Herbal Remedy with Aromatic Soaps

The plethora of coffee vanilla soap, green tea, lemongrass, carrot or, carrot and tamarind soaps find new vistas in modern cleansing and curing process.

As remedial measures for skin allergies or for healing therapies, essential oil-based soap adjuncts find usage among believers of holistic healing.

Pure handcrafted natural handmade soaps and their corresponding boutique variants find much demand as gifting ideas too. Natural soaps are predominately made from extracts and, oil distillates obtained from flowers, herbs and barks of potent medicinal plants. The science and infusion techniques in harvesting these add-ons to handmade soaps, authenticates its usage for skin and hair treatments and against allergies.

The Rule of Natural Excipients

With pure essential oils and natural colours forming part of handcrafted soaps, manufacturers can avoid use of animal fats in their products which often clog pores and can add to long-term skin damage.

With recipes of naturally made soaps a closely guarded secret, makers pride themselves in adding the correct proportions of the ingredients in getting the best cure.

Whatever be the proportions of ingredients, rest assure that most natural soaps and lotions have one or the other of these basic ingredients:

• Glycerine: Naturally obtained glycerine promotes good moisture balance and can hold moisture for long. An advantage is that this form of glycerine does not interfere with other skin functions or cause any bodily harm; so is a choice adjunct for all herbal soaps.

• Rice Bran oil: An authentic extract, it is utilised for its high grade moisturising property.

• Palm oil: Known to contain a higher percentage of oleic acid, palm oil has superior cleansing and conditioning impact on the skin.

• Palm Kernel and Coconut Oil: Touted through centuries as naturally occurring moisturizers, ancient scientists have deemed these elements as integral to making any home remedies, whether medicinal or cosmetic in use. They permeate well into the skin and in soap recipes, can help to build up lather for ease of application.

• Olive Oil: An effective emollient, the potency of olive oil rests on its deep-rooted moisturizing effect and is used by almost all manufacturers of soap bars.

Skin Typified Soap Bars

• Oily Skin: Thai lemongrass and citrus scented soaps made from either Florida Citrus Sunshine or South Africangrapefruitare effective in balancing oily skin textures. Citrus scented soap bars are popular for their grassy odour and citrus-toned fragrance; that can refresh, soothe and stimulate skin surface. Besides, lemongrass also helps to reduce acne and pimples; also tones up tissues and muscles.

• Dry Skin: Coconut oil and shea butter added to essential oils can be an effective remedy for dry skin and those with extra sensitive skin.

Besides, there are myriad of naturally occurring plants and vegetable options which when added to basic soap recipes make it more effective. Cucumber extracts act as an astringent while charcoal-induced facial bar contains cleansing agents to unclog pores - so take your pick and suit your skin-type.

Jean Laplanche is an author on health and skin care. He writes articles for natural soaps and lotions and natural handmade soaps.