Soap Information Why Our Handmade
Soaps? We take our time and carefully cure each batch for a minimum of 4 weeks before we sell it. Curing is necessary to create a mild soap and to harden the bar so it will last longer for you. "Cold Process" means that we make these soaps without directly heating or cooking to cure or saponify. Nothing is removed in our process and no detergents or petroleum products are added. *(saponify) The process in which soap is formed: Fats/Oils + Alkali = Soap + Glycerine. True handmade soap retains its glycerine which is a naturally occurring reaction in the making of soap (saponifying) and is not extracted and sold to other companies. Long ago commercial soap companies began removing glycerin and other natural soap ingredients to increase profits, selling the natural glycerine to many different industries. This required the need to add other chemicals, less "Skin Friendly" to their process making it more of a detergent than a true soap. *(glycerine) Glycerine is a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture to your skin. Glycerine is a natural by-product of the soapmaking process and while most commercial manufacturers remove the glycerine for use in more profitable lotions and creams, our handmade soap retains glycerin in each and every bar. *Sodium Hydroxide (lye) is an alkali, which reacts with fatty acids (oils) to create a salt -- (soap by the process of saponification). Is the commercial soap you are using even called soap? Or is it a "beauty bar", "cleansing bar", or "deodorizing bar"? Many of these products by regulation cannot be called soaps --- they are synthetic detergents Soap making is a blend of art and science. Carefully measured and properly cured, our finished recipes technically contain no lye. All soap is made with lye, including glycerine soap and even store bought commercial brands. We have been making soap for over 10 years. A lot of time, research and fun has gone into our process because we care! Rest assured Freedom Farm Soaps are true and homemade. Treat yourself or someone you love to the benefits of our luxurious handmade soaps that contain only the finest ingredients available to us, as we take great pride in making all of our soaps and skin care products just for you! Indulge Yourself!
Oils All of our bath soaps begin with our
recipe base of soothing food grade olive oil, Palm,Coconut &
Soybean oil are also added. In our Shampoo & Body bars we aslo include
Sweet Almond & Jojoba Oils.
Olive Oil Olea europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil Olive oil is high in oleic acid and
is a good skin cell regenerator. It attracts external moisture to
the skin and allows normal functions of the skin to take place
(sweating, shedding of dead skin and releasing sebum).
Rejuvinating & revitalizing your skin.
Palm Oil Elaeis
guineensis (Palm) Oil
We use a refined, food grade palm
oil. It makes a nice hard bar when used in combination with other
oils such as coconut and olive oil. In cold process soap.
Coconut Oil Cocos
nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Coconut oil is extracted from dried
grated coconuts. It is a very good carrier oil for dry, sensitive
skin. It will not clog pores and it readily absorbs into the skin.
Coconut oil is used in our recipes because of its resistance to
rancidity and contribution to a good, hard soap with ability to
produce wonderful, fluffy lather.
Soybean Oil Glycine
soja (Soybean) Oil
Soybean oil is a great addition to
soaps as a good source of vitamin E.
Jojoba Oil Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Jojoba is not actually an oil but is
a liquid wax pressed from the seed. A great ingredient in our,
lotions, salves and shaving balms. We add it to our Shampoo & Body
Bars for an excellent hair conditioner.
Sweet Almond Oil Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil
Sweet almond oil is a great
emollient for softening and conditioning the skin. Rich in
essential fatty acids and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 & E.
Added to our Shampoo & Body Bars as
well as our Lotions, Creams, Salves & Balms. It's a light well
penetrating oil and well suited for eczema, psoriasis, dry and
inflamed skin.
Herbs In many of our products we use a number of herbs. Most are grown here in our herb garden, others are wildcrafted in the Foothills of North Carolina. We have listed properties of herbs we grow and use. Calendula
Calendula
officinalis (Calendula) Petals
Calendula is well
known as One
of the most useful and versatile herbs for skin care to cleanse,
soften, and soothe. Used in ointments, It's been highly valued
throughout history for its anti-inflammatory and healing
qualities.
Chickweed Stellaria media (Chickweed) Leaf
Chickweed is good
for skin problems, irritations and rashes. We use it in many of
our soaps, creams, lotions and salves
Comfrey Root Symphytum officinale (Comfrey) Root
Comfrey root is
useful for treating wounds, bruises, muscle pulls, sprains, and
swelling. It's a good addition to our salves, bath salts and
herbal soaks and bath teas.
Cleavers Galium aparine (Cleavers)
herb
The predominant uses
for cleavers are external. Used on dry skin conditions, psoriasis
& eczema.
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) Buds
The fresh, clean
scent of lavender has been a favorite for centuries. Derived from
the Latin lavare "to wash", lavender was used by the Greeks and
Romans as a favorite bath water additive. The soothing and
antiseptic qualities make lavender useful in all skin care. The
scent is said to relieve headaches and calm nerves.
Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)
Lemongrass is
uplifting, stress relieving and has a light lemon scent.
Plantain Plantago major (Plantain) Leaf
Plantain is known
for its anti-inflammatory affects on the skin. It has been used to
help relieve dry skin conditions such as eczema and to help heal
wounds, cuts, burns, lesions, insect bites and more. It can help
relieve burning and stinging from bites and cuts.
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf
The natural
essential oil in rosemary is energizing.
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf
eucalyptus is well
known for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, and is one
of the best herbs to use to help fight colds and flus.
Patchouli pogostemom cablin (Patchouli) herb
Has an intense
earthy aroma thought to relieve stress and awaken tranquility to
the wearer. Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic,
Astringent, Sedative.
Peppermint Mentha piperita (Peppermint) Leaf
Peppermint is known
for its soothing as well as its stimulating properties, It's
wonderful to include in summer time blends for its cooling effect
on the skin. The peppermint aroma is useful for relieving
headaches.
If you have any questions or comments, we
would love to hear from you! |
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