Coty Brand to acquire new beauty brands

Coty is the world's largest fragrance company, and a global leader in the beauty industry. It is also a beauty products manufacturer for color cosmetics, toiletries and skin care. After more than one hundred years in the business - it holds over 38 popular fragrances by working with celebrities and designers such as Adiddas, Celine Dion, Marc Jacobs and Sarah Jessica Parker.

It has gone through many acquisitions in its long history, notably by Unilever in 2005 then by Del Labs in 2007. The Calgon and Healing Garden Brands were purchased by Ascendia Brands in 2007.

New to its brand portfolio are the recent acquisitions of Philosphy brand bath and beauty products and O.P.I. nail color line.

Bazzaar Today!

An all day HUGE event! Last year the crowd was lined up a hundred at the door at opening time. We had over 2000 attendees throughout the day. The Alexander von Humboldt German International School's Holiday Artisan Bazzaar is truly a wonderful event. The Egg Lady with her fabulous Holiday Egg Decorations, Anne Wheelan's Glass Crafts, Baked Treats, Hint of Eden, ECause Canada - over 100 vendors. -216 Rue Victoria, Baie-D'Urfé, QC H9X 2H9

Hidden Animal Ingredients in Cosmetics

Why would a cosmetic contain animal ingredients? Some of them provide results that people believe in, or have a use that does not have a plant-based equivalent. Three common ingredients are:

Tallow
Tallow is animal fat, commonly of bovine or pork origin.

Does it work? Yes. Tallow derived ingredients actually will make your skin and hair feel better. Fatty acids and oils make excellent conditioning ingredients for both hair and skin products. But you can get these same fatty acids from plant oils like sunflower or soybean. The animal derived ingredients don’t provide much added benefit.

Keratin
Keratin is a structural protein found in mammals that makes up hair, nails and horns.
Human hair is composed of keratin.

Does it work? The cosmetic industry theory is you can replace the lost keratin in your hair with more protein, then damaged hair will be repaired. While protein in general has been shown to provide some benefit when applied to hair, keratin protein in particular is not more effective than some other protein source. More effective hair conditioning ingredients are silicones. Silicones, however, do not breakdown in the marine environment.

Collagen
Collagen is a protein and the main component of connective tissue. It is primarily used in anti-wrinkle creams. As the collagen in your skin naturally degrades over time due to environmental and age factors which results sagging, wrinkly skin. Collagen in your skin products is supposed to rejuvenate damaged collagen to firm up your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. At best, collagen provides a temporary tightening of the skin.

Not all collagen is animal derived. There are plant derived alternatives. They are equally as ineffective.

Ingredient labeling laws in North America and Europe dictate the use of INCI (pronounced "inky") names for ingredients. This is the use of an internationally accepted list of latin or chemical names to avoid confusion with regional or colloquial names. If you want to avoid animal products in your products, look for these names in the partial listing below on their own or as part of the ingredient name. To avoid using animal ingredients, make sure the label states it is free from animal products.

Animal Origin Ingredients:
Adepts Bovis (obtained from tallow)
CI 77267 (bone charcoal) used as colourant
CI 77268:1 (black bone charcoal) used as colourant
Collagen
Elastin
Fish Oil
Gelatin
Hyaluronic Acid
Keratin
Mink Oil
Serum Albumin (from blood serum)
Sqauli lecur, Squalene and Pentahydrosqualene (from shark liver oil)
Tallow - look for variants containing the name "tallow" or "tallowate"

Eczema in a bottle

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin resulting in itching, scaling and sometimes blisters.

There are many forms including dermatitis, atopic eczema, nummular eczema, stasis eczema and hand eczema. Of these, only hand eczema and dermatitis can be linked to cosmetics and toiletries, but the other forms may be irritated by personal care products, dishwashing liquids, rubber gloves, some fabrics, detergent residues and fabric conditioners in clothing.

Hand eczema is usually caused by chemical contact on the skin. It often occurs on the hands as a reaction to dishwashing liquids and detergents. Cosmetics and toiletries can have a similar effect on other parts of the body. In these cases the condition is called contact eczema and usually clears up if the offending chemicals are kept away from the skin. These may be difficult to identify in cosmetics and toiletries since the eczema may be caused by a combination of ingredients that, individually have no adverse effects. Stopping the use of any personal care product you suspect may be causing your skin problems is the best recourse. If you continue to use it, the eczema may become chronic and difficult to treat.

In all cases of eczema, the sufferer should avoid the use of potent cosmetics and toiletries such as exfoliants and skin lighteners. They should discontinue using any products that causes soreness and irritation, no matter how slight.

The following cosmetic ingredients have all been linked to eczema:
alcohol
alcohol denat.
Glycol
Methyl Alcohol
Potassium Tallowate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Tallowate

Lead found in Halloween Face Paints

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics web site conducted tests on Halloween face paints and their findings are alarming when we consider using these "fun" items on our children. Many parents opt for face paint as a safer alternative over masks, while our children are out trick-or-treating.

To quote CFSC article's findings: "For this report, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics sent 10 children's face paints to an independent lab to test for heavy metals. Among our findings:

* 10 out of 10 children's face paints we tested contained low levels of lead, ranging from 0.05 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm).

Experts say there is no safe level of lead exposure for children and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that parents avoid using cosmetics on their children that could be contaminated with lead.

Lead exposures early in life can lead to hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, IQ deficits, reduced school performance, aggression and delinquent behavior. It can also impact fertility, including increasing risk for miscarriage and reducing sperm quality. Early-life lead exposure can even increase risk for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

* 6 out of 10 products contained the potent allergens nickel, chromium and/or cobalt at levels ranging from 1.6 to 120 ppm – far above the safety recommendations of industry studies.

Nickel, chromium, and cobalt can trigger skin rashes that appear throughout life with subsequent exposures."

Lead is non banned from Cosmetics in the USA, but is Canada and parts of Europe. Often, however, these small quantity - special occasion cosmetics slip through the testing cracks. It is important for us to know what we are putting on our own faces and those of our children. To download the full report please click here

Cosmeceutical industry ‘disregards’ safety, according to cancer charity

By Katie Bird , 12-Oct-2009

The cosmetics industry has a ‘reckless disregard for safety’ and should be providing safety warnings on a number of its products, according to a cancer charity.

Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, Dr Samuel Epstein, claims that ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) increase the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

In addition, he criticizes the preservative compounds parabens as well as the fragrance ingredient limonene.

Epstein said many of these ingredients can be found in cosmeceutical products, which he claims are not regulated properly by the FDA.

“The industry markets cosmeceuticals with anecdotal or even wild claims of effectiveness, rather than scientific data, and with reckless disregard for safety,” he said.

He called on the FDA to place black box warnings, a procedure usually reserved for prescription medications that have serious or even fatal side effects, on a number of these ingredients.

“Concering ingredients, the US public is hopelessly ignorant and they think the government should protect them,” Epstein told CosmeticsDesign; something which he feels the regulatory authorities are failing to do.

Glycolic and lactic acids are the two most common AHAs found in cosmetic products and are used to help soften and smooth the skin, according to cosmetics trade association Personal Care Products Council.


Safe to use

These ingredients have been deemed safe to use in cosmetics products as long as certain guidelines are followed, the Council said in a statement responding to Epstein’s claims.

Concentrations and pH limits have to be respected, and in addition manufacturers are advised by FDA to label a product with a warning about how it may increase skin sensitivity to sun exposure, and advising the consumer to use daily sun protection products.

“The highest priority of the Personal Care Products Council member companies is the safety and health of consumers who use our products. Companies are required by law to substantiate the safety of all ingredients and products before they are marketed,” it said.

The Council also takes issue with Epstein’s take on cosmeceuticals; a product category not recognised by FDA.

Under the FDA, products are regulated as cosmetics or drugs there are no regulatory differences between how a cosmeceutical and a cosmetic are treated.

“Therefore, any reference to a “cosmeceutical” fails to recognize the vast difference between the way cosmetics and drugs are regulated,” the Council said.

What does that label mean?

Cosmetics are a part of everyone's daily grooming routine. Whether the product is a beauty preparation (make-up, perfume, skin cream, nail polish) or a grooming aid (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant), estimated sales of cosmetics in Canada alone total over four billion dollars annually.

Studies in the UK have found that many consumers do not read the ingredient labels because they are "too difficult", "too confusing", have trouble due to size of the print, or simply trust the brand so that they don't bother.

Other consumers are mislead by the terms used to market the products. Some of these common terms have been clarified by Health Canada:

Fragrance Free or Unscented

This means that there have been no fragrances added to the cosmetic product, or that a masking agent has been added in order to hide the scents from the other ingredients in the cosmetic.

Hypoallergenic

"Hypoallergenic" is neither a legal nor a scientific term. It simply means that the manufacturer has selected ingredients with the objective of producing a finished product with minimum potential for causing allergy. This does not guarantee that the product will not cause an allergic reaction in some individuals as people are allergic to a wide array of substances. There are no non-allergenic cosmetics.

Ophthalmologist Tested/Dermatologist Tested

These terms usually mean that a test on the product was conducted to ensure that the product is not (or less) irritating to eyes or skin, and that this test involved a skin or eye doctor at some point during the study. It is the safety of the product that has been tested and not the efficacy of the product. There are no regulations that standardize the type or number of tests needed to use this claim on labels.

Not Tested on Animals

The cosmetic product was not tested on animals. This does not guarantee that the individual ingredients were not tested on animals. For new ingredients, testing is sometimes essential to determine that the ingredient is safe. The scientific community is moving toward using fewer animals and is gradually producing valid tests that do not use live animals but use cell cultures instead called "in vitro testing" as well as predictive computer models, however these new methods, cannot completely replace animal testing at this time for the risk assessment of most substances.

Preservative-Free

We have all heard how preservatives are supposed to be bad for you. In most cases, they are actually good and very essential for most cosmetics. The warm and damp area of your bathroom, where people use and store many cosmetic products, can be an ideal environment for microorganisms to grow in your cosmetics. Microorganisms can also find their way into cosmetics through cross-contamination when a cosmetic or its applicator touches your skin or hair and then touches the cosmetic again. Fortunately, most cosmetics contain preservatives to keep harmful bacteria, mold and yeast from finding its way in and growing on your cosmetics.

Natural Versus Synthetic
There is a general assumption among consumers that "natural" products are better or healthier than similar ones using synthetic ingredients. Often, however, these "natural" ingredients are no different in chemical composition than their synthetic counterparts. In fact, a synthetic substance which mimics a natural one can sometimes provide a purer, more stable ingredient which gives the product a longer usable life.

Health Canada considers both natural and synthetic ingredients to be equally suitable for use in cosmetics. If you experience an allergic reaction to a cosmetic, try switching to a different brand.

In the Studio

This weekend was a great time in the studio. Milk chocolate, Shea butter, Egyptian Rose, Serenity and Doggie Bars all line the shelves, ready to go. The air is resplendent with fragrance as we prepare for our new Holiday development!

Yikes! It's true - since soap takes 6 weeks to cure, we have to start thinking of the upcoming fall and winter gift shows and events. September is 6 weeks away and we want to be ready with our Autumn fragrances of Spicy Cinnamon Orange, Peppermint Vanilla, Café au Lait and Starry Night.

We're also pleased to announce our part in a new venture at Buy Canadian First, an on-line promoter of all kinds of Canadian retailers, manufactures and vendors. Please feel welcome to have a look.

What's in your shower?

Body cleansers, body washes, and body shampoos are just what they sound like—detergent cleansing agents typically found in hair shampoos to clean the body for all skin types. Body washes tend to be less drying than commercially manufactured bar soaps and bar cleansers.

Claims from high-end cosmetics companies can be misleading about the cleansers they sell. There is little that differentiates an expensive body wash from an inexpensive body wash. The ingredient lists are sadly similar between the high-end versions and the less pricey ones.

Many body washes designed for dry skin claim all kinds of moisturizing properties. That usually means they contain a type of oil. Vitamins, proteins, plant extracts, amino acids may be listed as well to let you believe you’re getting something special. These ingredients can be good moisturizing agents in a cream or lotion you leave on the skin, in a body wash they are mostly rinsed down the drain. Many of these synthetic ingredients do not biodegrade easily, and other are harmful to fish and plant life in our water ways, thereby polluting our marine environment. Ingredients to watch for include: parabens, Triclosan, Phthalates to name a few.

Oils are not easily as washed away, so they do provide some emollient benefit for dry skin. Some people don’t feel quite as clean after using a moisturizing body wash. They prefer the gentle cleaning effect of a regular body wash, followed by a moisturizer applied after getting out of the shower, but that choice is yours.

33 Intriguing Women on Twitter you need to Follow

2morrowKnight has put together, by popular demand, an addendum to his successful post of 10 Intriguing Women on Twitter (You Need to Follow), creating a list of 33 Intriguing Women. I'm flattered to find my name on his list!
"33 Intriguing Women on Twitter (You Need to Follow)
There's an old saying that "those who cherish a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in their hearts, will one day realize it." Below are 33 women whose lives personify that statement. They're mentors, industry leaders, motivational speakers, business visionaries, dream merchants, wordsmiths, & serious go-getters. They create opportunities for themselves and others, and they stand as beautiful examples of what is possible, and certainly probable, when you explore the depth and scope of your talents and skills. "

2morrowKnight was a volunteer internet strategist for The Obama Presidential Campaign. Currently, he's prepping for the early Fall release of his first children's book.

What are this risks of Triclosan in our health and environment

Over 35 years ago Triclosan was invented and had its first use in our healthcare system as a surgical scrub in hospitals. It is a potent wide spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent and is often the active ingredient used in antibacterial products. It has been shown to be effective in reducing and controlling bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products. With the overall ingredient percentage of (0.10-1.00%), it is found in soaps , deodorants, toothpastes, shaving creams, mouth washes, and cleaning supplies and is infused in an increasing number of consumer products, such as kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks, and trash bags.

Companies using this chemical can register with Health Canada to market everything from soaps to socks as "antibacterial". It seems however, that the real effects of the marketing are the opposite: a recent study of over 200 households found that people using antibacterial products didn't reduce their risk for contracting viral infections. A U.S. FDA advisory committee has found that household use of antibacterial products provides no benefits over plain soap and water, and the American Medical Association recommends that triclosan not be used in the home, as it may encourage bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Consumers can check product ingredient lists for triclosan, triclocarban and it's brand name "Microban", however products with these chemicals aren't always required to list ingredients.

While the companies that manufacture products containing this chemical claim that it is safe, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a pesticide. It scores high points both as a human health risk and as an environmental risk. Dioxins, PCBs, chlorophenols and many pesticides persist in the environment and accumulate to higher and higher concentrations with each step up the food chain. Virtually, every creature on earth has a measured amount of these pollutants in its body fat. Once absorbed into the fat cells, it is nearly impossible to eliminate these compounds. Triclosan is among this class of chemicals, and humans are among the animals at the top of the food chain. The health risks are considerable.

Triclosan is very toxic to aquatic life and wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical, which means it ends up in our lakes, rivers and water sources. A 2006 study concluded that low doses act as an endocrine disruptor in the North American bullfrog. It has also been found in both the bile of fish living downstream from waste water processing plants and in human breast milk. Another 2009 study demonstrated that exposure impacts thyroid hormone concentrations in the male juvenile rats.

It has since been marketed as the "Aspirin of antibacterials" in hospitals, and as a "lifesaver" in developing countries with unsanitary conditions. It's more conventionally marketed to fight bacteria causing armpit odor, bad breath, acne and inflammation. To protect your family’s health from harmful microorganisms, follow these helpful tips from the EPA: Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with plain soap. Wash surfaces that contact food (e.g., utensils, cutting boards, counter tops) with a regular (not "antibacterial") detergent and warm water. Wash children's hands and toys regularly with simple soap and good old-fashioned scrubbing. How to avoid triclosan: Forgo antibacterial soap. Watch for the antibacterial chemicals triclosan and triclocarban (triclosan's chemical cousin) in personal care products. Avoid products that may be labeled “antibacterial,” "fights germs," "protection against mold," or make claims such as “odor-fighting” or “keeps food fresher, longer.”

Natural Beauty Workshop

The Natural Beauty Workshop has featured our Peppermint Vanilla handmade soap. Check out their blog: FromNatureWithLove.com FNLW loves to share their love of handmade natural beauty products through their blog, The Natural Beauty Workshop. Through the Natural Beauty Workshop, they share valuable resources including insightful articles, inspirational recipes, detailed ingredient profiles, news and more.

http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/

Review from @indienorth

Indie North[dot]ca has written a product review for Hint of Eden Soaps. Drop by the site and check them out http://indienorth.com/

Natural, ethical and eco-friendly trends in Fragrances

Two important trends in fragrances is natural-based and eco-friendly solutions.
This is being manifested in consumer desire for food-based fragrances, as well as sustainable packaging.

With the advent of natural ingredients, the fusion of food and spice fragrances from diverse geographic sources including India, China and Brazil are being incorporated into the latest perfumes.

Consumers are also becoming increasingly concerned about the environment and are reconsidering the packaging that their favorite fragrances come in, putting pressure on manufacturers to provide more eco-friendly packaging solutions.

They also want to be assured over how ethical their purchases are, by taking into account everything from the sustainable sourcing of ingredients, through to how a company does business.

With the average customer looking for ways of stretching their diminishing spending power, exceptional value and multiple benefits of the product are also driving industry trends.

Eco-Sustainable Production and Design

Hint of Eden, also known as Une Touche de Paradis in Quebec, has been named a finalist in the Chamber of Commerce Accolades for Eco-Sustainable Production and design. "Our West Island business community has again shown great vitality despite this difficult economic period", stated Mr.Poitras the co-president of the Accolades 2009. The candidates consist of entrepreneurs, SMEs and large businesses and the grand jury was impressed by the quality of the applications submitted in the 10 categories. The competition winners will be revealed at the 2009 Accolades Gala, which will take place on Thursday, June 4th starting at 5:30 p.m. at the beautiful Pavillon sur le Lac of Château Vaudreuil.

Anti-Aging claims and real effects

Is there really a product that erases our wrinkles? If there was, we would all be looking younger and younger everyday, and the "plumping" formulas would make our faces and hands swell from repeated applications and we'd all just be so soft and lovely. The reality of these beautiful little jars of hope is nothing currently on the market erases wrinkles, but there are ways to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Creams that contain tretinoin--the acid form of Vitamin A--can be highly effective. Topical antioxidants and glycolic acid have proven to combat some of the skin-damaging effects of the environment.

To see an immediate effect, a cream introduces water back into the skin creating a plumping effect. This cream could be the most basic brand from your local pharmacy.

So-called superfoods have been identified as anti-aging weapons, such as pomegranate juice, blueberry powder and the allegedly miraculous acai berry. But can you actually eat or drink your way to smoother skin?

There are certainly foods that are good for you, and antioxidant foods, which are rich in vitamins including E and C, can help in the fight for healthy skin and longevity in general. Consumers have been captivated by the promises of powder, pill and juice form of anti-oxident extracts. However, studies still haven't shown how an isolated antioxidant has proven very effective in anti-aging. Eating whole foods, including blueberries, cherries and other fruits and vegetables with antioxidants, is one of the keys to getting the most out of the experience.

Suck the Stress out of your day

A Show, Sell & Socialize evening event at the Ashton Wellness Spa. Wine & Cheese and a chance to check out some interesting vendors in time for Mothers Day Gift Giving. May 7th at 7pm at the Ashton Wellness Spa, 4226 St Jean Blvd, #400, Dollard Des Ormeaux
Mini Shops include:Ashton Wellness, Univeraweb,5th Avenue Jewelry,Epicure Selections, Hint of Eden Soap, eCause Canada and Partylites

27 other uses for handmade soap

By: Patricia Mills, The Soap Guru

All natural handmade soap is not just great for washing your body. Here are 27 other uses for your wonderful bar. I have tried many myself, but not all. Feel free to share other uses you have come across.

1. Prevent soot build-up on your cast iron camping pots/pans. Rub a bar of soap over the bottom before cooking over open fire.

2. Use as a fabric marker when sewing. It will wash right out.

3. Deodorize your car, luggage and drawers. Just put pieces of soap in a mesh bag and store/hang to keep things smelling fresh.

4. Get stuck zippers moving again. Rub a bar of soap over the offending zipper to lubricate it.

5. Detect leaks. Make a spray be melting 1 cup shredded soap into 1 cup of water. Spray the solution onto gas pipes, tires, air beds, etc…if you see bubbles form, you found your leak.

6. Remove a broken light bulb. Shove the corner of your soap into the base and twist.

7. As a plant spray to get rid of or ward off insects: 1 cup shredded soap melted into 2 cups of water. Spray all over and let dry.

8. To remove wall paper and/or it’s glue make a solution soap 1 cup shredded soap in 1 cup water. Sponge over the area.

9. To get old drawers moving, rub over the metal runners.

10. To make metal move through wood easier, lubricate screws by driving them into a bar of soap first, or rub a saw blade with soap.

11. Easy pun cushion. Cover a bar of soap in fabric. The pins will be lubricated by the soap as well, preventing snags.

12. Clean dirty window sills by running the wet edge of a bar along them and wipe with damp cloth.

13. Snap siding into place easier by lubricating the zip tool with soap solution.

14. Repell rabbits and deer from garden. Make sachets with strong smelling soap: like peppermint, place around garden.

15. Pre-treat stains. Wet area and rub soap into it before laundering.

16. Keep your finger nails clean when gardening. Scrape your nails over a bar of soap before digging in the dirt. It will keep the dirt out and make washing up after easier.

17. Relieve the itch of a bug bite. Rub a wet bar of soap over the bite and let dry.

18. Use as a shave lotion. Make a solution of 1 part grated soap melted into 1 part water.

19. Rid your house of fleas. Put a solution of 2 parts shredded soap melted into 1 part water into a dish. Place the dish under a lamp over night. The light will attract the fleas and they will drown in the soap.

20. Make your own foaming sponges. Shove soap slivers into the holes.

21. Use as a hand wash for your delicates.

22. Make a great all natural pet shampoo. Melt 1 cup shredded soap into 1 cup of water.

23. Make your own fruit and veggie wash. Melt 1/4 cup shredded soap into 2 cups water and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Wash and rinse well.

24. For a great window cleaner use the above solution in a spray bottle.

25. Clean your jewelry by soaking in a solution of 1/2 cup shredded soap melted into 1 cup water. Gently scrub with an old tooth brush and rinse.

26. As a mild antiseptic wash: wash scrapes with soap. As an antiseptic paste, make a gel by soaking 1/4 cup shredded soap in 1 tablespoon water until gel-like. Add enough white sugar to make a paste. Put a little on a splinter or boil, cover with gauze.

27. To ward off poison ivy rash make a solution of 1 cup shredded soap in 1/2 cup water. Apply over exposed skin that may come into contact with the plants. It will act as a barrier to the rash causing oils.

Patricia Mills is a natural handmade soapmaker using centuries old techniques, with the finest ingredients available. She uses a unique blend of vegetable oils to create a superior bar with a fluffy, long lasting, rich lather that provides many benefits to your skin. Read more by Patrica Mills on her Blog: The Soap Guru http://thesoapguru.com/

Why choose handmade soap?

Soap has gotten a bad rap over the years, as people claim it's harsh or drying. This is true of many mass-produced soaps, but not all soaps are created equally. Manufactured or commercial' soaps chemically remove the glycerin and sell it as a by-product - such as lotions & body butters.

Soap is the product of a chemical reaction between an acid (fat/oil) and a base/alkali (sodium hydroxide, also known as lye). This chemical reaction also produces glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant which draws and absorbs water from the air, and helps the skin retain moisture.

Many soaps use animal fats, which can clog pores, where vegetable oils allow skin to breathe. Commercial soaps can contain synthetic colorants, fragrances and other additives. Even unscented' products contain masking' scents to cover up the other ingredients.

Handcrafted soap, usually made by the "cold process" method, is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. The "cold process" simply means there is no external heat involved in the chemical reaction. This soap retains its naturally-occurring glycerin. This kind of soap is considered true glycerin soap, as opposed to the popular transparent soaps which undergo chemical processes and require alcohol to keep them clear. Many handcrafted soapmakers use better quality oils and nourishing ingredients like shea butter, as well as natural essential oils for fragrance.

So what is the myth about lye soap. All soap is made with lye or an equivalent. You cannot make soap without it. Soap needs time to cure, and in that time the chemical reaction converts the lye and oils into soap and glycerin. The lye is no longer present in the final product - only soap and glycerin.

Find us on Flickr

You can also see our photostream on Flicker. You are welcome to leave your comments about any of our soaps. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hintofeden/