I began making soap for my own use because I
have very sensitive skin. I wanted a more natural product that would leave my skin feeling clean and soft. I discovered many
of the cleansing bars, purchased commercially, were not really soaps but detergents. I loved making the soaps and made them
for my family and friends. People became interested in my "homemade" soaps and asked if I would sell them.
Handcrafted soaps are much kinder to your skin
because the glycerin remaining in the soap after the curing process (which takes approximately 3 weeks) is considered a natural
emollient. Our soaps also benefit from the natural additives we use. Additives are substances which can change the look as
well as enhance the qualities of a given product. We want the soaps (and our other bath/body products) to look appealing but
our focus is on skincare. It’s the additives that really make a difference. You can add a cucumber fragrance oil to
your soap or lotion and it smells nice but that’s all. To enhance your product with the true benefits from the cucumber,
you need to add the actual cucumber (organic is preferred). We make a practice of adding organic vegetables, oatmeal, teas,
etc. Herbs are selected primarily for their benefits to the skin and, secondly, for their appearance.
When we select the vegetable and/or plant oils
used in making our products my background in Chemistry and Biology has certainly helped. I chart out the properties of each
oil and select the ones most appropriate for sensitive skins; ones with additional cleansing, lathering and moisturizing properties.
The recipes we’ve developed consist of the highest quality vegetable and plant oils, top of the line essential oils,
extracts and fragrance oils. When we add a colorant, we use FDA approved cosmetic grade colorants.
But don't be fooled! Not all "handmade" soaps
are made from natural ingredients. Some "melt and pour" glycerins contain petroleum by-products. It’s always wise to
check the ingredients when buying any skincare product.
Your friends in Florida,
Priscilla & Jim
