Benefits Of Using Handmade Soap And Why You Have Dry Skin

Thankfully, more people are switching to using natural soaps and handmade soaps but, there are still many people who are using harsh detergents on their skin and suffering the horrible side effects. Though handmade soap has been around since the beginning of time, somehow advertisers have convinced us that chemical laden, detergent bars are more beneficial for our skin. 

What is wrong with the soaps sold in most stores? 

The soaps sold in stores aren't really soap. They are detergent bars. Detergent, as in, the harsh cleansing agent you use to wash your dishes or dirty laundry. These beauty bars, as they are sometimes called, cleanse the skin too well, which is why they are called "harsh". The detergents used in these soaps clean away the dirt which is great but, they also strip away the natural oils that your skin needs to be moisturized and healthy. Stripping away your skins natural oils is what makes your skin dry, flaky and "ashy". This harsh stripping also heightens the effects of eczema, psoriasis and acne! 

How is handmade soap better for your skin?

Handmade soaps are made with the proper balance of cleansing and moisturizing properties. A well made bar of handmade soap, should clean well while also, leaving your skins natural oils in tact. Your natural oils, combined with the moisturizing oils in handmade soap help seal in moisture and soothe rather than irritate dry skin. After using handmade soap, you should start to notice a natural shine on your skin. This shine will come from the many natural oils used in handmade soap such as, olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, and more! Want to try a bar of handmade soap? Shop here: Lia Naturals Bath & Body

Are all handmade soaps the same? 

No! There are also soaps called "glycerin bars" these bars can also be damaging depending on the ingredients. Make sure that the ingredient list doesn't contain any detergents or harsh surfactants. Glycerin bars aren't all bad but, these still aren't "real" soap, these bars are also made of synthetic foaming cleansing agents. Some are gentler than others, if these are your only option choose wisely. 

What ingredients should I avoid in choosing a natural soap? 

1. Surfectants- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside- these are foaming agents used to make "glycerin bars" lather. In handmade soaps plants based oils, such as Coconut & Castor oil are used for bubbles, cleansing and moisture. 

2. Sulfates- Sodium Lauryl (Laureth) Sulfate (SLS), cocamidopropyl betaine (cocabetaine), diethanolalamine (DEA)- these are detergent based foaming agents, which have been shown to cause irritation.

3.Parabens-"At the concentrations used to preserve cosmetics and medicines, parabens may sensitize and cause topical contact dermatitis. It is believed that persons sensitive to parabens may develop dermatitis from parabens in food and medicines. A study also found when applied on the skin, methyl paraben can react with medium wave ultraviolet radiation and increase DNA damage and skin aging." SOURCE

Suffering from dry, itchy, ashy skin? Now you should see why! In other words, most of the "soaps" sold in stores are junk and don't belong on our skin or in our bath. I'm not one who believes the ingredients can cause cancer, that is a bit of a stretch. I would just prefer all natural, plant based oils on my skin that I know are helping, rather than harming my skin. 

Do you use handmade soap?