Organic Soap
Organic soap is usually hand made from all natural ingredients and does not contain any of the chemicals found in commercially produced soap which can dry out and irritate the skin (namely Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is used to clean grease off of machinery).
Though many soap products carry the organic label, a lot of them still contain ingredients that are not purely organic and so the term "natural" is frequently used interchangeably with "organic".
Benefits of Natural Soap Bars
Do not contain harsh chemicals - Some of the ingredients in commercially produced soaps contain chemicals that remove important oils and dry out the skin. Some of these ingredients may actually lead to skin problems such as eczema or dermatitis.
Contain Essential Oils - Essential oils are mainly derived from plant sources and contain natural moisturizers and cleansers. They also provide aromatherapy through natural scents such as lavender, wild rose and lemon.
Environmentally Friendly - True organic or all natural soap is made with ingredients that are farmed or cultivated naturally form soil and animals that are free of additives.
Popular Types of Organic Soap:
Castile Soap - most often made entirely from vegetable oil (though there is some speculation that to be "true castile soap" it must be made from 100% olive oil) but some recipes also contain coconut, almond, hemp, and jojoba.
Shea Butter Soap - Shea butter is a naturally occurring fat that is extracted from fruit produced by the Shea tree. It is a potent natural moisturizer and emollient that can help to smooth and tone the skin.
Aloe Soap - Aloe is known for its healing and moisturizing properties and produces a gentle organic soap. It also contains saponins which are antiseptic fighters of bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts and salicylic acid which is also anti bacterial and anti inflammatory. Other common ingredients include Comfrey and Olive Oil.
Olive Oil Soap - Recipes for this all natural soap reach back to the six century where it was made with the ashes of burnt sea plants and pure olive oil. Also known as castile soap, olive oil soap is now made with other oils to make a more rigid bar such as Palm and Coconut oil.
Green Tea Soap - Green Tea is now widely used in many organic skincare products. Green tea is known for its anti-oxidant, healing and soothing qualities and is often created with olive, coconut and palm oils.
Oatmeal Soap - Oatmeal provides exfoliant benefits as well as a natural soother for irritated skin. Those who suffer from dry skin, itchy skin conditions and problems such as eczema can benefit from using an oatmeal organic soap.
Organic cleansers such as soaps with these ingredients are also great to use with mineral makeup as part of a complete organic skin care regimen.
