Provided below is a list of the ingredients I use and why. Any given soap I create will have any number of different combinations of the ingredients listed here for various reasons. Each soap has the ingredients listed in the description on my ETSY site as well as on the soaps label you receive.
Activated Charcoal – absorbs and draws out excess oil from the skin. To become “activated” means the charcoal goes through a high temperature steam activation process which increases its surface area thereby allowing the charcoal’s ability to absorb and filter. Charcoal’s ability to absorb oil and dirt from pores leaves skin feeling balanced. Activated charcoal may be too drying for those who have dry skin.
Aloe Vera – is an emollient and humectant. It soothes the skin. One of the most used benefits of Aloe Vera is it’s cooling, soothing function. Aloe Vera is a natural antiseptic, which soothes any kind of inflammation or irritation of the skin. Aloe vera can be great for sun burnt skin and eczema.
Apricot Kernel Oil – from the seeds of the fruit. High in fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E. Conditioning and moisturizing properties.
Avocado Oil – oil pressed from the pit of an avocado. Conditioning and moisturizing properties.
Bentonite – Also known as Indian healing clay. This clay is created from volcanic ash, adding to a nice slip of the soap. This clay makes for a perfect shaving soap as it helps facilitate the razor to glide over the skin. Bentonite clay also has strong oil absorbing properties which may be great for oily skin.
Castor Oil – from the castor bean plant. Creates large luxurious bubbles.
Cocoa Butter – from the cacao bean. Creates a hard bar.
Coconut Oil – from the meat of coconuts. Creates a lather with large bubbles and helps cut down on oils and grease. High cleansing ability.
Coconut milk powder – is full of vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6, along with potassium and folate. The lauric acid of coconut milk also gives the bar a luxurious and fluffy lather.
Coconut shells and walnut shells are added for exfoliating properties and are from their respective nuts. They are only added where listed in the individual soap ingredient list.
Colloidal Oats – can be used to soothe dry, itchy, irritated skin. The plant chemical aventhramides is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory found in colloidal oatmeal. Ground oatmeal can be used as an exfoliant sloughing away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.
Coffee Butter – Due to the main chemical constituents of coffee butter being chlorogenic acid (green variety), oleic acid, linoleic acid, phytosterols, lecithin, and vitamin, E coffee butter is packed with antioxidants and purifying properties. Coffee butter is intensely moisturizing and may leave the skin with a delectably smooth texture, in addition to helping maintain a supple look and youthful brilliance.
French Green Clay – is found naturally in the Montmorillonite region of France. It is composed of iron oxides and kelp seaweed, along with other decomposed plant matter, that contribute to its green color. The clay is mined from naturally occurring deposits, is then sun dried and crushed down to its finest form.
Goat’s Milk – milk from an actual goat! Nourishing properties full of vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, D, and E. High in naturally occurring enzymes and proteins. Goat’s milk has a reputation for having natural antimicrobial properties and beneficial to help in the fight against acne! Goat’s milk contains caprylic acid which is naturally occurring and works well for those with difficult skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. The naturally occurring caprylic acid adds to the silkiness of goat’s milk soap, bumps up the antioxidants, and is a fantastic emollient and moisturizing agent!
Hemp Butter – this butter is great for extra dry skin. Ultra-moisturizing and loaded with essential fatty acids. Hemp butter absorbs quickly into the skin without feeling greasy.
Hempseed Oil – from the hemp seed and is high in fatty acids making it a very useful ingredient in skin care, zero THC. Incredible anti-inflammatory properties making it great for dry or sensitive skin and difficult skin conditions such as eczema. Provides a nourishing and small lather.
Honey – various properties make honey appealing for skin care. Honey is a natural humectant, which absorbs moisture from the air, which can help the skin retain moisture. Honey also contains antioxidants and natural sugars which can increase the lather of the soap. Polyphenols are the antioxidant in honey which help to shield your skin from free radical damage. Honey has antimicrobial properties that allow for cleansing without stripping the skin’s natural oils. Research has shown antimicrobial properties can assist in clearing up acne.
Indigo Powder – Natural indigo powder gives bath and beauty products a nice slip. This texture is great for shaving soaps, as it helps the razor glide over the skin. Bentonite clay also has strong oil absorbing properties, making it a great choice for oily skin. Indigo powder creates the lovely gray-blue shade.
Kaolin Clay – a natural colorant and helps to absorb excess oil from the skin. Added benefit of creating a slippery soap in addition to helping anchor a fragrance.
Kelp Powder – Many great nutrients such as vitamins B1, B2, B12, calcium, iodine, iron, and potassium. Kelp helps to moisturize the skin.
Kokum Butter – from the seeds of the garcinia indicia tree. The oil is extracted from the seeds and processed into a vegetable butter similar to cocoa or shea butter. It is a non-greasy and lightweight moisturizer that is rich in vitamins and nutrients such as essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, as well as polyunsaturated fats. Due to the emollient properties of kokum butter it is easily absorbed into the skin which can aid in healing dry, cracked skin.
Madder Root – is a beautiful, permanent red dye from the roots of a pretty, vine-like, low growing herb that is extremely drought-resistant. It has been cultivated in Europe and the Middle East for at least 5,000 years. Similar wild varieties have been used by Native Americans and in the Far East.
Mango Butter – from the seed of mango fruit. Provides conditioning and nourishing properties to soap.
Mica – All micas I use are purchased from two different companies, both of which are animal cruelty free and vegan free. Micas are sourced exclusively from ethical supply lines where no minors are participating in mining, factory work, transportation or any other process involved in the production of micas. Micas are not sourced from areas in which there have been documented ethical transgressions.
Olive Oil – from olives by extracting the fats and oils. Creates a mild soap with small bubbles, suitable for sensitive skin and babies. 100% olive oil soaps ages beautifully, improving its lather over time.
Palm Oil – from the pulp fruit of the fruit from palm trees. Stabilizes the lather and makes a harder bar of soap.
Pink Clay – Natural pink clay helps restore and replenish skin with moisture. Draws out impurities and lightly exfoliates.
Rice Bran Oil – from the outer layers of rice. Packed with antioxidants , essential fatty acids and vitamin E. It produces a small, mild lather.
Sea Clay – Natural sea clay contains nutrients such as aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and sulfate. Making sea clay great for hydrating and moisturizing your skin. Natural sea clay can also treat acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
Shea Butter – from the nut of the African shea tree. Has great moisturizing abilities.
Sodium Hydroxide – combined with distilled water and used in the saponification process which turns oil into soap and has completely evaporated in the final product.
Sunflower Oil – from the seeds of sunflowers. Full of essential fatty acids and vitamin E for skin conditioning and moisturizing. When used in combination with other oils helps to produce a rich, creamy lather.
Sweet Almond Oil – from pressed almonds. Has vitamins A, E, and B6. Adds to conditioning and moisturizing the skin.
Tussah Silk – creates a soft, silky, luxurious feel to soaps. In addition to a more slippery feel to the soap and a more shinier appearance.
* I am an artisan soap maker. The purpose of my soap is to cleanse. I make no claims to treat any skin conditions. I provide resourced definitions for the products I use which may or may not work for you.*
JennyJSoapCo. 