My Favorite Homemade Soaps

Today, I would like to welcome my friend, Lauren Johnson.  As a mom to two young children, she has become concerned with what she puts on her family's skin, as well as what goes in their bodies.  She has become passionate about making wonderful homemade soaps with quality ingredients.  

My family uses her soaps every day and we have noticed an improvement in the health of our skin.  I hope you enjoy this post that Lauren so graciously shared with us today about the benefits of using homemade soaps!  

To order soaps (she ships everywhere!), contact Lauren at [email protected].  Also be sure to like her Facebook Page!  Tell her Oh Lardy sent you and you will receive 15% off your order!!

By Lauren Johnson of Green Goat Goods

More and more these days people are paying attention to the foods they eat. We make healthier food choices; we buy organic, avoid GMO and refined sugars. And by doing so, we feel and see the difference! The benefits of eating healthier include more energy, better sleep and fewer illnesses.

So what about what we put on our bodies? Skin is our largest organ, and contains cells that are part of our immune system. Skin protects us, but, at the same time, we need to take good care of it.  If we don’t take care of our skin, it can burn, dry out, and absorb chemicals that may harm us through repeated use.

Once I became a mother, I started on a journey to give my children the healthiest and safest head start in life. I was cautious with the foods my children ate, the milk and juices they drank, and the medications they took.

I began to read more about ingredients in soaps, shampoos, and bath additives. I discovered that harmful ingredients were in many products in my children’s bathroom. So, I decided to do something about it, and my journey with soap making began.

I taught myself to make soap with pure, non-GMO ingredients such as coconut and olive oils, Shea Butter, goat’s milk, and even incorporating homemade organic yogurt. After many hours and many batches of soap, I discovered a way to make the richest, most luxurious soap I have ever used.

I feel strongly that my family deserves only pure and natural ingredients in our body products. Each ingredient we use has benefits that no store-bought, chemical-laden soap can provide. The building blocks for my soaps include the following:

Coconut oil: Helps strengthen underlying tissues; helps remove excess dead cells on the skin's surface; moisturizes and nourishes skin; soothes rashes and bug bites, acts as an antioxidant to prevent cellular aging. Unlike petroleum-based lotions and soaps, coconut oil allows the skin to breathe after you apply it.

Olive oil: Contains at least four different antioxidants, which can help “neutralize damaging free radicals that can lead to skin aging and skin cancer.” -according to Leslie Baumann, M.D., author of The Skin Type Solution.  Because olive oil is a natural lubricant and moisturizer, use the lather of my soap for a close shave.

Organic homemade yogurt: I make yogurt from organic whole milk and other quality ingredients for my soap. Yogurt makes my soap luxuriously rich and moisturizing, and contains lactic acid, a natural exfoliator. Yogurt soap also contains a high amount of zinc, which lends itself to help heal and dry pimples. My amazing soap also contains antibacterial properties and a high fat content to nourish dry skin.

Shea butter: Shea butter is made from fat extracted from the nut of the African Shea tree. Shea butter is reported to have anti-inflammatory, emollient and moisturizing properties. In addition, Shea butter limits the skin’s capacity to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

Goat’s milk: Goat milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids, another natural exfoliant that removes dead skin cells. It contains Vitamin A to help repair damaged skin and many minerals, such as Selenium, which some scientists believe can prevent skin cancer.

Once I became satisfied with my recipes for soap, I set a goal to make bath time fun for my children. I used cute animal molds for the kids. Rather than use an ordinary bar of soap, my children play with lion, bear or even Hello Kitty soaps. Then I discovered a way to add images to the soaps that made washing-up before dinner enjoyable as well.

At this time, I have over fifty molds of all shapes and sizes for a wide range of interests for children and adults. I can custom-make soap for my customers by using images and graphics as well. My customers have given soaps as holiday gifts, baby shower giveaways or as wedding favors; these are just some of the ways people share my soaps.

A very special soap I make incorporates a loofah. The loofahs I use are natural, dried gourds that have been grown in the US and are never treated with chemicals. Loofahs exfoliate and cleanse at the same time, eliminating the need for a washcloth. Once the soap disappears, keep the loofah for further use. Just toss in the washing machine to freshen it up.

My friends and family rarely need to use body lotion any more, even in winter. My soap ensures our skin is well moisturized and exfoliated. Store-bought soaps often contain ingredients that strip your skin of oils and make it feel dry. I don’t have that problem any more, and receive compliments from my aesthetician on how good my skin looks.

And most importantly, I know that I provide my kids with the best possible nurturing, both inside and out, by using pure, wholesome ingredients without harmful side effects.

 

To order soaps (she ships everywhere!), contact Lauren at [email protected].  Also be sure to like her Facebook Page!  Tell her Oh Lardy sent you and you will receive 15% off your order!!

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