Why Natural Organic Skincare Is Better For Your Skin

Natural, Organic Body and Skincare

Shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, liquid soap, hand creams, facial cleansers and moisturiser, lip balms... we all have them in abundance in our homes and use them on a daily basis - but when's the last time you turned the bottle around and read the ingredients list? Even if you did, you probably wouldn't be any the wiser since many of these products consist of a concoction of chemicals, largely by-products of the petrochemical industry, heavily disguised under long complex names. Sadly, many of these chemicals do not have any beneficial effect on the skin and are included for other reasons - as an emulsifier, to bind ingredients together, to improve the texture or to give the product a longer shelf-life.

Whats more, some of these chemicals have been found to have potentially harmful effects on the human body and have been linked to skin irritations, adverse reactions in certain body organs and even cancer.

The problem by now is that so many commonly used skincare products contain these toxic ingredients - even some of those that claim to be 'natural', 'hypo-allergenic' or 'dermatologically-tested' - that it has become a minefield of misunderstanding for the average consumer.

So what is the answer? Firstly familiarise yourself with some of the nastiest chemical ingredients and make sure you don't buy anything containing these. Here are afew to get you started:

Sodium lauryl sulphate - a moderately toxic detergent which can cause skin irritation - found in most shampoos and toothpastes.

Parabens - including methy,propyl, butyl or ethyl - preservatives which are found in many products and can irritate skin, eyes and respiratory tract and are possibly carcinogenic.

Propylene/ butylene glycol - a petroleum-derived solvent linked with respiratory and throat irritation and central nervous system disorders, amongst others.

DEA- diethanolamine - acidity regulator e.g.DEA cocoamide - severely irritating to body tissues and eyes and possibly carcinogenic.

Bearing in mind that nobody really knows, as yet, what effect a daily bombardment by a concoction of these different chemicals may have on the human body over a prolonged period of time, it seems it would make sense to cut out or at least try to reduce your exposure to these toxic toiletries. Buying truly natural, organic products is the only way to ensure that what you are using is 100% safe and trustworthy and always check the ingredients labels. If you are reading such natural components as shea or cocoa butter, olive, sunflower or almond oil, beeswax, distilled flower waters and essential oils then you know you are on the right track! Remember that the purest, most natural products which are high in skin-feeding antioxidants and natural vitamins, often do not contain any preservatives and so will not be found on the shelves of your average shop, but there are plenty of on-line shops selling fresh products and at reasonable prices.

Herbal Remedies and Natural Supplements

Nature has bestowed an invaluable treasure in the form of herbs of India. India has ideally blended the science of ancient Ayurveda with modern scientific research and validation techniques for the herbal products to be at par with modern medicine. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life, has been using the herbal resources such as botanical extracts of roots, stems, leaves, fruits, flowers and barks for effective healing since ages. These natural products are born with the sole objective of providing consumers the natural yet powerful alternatives to mass-produced, synthetic chemical cosmetics. The natural cosmetics are made from plants, roots, herbs and minerals. These herbal products are made from the nature's resources which enhance the beauty of an individual.

The natural cosmetic products such as Lass Glow Pack - Facial Therapy, Bonheur Jasmine Cheese Soap (natural Handmade Soaps), Almond-saffron Moisturizing Lotion (natural Body Care), Natural Breast Firming Cream, Massage Oil, Rose Honey Glycerin Soap with Petals and many more products are available in the market. The herbal products do not harm the skin and they are also effective in treating the skin ailments. Most of the people, who use natural skin care products, generally make their own products at home from naturally occurring ingredients.

Lass Glow Pack - Facial Therapy is specifically designed to nourish, soften, hydrate and reduce the signs of aging for all skin types. Lass Glow Pack - Facial Therapy utilizes anti-aging products that are known for their cell renewal properties and anti-oxidant effects that will uplift your spirits and will give the skin a more youthful appearance. Lass Glow Pack - Facial Therapy is proven to show significant and measurable improvements in skin's condition within a few days of use. This therapy provides inner health and an outer glow to the skin.

Bonheur Jasmine Cheese Soap (natural Handmade Soaps) removes toxins and body odour and takes care of the other external skin problems. The fresh clean invigorating scent of Jasmine and Cheese energies the mind and soul while it's comforting lather gently exfoliates and cleans the body. Bonheur Jasmine Cheese Soap (natural Handmade Soaps) makes the skin look younger and healthy, brighten skin tone and provide radiance. Bonheur Jasmine Cheese Soap (natural Handmade Soaps) is made with natural oils, which have high glycerin content, Aloe Vera and Shea Butter.

Almond-saffron Moisturizing Lotion restores natural skin balance. It protects skin from sun, wind and pollution. Its fast absorbing formula helps to prevent and protect dry skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth and naturally healthy looking. Almond-saffron Moisturizing Lotion (natural Body Care) cleanses, nourishes and treats your skin and helps to protect body from pollution and dirt. Almond-saffron Moisturizing Lotion (natural Body Care) is a smoothing way to replenish the lost moisture. It nourishes and moisturizes body and leaves a layer of protection on body surface. 

Homemade Soap Products - The Benefits of Using Natural Ingredients

You can make your own lye soap at home; it's not hard to do! All you have to do is combine fat with some sort of caustic agent, using water as your catalyst, and you have soap. 'Saponification' is the technical name for the chemical process between lye and fat.

And you won't need anything exotic to make your own soap; most of the ingredients you need may be as close as your grocery store. What will you need? For a basic soap, you only need water, lye, and some kind of fat and oil. For a more luxurious soap, you might want to add coloring dyes and scented fragrance oils.

You probably have water as close as your kitchen tap; some people prefer to use rainwater or distilled water in their soap. And what's lye, anyhow? It's chemical name is sodium hydroxide; it's a very strong base, so when you handle it. Make sure that you read the directions on the package of lye carefully, and following them scrupulously.

The first step is to dissolve the lye. Never pour the water into the lye; instead, pour the lye into the water. If half the water is ice, that's even better. Stir; as you stir, watch for the reaction. The lye can even boil the water; if this happens, stop stirring until the bubbling stops, and let the lye water cool down to room temperature.

So what about the oil? Just about any fat or oil can make soap, from plant oils to animal fats. Coconut oils will give a rich lather. Olive oil will yield fine, silky bubbles. If you use animal fat, make sure it' is clean, not rancid, has no salt, and is free of solid particles. You'll find tallow or lard will give you a denser soap.

When you batch starts to thicken, that's the time to add coloring and perfume oils. Pour the 'traced' soap into shape molds, and let it harden. It will have to 'cure' for one to three days, and then dry a bit longer before you can enjoy it.

Homemade, natural and specialty soaps are perfect truths for bath and body treatments. So if you are looking for a way to relieve your tension, forget about your bad day and just feel good, well treat yourself with some homemade soap products. They'll make your skin soft improve any skin conditions you have and help you connect with yourself.

What's the Difference Between Natural and Regular Soap?

Consuming natural or organic products is always the better choice if given the option. Your body performs better with organic foods, and your skin does better with natural soap. To help you make healthier choices, take a look at the key differences during the soap making process between natural and regular.

The ingredients are the first major difference. Through the making process, 'natural' soap is always a mixture of water, oil, and lye. Conversely, the regular types are detergent based from petroleum.

Other interesting finds in regular soap are isopropyl alcohol, BHT, and Tricoslan - an additive in much anti-bacterial brands. These additives are harmful to your skin. None, however, are found in natural soap.

The every-day effect on your skin is perhaps the most noticeable difference between regular and natural soap. Regular soap is often irritating to the skin, whereas natural soap has a soothing effect. Keep reading to find out why.

Alkali is the most common irritant found in regular detergent-based soaps. This substance makes your skin feel tight, itchy, or even sometimes flaky. Look at the label of the soap you're currently using to find out just how much alkali you're using.

After the soap making process, natural soap contains vast amounts of glycerin. This compound is fantastic for the skin - pulling moisture right out of the air. Glycerin makes your skin stay soft for longer, soothing and moisturizing your skin more that it would be by using regular soap.

Some people think that soap which is natural is much more expensive than regular soap. This is not true, for there is actually little difference in price between the two. If you want to bring the price down even further, consider making your own natural stuff at home.

Other people claim that buying natural soap is more inconvenient than buying what they are used to. Organic and natural products are increasing in popularity, however, and soap that is natural is not difficult to find. You can even shop for soap online, opening up a wide variety of natural products.

pH Testing - 3 Ways to Test Your Homemade Natural Soap

The most important aspect about making your own natural soap is to get the chemistry right. Not enough lye will create a soft bar that may never cure or take a long time to cure. Too much lye will cause a caustic bar, which would remove any natural oils from your skin to possibly causing red skin, or even burning, from little pockets of lye water.

I have always used phenolphthalein, (pronounced: fee no fah thay leen) a liquid that smells like nail polish remover. It usually comes in a dropper bottle, is inexpensive, and you simply allow a drop on the top of your soap. If it turns bright pink right away, then there is a high ph problem with your soap. If it turns pinkish after a new minutes, then this would be usual as the soap is still caustic and not fully neutralized. But if it has no color at all, this will indicate a pH normal bar - perfect.

I tried the litmus papers but preferred my phenolphthalein. Although many soapmakers swear by these. These test strips need you to wet a bar of the soap till there is some bubbles and place the strip on the bubbly part of the bar. After a few hundred bars of soap, you will have an expert eye and be able to tell by looking if there may be a problem. But in the beginning, I would test every slab.

The pH scale ranges from 1 - 14, and the aim for your soap will be between 6 - 10. Generally the numbers you will want for a mild soap would be 5 - 8. For a stronger hand soap, aim for 8 - 10, and for grating later for laundry, you'll want a reading of 10 - 12. Some soaps that test high initially will have lower pH levels later, so put it aside and retest in a couple of weeks. If you are using phenolphthalein, then the color you would be looking for would be clear for a mild soap, light pink for a hand soap, and dark pink for a laundry soap.

Some people use little electronic pH testers. They are considered more accurate and need to be buffered, or calibrated, before using. This method is also the most expensive.

Every so often, when not mixed properly, lye water will come to the top of the soap slab and look like harmless water or oil. This water is extremely caustic, be very careful when moving the slab around in the mold that none of this drips.

African Black Soap - The Growing Popularity of This Natural Soap & How You Can Benefit From Its Use

African Black Soap has been becoming more popular with consumers in the Western world as it becomes more important to many buyers to use beauty products that are biodegradable and natural and because of its many great benefits.

For many years, this soap has been made from ingredients including palm oil, raw Shea butter and coco pods, found in various countries in West Africa, mainly in Nigeria and Ghana, but also in Mali and Togo. This soap is full of emollients and vitamins that work well for thorough moisturizing, gentle exfoliation and deep cleansing. Authentic soap of this type is a healthy addition to your health and beauty regime.

Depending on the locale in which the soap is made, this soap may contain different ingredients. For example, the type of soap made in the Nigerian region, known as Dudu Osun soap, contains wild honey, palm bunch ash, glycerine and lime juice in addition to the basic ingredients mentioned above. Dudu Osun is an excellent treatment for skin blemishes like blackheads from acne, and it is also useful in diminishing uneven tones of skin, like dark marks and spots. Honey makes Dudu Osun valuable to smooth and soothe skin, but if you have sensitive skin, this type of soap may be drying. You may want to apply lotion after you shower or bathe with Dudu Osun soap.

The soap made in Ghana, known as Alata Samina, is usually made from the skin of the plantain, which is an excellent source of iron and vitamins A & E. The plantain skin is dried gingerly in the African sun, and then roasted inside a clay oven. It is only roasted for a precise amount of time, to achieve the correct smell, texture and color. In some areas, they may use cocoa pods, the shell of cocoa fruit, rather than plantains. This soap is also excellent for treating acne, with its natural healing properties. Like Dudu Osun, it is helpful in treating a dry scalp, and it will make your hair clean when used as a shampoo bar. If you have allergies to nuts, African Black soap is perhaps not the soap for you as Shea butter is produced from a nut.

If you find African Black soap that is almost too black in color, it may have had artificial coloring added and likely to have been commercially made and include other impure ingredients. Organic soaps are usually browner in color, and they don't have a scent, unless it is added. After you bathe or shower with this soap, you will want to store it somewhere away from your tub or shower perhaps in a soap box as African Black soap may shrink, due to its glycerin content. You should also not be surprised if this soap comes apart after you have used the bar, since this is common with this type of soap.

In contrast to soaps that are cold-processed, African Black Soaps are made on an open fire, so it retains the burnt leaf ashes, which will add the soap's excellent exfoliating properties. The variations in color range from slightly dark blackish to brown. If you want to be sure that the soap you are purchasing is authentic, avoid added dyes, since genuine soaps crafted in Africa don't usually have them.

African Black soap is also marvelous for hair care. It is rich in glycerin, and works well as a conditioner. It will leave your hair quite light-weight and soft. The natural, gentle moisturizers can even add a bit of curl or wave to your hair.

What Is A Natural Pesticide?

If you garden and do not use commercial fertilizers or any substance that improves the growth cycle and especially manufactured pesticides, you are basically doing organic gardening.

You have decided to use nature to grow your plants, vegetables and fruits. It is certainly better for the earth and if you use natural insecticides, will cost less. Using natural insecticides will improve the quality of the vegetables and fruits that you produce and you will not add any man-made chemicals to your dirt or into the air.

This does not mean that you should not wash your fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking them. You should continue this practice. You should also understand that more is not always best. There is a misconception about insecticides that if you use more the results will be quicker and last longer. This is not a good approach to have. You must examine the effects of anything you add to your soil or apply to your plants.

Do the plants react in a negative way? Is there wilting of leaves or discoloration? What harm could these insecticides cause to me, my family or our pets? If you ingest any of the insecticide what might the side effects be?

We must realize that not all insects will cause harm to our plants. Butterflies are beautiful creatures but gardeners sometimes do not appreciate their caterpillars. Honeybees can sting but without them we would not have our honey supplies.

Spider mites are the most common plant pest. They multiply very rapidly and can defoliate and kill plants. They are yellow or green colored and are very hard to see. One method of locating these pests is to tap a leaf over a piece of white paper. Look at the paper for very small moving objects. If you see them, these are pests that you want to remove.

Another very small pest is Shell Insects. Often these appear as a bump on a stem or a leaf. They stunt a plants growth and can kill a plant over time.

Mealy bugs look as though they had fallen into chalk and have a long waxy looking growth from their tails. They resemble a very small piece of cotton on the underside of leafs. You can remove them by washing but they will return. A couple of weeks use of an insecticide can rid you of these pests.

Natural Fertilizers

Soap, diluted liquid dish washing detergent, used in a 1 to 2% solution has been used as an effective spray for years. If you use this, remember that repeated use with a high concentration may cause damage to some plants. While this mixture is less toxic to humans and animals than other mixtures it might be less effective than other insecticides if you have an infestation of pests.

Neem oil, produced from the Indian lilac tree, and is used to prevent feeding and stunt the pest's development cycle.

Pyrethrum, produced from the Dalmatian chrysanthemum, is used in dust or a liquid form sprayed on plants. It attacks an insect's nervous system. Can be used in small concentrations to repel but not kill insects. It is toxic to fish but less toxic then synthetic pesticides to mammals. It breaks down easily when exposed to light and is used in many pet shampoos for flea and tick control.

Boric acid has been used for many years to control roaches.

Other more common pests are ants and wasps. These are pests that can cause allergic reactions and cause fear in children and adults. These have been attacked successfully with hairspray and soap solutions.

Cinnamon has been used in some areas to prevent ants from entering structures such as central air registers.

What ever natural pesticide you use, do so with caution and care. Examine the plants closely after each use and watch for a detrimental effect on your plants. Experiment with various natural pesticides until you find the one that works for you. The application of any insecticide should be in a safe manner and only at a frequency that is necessary to maintain a healthy crop of fruits and vegetables.

Soap Nuts - Replace Your Detergent With The Perfect Natural Detergent

Going green is the need of the day today, but there are many reasons that hold us from using green products, i.e. unavailability, inefficiency and pricing. But what about a product like soap nut that is natural, highly effective, convenient to use and reasonably priced. Soap nuts are the perfect replacement for commercial detergent. Read on to know more.

Going green has become a buzzword today. Yet ask yourself how many products you actually use that are truly 'green products'. The answer may not be satisfactory. The fact is that there are still not many viable alternatives for manufactured products, both in terms of effectiveness and in terms of cost. Where we are trying to take an initiative, there are bound to be many compromises. However, at times it is none of these reasons but plain ignorance, or unawareness or distrust in the efficacy of natural products. We are so used to using our regular manufactured products that the idea never occurs to us that there might be an alternative. It can make a huge difference though.

Let's talk about a product that you know very well, that you use almost on a daily basis. If plastic is the biggest culprit for land pollution then what is one of the biggest culprits for water pollution? Yes, we are talking about your detergent. Is there really a green product that can replace the detergent? The answer is yes. This natural green detergent is the soap nut. It is a small, round fruit that grows on trees, the pulp of which produces lather on rubbing with water like soap, which cleans anything you wash with it. Soap growing on trees? Yes, that's true. The truth is if we take some small steps towards it, we will find that nature has provided for everything. In fact humans have taken inspiration from the creations of nature to manufacture products.

Now, coming to efficacy, is it effective? Well, not only is the soap nut very effective, but at the same time very soft on your hands. Unlike harsh detergents, it will not leave your hands dry and hard. It is a better alternative to detergents for many reasons. One of the factors that is worth highlighting is that it is a HE detergent, that is required for front loading machines and works very well with them.

Now, how to use it, you cannot stock some fruits in your home and keep on rubbing them one by one on the clothes you want to wash, of course not. There are a hundred ways in which you can use them. The soap nuts dry up to become hard. They remain the same for years if stored properly. The outer shells of the fruit can be made into a powder, liquid or the soap nuts can simply be tied in a pouch and soaked in the water. The saponin, the substance it releases that is responsible for the lather and cleaning, is all that is required for cleaning and hence, any way you use it is good enough. Though, it works best with warm water. So, storing and using it is as easy as your detergent.

Finally, natural products are expensive or so you thought. Soap nuts, however are as reasonable as your detergent, or may be less than that also. So, you have a product that is effective, convenient to use, reasonably priced and 100% natural. Now, using detergents in spite of the availability of soap nuts can definitely be classed as unawareness or is it plain ignorance?

Tea Tree Oil Soap Is For Anyone Who Enjoys Using Natural Products And Wants Healthier Looking Skin

Tea tree oil soap is a natural anti-bacterial soap found as a liquid hand soap, face wash or luxury bath soap. Some hospitals use tea the soap for its powerful anti-bacterial properties. This type of soap is ideal for anyone who likes to use natural products and would like to have fresh, healthier looking skin.

Tea tree oil soap contains the essential oils from the melaluca plant. This plant is native to Northern New South Wales and is often grown in plantations so that the oil can be extracted from the plants leaves. It has been known for centuries that the essential oil from this plant is a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-septic agent.

This incredible soap works to maintain healthy skin by aiding in the shedding of old dry dead skin cells. This leaves the skin feeling softer and smoother making way for new healthier cells. The soap's essential oil balances the natural oils of the skin so that the skin is neither too dry nor overly oily. Tea tree oil soap may be used as an everyday soap or could be used specifically to treat medical or skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin or acne.

This type of soap is known for its medicinal uses for many centuries, used extensively by the native Aboriginal people of Australia to treat skin conditions amongst other things. It's known for having strong anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties making it a very effective natural treatment for scabies, warts, shingles, ring-worms, jock itch, heat rash and athletes foot. It can even be used to treat cases of cradle cap in infants. Using the tea tree oil soap as an everyday cleanser can help to ward off any future skin infections. The tea tree oil extract also works to speed up the healing process.

For people suffering from eczema, the skin can be very sensitive to chemicals. The soap can be a great natural alternative, helping to reduce the itchiness of the skin whilst aiding in the healing process. Eczema can be a painful and irritating condition and tea tree oil soap will help to reduce the severity of an episode.
This type of soap is also great for soothing sun burnt skin. The healing properties of the tea tree oil help to reduce the inflammation and help to reduce the pain associated with badly sun burnt skin. The oil will also help to keep the skin hydrated and will help to promote the growth of new skin cells.

Another benefit is that the oil will help reduce shaving rash. Razor burn can be quite painful and annoying however the soothing and moisturising properties of the oil will help to reduce the effect if used during shaving. Applying some of the essential oil to the razor will also help to reduce the severity of shaving rash or razor burn.

This oily soap may also be used to prevent dry skin. Some tea tree oil soaps also contain coconut oil or palm oils which can have a moisturising effect. When used as an aromatherapy soap in which case it should contain a concentration of at least 5% tea tree essential oil.

Natural Cleaning Solutions In The Laundry

We do the laundry a lot more often than we used to. Today, it's not unheard of for people to pop two shirts into the wash a day (one from work and one from the gym). In the past, people wore things for longer so there wasn't as much for the laundry maid to do. "Wash day" came once a week, usually on Mondays when there was cold Sunday roast left over and nobody had to cook much so they could concentrating on the nightmare job of doing the laundry.

But just because you've got a modern washing machine with a wool cycle, a hot cycle and enough lights for a very small Christmas tree doesn't mean that you have to use fancy modern wonder ingredients to get your clothes clean. Do yourself and the environment a favour, and use natural laundry products to wash clothes like your grandmother (or great-grandmother) used to use.

If you must use commercial washing powder (and I have to admit that I do - in a hard water area, using liquid soap in the machine on a cold cycle has a tendency to gunge up the pipes and valves) you can get away with using less than the manufacturer tells you to use on the side of the box. Let's face it: who wrote the stuff on the side of the box? Who's going to make more money if you go through three boxes of powder in stead of two? Right. In practice, you can reduce the amount of soap powder per load to three-quarters what the manufacturers tell you to - or even half. You can also be kinder to the environment by using a brand (which, happily, is usually cheaper) that doesn't have oodles of whiteners, brighteners and fragrance. This means you will pump less goodness-knows-what into the water system. And remember that washing clothes in commercial powder is still better than dry cleaning.

If you wash in hot water or if the water in your area isn't hard (lucky you!), you may be able to get away with using liquid soap in your washing load. This doesn't mean a commercial liquid soap. Instead, save soap scraps and pour boiling water over them to melt them down. Once the result has cooled to a gel, it can also be used for soaking grubby clothes as a pre-wash treatment, as general maid-of-all work for cleaning floors, cleaning cars and spot-cleaning carpets. You can also use it as shampoo. You can also use soap flakes, which you can buy again, thankfully, if you don't fancy grating a bar of soap.

If you are in a hard water area, you can still use soap flakes or soap gel to wash clothes, but you will have to add a water softener. Borax is the classic water softener used in many natural domestic cleaning recipes.

Soap residues are responsible for making towels and blankets as stiff as cardboard. Thorough rinsing helps, as does drying in the open air. But to really make sure things stay soft enough to rub on sensitive bits of your body, use vinegar as a fabric softener. Put about half a cup per load into wherever fabric softener is supposed to be put in your washing machine, or else add it to the final rinse.

Essential oils are also popular additions to natural laundry products. Some oils not only add a pleasant scent but also help remove stains and act as disinfectants. Eucalyptus oil makes a great stain remover and is the key ingredient in Sard Wonder Soap (if you can get hold of this, it is fantastic for removing all sorts of stains). Tea tree oil is antibacterial. So is lavender.

Did You Bathe Today? With an All Natural Soap?

I've been an entrepreneur since I set up my first lemonade stand with a sign that said Free Lemonade, 10 cents! I knew Free sounded good but I also knew I had to pay Mom back for the lemons. And as most self employed business owners know, that remains the eternal question: Offering a product that people flock to like it's free while making enough to pay for the effort.

With our latest venture, we turned the tables on this theory. We manufacture line of handmade bath soap bars and bath salts and, at this time, donate all profits to charity. So we have the 'free' component of giving away the profit from our labors but the challenge of running a business that actually makes that profit.

While this may be a little different from your particular business, some of the strategies remain the same. I have been in sales and marketing for over 30 years, owning businesses online and traditional brick and mortar. Some basic principles remain the same throughout and that's what you want to concentrate on to be successful in your own venture.

Let's jump right in and talk about your product first. Product and Distribution must be determined before marketing can take place. Well established product lines and distribution channels will allow your marketing to guide itself. Advertising methods fit different products in unique ways and you must find the best fit for your product. But keep in mind, marketing your product, whatever it is, is the key to SUCCESS!

Having done some marketing in many forms, from cold calling to trade shows to online, I find now that a combination of all of these and many more work well. It's like not putting all your eggs in one basket. When one method is working, another might not be as they all go in cycles.

So we have a website, we promote it extensively and it includes a shopping cart for online sales. We also send a monthly newsletter to existing customers and prospects keeping them up to date on what we are doing and where the money is going each month. The website includes a blog that is updated frequently which keeps the website active for the search engines. Stats say that about 80% of people today search online when shopping locally. They search for locations, phone numbers as well as an easy way to shop without leaving home.

No marketing is complete without using social media. That's Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc. Again, this is where a very large percentage of people go everyday and you must be there among them not only for exposure but for validation.

We also utilize retail outlets in a brick and mortar environment. Soap is something people like to see and touch and smell. That helps tremendously with the sales process so we encourage it by having the products available all around the area. This often results in repeat sales online as people become familiar with the product.

The importance of Networking cannot be overstated. People do business with people they know especially when dealing with a personal care product. But I find this to be true when you are looking for a plumber or someone to work on your computer. Nothing replaces meeting someone face to face. Your location probably abounds in meetups and business associations. Just ask around and jump right in to get started.

Speaking of validation. Another great validation for your business is being published. A short e-book or full size, hard cover book can be seen as validating who you are and why someone should do business with you. Take a look at this unique but underused method of promoting yourself or your company. Or write an article like this to help others who are coming along the path you have walked!

All Natural Soap - What is the Secret Behind Black Soap?

Black soap originated in West Africa and has been used throughout history by different tribes and communities for cleansing, purifying and healing the skin. It is traditionally handmade by women through the blending the bark of different plants like shea and plantain trees with water and the most beneficial oils, such as coconut oil. These all natural ingredients stockpile the soap with Vitamins A, E and iron, while the shea provides the soap a natural sunscreen.

In my search for the perfect natural soap, I almost settled on black soap as the winner. It was an excellent cleanser and moisturizer for my skin. Yet, after a few weeks of use, I realized that what was lacking was the exfoliation that is detrimental to helping my skin look and feel smooth. Through even a light exfoliation, you can break down the dead skin cells thus opening your pores and preventing acne. Exfoliation is used in many anti-aging remedies because of its ability to reduce fine lines. Alas, my search for the perfect all natural soap continued.

I found my champion in Thailand, where another type of handmade black soap has made its way into mainstream markets. This time it is all natural black rice grain soap. Like black soap, black rice grain soap is stockpiled with antioxidants, botanicals and natural oils to help soothe, protect and purify the skin. It too contains an all natural sunscreen in the form of rice bran oil. What pushed it over the top however were its detoxifying and exfoliating abilities.

One of the primary all natural ingredients in black rice grain soap is charcoal, which creates a layer on the skin to protect it from free radicals, including pesticides, cigarette smoke, pollution and sun exposure. Way back in 1956, Dr. Denham Harman proved that these free radicals are indeed the primary cause of aging. This is because collagen, the protein molecule that keeps our skin looking and feeling supple, is most susceptible to free radicals. Black rice grain soap is instrumental in reversing the effects of free radicals by introducing antioxidants into the skin and giving free radicals the electrons they require for stabilization, stimulation of blood circulation and overall skin nourishment.

Since black rice grain soap is based in rice grain extract, it provides a gentle exfoliation to the skin, releasing dead cells and revealing fresh, new skin. The rice grains provide a natural scrub that is subtle enough that the soap can be used anywhere on the body without causing irritation.

The battle is over. I finally found a natural soap that can exfoliate, detoxify, soothe and cleanse my skin all at once. Black soap was unquestionably the runner up, but the best all-around natural soap product I could find on the market was the natural black rice grain soap.

Aloe Vera Juice Benefits - Natural Homemade Lotion and More

Aloe vera juice comes from the aloe vera plant, a short stemmed or stemless plant. This plant grows in regions that are dry and barren, with little rain or support for vegetation, such as: northern Africa, the Canary islands and the Cape Verde islands.

There have been many conflicting scientific studies regarding this plant. It is well known for its use as an herbal type of medicine. The juice from this plant is used in a variety of ways. It can be found in cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, soaps, face tissues and other household products.

Topical aloe vera juice benefits include:

- Anti-bacterial & anti-fungal agent
- Improves skin regeneration
- Soothes sunburns
- Reduces redness
- Reduces itching
- Helps improve eczema & psoriasis
- Softens skin
- Helpful for acne
- Reverses scarring
- Strengthens joint muscles
- Improves joint flexibility & movement
- Alleviates pain & inflammation of arthritis
- Rich in vitamins C, B12 and E

This juice can be found in many homemade skin care products including natural: homemade soap, homemade lotion, homemade face cream, homemade shampoo and much more. It helps to soften and soothe many different skin types such as: dry itchy skin, dry flaky skin, sensitive skin, sunburns and more. It can improve skin regeneration helping with wrinkles, acne or scarring. It can help a variety of scalp problems or scalp conditions. It helps alleviate pain and inflammation from arthritis, sore muscles and joints. There are a large variety of benefits offered in natural homemade skin care products. You can improve multiple skin care needs with the benefits of aloe vera juice.

This juice can, also, be used internally. Consult your physician before using aloe vera juice for any medicinal purposes, due to possible side effects. More of its benefits include:

- Detoxifies body
- Cleanses colon
- Detoxifies blood stream
- Aids in healing ulcers
- Helps digestive tract work smoothly
- Improves circulation
- Provides overall feeling of energy and health

With all of these benefits, no wonder this juice is so popular! Discover aloe vera juice and the benefits it can provide!

Pure Natural Soap Products

Spoil yourself! Wrapped in sleek and elegant packaging, sold in distinctive specialty stores in the finest areas as a nouveau and much desired gift item, we tend to forget that natural soap- like substances were used as early as in ancient Babylonian times probably using a very similar recipe. It's now not an unusual concept to consider these types of unscented natural handmade mineral soaps a specialty gift item for skin and hair care or hand and bath aromatherapy. You can buy these sometimes handmade organic soaps at a cost only slightly higher than regular mass chemically manufactured soaps.

You will find any combination of the following on the packaged product label of a true pure natural soap:
essential oils, castor oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, glycerine, cocoa butter, shea butter, herbs, fruits, vegetables, baking soda, pine tar and clay

Read your labels carefully. Be wary of commercial soaps with labels deliberately listing a few natural ingredients added to promote their sale as a "pure" and "green" product.

The best quality soaps are made by a "cold pressed" method and contain only the highest quality ingredients. Although lye, a caustic soda, is always used in the production of all types of soaps, natural soaps are produced in such a way as to minimize it's abrasive qualities. Natural soaps contain oil, lye and water. The oil neutralizes the lye as the soap is carefully blended.

With all the caustic and irritant ingredients eliminated, pure soap natural moisturizers nourish the skin the way no synthetic manufactured soap could do and with no unnatural ingredients there will be no allergic skin reactions such as people experience with commercially manufactured soaps. Obviously it is very important to remember to read your labels carefully! Learn to look for only the wording "natural" or "herbal", and allow the label to ensure you the absence of dyes, fragrances, and synthetic chemicals.

Pure and natural soap can be made or purchased with a different variety of ingredients to enhance cleaning of the body, hair or home in liquid or bar form. There are also soaps available especially for children and pets or those with unusual skin conditions and hair types.

The products manufactured are totally pure, natural, and vegan - approved. They are soothing and have great aromas.

Here is a more complete listing of natural cleansing products for your consideration:

Handmade Soaps
Bath Salts
Bath Crystals
Candles
Gift Baskets
Gift Certificates
Soap Making Supplies

Natural Homemade Cleaning Products

Natural homemade cleaning products will save you money and help the environment, how can you refuse to saving money and helping the environment? Your not a horrible person if you use commercial cleaners but taking the time to look at alternative cleaners should be high considered. Some of use may be very sensitive to the chemicals in commercial cleaning products. If you are you know how difficult it can be breathing in those fumes. Natural homemade cleaning products would be ideal for you and really anyone who wants to help the environment out too.

The best natural homemade cleaning products include, water, baking soda, white vinegar, citrus solvent, lemon juice, Borax, and liquid soap. You will protect your family and pets if you use these natural cleaning products on a regular basis. If u mix and match these natural products you will have cleaners that will keep your house smelling good and looking even better. There seems to always be a catch to something when it seems to good to be true right? This isn't one of those times because these products are safe and will clean your home, no side effects, no nothing.

I use natural cleaning products almost everyday because something always need to be done around the house so I know from experience they work. It gives me the sense of accomplishment because I know I'm helping my family, the environment, and my home buy using them. Natural homemade cleaning products really are fantastic and I will continue to use them.

Pure and Natural Bar Soap

More and more, people are seeking out products that are not manufactured with artificial colors, fragrances, fillers, and other synthetic ingredients. This is likely due to all of the problems being experienced from these harsh products. Not only are these synthetic components in food, but they are also in toiletries that you use daily on your body. Now that is pretty scary! You are being exposed to all of these things on your interior and exterior. This cannot be a good thing. This is why so many people are taking the time, and putting forth the effort to find alternative items. This means pure and natural bar soap, herbal shampoo, and organic face products.

In the last decade, countless companies have released a grand slew of all-natural and organic products. This is especially true about skin care. The reality is that all-natural is appealing to the masses much more nowadays. A lot of this is due to all of the people afflicted with cancer and other diseases. Scientists and medical experts are relating these problems to what people are putting and on their bodies. Well, it certainly makes sense. This is why pure and natural bar soap and other organic products are gaining major popularity. The simpler the better, and the fewer synthetic ingredients, the safer the product likely is.

There are some simple distributors you can turn to online for pure and natural bar soap, as well as other all-natural products. These are Amazon.com, DiscountCosmeticOutlet.com, and drugstore.com. Each of these websites offer plenty of pure and natural toiletries to consider. It all just depends on what you are in the market for. Anything from natural and organic soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, body lotions, facial serums, cleansers, hair styling products, toners, and under-eye treatments can be found. You simply have to take a little time and sift through all of the different products that are offered.

One of the primary reasons men and women choose pure and natural bar soap is to avoid skin irritations. If you have sensitive skin, you may very well get rashes or other types of irritations from synthetic bars soaps and body washes. This can typically be avoided with organic cleansers and pure and natural bar soaps. Especially if you have small children. It is prudent to avoid toiletries like soaps and shampoos that contain fragrances, artificial colors, and other synthetic components. Your kid will thank you for it, and you will not have to grapple with any skin irritations or other problems that arise from harsh toiletries.

Protect the Environment and Your Body - Use Only Natural Soaps

Research has shown that chemicals and synthetic substitutes that are found in many mass produced soaps have numerous negative effects. This is true not only for the skin but also for the entire body. Using a soap that is totally organic and natural promotes a healthier life for the individual as well as the planet.

The entire process of making natural soaps is done in such a way that the benefits of the flowers, herbs and other elements are preserved. Handmade natural soaps also can be used for their aromatherapy properties. The essential oils contained in natural handmade soaps produce reactions in the body that energize and revitalize the body and mind.

Natural soaps is very good for sensitive skin as it preserves the moisture of the skin and protects it. The best test of a natural handmade soaps is that after coming out of a shower, the skin feels refreshed and nourished and not dry and stretched as is the case when using soaps that have synthetic chemicals and fragrances.

Some of the best known ingredients of Natural Soaps are:

Palmarosa - Palmarosa is very good for dry and allergy prone skin. It soothes and calms the skin when it gets inflamed and irritated.

Lavender - Lavender is ideal for mature and elderly skin. The great thing about lavender is that is can be used for both dry and oily skin, this is because lavender is an adaptogenic herb and can be used depending on the necessity.

Ylang Ylang - Ylang Ylang offers many health benefits. It is very good for dry and combination skin and is very effective in stimulating the skin and correcting the production of sebum in the body. Its aroma also combats depression and anxiety.

Handmade Natural Soap On Revolution

We have had many household things used for "green earth" advocacy, ranging from fuel to paper bags. One unlikely item that has also joined the "green earth" trail is soap. It has been proved that the industrial soaps that we normally use are not only harmful to us but also to our environment. This has lead to consumers making their own soaps with modern as well as conventional methods.

Natural soaps have been around from as early as medieval times. In fact, the industrial soaps have for a long time been using the traditional raw materials and processes until the chemicals added as preservatives and colors have posed fear of safety. Consequently, people have gone to the old ways of making natural soap to avoid the dangers posed by the modern industrial soaps and also to advocate to products that are safe for humanity as well as the environment. The results have been more than soaps for individual consumption. Some have resulted to making soaps for commercial purposes, and it is expected that it's just a matter of time for industrial soap makers to turn into the safe old ways of manufacturing the products.

How it is made
Natural soap is normally made from a combination of oils from plant or animals and a strong alkali. There are different processes that can be used to make natural soap, but all aim at blending the oils and the alkaline to form thick molds of soap substance. The substance is then poured into blocks of wood or metal and cooled for several days. This process makes excess alkali to rise up, leaving optimal content of the oil and alkali mixture on the bottom. The top layer of the excess is removed and a pure soapy substance is left in the blocks.

Different substances have been used to form different colors and aromas in the natural soap. Also, different soap makers use various natural ingredients as preservatives; like Rosemary. Once the right end product have been made, the soap molds are then cut using sharp blades or wires to form bars. Depending on whether the soap is meant for household use or commercial, the natural soap can be packaged on different packs.

Why natural soap is safe for your skin
Many people are irritated by industrial soaps after using them, especially after doing some washing. The soaps also cause dryness to the skin and make it itchy. The irritation is normally caused by the chemical content in the soap added as preservatives, fragrances or artificial colors. It can also be caused by oils or alkali that have not fully neutralized during the manufacturing process. This puts your skin at a risk of harmful substances, dehydration and infections. However, since natural soaps are carefully handcrafted, and no artificial chemicals are added, the end-product is safe for use.

Where to get natural soap
You can as well make your own soap by gathering relevant raw materials. There are several stores which are now selling natural soaps. Although you may not be able to differentiate by just looking from a far, you can look at the ingredients that have been used to make the soap. You can as well ask the shop attendant to give you handmade natural soap.

Tips and Tricks For a Safer Home Cleaning Using Natural Cleaning Products

As you thought your home is clean, but it maybe unhealthier, because of toxic cleaning products made from petroleum-based chemicals.

Lots of these commercial cleaning products have hazardous chemicals that are not listed on the label. Manufacturers won't say anything about the ingredients that that they called "secret formula" from its label and many of these secret ingredients are toxic and carcinogenic.

You should be aware about cleaning products that promises "Eco Friendly" and are now on the Green bandwagon. Also known as Green Wash, but make sure read labels carefully and research all product claims.

You can reduce your chemical exposure by eliminating chemicals in your home, and using only natural cleaning products.

If you say its non-toxic then you can say its healthier also it is fun to make. Making alternative ways of cleaning is by creating natural cleaning products, its safer, cheaper (it will only cost cents).
Here are the lists of things you'll need to make a Natural cleaning product.

Micro fiber cloths

Spray Bottles

Liquid castile soap

Mixing bowls

Borax

Vinegar

Hydrogen peroxide

Baking soda

Vodka (optional)

Organic essential oils (optional)


Using Borax as a Laundry booster is effective... it can even remove molds - (cheaper and non-toxic).

For disinfecting and .and whitening use Hydrogen peroxide, it's much safer than chlorine bleach (Lemon juice is also a natural whitener).

Food store sells Liquid castile soaps this item can be used as liquid cleaners, much safer than other brands.

Baking soda can be used in your bathroom or kitchens, all you need is a glass grated cheese container with a stainless steel top that has holes in it, just sprinkle then scrub and there you go, a natural way of cleaning your bathroom (oh I almost forgot you can also add your favorite essential oil, Lavender or tea tree oil, it has an anti-bacterial qualities.

Another safer alternative of draining cleaners is to sprinkle the baking soda down the drain with apple cinder vinegar and let it bubble for 15 minutes, rinse with hot water, also baking soda and apple cinder make a spa-like bath that removes aches and pains, its detoxifies also.

Looking for a fabric softener? Baking soda can also handle that one.

If you want to polish your silvers, and instead of using toxic polishers, add a sheet of aluminum foil and baking soda to a sink filled with hot water, soak the silver pieces and wait until its clean, an easy way of cleaning silver.

Maybe all of us knows that vinegars has many uses, for floors, windows, bath, kitchen and many more, vinegar with liquid castile soap (essential oil), filtered with water can clean them all, Vinegars are fabric softener also, dryer sheets are toxic never use one of them, to prevent fabrics from Fading use vinegar in wash cycles.

Use micro fabric cloth with vinegar in cleaning windows, avoid using newspapers, it contains toxic dyes and also those commercial window cleaner that contains butyl cellosolve (Manufacturers won't list them on the labels because its toxic).

Fabric refreshers contains dangerous chemicals, use vodka instead, just put it in a spray bottle and there you go, you can freshen your chairs and upholstery, a cheaper and non-toxic because the alcohol evaporates quickly, but avoid using it as a hand sanitizers it absorbs into your body via your skin, use sanitizers that are plant based or just the old way but effective soap and water.

For air fresheners use Organic essential oils and can also be use as a natural cleaning product, it just depends on your personal preference and tolerance to these kind of scents.

Making your own natural cleaning products ensures that you have a safer living for your family, its fun and far from danger, cheaper way to avoid those commercial products.

Tips for Making Natural Soap

Making natural soap is an incredibly rewarding process. There's nothing quite as satisfying as knowing every single ingredient that went into your soap. However, there are a few things to keep in mind as you're making your soap that can help make the process a little easier and the finished result a little better and more professional.

First, know your process. There are many different methods of making soap, from the cold press method to the boiler method. Knowing what you're doing before you actually start doing it is a great way to make sure things go smoothly.

Second, know what ingredients you need and have all your ingredients on hand before you ever start making soap. Things move pretty fast once you actually get started, and you don't want to realize halfway through the process that you've forgotten something! If necessary, make individual lists of ingredients you'll need for each process, and make sure you have everything together before you get started. This is the best way to make sure that you don't have to stop in the middle of the process and ruin a perfectly good batch of soap.

Start simple. Don't try to get too fancy or too complicated the first time around, or try to include too many ingredients. You have to learn to walk before you can run, and you have to learn to crawl before you can walk. Start out with the most basic recipe you can find. There will be time for adding perfumes, oils, milks, and herbs after you've mastered your basic techniques, and you're confident in them.

Finally, don't be afraid of your ingredients. Use caution, yes, but don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. After all, you're making your own soap! And what's the point of making your own natural soap if you can't experiment a little? Get accustomed to soap making, as we've already discussed, but then don't be afraid to try new things. Making natural soap from scratch can be fun, if you let it.