Why use Natural Handmade Soap?

What is the difference between handmade and commercial (or milled) soaps?

Each is created through a different process. Handmade soaps retain the moisturizing ingredient - glycerin - whereas commercially milled soaps involve removing the glycerin to produce a harder bar that can be extruded through a machine - allowing for mass production and better formation of company logos in the bar. Handmade soaps use whole vegetable and/or animal fats and oils, whereas, commercially milled soaps use only isolated fatty acids . These commercially-produced "hard" bars leave your skin feeling dry and in need of moisturizing. Commercial manufacturers then use the glycerin removed from the soap in their lotions, which they turn around and sell back to you.

At Wild Thyme Botanicals, we use only high quality vegetable oils and we superfat to produce a gentle moisturizing bar. After using our handmade soap you will notice less of a need to use your moisturizer.

In addition, using natural products on your skin can save your life! Recent studies have linked toxic chemicals used in commercially made cosmetics and personal care items to cancer and reproductive deformities. (www.safecosmetics.org)

The regulatory requirements governing the sale of cosmetics in the U.S. are not as stringent as those that apply to other FDA-regulated products. Manufacturers may use any ingredient or raw material, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances , to market a product without a government review of approval.

Currently, there is only voluntary participation from U.S. companies to fully disclose ingredients and ban the use of known toxins in their formulations. California passed recent legislation to ban the use of thalates and other carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins in personal care items. Consumers must continue to educate themselves so as to make healthy decisions in what products they choose to use on their skin.

This includes commercially made bar soap and especially body washes and liquid soaps! These products contain ingredients such as Tetrasodium EDTA, Cocamide DEA, Butylated Hydroxytuluene, and Triethanolamine which are known carcinogens. But don't just take our word for it - check it out for yourself:

The Evironmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) has an interactive system on their website to allow consumers to evaluate the ingredients in their personal care items. You can search by ingredient, product , or brand name.