Handmade Soap Facts
How many people know what soap really is? Several of the cleansing bars that you buy at the store, for example, are detergents-and not soaps at all. They are called syndet bars, or synthetic detergent bars. They are made from synthesized chemicals and are usually much harsher than soap. Detergents contain petroleum distillates rather than oil. On the other hand, true soap is made from natural oils (such as olive, coconut and palm) and is a gentle cleansing product more appropriate for use on skin than is detergent.
Soaps, unlike detergents, are made by combining sodium hydroxide or lye, oils and water in a process known as "Saponification". Some people may question the use of lye in handcrafted soap. The fact is that all soap is made with lye. What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin. There is no lye present in the finished bars of soap.
The oils in our soaps are put there for a specific purpose. The coconut oil creates a wonderful lather. The olive oil is used for a high quality, long lasting bar. Canola and Palm oil carry nutrients to the skin, and the safflower oil make a creamy bar.
Glycerin is a skin soothing emollient that adds to the goodness of handmade soap. In commercial soaps the glycerin is removed for sale to the cosmetic industry to sell separately, sometimes at a higher price than the soap itself! Glycerin is important to skin care because it is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air, which in turn moisturize your skin. A whole 1/5 of a bar of our soap is glycerin.
Most soaps have artificial ingredients to scent or color. Some handcrafted soap is scented with fragrance oils. These are synthetic chemicals that are mixed together to imitate a particular scent. They have contributed in many cases to chemical sensitivity in some people. They also have no aromatherapy benefits. The scents in our soaps should come only from essential oils, which are steamed or pressed from plants. Essential oils are the fragrance emitting components of plants and are at the heart of aromatherapy. Not only do they smell good; they have many beneficial effects on the body, mind and spirit.
The coloring in our soap should come from nature as well. The petals of Lavender and Rose can be used. Earth Pigments can also be used, which are simply finely ground rocks. This makes the colors rich and earthy, rather than artificial looking.
The Eyes Have It
Did you know Leonardo da Vinci sketched and described several forms of contact lenses in 1508, and in 1632 Rene Descartes suggested the possibility of a corneal contact lens? Civilization has come a long way from these early ideas to the high-tech advancements we have to care for our eyes today. We even have choices for improved vision other than through a contact lens or eyeglasses. LASIK surgical procedures are done on the eye and intended to reduce dependency on eyeglasses. It doesn't promise perfect vision, but it offers convenient benefits to people that don't want to put on glasses.
Millions of people are using gas permeable rigid contact lenses, extended wear, soft-lens, bifocal vision, a whole rainbow of color contacts, no-fuss disposables, and lenses that protect from UV rays. If eyeglasses are more your style, you have never had a bigger selection than what is on the market today. Make a bold statement with colors of eyeglass frames or let the frames blend into your face. I have four different colors of eyeglasses and I plan on buying more. If all of these options become tiresome, you might choose the LASIK surgery where your eye should become less dependent on glasses and you will have the convenience of not wearing anything on your face unless you want to. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up in the morning and be able to see everything clearly without putting on glasses?
Color cares for the eyes
Color contacts are fun and you can present a different personality to the world. Did you always want to be a blond with blue eyes - how about a red head with green eyes? Now you can because of the many choices available. Designer eyeglasses are in vogue so why not buy different eyeglass frames and treat them as jewelry, watches or other accessories that match your clothing? You might be looking for a fabulous pair of reading glasses to bring out in a restaurant. There are even styles of lorgnettes that you can stylishly wear around you neck, and use them as a magnifying glass when the need arose. If you have woodworking or remodeling projects to do at home, don't forget about safety glasses. They are also more fashionable, comfortable and functional than ever before. It doesn't matter if it is for fashion, fun or function; take the time to properly care for your eyes.
