What’s in Your Soap?

Everyday we reach for soap to wash our hands, face and body. But have you ever wondered what’s in your soap? Most commercial soaps are filled with animal fats, alcohols, esthers or carcinogenics, low grade oils, wax and fillers. Take a look at the label again. You won’t find the word soap on it. Instead you’ll see beauty bar, moisturizing bar or something similar. In reality, these aren’t even soaps and can’t say so. They are actually detergents.

It’s important to understand what we are applying to our skin. The skin is porous and absorbs what is put on it. This means your body is taking in any chemicals or harsh products in the soap. When purchasing soap, take a look at the label. You may want to avoid these ingredients:

• Triclosan - This is an anti-bacterial agent, however germs such as e.coli and salmonella can quickly build an immunity to triclosan, leaving you susceptible to future infections. It is also an endocrine disruptor which means it can interfere with the function of your thyroid and estrogen hormones. And if that’s not bad enough, over time it stores itself in fat which means it can actually build up in your body.
• DEA (Diethanolamine) - This chemical is a wetting or thickening agent and has been found to block the absorption of the nutrient choline, which is essential to brain development in a fetus.
• Polypropylene - A possible carcinogen.
• Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate - Potentially contaminated with or breaks down into chemicals linked to cancer or other significant health problems.
• SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) - Over time SLS may build up in heart, lungs, brain and liver from skin contact and may cause damage to these organs. SLS has a list of problems including: corrodes hair follicles and may cause hair to fall out; damages immune system; contain endocrine disruptors and estrogen mimics and impairs proper structural formation of young eyes. SLS is a detergent derived from coconut oil and may be labeled natural or even organic. It’s not only found in soaps but also in toothpaste.
• SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) - This ether mixtures may contain carcinogenic nitrosamines and should be avoided as a precaution. SLS allows other chemicals to penetrate skin more deeply and enter bloodstream and may result in hair loss when applied to scalp. Also found in toothpaste.
• Parabens - Synthetic preservatives and studies have shown they can interfere with hormone balance in the body. Animal studies have show that parabens mimic estrogen in the body and can disrupt hormone balance. Watch for methyl-, propyl-, ethyl-, and butyl- labels and opt for products marked paraben free.

The Benefits of Natural Soap

Using pure, natural soap will actually help to improve the appearance of your skin. The pores will shrink and the skin will become smoother and softer. When shopping for natural soaps, look to see that they contain only pure oils and fats. Scents should come from the essential oils of plants and any color should come from plants or their seeds. When looking for a natural soap, keep these ingredients in mind:

• Natural Oils - Look for oils derived from plants such as alive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, jojoba and castor seed oil. Beeswax, a by-product made by bees in constructing their hives and emu oil, from the emu bird, are also excellent natural moisturizers.
• Essential Oils - These oils contain the aroma of the plant and are used for added fragrance. Many of these oils are used in aromatherapy and may have a therapeutic effect on the user.
• Glycerin - A natural by product of the soap making process. Commercial makers usually leave glycerin out, but natural soap makers add it back in as it is a wonderful natural moisturizer.
• Exfoliants - Aid in loosening rough and dead skin through a gentle abrasion of the skin. They vary in their level of exfoliation depending on the mesh size and/or the hardness of the exfoliant. Natural exfoliants include:

BLUESPRING’s Natural, Handcrafted Soaps Are Made from Only the Finest, All Natural Ingredients and Feature Pure Emu Oil

What makes BLUESPRING’s natural soaps so effective is emu oil. Emu oil is effective as a moisturizer due to its lack of phospholipids. Our skin is also void of phospholipids. Oils containing phospholipids are rejected by the skin making absorption difficult. Because emu oil has no phospholipids, the skin allows it to penetrate and penetrate much deeper and faster. Emu oil is also rich in anti-oxidants vitamins A and E. These two anti-oxidants fight free radicals which damage the skin and contribute to aging and wrinkles. When used as a topical, emu oil delivers anti-oxidants vitamins A and E directly to the skin where it penetrates and contributes to healthy skin. Emu oil is found in all BLUESPRING handcrafted soaps.

Pamper yourself with all natural, handcrafted soaps from BLUESPRING