Detoxing

It might seem counter intuitive, but sometimes we all need a little detox from soap.  Let me be more specific. I'm talking about chemical soaps and beauty products. In a previous post I discussed the myth of commercial soap...basically most main stream body bars are in fact not soap but detergents. Not everything that gets sudsy and is used for washing is soap. What's the difference you may ask? Detergent was created in the 1940s. The main advantage is that it can be used in all kinds of water ie: hot, cold, soft, hard etc. They're also often formulated for specific types of cleaning such as industrial grease removal, food stains, medicated etc. They are also full of many chemicals from hardeners to fragrances to preservatives--things that were never intended or made for use on human skin or hair. The result is that sometimes people must go through a detox period to get back to using natural cleaning products.

Variety of Celestial Soap products

Body soap is usually the easiest to switch to because there are few side effects for most people. But keep in mind that just because it's natural doesn't mean it's always safe. It's not uncommon to be allergic to some natural things such as almonds, strawberries, or even honey. So be sure to read the label first. If you have sensitive skin, be aware that some essential oils--especially those with citrus or spices used in soaps can be quite strong. Some of the milder essential oils include lavender and chamomile which are anti-bacterial as well. You might also use an unscented bar or #Celestialsoap Inner Glow, which uses milk, honey, and oatmeal. For oily skin, try a bar with more coconut oil--which is drying. For mature skin try a bar with generous amounts of apricot seed oil, vitamin E, and/or such essential oils such as patchouli, carrot seed, and sandalwood.

Switching to a natural shampoo bar, such as #Celestialsoap Tresse Bar, may take a little extra doing depending on what commercial products you're currently using. Many commercial shampoos have a lot of additives such as parabens and silicones, which end up coating hair with a lot of extra gunk (yes it's a technical term). That gunk makes hair kind of dull and lifeless. Using a natural shampoo bar will the rid of the gunk, but it might take about a week. If hair starts to feel a little sticky after washing with the natural bar, that's the old gunk working loose. Try rinsing with a solution of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.

Lotions can be a wonderful thing, but again just because it's natural doesn't mean it's good for you. One of the easiest ways to determine which lotions are best is to check the comedogenic rating of the oils in the lotion. The rating grades oils 0-5, with 0 being the best and 5 the worst based on how pore clogging (another technical term) they are.  You can check most common oils here https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/facts-figures/comedogenic-rating.html. But basically, things like hemp seed oil, argan oil, and linseed oil have a 0 rating, while things like olive oil, beeswax and chamomile oil have a 2, and coconut or palm oil have a 4. For sensitive skin try using a lotion with as few essential oils as possible. Base oils should include shea butter, apricot kernel oil, Vitamin E or aloe gel.

#Celestialsoap is getting ready to unveil new natural deodorant bars. Why go natural? Most deodorants use parabens which have been linked to cancer as well as immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, rashes and fertility issues. The drawback with natural deodorant is similar to what we go through with shampoo. It sometimes takes a few days to detox from all the extra ingredients that literally block sweat. Sometimes when people switch to a natural deodorant, especially if they have sensitive skin to begin with, they may get a bit of a rash. Not to worry. Rashes are usually caused by improper ph levels. So the easiest thing to do is to give yourself a little mud mask for your pits! Start with this before making the switch and then use it a few times over the coming weeks to neutralize everything. The idea is to mix a little paste of equal parts apple cider vinegar, bentonite clay (check Amazon or your health food store) and water. Slap it up under those arms and let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes. In the long run, you'll sweat less, notice less odor and it's better for your body!

One of a Kind Soap

One of the coolest things about homemade soap is that every batch is different. The reason is that when using all natural ingredients nothing is ever quite the same. No two plants ever grow quite the same, so scents will vary slightly. No two pigments are ever quite the same, because again well no two plots of earth, minerals, or plants are the same, giving us different colors. Then factor in the hand pouring and cutting and of course each piece of soap will be unique. If you're a stickler for uniformity, I apologize for this disturbing imagery. Personally, I like to celebrate the differences!

Opening each soap mold is like getting a great surprise. It's a wonderful adventure. I always experience something new and different. I love seeing the color variations, how the soap swirls if I've mixed two, or added chunks of other soaps. And the scents of each essential oil can be so different too, sometimes sweeter or more earthy depending on when they were harvested.

Of course, that doesn't mean I don't strive for consistency. It's still important to make sure bars are approximately the same size and weight each time and that Lemon Drop or English Beauty are still recognizable as the same formula from batch to batch.


Some of the other benefits of handmade products include knowing that all natural ingredients are being used, that ingredients are used in season when they're at their best, and being able to give them as one of a kind gifts!

If you have a scent idea or want something specifically made to order for a boutique, shop, or organization, contact me #Celestialsoap. I'll be happy to help you develop and make a unique scent exclusively for your group. Call 260-243-6925 or email newmoonpublishers@gmail.com.

Soap Scents

I make a variety of tried and true soaps every month ranging from English Beauty (lavender) to Inner Glow (unscented, milk & honey). Most sell between $4 & $6. Below is a list of my regular stock along with seasonal scents...

Cheers & Bath by Chocolate soap rounds

Angel Kiss: Clouds, kittens, and all things naturally soft and sweet.  Angel Kiss is gentle enough to use on babies or for those who just want to baby themselves. Ingredients: rose oil, lavender oil, vanilla, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

Bath by Chocolate: The most decadent dessert is now for bathing. The antioxidants in chocolate while the cocoa is creamy and moisturizing. So what are you waiting for? Dive in!  Ingredients: bittersweet chocolate, cocoa butter, coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater (FYI, be careful with white linens and light surfaces, suds are darker and may discolor certain surfaces just as chocolate might do.)

Bath Fizz: Ginger, lemon, and vanilla tango together in a fizzing tub of yumminess. Ingredients: lemon powder, ginger oil, vanilla oil, baking soda, citric acid, and almond oil

Lemon, ginger, and vanilla scent this yummy bath fizz

Bottoms Up: Beer’s not just for drinking anymore! The barley and hops in beer have great proteins and vitamins for healthy skin and shiny hair. To Life! Ingredients: cedar, ginger, clove, black pepper, vanilla, Guiness, coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable shortening ashwater   

Candy Cane: A twist of naughty and nice makes pure Indiana peppermint the preferred Candy Cane spice. Suds up and suitors look twice! Ingredients: peppermint oil, mint leaves, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater 

Cheers: Nothin’ like a beer in the bath! Made from the finest hops with a dash of orange and all the suds you desire. Ingredients: Belgium beer, orange oil, grapefruit oil, coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable shortening, and ashwater

Chocolate Starlight: The most decadent dessert now has a minty twist too! Chocolate meets peppermint for bathing. Chocolate antioxidants renew skin while cocoa moisturizes, and mint refreshes. What are you waiting for? Bathe in your dessert! Ingredients: bittersweet chocolate, cocoa butter, mint, coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable  shortening, ashwater  

 

Crisp & Clean: Sexy is simple with this lightly scented soap. Lime clears the body of free radicals by increasing pH levels, while a layer of dried sage acts as a light exfoliate. 

Ingredients: lime oil, teatree, oil olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

English Beauty: Since ancient times lavender has been known for its abilities to promote calmness, ease tension, & disinfect. What could be more beautiful? No wonder the English reserved government fields for it during WWII and still set aside a special place for it today! Ingredients: lavender oil, dried lavender, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

Free Spirit: Once worn in generous doses by flower children everywhere, Free Spirit embodies the scent of summer, the deep woods, and mysterious, sexy men. Ingredients: patchouli oil, ground cinnamon, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

Inner Glow: Prefer to wear nothing at all? Skip the common scents and let your inner self glow with the unscented luxury of moisturizing milk, honey, and oatmeal. Ingredients: milk, honey, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

Lemon Drop: Lather up in a sudsy cocktail of lemon and basil. The only thing more refreshing than a shot of Lemon Drop, would be the actual drink! Ingredients: lemongrass oil, ground basil, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

Spiced Tea: You’ll become a gift to all you meet when you wrap yourself in the luxurious all natural bubbles of Spiced Tea Soap. Ingredients: Orange oil, ginger oil, clove oil, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

Sugared Almond: Sugared Almond may smell good enough to eat, but don’t.  It’s just soap. Besides it would be difficult to explain bubbles floating out of your mouth! Ingredients: almond oil, vanilla oil, honey, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

Sugar Scrub: Sweeten the pot (or bath) with pure sugar. This luxurious vanilla scrub softens while it exfoliates, leaving the body all that much sweeter then before.

Ingredients: vanilla oil, brown sugar, white sugar, vitamin E, and almond oil

Sunshine: Good day sunshine. Not a morning person? This refreshing bar is guaranteed to wake you up and maybe even make you smile to be clean! Ingredients: orange oil, grapefruit oil, and peppermint oil, dried sweet mint leaves, olive oil, glycerin ashwater

Tresse Bar for super clean hair.

Sweet Pea Nectar: A light sweet fragrance perfect for little girls, or just those who feel young at heart. Ingredients: sweet pea, white pear, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater   

Tresse Bar: Natural clean hair has never been easier. Simply lather bar in hands and scrub those tresses. Commercial soaps use polymers, which bond to hair and form residue. Getting hair back to natural may take a few washes. Ingredients: lavender oil, coconut oil, ashwater   

  

Walk in the Woods: A walk in nature cleans the spirit just like Walk in the Woods cleans the body, fresh and natural the way things were meant to be. Great scent for both men and women. Ingredients: bergamot oil, eucalyptus oil, basil, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, ashwater

What is Celestial Soap?

Celestial Soap is a cottage industry nestled on the banks of Snow Lake in Fremont, Indiana. It's owned and operated by me, Erika Celeste. Like many women, I enjoy the rich array of scents and oils associated with many beauty products. But I didn't like the artificial dyes and chemicals, not to mention the cost. I figured there had to be a better way.

As a journalist, novelist, and editor of 20 years I turned to what I new best, research. Sure enough there was a better way, a much better way--an all natural way! Best of all, much of the answer was grown in my own garden, or found near our lake. If not, it was certainly accessible in my home state of Indiana.

It turns out soap, when done right, is one of the most natural things out there! The problem is most commercial brands have gotten away from what's good for consumers and turned more to profits. In fact, most commercial soaps are not soap at all. They're skin detergents. (If you've ever had allergies to commercial soaps, like my husband, it's often because of the variety of chemicals used.) Most commercial soaps are a group of water soluble agents that don't use fats or oils and aren't activated by hard water. In other words, they're chemically based cleaning solutions.

Why might you want to use oils when cleaning yourself? For starters it's natural. But more specifically, oils bond with dirt and help carry it away from skin, while keeping skin moisturized and healthy. Detergents often dry the skin or in some cases, such as shampoo, even encourage us to use more. Shampoos often use additional polymers, which bond to hair to make it smooth, shiny etc. While that's great in the short term, it causes problems over time when the gunk that creates those desired effects builds up. The more that's applied to hair the more build up occurs. Hair is left dull and lifeless. The only solution seems to be to apply more shampoo. Unfortunately, shampoos are deliberately made to continue the cycle.

Using a natural shampoo bar will eliminate this situation. But it doesn't come without a price. It often takes a few cleansings (sometimes as much as a week, depending on build up) to rid hair of the commercial gunky build up.  If hair gets too sticky, try mixing a solution of 1 part apple vinegar to 1 part water and rinsing after using a natural shampoo bar. If you simply can't stand the smell of vinegar, try adding a few drops of wintergreen witch hazel. Be careful to only add a few drops as alcohol will dry out hair!

Over the coming blogs, I'll explore the exciting and natural world of soap making, a few favorite recipes, and any other living well ditties I come across:)

Thanks for checking in with Celestial Soaps...
If you want to order soap directly at a discount please call 260-243-6925 or email newmoonpublishers@gmail.com.