps contain many of the same chemicals that are
contained in standard laundry detergents.
These chemicals
include in your average soap brand are sodium lauroyl isethionate,
methylisothiazolinone, artificial coloring and fragrances, titanium
dioxide, and more. Chemicals like these can have a range of dangerous
effects like acne outbreaks, clogged pores, compromised nervous
system, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Some of these
chemicals even contain known carcinogens that have been linked to an
increased risk of developing cancer.
How can you
switch to safer soap? Make your own DIY soap!
You can definitely
research natural soap brands and find safer alternatives to the more
popular but dangerous soaps—or you can make your own DIY soap with
just a few simple base ingredients.
There are four main methods of making soap: melt and pour; cold process; hot process; and rebatching. But the safest and easiest way to make soap that doesn’t involve a ton of steps, or working with lye, is the melt and pour process.
You begin with one
pound of soap base, which contains the necessary components for the
base of your soap and usually some natural fragrances like orange,
rosemary, peppermint or lavender essential oils. Next, you break your
soap base down into smaller chunks and melt in the microwave in a
large Pyrex bowl. Once melted, you can add in your favorite plants,
herbs and essential oils. This can include cocoa or shea butter,
mint, lemon balm, chamomile and more. Mix your soap and ingredients
well, and then pour into a silicon mold of your choice.
This is where you can have some fun with mold shapes, like stars, flowers, various textures or even imprinted words and phrases. Allow to cool for several hours, and once it’s dry, your soap is ready to be enjoyed—your skin will thank you later.
