The Good Stuff that goes into Kimsoapia Kreations

The Good Stuff

   I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and got your fill of all that good stuff that comes with sharing food and family.  Speaking of "good stuff", that is exactly what Kimsoapia Kreations are full of!  
   Each batch of soap is created with an array of oils and/or butters using the same basic recipe with a few variations.  The variations are in the additives.  By additives I don’t mean those chemical things you can’t pronounce!  Not in my soap!  By additives, I mean the natural herbs, clays, essential oils, milks, butters, fruit purees, etc.  I do my best to use only certified organic or natural products that have been home grown (many by me by the way), or purchased from reliable sources.  Of course, all products contain healing and/or skin softening properties.  

Obviously, not all of the following ingredients go into any one bar of soap, but here is a list of what might be dancing around in that pretty little bar.

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Oils and Butters

• Coconut Oil – smells yummy and is trending everywhere from cooking to pulling.  But it has amazing value to beautiful skin as well.  First of all, it is naturally antibacterial and antifungal.  Secondly, it is nature’s best moisturizers. Coconut oil helps produce a creamy lather, so it is one of my main ingredients.  It is great for shaving your legs and makes a luscious whipped body butter.
• Olive Oil – one of the best in organic skin care oils, it is loaded with vitamins and protein that attract moisture to your skin as well as three major antioxidants (Vitamin E, photo sterols and polyphenols) which help protect your skin from free radical damage.  Because it is loaded with vitamins and protein, olive oil is non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores).  It is considered to be anti-aging as well. 
• Shea Butter - another non-comedogenic favorite, can help improve many conditions including, but not limited to, dry, itchy skin, peeling from sun exposure, allergic reactions from poison ivy or other irritant plants.
• Avocado Oil – We all know how healthy avocados are in our diet, but do you know the benefits of avocado oil on your skin? It softens, can be useful in treating psoriasis, is high in antioxidants and prevents wrinkles.  The glutamine amino acid in avocados deep cleanses and protects from harsh environmental conditions.
• Mango Butter – full of sweet, juicy treats for your skin.  These include moisture and vitamins.  Vitamins A, C and E combat free radicals found in the sun’s rays as well as air pollution.  Mango butter has the ability to protect you from sunburn as well as soothe.
• Cocoa butter – another luscious smelling additive, is high in fat which helps to deliver deep nourishment and moisture to your skin.  It is great for healing wounds and reduces scarring.  If you are struggling with eczema, cocoa butter may be just what you are looking for.
• Sunflower Oil – one of the most non-comedogenic of oils yet it has a very large fatty acid content which in turn provide emollient and moisture retaining benefits.  It is loaded with Vitamins A, D and E.
• Grapeseed Oil – contains linoleic acid which improves the overall quality of your skin by strengthening the cell membranes.  It is skin tightening, easily absorbed and gently moisturizes.
• Jojoba Oil – often used by Native American tribes in skin and hair care. It contains Vitamins E and B complex, promotes skin health and acts as a natural conditioner because it closely resembles sebum, which is naturally produces by our skin.
• Sweet Almond Oil – popularly used in the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia where the oil from the nut was valued for promoting heart and skin health.  It is full of monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, potassium, zinc and Vitamin E.  It is light in texture and therefore can easily penetrate the skin to soften and dislodge dirt and toxins.
• Moroccan Argan Oil – absorbs easily, is not greasy and provides a natural boost to skin due to high Vitamin E content and fatty acids.  It is non-irritating and a wonderful moisturizer.

Herbs  and spices

I love adding herbs for color and scent.  It is amazing how many uses they have! But let's save that for another day.

• Lavender – my personal favorite, has been used for centuries to calm, relieve anxiety, promote restful sleep and as an insect repellent.  It is aromatic, antibacterial and antiseptic which makes it ideal for treating insect bites, migraines, insomnia and mild skin irritations.
• Mint – has also been used in healing for centuries.  Teas made of mint are soothing to the stomach and mint tea soaps are soothing and cooling to the skin.  There a many, many varieties of mint but my personal favorites are Spearmint, Peppermint and Chocolate Mint.
• Calendula – a little known annual flower of the Marigold family has historically been another healing herb.  Calendula petals and the oils they yield have been used to treat wounds, burns, cuts, scrapes, bruises and even conjunctivitis! Calendula has antibacterial and immuno-stimulant and healing properties (even in the most delicate of areas).  It stimulates collagen production and minimizes scarring and is now being tried medically in cancer treatment trials to reduce pain in the treatment of post mastectomy and for slow healing cuts.
• Turmeric – an almost sacred herb in India, has dozens of health benefits in your diet and at least as many for your skin, plus it adds a beautiful yellow color to soap.  Turmeric can help combat wrinkles and signs of aging, reduce scars, redness and swelling caused by acne and can even help lighten stretch marks.  It has been used as a poultice for burns as well.
• Madagascar Vanilla Beans – are mostly known for their delicate flavor in food treats but they provide anti-inflammatory and anti-aging qualities that also make them ideal for your skin.  Vanilla can soothe burns and minor skin irritations as well.

​Plants and Fruit and vegetable purees

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• Apple – an apple a day… you know the rest.  Apple pulp can lighten, brighten and soothe your skin.  It contains flavonoids, polyphenols and Vitamin C.  It can even provide some UVB defense.
• Pumpkin – is not just for pumpkin spice lattes or Thanksgiving pies! Pumpkin puree is rich in Vitamins A and C, is a natural moisturizer and is great for gently “peeling away” dead skin cells.
• Pineapple – another great source of Vitamin C, amino acids and antioxidants.  These three combined, increase collagen synthesis for younger looking skin.  Amino acids in pineapple are ideal for dry cracked feet so add it to a foot bath while sipping that Piña Colada.
• Mango – has anti-aging properties due to Vitamin C so it leaves your skin glowing.  It is also helpful for blackhead control.
• Papaya- once called the “fruit of angels”, is thought to reduce the appearance of cellulite when used regularly.  Well, that is angelic, isn’t it?! But it is also good for treating wounds, sunburn relief, dead skin removal and helps control pimples.
• Pomegranate – full of antioxidants that help produce healthier, more vibrant looking skin.  It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines caused by sun exposure.  On oily skin, it can help prevent breakouts.
• Guava – has high contents of Potassium and Vitamins A and C. It has been applied to skin for tightening and toning purposes, and often relieves itching.  The puree can be slightly sandy or gritty so it makes it perfect to exfoliate dry cracked feet.

• Cucumber – is soothing and cooling and reduces swelling and puffiness.  It revitalizes and rejuvenates skin.  Some even believe it can banish cellulite.
• Aloe Vera – Do I really need to explain this one? Just kidding. Aloe Vera was once called the “plant of immortality” in Egypt and is a staple for treating burns and skin irritations.  It soothes and heals burns and wounds, reduces stretch marks, wrinkles, acne and blemishes and moisturizes skin.
• Citronella – best known for its insect repelling properties is very fragrant and has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, antidepressant, antispasmodic, fungicidal and deodorizing properties.

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Other "good" stuff

Milk – All dairy milk contains lactose (milk sugar) which develops into lactic acid and may not work wonders on some stomachs, but on skin, it sure is lovely.  It is loaded with essential nutrients such as Vitamin E, B1, B6, B12 and C as well as natural emollients and triglycerides.  It is closest to our own natural PH levels.  Alpha-hydroxy acids soften skin by breaking down dead skin cells.

• Goat’s milk baths were a secret favorite of the beautiful Cleopatra because milk was rumored to delay the signs of aging and reduce wrinkles. It boosts collagen production and elasticity.
• Yogurt – like milk, is high in nutrients that produce softer skin.  It reduces fine lines, fights infection and acne, helps to fade blemishes and adds creaminess to soaps
• Coconut milk - My favorite soaping milk is coconut milk which actually is not “milk” in the dairy sense.  It creates a creamy texture due to the high fat content, re-moisturizes dry or damaged skin and can helps maintain elasticity and flexibility in skin.
  

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Honey – is naturally sweet but I bet you didn’t know that it is naturally sweet for your skin and hair too.  Since it is inherently antibacterial it prevents blackheads, is anti-aging and opens your pores so your skin can breathe.

Glycerin – a natural byproduct of soap making, can be removed during the process and used as a soap base for producing clear soap or is simply incorporated into the soap as it is “cooking”.  It is colorless, odorless, organic and free of synthetic chemicals.  Therefore, it is of great benefit to those with sensitive skin or allergies.  It acts as a natural moisturizer by drawing moisture to itself, and in turn, when used in soap, it draws moisture to your skin.  It is widely used to produce clear soaps and has a soothing effect on skin.

Sea Salt – Ancient Greeks and Romans used warm seawater to relax.  Sea salts draw toxins out of the body which naturally leads to feeling refreshed.  They are full of minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and iodine.  As a scrub, sea salts are used to exfoliate and increase blood circulation.