NOT All Natural Soaps Are Natural

Natural Soap is a misused and abused term. There are all kinds of different bar soaps and novelty soaps, but I will be concentrating on what goes in glycerin soap or glycerine soap.

There are many glycerin soaps that are advertised and labeled as natural soap, but the ingredients are shockingly un-natural. The following are a few of the most dangerous soap ingredients found in numerous bath soaps and novelty soaps -- and shampoos and lotions.

Propylene Glycol - Derived from petroleum products, this substance is commonly used in antifreeze, de-icers, latex paint and laundry detergent. It can cause irritation of nasal passages and if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate and
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Is a harsh detergent and chemical foaming agent known to be a skin irritant.

Tetrasodium Etidronate - An irritant to the skin and mucous membranes, especially for people with eczema.

For a list of harmful bath and body ingredients, read Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Beauty Products. Also read a longer scarier list: Toxic Cosmetic Ingredients Directory.

When we started to make natural soap at our company Double Brush, we sought out the best glycerine soap formula. I hope you will agree that we found the best natural glycerin soap base.

Our complete glycerine soap ingredient listing:

Saponified vegetable oils of coconut, palm, castor, and safflower
20% Kosher Glycerine ( of vegetable origin)
Purified Water
Sorbitol (from berries, moisturizer)
Sorbitan oleate (emulsifier)
Soybean protein (conditioner)
Titanium dioxide (common cosmetic mineral whitener used in opaque colored soap)
Optional - the highest quality of fragrance oils, FDA approved colors, body safe glitter or mica.

NO animal testing or animal products
NO Detergents
NO Sulfates
NO Surfactants
NO Alcohol
NO Sugar solutions

Our 100% pure glycerine soap formula is:

Hypo-allergenic

Non-comedogenic (our soap won't cause skin breakouts because our soap does not clog the pores of your skin. Besides rinsing off your skin well, it does not leave a soap film in your tub or basin.)

Excellent soap lather in all types of water

So mild that it is safe for infant use and babies ( but should be ordered without scent and color.)

As a consumer the only way you can protect yourself and your family is by reading the ingredient listing for all of your bath and body products. The same way so you read the ingredients labels on food because you care about what you put in your body, you also have to read the ingredient labels on the cosmetics and health care items you put on your skin or hair.

Comments

[Opal: Vegan Momma]

That's a great article. I'm a soaper I make all my soaps. My favorite would be the cold procesed soaps it takes longer to cure than the hot processed soaps but I truly enjoy the process. My soaps are as natural as possible. I use lye, butters, and essential oils to add scent to the soap.

I don't use the fragrance oils because they have been linked to allergies, eczema, dermatitis, and other problems. It's not a problem with some people but I know I always had a nasty reaction from fragrance oils.

The problem is that the manufacturers of fragrance oils (at least here in the USA) don't have to list all the ingredients in fragrance oils.

Also just because a product is natural doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. At times that gets a shocked reaction from my customers, family, and friends, :-)

OT
You'll be in the Vegan Momma spotlight next Wednesday.

[HawaiiVacationGifts]

I offer my soaps and soy candles without scent or coloring, but no one has ever ordered any that way -- everyone wants Hawaiian fragrances!

I also know what you mean about not all natural products being safe, you really have to know what you are doing. For example some essential oils aren't meant to be burned (used in a candle) or you have to be very careful about the quantity added to soap or it can irritate the skin.