I have to put aside my soap bias and explore all areas of the subject. I am definitely biased when it comes to the use of synthetic detergents to cleanse the body, and I believe from experience that saponified oils are better for my skin. Since I quit using commercial detergent beauty bars, my lotion consumption has lessened. But, is even real soap truly good for skin? I really like what this person illuminates about just that question: http://freethoughtnation.com/contributing-writers/68-murali-chemuturi/569-what-they-dont-tell-you-about-toilet-soap.html. I am not going to jump on the Dr. Bronner bandwagon now. I have no need since I make my own true castile style soap. I base my soap formula (which is simply pure olive oil saponified with NaOH dissolved in purified water) on the lore of castile's origins.
Aha! Here is someone with the same philosophy: http://albaverdehandmadesoaps.blogspot.com/2011/07/castile-soap-origins-and-history.html
I am pleased with the results of my own castile soap although I could probably do with using less soap over all because the first article makes perfect sense. Natural soap is still an alkaline substance and the skin is acidic. Too much soap is not a good thing, but detergent isn't either and I love the lesser of these evils. It is so ingrained in my learned behavior that I would feel totally unclean if I skipped soap when bathing regardless of how I scrubbed without that smooth satisfying lather. How does it feel to brush one's teeth without toothpaste? Gah-lousy! Although I have made and used a tooth powder which was helpful when I had a mild tooth ache last year, and I have a great home made mouthwash. It tastes wretched, but works so well. Castile soap tastes wretched too, and like the mouthwash, it works well. I have made a plethora of different oil blends, but nothing works as well for me as the 100% olive oil soap. This is certainly not true for everyone. A soap heavy in coconut oil dries me out like a mummy, but my daughter just loves coconut oil soaps. Now don't sneer when I tell you that corn oil is great in small amounts. I love the extra smooth yet fluffy feeling a little adds, but beware! Too much makes a rubbery jellyish mess in the soap dish! I have never made a soap from animal fats. or oils. I just don't see why I should when there are so many plant based oils with great properties. I like even the humble soy oil. It may not be glamorous, and it can't stand alone, but I appreciate it's fluffy suds. So my eye teeth may be aching for that 7 pounds of shea butter and I may be lusting for some avocado oil but I can also make some darn good soap without it. Butter this and butter that, my favorite is still olive oil and I just can't ditch the soap oriented cleansing habit handed down from my ancestors.
Aha! Here is someone with the same philosophy: http://albaverdehandmadesoaps.blogspot.com/2011/07/castile-soap-origins-and-history.html
I am pleased with the results of my own castile soap although I could probably do with using less soap over all because the first article makes perfect sense. Natural soap is still an alkaline substance and the skin is acidic. Too much soap is not a good thing, but detergent isn't either and I love the lesser of these evils. It is so ingrained in my learned behavior that I would feel totally unclean if I skipped soap when bathing regardless of how I scrubbed without that smooth satisfying lather. How does it feel to brush one's teeth without toothpaste? Gah-lousy! Although I have made and used a tooth powder which was helpful when I had a mild tooth ache last year, and I have a great home made mouthwash. It tastes wretched, but works so well. Castile soap tastes wretched too, and like the mouthwash, it works well. I have made a plethora of different oil blends, but nothing works as well for me as the 100% olive oil soap. This is certainly not true for everyone. A soap heavy in coconut oil dries me out like a mummy, but my daughter just loves coconut oil soaps. Now don't sneer when I tell you that corn oil is great in small amounts. I love the extra smooth yet fluffy feeling a little adds, but beware! Too much makes a rubbery jellyish mess in the soap dish! I have never made a soap from animal fats. or oils. I just don't see why I should when there are so many plant based oils with great properties. I like even the humble soy oil. It may not be glamorous, and it can't stand alone, but I appreciate it's fluffy suds. So my eye teeth may be aching for that 7 pounds of shea butter and I may be lusting for some avocado oil but I can also make some darn good soap without it. Butter this and butter that, my favorite is still olive oil and I just can't ditch the soap oriented cleansing habit handed down from my ancestors.
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