Friday, February 11, 2011

Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)

Just a quick post here on a subject near and dear to every soaper's heart: LYE.
I am certain that we have all encountered those dear ones who exclaim with fear - "LYE?!!!". "I don't want to use LYE on my skin!!!!".
I have tried for years to explain why lye, or sodium hydroxide, the official name, is integral to soap making. In the words of  soap angel, Kathy Miller: "You can't have soap without lye".
I have failed miserably to get the point across that after a nice long cure of handcrafted soap, the lye is rendered 'benign', no zip, no zap.
Oh well........let's not even go to that place where I try to explain about the lathering agents and scads of toxic chemicals in the detergent and 'cleansers' that many folks embrace for bubbly fun.
Sigh.
One point to this post is that I saw a new, mass-marketed, anti-aging cream. A "breakthrough" miracle worker. Of course, I had to check it out. The list of ingredients revealed that one of the main components was .... LYE!
Lye in an overnight "repair" cream.
Now, THAT is scary.
What? Huh? Why? ????
Why would lye be in a face cream?
Any ideas?

In Love, Truth and Beauty.....

Re-Stock of Two Personal Favorites

I just finished making new batches of two of my personal favorites, "Vata Ayurvedic Cleansing Bar" and "Butter Cream". One or both of these gems are in my soap dish at all times.
I have very thin, fragile, sensitive skin, thus - I started making my own soap!

"Butter Cream"


"Butter Cream" should look familiar, as I post photos of this bar more than any other. It could be overlooked, as it rather 'plain'. Like all things that are truly beautiful, what is inside this bar makes it stellar. Coconut cream, coconut milk, raw, unrefined, organic cocoa butter, castor oil and palm oil combine to make a hard, long-lasting conditioning soap.
The coconut cream and raw, unrefined, organic cocoa butter really elevate this soap to luxury status. 
Over a year ago, I switched to raw, unrefined and organic butters for all of my soap. What a difference! Indescribably decadent and incredibly beneficial for skin.
Below is another, brighter view of "Butter Cream".


"Butter Cream"
The second soap that I made is my "Vata Ayurvedic Cleanser". This is another soap that is a bit plain on the outside, but ooh-la-la, what a slice of heaven! I designed this recipe for very dry, fragile skin that may be sore and angry from wind, harsh weather or chapping.
Good for babies, but better for me (*smile*)!
"Vata" has loads of high-end ingredients like avocado, jojoba, apricot, almond oils, raw, unrefined, organic shea and coconut butters, all blended with orange blossom water (that smells like Paradise!) for an unparalleled skin pampering experience.
"Vata" contains specially selected essential oils and turmeric for additonial benefits.
After washing with this soap, smooth a little organic apricot kernel oil over the skin for overall rejuvenation. This oil is light, but nourishing and sinks in quickly.
"Vata" is a splendid choice for late winter and spring.
Ahhhh.....after this winter, my skin NEEDS this coddling treatment.

"Vata Ayurvedic Cleanser"

In Love, Truth and Beauty.....

Friday, February 4, 2011

So Over Winter!

If you are feeling like this winter has been just a bit too harsh, extreme and long, check out some of my new soaps! 

Lemon Sugar
Black Temple Incense
Orange Vanilla Cream
Green Tea Supreme
Peony-Tuberose
Peppermint Cream
All of the above soaps are now for sale in the Etsy shop. 
Each soap has an enriched, creamy base for moisturizing and conditioning winter-weary skin. These new additions are extremely emollient due to the lavish quantities of raw, unrefined, organic shea and cocoa butters.
The scents for these new soaps are designed to lift winter-weary spirits.
I hope that you are staying well and warm!
Personally, I give thanks to the furnace Gods daily!
In Love, Truth and Beauty......