I took Bliss Botanicals to my first market of the year this weekend. It was so wonderful to be out and about and again, chatting all things soap for two days!
"These are so pretty! But I can't use products like that."
This was a comment I got on more than one occasion over the course of the market, as customers browsed my stand, and it inspired me to tell you how cold processed soap can be an amazing product to use if you have sensitive skin.
Why?
1. Gentle Ingredients I make Bliss Botanicals soap using natural oils, usually olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. These ingredients are gentle on the skin and less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions compared to synthetic additives found in commercial soaps.
2. Retained Glycerin During the cold process soap-making method, glycerin is naturally produced as a byproduct. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft. Commercial soap manufacturers often remove glycerin to use in other products, but cold processed soap retains this valuable ingredient.
Talking of humectants, salt is another one. This is why my Bliss Botanicals spa bars, with their coconut oil base and high salt content, are the loveliest soap to use for sensitive skin. They create a beautiful creamy lather and never leave the skin feeling tight.
3 No Harsh Chemicals Cold processed soap does not contain harsh chemicals or detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and parabens, which can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt its pH balance. This makes it ideal for sensitive skin that may react negatively to such chemicals.
4 Nourishing Properties Bliss Botanicals soap retains the natural properties of its ingredients, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, which can nourish and protect the skin. For example, oils like coconut oil and shea butter, which are used in almost all of my soap recipes, have moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties that benefit sensitive skin.
5. pH Balanced Cold processed soap typically has a pH level closer to that of the skin, which helps maintain the skin's natural protective barrier. This can prevent issues like dryness, irritation, and excessive oiliness, particularly important for sensitive skin that is prone to imbalances.
Overall, the gentle nature, natural ingredients, and skin-loving properties of cold processed soap make it an excellent choice for maintaining healthy and happy skin, particularly for those with sensitive skin.