How to Choose All-Natural Organic Soaps for Sensitive Skin
Nowadays it seems everything has gone organic. Consumers have many more choices than before when it comes to choosing fresh pesticide and chemical-free products. Beyond vegetables and fruits, organic products include clothing, baby food, teas, and even… soap!
What is organic soap? Manufactured according to USDA approved standards, organic soap lacks the often irritating chemical and detergent based ingredients found in most personal care products. Organic soap components are often found in plant based renewable resources that have been produced in a chemical-free environment, and typically in a fair trade manner.
Today consumers can find organic soap products ranging from bar soaps, shampoos, and shower gels to nontoxic floor cleaners, dish soaps, and even laundry soap. As consumer demand for these all-natural solutions increases, so do the organic soap offerings for personal and home care.
How to choose the right organic soap? Make sure you know the process and ingredients that go into each bar. Organic soaps are often by master soapmakers who take pride in their craft. They use top quality ingredients found only in nature, including pure essential oils. Handcrafted in small batches that are mixed for long periods of time, the original soap mixture is allowed to thicken slowly and is then mixed with botanical concentrates, spices, and herbs. The soap is then poured into a mold and allowed to harden for several days. Once removed from the molds the bars are allowed to cure for weeks. This special, careful process often results in the highest quality, mildest, yet effective all-natural soap.
Natural soaps often feature essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, and rosemary commonly known for healing or soothing properties. A good moisturizing choice for frequently dry and sensitive skin is a combination of soothing oatmeal and lavender natural soap, or aloe baby soap. People with more oily skin are likely to find relief with citrus or tea tree oil selections.
All natural soaps are commonly free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). As a primary foaming agent, SLS is found in most shampoos, bath gels, dish detergents, toothpaste, and bar soaps. Certainly an important ingredient, SLS performs many cleansing functions. The downside is often debated, though, among all-natural soap enthusiasts. They claim that potential negatives of SLS include irritation of the gums after tooth brushing as well as skin and scalp inflammation in sensitive individuals. To avoid these potentially uncomfortable side effects, natural bar soaps and shampoos are recommended. Dry/sensitive scalps benefit from aloe/lavender combinations, while oily scalps can often be remedied with citrus shampoo bars.
In recent years, antibacterial soaps have skyrocketed in recent year. Along with this soar in popularity is an increase in the debate over how helpful antibacterial soap really is. Some researchers claim that antibacterial products are contributing to the emergence of more skin irritations as well as drug-resistant superbugs. They claim that, when overused, antibacterial agents – often considered quite harsh – can lead to bacteria -attracting skin irritations including eczema. Some claim that antibacterial agents strip away fatty acids, moisture, and amino acids from the skin. This can increase dryness and roughness. And finally, some lab studies suggest that use of antibacterial products kill off sensitive bacteria, leaving behind hardier strains such as E Coli and staphylococcus aureus that may live longer. So, what to believe? You don’t have to be a strict purist to believe that falling back on nature’s bounty and choosing organic products is the safe route when navigating the antibacterial soap debate. According to organic soap proponents, healthy living goes hand-in-hand with limiting overall chemical contamination from our daily use products. Fortunately, the choice to go organic gets easier and easier, as more products find their way to the market every day.
15 Popular Organic Bar Soaps
Butter Bar With shea butter - supermoisturizing
Honey Gentle exfoliant for combination skin
Lemongrass For all skin types - uplifting scent
Oatmeal Lavender Dry skin - a superior face and body bar
Balsam Swirl Natural deodorizer for all skin types
Blue Bar Double strength tea tree first-aid kit in a bar
Citrus Sunrise Popular normal skin/summer soap
Lavender Flowers For dry skin
Lavender Swirl Relaxing scent for all skin types
Peppermint Magic Oily/combination skin - mild astringent
Rosemary Herb For all skin types - sweet, refreshing, light
Shampoo Bar For skin and normal hair
Tea Tree Mild and medicinal
Unscented Oats-n-Aloe Dry skin therapy for the most sensitive
Woodspice Deodorant bar and antiseptic foot soap
Aloe Baby Soap Special light lavender scent for baby's skin and hair
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