Water accelerates the dissolution of soap. To prevent rapid wear, store your soap away from constant moisture. Instead of placing it under a shower stream or on a wet bathroom counter, opt for a dry location where it won't be exposed to water when not in use.
After each use, ensure your soap can air dry quickly to prevent it from becoming mushy. Utilize a soap dish with drainage capabilities, such as a slatted bamboo dish or a wire rack, to facilitate air flow around the entire bar, helping it harden and become less prone to breakage. You can also use a soap saver, which will provide the same benefits, but is flexible enough to fit in tight or odd-sized places.
The importance of a well-designed soap dish cannot be overstated. Options that allow for water to drain away from the soap, such as self-draining dishes or those with drainage holes, are ideal. This prevents the soap from sitting in moisture, which can significantly extend its lifespan.
Don't discard those small, hard-to-handle soap slivers. A soap-saving pouch not only consolidates these remnants for easy use but also doubles as an exfoliating tool, ensuring you get every last bit of value from your soap.
Using a washcloth or loofah instead of your hands to lather up can save soap. These tools generate more lather and distribute it more effectively over your body, reducing the amount of soap needed for each wash.
Hot water can cause your soap to melt faster. By taking cooler showers, you can slow down the rate at which your soap dissolves, preserving its shape and consistency.
The type of water in your home can affect soap longevity. Soft water is less harsh on soap, allowing it to last longer than if used with hard water, which can lead to quicker breakdown and more soap being used to achieve a good lather.
Cutting your soap into smaller pieces can drastically extend its life. Use one small piece at a time in the shower, keeping the rest dry and stored away. This method ensures that only what you need gets wet, reducing waste.
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By implementing these strategies, you can significantly extend the life of your handmade soap, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective luxury for your daily skincare regimen. Enjoy the rich textures and unique scents of your soap for even longer, knowing you're making the most of your investment.
In an era where sustainability is not just a buzzword but a lifestyle choice, many of us are looking to make more eco-conscious decisions in every aspect of our lives, including our hair care routines. The rise of shampoo and conditioner bars as alternatives to traditional liquid products has sparked a debate on their efficacy, environmental impact, and overall value. Are these solid contenders really better for your hair and the planet? Let's delve into the world of solid hair care to find out.
Unlike traditional liquid shampoos and conditioners, which can be diluted with water, shampoo bars and conditioners pack a powerful punch of concentrated nourishment. These bars are formulated with high-quality, intentional ingredients, including natural oils, botanical extracts, and vitamins. This potent blend not only promises to deliver the best hair of your life but also ensures that your hair receives optimal care, leading to healthier, more vibrant locks. The absence of unnecessary fillers means your hair is getting a more direct dose of the good stuff.
The environmental benefits of switching to shampoo and conditioner bars are undeniable. Traditional liquid hair care products are major contributors to plastic waste, with millions of bottles ending up in landfills each year. Solid bars, on the other hand, often come in minimal or recyclable packaging, eliminating the need for plastic bottles entirely. By making this switch, consumers can significantly reduce their plastic footprint, making a positive impact on the planet.
For those bitten by the travel bug, shampoo and conditioner bars are a game-changer. Their solid form eliminates the risk of spills and leaks, making them perfect for on-the-go grooming. These TSA-friendly bars are not just convenient but also allow you to carry your hair care essentials without worrying about liquid restrictions at airports. Their compact size and mess-free nature make them ideal travel companions.
One of the most appealing aspects of shampoo and conditioner bars is their longevity. A single bar can last as long as two to three bottles of liquid shampoo, providing great value for money. This is due to their concentrated formula, which requires less product per wash. Over time, the cost savings become apparent, making these bars an economical choice for savvy consumers.
Beyond the environmental and economic benefits, shampoo and conditioner bars offer numerous advantages for your hair. They are designed to cleanse and nourish without stripping natural oils, resulting in hydrated, manageable locks. Many users report improved hair volume, reduced frizz, and enhanced shine. Additionally, these bars are often made with all-natural ingredients and free from harsh chemicals, making them a healthier option for both your hair and scalp.
While the benefits of shampoo and conditioner bars are compelling, it's important to acknowledge that they may not be the perfect solution for everyone. The transition from liquid to solid hair care can require a period of adjustment, as hair types respond differently to the concentrated formulas. Additionally, finding the right bar for your specific hair needs can take some experimentation.
As we strive to make more sustainable choices, shampoo and conditioner bars present an appealing alternative to traditional liquid products. They offer a nourishing, eco-friendly solution that benefits our hair and the planet. By embracing these solid bars, we take a step towards reducing plastic waste, enjoying cost savings, and promoting healthier hair care practices. The shift towards sustainable hair care is not just a trend but a movement towards a more responsible and mindful way of living.
Join the revolution and discover the transformative power of solid hair care for yourself.
]]>Some claim to deodorize, while others tout their antimicrobial properties, anti-aging benefits, or moisturizing capabilities.
Soap is an essential part of our daily routines, used several times a day by most people, and is a crucial tool in preventing the transmission of bacterial and viral diseases.
However, not all soaps are created equal.
There are two basic types of soap: commercially made soaps and handmade, natural soaps. Although commercially made soaps are typically more affordable than their natural counterparts, there’s a great reason for the difference in price.
Our skin is not only the largest organ in the human body, but it also serves as a barrier between our internal organs and the external environment. It is constantly exposed to toxins, pollutants, and other harmful substances. This is why it is crucial to pay close attention to what we put in contact with our skin.
One way to minimize our exposure to potentially harmful toxins is to use organic, natural soap. These soaps usually consist of blended butter and oils derived from various plants, which are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that our skin needs to stay healthy. Many natural soaps also contain other beneficial ingredients, such as clays, salts, essential oils, and botanical extracts.
While handmade soaps take longer to produce and usually use higher-quality ingredients, the added cost is often worth it as they tend to be gentler on sensitive skin. It’s important to try a variety of natural soaps to find the one that best suits your skin type and preferences.
There are several other benefits to using natural soap, including:
Many products that are marketed as soaps, such as ‘cleansers,’ ‘body bars,’ ‘body washes,’ ‘beauty bars,’ ‘skincare bars,’ and even ‘deodorant soaps,’ are actually detergent-based products, not true soaps.
Real soap is an excellent skin moisturizer because it’s made with nourishing skin oils. It doesn’t contain harsh detergents like commercially manufactured soaps do. Natural soaps also use - you guess it - natural ingredients such as olive and coconut oils, shea butter, and grass-fed tallow, and are rich in antioxidants, which help to repair the skin by reducing inflammation and keeping it hydrated.
Natural soaps are free from synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and other harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions. They're also usually cruelty-free, biodegradable, and often free from sulfates, phthalates, and animal by-products that are typically found in detergent soaps.
Natural soaps are made with sustainable and biodegradable ingredients, making them a more environmentally friendly choice. As mentioned above, organic soaps are cruelty-free, plant-based, and do not require large-scale factories that cause environmental damage. They also break down more easily after use and do not harm the water cycle or wildlife.
All natural and organic soaps are handmade in small batches. This allows makers like us to create a much wider variety of products for you to enjoy! The bars themselves are unique, as they vary slightly due to being handmade as opposed to commercial soaps that are made in huge batches by machines.
Also, natural soaps are much more fresh. They hit your shower within weeks, vs months (or even years).
In conclusion, natural handmade soap is an excellent choice for those who want to prioritize their skin health and minimize their exposure to potentially harmful toxins. Although it may be more expensive than commercial soaps, the benefits of natural soap far outweigh the added cost. So, the next time you reach for a bar of soap, consider making the switch to natural soap for a healthier, more eco-friendly option.
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It's important when you're indulging in the comfort of the fall season that you know what you're burning in your home and how it can affect you.
That being said, here are the top 5 non-toxic, clean burning candles that we're recommending this fall.
Pumpkin Ginger Apple is a great fall candle. It's made with soy wax, which is sustainable, has a better scent throw, and burns longer than regular paraffin wax. This type of wax burns cleanly, so it won't create black soot inside your home or harm your lungs.
It also smells amazing! Many refer to this one as "Autumn In A Jar." This candle's scent blends ripe pumpkin, harvest apples, and peppery ginger with cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and creamy vanilla. If you're looking for something that will kick off the fall Halloween celebrations early, this one will do the trick!
This candle is an all-natural soy candle that smells like a sweet pumpkin latte. The smell of this candle is warm and inviting, with notes of decadent pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugared maple, and chocolate cream. The ingredients are all natural soy wax, which burns cleanly and evenly. It's free of artificial dyes or paraffin waxes (which can be harmful to human health) but still has a strong scent throw! You can find this candle at [link].
This scent is as cozy and crisp as the fall season itself. Fresh apples are blended with a touch of vanilla, maple, and a punch of smooth bourbon in this soy candle. It's sure to be a staple for your cool months! Again, this candle is non-toxic, using all natural fragrance oils that are phthalate and carcinogen free. You can pick one up here.
This candle smells like a cozy fireplace and roasting cinnamon and brings us right back to fall. It's great for winter nights too, and can be used in any room of the house. The Fireside candle is made with soy wax, so it's clean burning and has no phthalates or parabens. It also comes with a 100% natural cotton wick that helps keep the flame stable.
If you're looking for a great smelling candle this fall and winter, you'll want to check this one out.
And lastly, Black Amber & Plum is a non-tradition, modern take on fall. It's also non-toxic, clean burning, and made with natural soy wax. The scents of this candle are strong and long lasting, blending sweet, dark plum with cypress, spice, cinnamon, and saffron, making it perfect for fall! This candle is hand poured in small batches in the USA.
This one will have your guests asking where you got it, and will leave your whole house smelling like an autumn wonderland.
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We hope our review of some of the best non-toxic candles for fall has been helpful. If you'd like to try any of these out, just visit our website! We have a huge selection of scented candles that will make your home smell amazing all year round without the toxic nasties and chemicals.
]]>We’re really living in uncharted waters right now.
As the spread of Covid-19 advances, many of us are fearful for our health and the safety of our loved ones – particularly our parents and older relatives.
Some of us have lost our jobs or experienced a full halt in our businesses, and are worried about our financial future and the overall state of the economy.
We’re living in quarantine and a state of isolation that we’ve never experienced before.
It’s understandable – and dare I say completely normal – to be feeling incredibly stressed right now. And for those of us living with psoriasis, those feelings of extreme stress often coincide with significant flare ups.
Stress is known to trigger inflammation in the body. And psoriasis, itself, is an inflammatory response. So it’s common in stressful, sad, and even physically strenuous times for this auto immune disorder to make a VERY grand appearance.
Unfortunately, we can’t change the circumstances surrounding this virus, the economy, or our mandated quarantine, but there are some steps we can take to try to reduce our stress levels and accompanying psoriatic inflammatory stress response.
Follow these four tips to help find some relief:
#1 – Get moving. Yes, we’re in quarantine, but there’s nothing preventing us from taking a nice walk outdoors, as long as we maintain a 6FT distance from others. If a walk isn’t your style, check out this list of studios and gyms offering free live stream workouts during the coronavirus outbreak.
Any kind of physical activity helps to boost the production of endorphins, which are your brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitters. These endorphins help relieve stress, improve sleep, and can even help reduce depression. They also help to decrease inflammation in the body, therefore reducing any psoriasis-related flare ups you may be experiencing.
#2 – Calm your mind. A daily meditation practice can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being AND reduce your body’s immune response to stress. A regular practice can help minimize inflammation in the body and get stress-related psoriasis flare ups under control.
New to meditation? Free apps like The Smiling Mind, Stop, Breathe & Think, and UCLA Mindful can help you practice meditation and mindfulness exercises from any device, at any time of the day or night. If you have difficulty quieting your mind, lighting a candle and staring at the flame has helped me tune in and zone out the background noise, so perhaps it will do the same for you, too. Remember the objective is to reduce your stress, so if you find it hard or uncomfortable, be gentle with yourself and incorporate it at a pace that works for you.
#3 – Find an online support group. TalkPsoriasis is the world’s largest online support group of people impacted by psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. It fosters an open and encouraging environment where people can connect, exchange information, and meet friends.
Once we’re out of quarantine, seek out local in person groups in your community, too. The National Psoriasis Foundation lists local group meet ups. Check to see if there’s one actively meeting in your location. And if there isn’t, perhaps you can start one of your own!
#4 – Seek the good. It never fails during times of strife, the helpers, the healers, and all around goodness-creators come out in full force. Social media, for the first time in a while, is loaded with images of people making masks for our health care heroes.
Many local businesses who’ve been forced to shut down are taking out loans to pay their staff until they can reopen. Individuals are virtually bonding together by reading books online to children, and nuclear families are getting enormous amounts of unfiltered and undistracted time together.
Take a moment to appreciate all the good that’s happening around us – even in this unprecedented time of fear and uncertainty.
What tips can you add to this list to help the rest of us manage our flare ups? Please add your thoughts in the comments below.
If you found this to be helpful, please subscribe and share with your friends. Stay safe, stay grounded, and stay healthy.
]]>It’s #sleepawarenessweek! And for those of us living with skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, we know all too well that it often impacts our ability to get restful, quality sleep.
According to popular, medically-backed publications such as Medical News Today and Every Day Health , symptoms of psoriasis and eczema can worsen at night for a few reasons:
So how do you prevent the dreaded ‘itchies’ from stealing away your much-needed sleep?
Here are four tips to help you:
Moisturize you skin before bed. Use an oil-based moisturizer, like Curel's Hyrdrotherapy. There are many great ones on the market - be sure to check the ingredients to ensure the main ingredient is oil-based, rather than water-based.
Bathe at night with warm water. While hot baths or showers can exacerbate skin conditions, warm baths can soothe skin and prep it for moisturizer and scale removal. Be sure to use non-irritating soaps that contain soothing ingredients like Aloe, Oatmeal, Tea Tree Oil, and Activated Charcoal to provide extra relief.
Snuggle up with natural fabrics. Linens and pajamas made from 100 percent cotton are much gentler on the skin, and far less likely to cause allergic reactions and irritation.
Chill out. Keep your bedroom or sleeping area comfortable and slightly cool. Sweating or overly warm skin can also make skin feel irritated and itchy.
These tips help us sleep better, and we sincerely hope they help you too! If you’ve found relief as a result of using these tips, or have tips of your own to add, please comment and share!
]]>Are you looking like a lobster on fire and in need of some quick relief? Here are 5 easy sunburn relief hacks to help soothe your skin and get you back on track!
It’s summertime and for many of us that means long days in the sun and on the beach! Sounds like heaven, except when we indulge a little TOO much and end up with a nasty burn.
Sunburns are painful and really inconvenient when you need to ‘get back to regular’ life and have to put a bra on, lol. And sleeping with a bad burn … forget it!
By the end of this article, you’ll have 5 practical sunburn relief hacks that will soothe your skin and have you back on track in no time.
HACK #1:
Don’t apply oil based lotion, use aloe vera jelly instead.
Coconut oil should not be the initial step in sunburn treatment. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, oil-based lotions may cause sunburned skin to retain heat, which could aggravate the burn. Because of this, it may help to wait at least 1 day after the burn before putting coconut oil on sunburned skin.
Because aloe oil contains the health properties of the original aloe vera plant, it possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antifungal, antioxidant, and astringent activity. Like aloe vera gel, aloe oil is also known for its ability to promote skin health.
HACK #2:
Apply vinegar to the burned area
A popular folk remedy is to use white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to relieve sunburn pain. While there is no actual science proving this works, it’s helped countless people soothe their hot, angry skin (including me) after they’ve indulged in too much sun. Just soak a cloth or towel in a solution of half vinegar, half water and apply it to the affected area. It will remove the ‘heat’ in the burn from your skin and transfer it to the cloth.
Vinegar has antiseptic properties that can kill germs and relieve pain, according to Bonnie K. McMillen, R.N., B.S.N., college health nurse at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. If you are experiencing pain from a sunburn, you may want to reach for a bottle of vinegar to soothe your discomfort. Vinegar helps to balance the pH (acid or alkalinity) of sunburned skin, promoting healing. Vinegar will also reduce the likelihood that your skin will form blisters after burning.
HACK #3:
Apply Yogurt
Pick up a cold plain yogurt, which contains a lot of probiotics that will help restore your skin’s natural barrier, and spread a thin layer over your sunburn. Let the yogurt sit for about 10 minutes, and then gently dab it off with a cold rag.
This also doesn’t have any hard-backed scientific evidence, but it’s also a popular folk remedy that is a favorite among many.
HACK #4:
Put cornstarch on your sheets
While it won’t do anything to soothe the actual burn, it will make you more comfortable when you sleep, and your body does recover in sleep mode. So it still counts.
When you have a terrible sunburn, even lying down on your sheets at night hurts. Dust a bit of cornstarch on your body or sprinkle it on your sheets before heading to bed to create a barrier between the fabric and your skin and to help minimize the painful friction.
HACK #5:
Take some aspirin with lots of water to decrease inflammation
At the first sign of sunburn, taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, can help with discomfort and inflammation, says Dr. Brackeen, who practices at the Skin Cancer Institute in Lubbock, Texas. You can continue with the NSAIDs as directed till the burn feels better.
You can also use a 1 percent over-the-counter cortisone cream as directed for a few days to help calm redness and swelling. Aloe vera may also soothe mild burns and is generally considered safe. Wear loose, soft, breathable clothing to avoid further skin irritation, and stay out of the sun.
Burns draw fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so you may become dehydrated, explains Dr. Brackeen. It’s important to rehydrate by drinking extra liquids, including water and sports drinks that help to replenish electrolytes, immediately and while
your skin heals.
Check out our video on this topic here:
]]>Do you or someone you know struggle with Psoriasis? ME TOO! If you’re worried about having a flare up now that the temps are rising, this video will give you five GREAT tips for managing your psoriasis in the summer.
For people like me who suffer from psoriasis, summer can be both a blessing and a curse. While the increased humidity and sunshine can actually help soothe symptoms, dry air conditioning, chlorine, excessive sun and even the dreaded sunburn can dry out our skin and trigger a flare-up.
By the end of this article, you'll have 5 actionable tips to help keep your psoriasis under control during the hot summer months. I’m not a doctor any information I provide here is not
medical advice, but I do suffer from psoriasis and have used these tips to manage my summer flares for decades, and now I’d like to share them with you.
Tip #1. Schedule some time in the sun
While it’s not a substitute for medical grade light therapy, a little time in the sun can work wonders for your psoriasis. This is because the sun gives off a kind of light called ultraviolet (UV) light. There are two types: UVA and UVB. UVA light by itself doesn't do much to ease psoriasis symptoms, but UVB light can slow down the growth of your skin cells, which
helps with scaling and inflammation. UVB also helps your body make vitamin D, which is good for your skin and bones.
Tip #2. Get in the ocean
Soaking in water helps with rehydrating the dry flaky lesions on your skin, but a dip in the ocean may be even more beneficial than submerging in your tub. Although more research is needed to evaluate the possible benefits of sea salt on psoriasis, there’s definitely something about salt water that helps soothe the condition. In fact, according to a 2013 study published in the journal Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, the level of salt concentration in certain bodies of water can enhance the transmission of UV light
therapy. So trek to the beach on your next day off, the combo of salt water and careful exposure to UV rays can make a dip in the ocean a great way to help ease your irritation this season.
Swimming, especially in salt water, sloughs off dead skin and improves the appearance of psoriasis. Still, both salt water and chlorinated water can leave skin dry and flaky. After swimming, rinse off well and put on a gentle moisturizer.
Tip #3. Stay hydrated and moisturize
While the humidity is good for your psoriasis, many aspects of summer, like air conditioning and chlorine, can lead to dry skin. If you know that you’ll be exposed to any of these factors, compensate by applying extra moisturizer. In the case of chlorine, shower after swimming to minimize any potential irritation. To lock in moisture, apply an ointment or cream
within a few minutes after - the thicker the formula you use, the better!
Tip #4. Limit alcohol intake
Summer is prime time to indulge in a drink — or two — at happy hour. But if you have psoriasis, you may want to limit how much you drink. Heavy drinking can reduce your response to psoriasis treatments, and alcohol can have dangerous side effects when combined with certain psoriasis medications. Excessive alcohol consumption may also contribute to systemic inflammation and have an effect on other diseases known to occur in people with psoriasis, including cardiovascular disease and depression, according to a 2013 study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.
Tip #5. Don’t get sunburned!
Speaking of sunburns, they’re technically an injury to the skin. And for some people, psoriasis forms at the site of an injury (this is known as the Koebner phenomenon — and as many as 50 percent of people with psoriasis experience it).
Here’s how to ensure you prevent a sunburn: Choose a mineral sunscreen containing zinc or titanium dioxide (these micro-formulated metals act as a barrier by reflecting the sun’s rays), protect your scalp by wearing a hat, wear a rash guard-style swim shirt at the beach, and cover up with lightweight, loose clothing if you’ll be out in the sun for a prolonged period of time.
Physical or Mineral Blockers include Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. While ZnO is the only true physical blocker TD works as a hybrid by scattering UV light as well as absorbing UV radiation.
Zinc works by sitting on top of skin and either reflecting or scattering UV rays, and it blocks against both UVA and UVB rays, covering the whole spectrum. It's the only FDA approved Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection ingredient. It won’t degrade or lose potency over time, won’t produce the skin sensitivities and rashes or initiate the creation of free radicals or hormone disruptors commonly caused by chemical sunscreens because it is an insoluble mineral that stays suspended on the skins surface and does not absorb into living skin cells the way Chemical UV absorbers do.
Chemical Absorbers include a range of ingredients. These agents work by interacting with the skin’s top layer to absorb UV rays and convert their energy. Once this energy is absorbed, the filters then defuse the energy in to the skin as heat. Chemical sunscreens tend to use a combination of ingredients to protect against the full spectrum of UV rays, as individually they all filter different ranges of the spectrum. While older chemical filters tended to protect well against UVB rays, they often don’t deliver much in the way of UVA protection. While the new generation of chemical absorbers are much more photo stable there are limits to the amount of UV radiation that they can absorb before breaking down. Some of the chemicals used pass entirely through the blood stream and have been linked to hormone disruption.
So be sure to use your skin sun protection carefully!
Check out our video on this topic:
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