How to Choose All-Natural Organic Soaps for Sensitive Skin
Nowadays it seems everything has gone organic. Consumers have many more options than ever before when it comes to selecting chemical and pesticide free products. Beyond fruits and veggies, organic products include clothing, baby food, teas, and even…soap!
What is organic soap? Produced according to USDA approved standards, organic soap does not contain the often skin-irritating detergent and chemical based ingredients found in many mass-produced personal care products. Organic soap components are typically found in plant-based renewable resources that have been produced in a chemical-free natural environment, and typically in a fair trade manner.
Today shoppers can find organic soap products ranging from bar soaps, shampoos, and shower gels to nontoxic floor cleaners, dish soaps, and even laundry soap. As consumer demand for these all-natural solutions increases, so do the organic soap offerings for personal and homecare.
How to choose the right organic soap? Make sure you know the process and components that go into each bar. Organic or natural soaps are often proudly produced by master soapmakers who still consider the process an art. They use top-notch ingredients found only in nature, including pure essential oils. Handcrafted in small batches that are mixed for long periods of time, the original soap mixture is allowed to thicken slowly and is then mixed with botanical concentrates, spices, and herbs. The soap is then poured into a mold and allowed to harden for several days. Once removed from the molds the bars are allowed to cure for weeks. This painstaking process often results in the highest quality, mildest, yet effective all-natural soap.
Natural soaps often include essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, and rosemary commonly known for healing or soothing properties. A good moisturizing choice for frequently dry and sensitive skin is a combination of soothing oatmeal and lavender natural soap, or aloe baby soap. People with more oily skin are likely to find relief with citrus or tea tree oil selections.
All natural soaps are commonly free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). As a primary foaming agent, SLS is found in most shampoos, bath gels, dish detergents, toothpaste, and bar soaps. Certainly an important ingredient, SLS performs many cleansing functions. The downside is often debated, though, among all-natural soap enthusiasts. They claim that SLS can lead to skin/scalp irritation on sensitive individuals and even irritation of the gums after brushing. To avoid these potentially uncomfortable side effects, natural, organic bar soaps and shampoos are recommended. Dry/sensitive scalps benefit from aloe/lavender combinations, while oily scalps can often be remedied with citrus shampoo bars.
In recent years, the popularity of antibacterial soaps have skyrocketed. Along with this soar in popularity is an increase in the debate over how helpful antibacterial soap really is. Some researchers claim that antibacterial products are contributing to the emergence of more skin irritations as well as drug-resistant superbugs. They claim that, when overused, antibacterial agents – often considered quite harsh – can lead to bacteria -attracting skin irritations including eczema. Some believe that antibacterial agents can rob the skin of needed fatty acids, moisture, and amino acids. This would results in dryer and rougher skin. And finally, some lab studies suggest that use of antibacterial products kill off sensitive bacteria, leaving behind hardier strains such as E Coli and staphylococcus aureus that may live longer. So, what to believe? You don’t have to be a strict purist to believe that falling back on nature’s bounty and choosing organic products is the safe route when navigating the antibacterial soap debate. According to organic soap proponents, healthy living goes hand-in-hand with limiting overall chemical contamination from our daily use products. Fortunately, the choice to go organic gets easier and easier, as more products find their way to the market every day.