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learn about the ingredients used in the cleaning industry
The benefits of using natural soap
In the beauty industry there has been a massive drive towards natural products. After all, we are becoming much more aware of how natural products are not only great for the environment, but they are also great for us too.
Natural beauty products come in a variety of shapes and sizes. One of the best ones is natural soaps, which come packed full of amazing natural ingredients and essential oils too.
So, with this in mind, why should you make the switch to non-toxic, handcrafted natural soaps?
They are kind to animals
Whilst many big-name brands are doing their best not to support any form of animal testing, this isn’t always the case. Therefore, if you are someone who really wants to make sure that you are taking a stand against any form of animal testing, then handmade, natural soaps are the way to go. With no animal testing during the process, you can be sure that the soap that you use is completely cruelty free.
A distinct lack of palm oil
Palm oil has been in the news a lot recently and more and more people have decided to take an active choice in reducing the amount of palm oil that they use in their everyday life. One benefit of natural soap is that they are often eco-friendly, which means that they are palm oil free. This doesn’t mean that they are oil free, instead, they are packed full of shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and olive oil, which are recognised as being all natural and non-toxic alternatives.
A good shelf life if you store them right
One reason that some people are put off buying all natural and handcrafted soaps, is that they are not going to last as long as the soaps that are made in the high street. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Of course, there are no synthetic preservatives and no plastics in natural soaps but if they are stored right, such as in a dry place in your bathroom, or in a wooden soap block, then you don’t have to worry about them melting away.
They are kind to your skin
You may think that soap is one of the gentlest things that you can use on your skin. However, this isn’t always the case. In fact, some of the more manufactured soaps could dry out your skin, especially if they are packed full of artificial ingredients. With natural soaps, there are no plastics used, no SLS and no parabens. All of which means that your skin is going to be getting a treat, rather than ending up feeling a little past its best.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons for choosing natural soap over the alternatives. So, if you are looking to make the move, then why not take a look at the amazing soaps that we have to offer? You may find the ideal natural soap to add to your beauty collection.
What do you mean by “true soap”?
Interestingly, in Australia, there is no specific definition of soap. But please go to the USA FDA’s regulations for the definition of ‘Soap”.
In summary, a “true soap” can only be called “soap” when a natural occurring chemical process called “saponification” happens. Sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide (often called lye) is required for this process to happen.
Saponification is a natural occurring process when the fatty acids and alkali are mixed and heated together. When this happens, a by-product called glycerine is formed. That is the stuff that moisturises the skin.
In simple terms, soaps are made of materials found in nature AND with saponification. Detergents are synthetic (although some of the ingredients are natural) and have not gone through the process of saponification; they were developed during World War II when oils to make soap were scarce.
Common ingredients in commercial soaps
The commercial ‘soaps’ in the market today are not labelled ‘soaps’ because under labelling law, they are NOT ‘’soaps and therefore cannot be called ‘soaps’.
These ‘cleaning ‘products are often called “liquid wash,” “beauty bars,” “cleansing bars,” “body wash,” “body gel,” “cleansing wash,” “cleansing gel,” “washing liquid,” “facial wash,” “foaming wash,” and other names.
These commercial detergents usually contain synthetic cleaning and foaming agents called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamide MEA and others.
So, when you next make a purchase for ‘soaps’- look out for the ingredients listed on label – are they the ‘true soaps’ or synthetic cleaning bars/liquids.
Better still, in this world of technology, buy, download and use the Chem Maze app to find out if an ingredient listed is harmful or not for our bodies to use.
In Australia, to make soaps, we require a NICNAS registration number. So Natural Company Pty Ltd number is NIC1003884
See also this brochure for some tips to look out for in the ingredients listing of soap products
Disclaimer
We have no affiliation to this organisation of “Chem Maze” and do not receive any monies for mentioning this app. We just found it very insightful. Please see below disclaimer.
The information on So Natural Company Pty Ltd is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be substituted for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional. If you rely upon any programs or techniques or use any of the products and services made available by or through the use of our website for decision making, without obtaining the advice of a physician or other health care professional, you do so at your own risk. The information on our website is not intended to cure, diagnose or treat medical conditions, nor is it a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with a physician before beginning this or any other new health care program.
The information provided here is in no way intended to replace proper medical help. So Natural Company Pty Ltd is an independent, privately run business separate from any other organisation.
Soaps & Detergents History
This history of soap is a long one, dating back thousands of years to Ancient Babylon. Humans have built on that knowledge to create the soaps and detergents we use to clean dishes, laundry, our homes and ourselves today. Evidence has been found that ancient Babylonians understood soap making as early as 2800 BC Archeologists have found soap-like material in historic clay cylinders from this time. These cylinders were inscribed with what we understand as saying, “fats boiled with ashes” (a method of making soap).
When was soap invented? 2800 BC
Egyptian bathingRecords show ancient Egyptians bathed regularly. The Ebers papyrus, a medical document from about 1500 BC describes combining animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to form a soap-like material used for treating skin diseases, as well as for washing.
Many other ancient civilizations also used early forms of soap. Soap got its name from an ancient Roman legend about Mount Sapo. Rain would wash down the mountain mixing with animal fat and ashes, resulting in a clay mixture found to make cleaning easier.
By the 7th century, soap-making was an established art in Italy, Spain and France. These countries were early centers of soap manufacturing due to their ready supply of source ingredients, such as oil from olive trees.
mortar and pestleBut after the fall of Rome in 467 AD, bathing habits declined in much of Europe leading to unsanitary conditions in the Middle Ages. The uncleanliness of that time contributed heavily to illness, including the Black Death, which occurred in the 14th century.
Still there were areas of the medieval world where personal cleanliness remained important. Daily bathing was a common custom in Japan during the Middle Ages in Europe. And in Iceland, pools warmed with water from hot springs were popular gathering places on Saturday evenings.
The English began making soap during the 12th century. Commercial soap making began in the American colonies in 1600, but was for many years a household chore rather than a profession.
It was not until the 17th century that cleanliness and bathing started to come back into fashion in much of Europe, particularly in the wealthier areas.
Nicolas LeblancWell into the 19th century, soap was heavily taxed as a luxury item in several countries. When the tax was removed, soap became available to most people, and cleanliness standards across societies improved.
A major step toward large-scale soap making occurred in 1791 when a French chemist, Nicholas Leblanc, patented a process for making soda ash from common salt. Soda ash is obtained from ashes and can be combined with fat to form soap. This discovery made soap-making one of America’s fastest-growing industries by 1850, along with other advancements and development of power to operate factories.
Lab equipmentThe chemistry of soap manufacturing stayed essentially the same until 1916. During World War I and again in World War II, there was a shortage of animal and vegetable fats and oils that were used in making soap. Chemists had to use other raw materials instead, which were “synthesized” into chemicals with similar properties. These are what are known today as “detergents.”
Today, most things we call “soap” are actually detergents. It has become so common to call detergents “soap,” that most people would be confused if you asked for a “liquid hand detergent” when shopping.
Content Credit: Cleaninginstitute
Get to know your ingredients
What does palm oil have anything to do with me?
Deforestation in Indonesia alone has been happening faster than any other country in the world, and it has everything to do with one product: palm oil. Large areas of tropical forests and other ecosystems with high conservation values have been cleared to make room for oil palm plantations, essentially killing the biodiversity of the ecosystems that they replace.
Did you know?
Orangutans’ poaching is done deliberately as a policy made by palm oil corporations. Therefore they hire local people as pest busters, who serve the corporation with killing any wild animals, including orangutans, which spoil palm oil trees within the plantations.
– Centre For Orangutan Protection
Mixtures and Interactions
In our everyday lives, we are exposed to multiple repeated low doses of the same chemical and also to mixtures of exposures that may act together to increase risk of disease, including breast cancer. The social and biological contexts in which those exposures occur are important for understanding breast cancer risk.
Some chemicals are used in multiple products and may also be present in air and water. In addition, many of the products we use routinely contain chemicals of concern. Characteristics such as age, genetics, diet, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking, and the social, economic, cultural and environmental context of early life may interact with exposures to chemicals and radiation to alter risk.
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