| Our skin, with visible and hidden components, is a | | | | dimension to skin cleansing: essential fatty acids. High |
| barometer of both internal health and emotional | | | | quality soaps often use oils rich in essential fatty |
| equilibrium. It is a protective shield as well as a | | | | acids, especially an Omega-6 fatty acid called Gamma |
| self-decorating canvas and is a critical gauge in our | | | | Linolenic Acid, also known as GLA. GLA is vital to the |
| quest for daily health and well-being. It is also the | | | | health of many body systems including the skin. |
| most neglected organ we have. | | | | Frequently, acne and other skin eruptions can be |
| Many myths surround the care of our largest organ, | | | | traced to a lack of essential fatty acids (EFAs) rather |
| the skin. In its protective role, our skin shields us | | | | than bacteria. Adding EFAs in the form of |
| from environmental toxins and hazards. It forms a | | | | supplements to one's diet can do much to bring |
| protective barrier that seeks to minimize intrusions of | | | | renegade skin conditions into balance. Hormone |
| foreign invaders into that sensitive inner realm: our | | | | fluctuations also influence how the skin appears and |
| cells and bloodstream. With such a full-time Herculean | | | | EFAs, along with stronger nails and healthy hair, |
| labor force, our skin requires both nutrients and | | | | contribute to hormone health and balance as well. In |
| water to keep itself performing at maximum | | | | aromatherapy, tea tree oil is said to release emotional |
| efficiency. Let's examine some of the factors in | | | | trauma and hence, its association with external skin |
| healthy skin care. | | | | health under its anti-bacterial umbrella. From a holistic |
| External | | | | standpoint, when it is said something "got under one's |
| In its task of shielding our bloodstream and inner | | | | skin," tea tree oil soap would be the blend of choice. |
| workings from toxins, our skin collects pollutants, | | | | Nonetheless, when someone comes to me with acne |
| cosmetics, dirt, bacteria and other particles | | | | or other skin issue, my first suggestion is usually soap |
| throughout the day. Therefore, a good cleansing | | | | enriched with a GLA-heavy oil like evening primrose, |
| regime is critical to maintaining clear and smooth | | | | borage or black currant. I usually reserve tea tree oil |
| functioning skin pores and dead skin cell sloughing. | | | | soap suggestions for those prone to emotional |
| The first step in a cleansing regime is soap. I don't | | | | distress, especially those who are reserved about |
| mean those mass market bars and liquids often | | | | discussing such intimate feelings. |
| unthinkingly, and mistakenly, accepted as "soap." | | | | Water is another important ingredient in healthy skin. |
| These products are primarily cleansers and salts, and | | | | When the body's detoxification systems like the |
| rarely real soap. Read the packaging and you will find | | | | kidneys and liver are overloaded for one reason or |
| the label lacks the word "soap." This is because | | | | another, the skin becomes the primary detox |
| "soap" is a specific product defined by the FDA and | | | | mechanism. Drink plenty of spring water everyday so |
| most, if not all, these products are detergents and | | | | that organs like the kidneys can effectively perform |
| cleansers. It is this little noticed fact that has led to | | | | their detoxification functions and allow the skin to |
| the misconception: soap causes dry or sensitive skin. | | | | focus on its protective role. |
| Even so called "glycerine" soap tends to contain | | | | General |
| cleansers and solidifying agents since its natural state | | | | Herbs are nutrient-rich botanicals with a wide range |
| is liquid and it possesses no cleansing qualities of its | | | | of health supporting capabilities and many |
| own. | | | | supplements support healthy skin as well. For |
| Natural soap is the best cleaning agent for the skin | | | | example, the herb gotu kola is said to encourage |
| you will ever find. And I mean REAL soap. Real soap | | | | collagen production while supplements like CoQ10 act |
| can only be made one way: with sodium hydroxide, | | | | as antioxidants with the potential to encourage new |
| or lye. Even the big commercial manufacturers make | | | | cell formation. Green tea can be a tea as well as a |
| soap the same way we handcrafted soap makers | | | | supplement and plays an important role in both |
| do, with lye. When lye joins together with the fatty | | | | internal and external skin health. Studies show certain |
| acids contained in vegetable oils, the chemical reaction | | | | of green tea's anti-oxidant constituents may aid in |
| process known as "saponification" produces soap. | | | | skin cancer prevention and treatment and thus may |
| Soap is naturally one-third glycerine molecules and | | | | be beneficial when made into soap. In addition, these |
| two-thirds soap molecules. The oil blend that makes | | | | anti-oxidants provide a plethora of benefits for the |
| up the soap formula determines a soap's | | | | body's inner processes, too. Anti-oxidant rich |
| characteristics, like large or small bubbles. As a | | | | chocolate also makes a wonderful soap ingredient |
| handcrafted soap maker, I have the luxury of using | | | | and contributes not only to skin health but provides a |
| nutrient-rich vegetable oils that contribute additional | | | | novel bath time treat. |
| benefits to my soaps and hence, to the skin. When | | | | Other ingredients can also add fun and nutrients to |
| properly formulated, real soap will not dry the skin. | | | | soap and hence, to skin cleansing. The most familiar |
| On the contrary, handmade soap will leave your skin | | | | of these is beer with herbal hops and other whole |
| feeling soft and moisturized from the natural glycerine | | | | grain components. Wine and champagne made with |
| content. When used consistently, you may find that | | | | anti-oxidant rich grapes also add nutrients and |
| reliance on lotions noticeably diminishes, saving money | | | | lather-enriching sugars while lending a distinct, elegant |
| and time, a savings that will allow you to indulge in | | | | air to any cleansing ritual. Then there's mead, or |
| your new-found bathing treat -- handcrafted soap! | | | | honey wine, nectar of the gods. Much has been |
| Handcrafted soap tends to cost more than | | | | written about the benefits of honey on skin wounds |
| mass-market cleansers not only because it is made | | | | as well as its anti-bacterial and moisturizing capabilities. |
| by hand but also because of the nutrient content of | | | | Soap made with mead combines these benefits with |
| the oils. This is an important consideration when | | | | a cleansing regime bringing a distinctly different |
| determining benefits versus cost. It is also important | | | | element to an otherwise ordinary routine. |
| to consider whether essential oils or fragrance oils | | | | Overall, the skin plays an important role in our daily |
| scent one's soap of choice. In addition to an | | | | lives while showcasing our personality. Skin health can |
| emotionally soothing component, most essential oils | | | | effect how we see ourselves and hence, influence |
| like lavender and tea tree add additional skin care | | | | the impression we make with others. As the biggest |
| benefits to soap whereas fragrance oils merely | | | | organ of the body and the shield between your inner |
| contribute scent. The point of bathing and washing is | | | | processes and the environment, your skin's nutritional |
| to cleanse the skin. Where department store | | | | needs deserve equal importance to those of the |
| cleansing products are heavily perfumed and leave | | | | heart. Everything that goes on your skin can |
| fragrance behind, real soap will leave your skin feeling | | | | eventually make its way into your bloodstream. |
| clean, soft and smelling fresh! | | | | Choose skin cleansing products with an eye to health |
| Internal | | | | and witness the visibly radiant bloom of ravishing skin |
| Vegetable oil-based soaps bring another important | | | | reflected in the eyes of everyone you meet. |