Natural Alternatives

Soaps | Spotlight on Natures' Products
By Trish Barbara - Soaps & Body Cleansers
May 5, 2008
Priya Olive Oil Soap Handcrafted Natural Soaps, Yarraville Markets, VIC Handcrafted Natural Soaps, Yarraville Markets, VIC

SOAPS & BODY CLEANSERS

Washing and personal hygiene are essential tools in maintaining good health all-round especially when it comes to the health of your skin.  Clean, moisturised skin is very important to those who suffer with eczema.  The big issue facing those with sensitive skin, particularly eczema skin is what to use as a cleanser; what is available that will not irritate the skin and cause further itching and rashing?  As previously discussed in the article on water, the problems of irritants arise firstly within the water so finding a cleanser or ‘soap' to suit your sensitive skin really can be an issue.

Soap has enjoyed a very long history of invention and use throughout mankind's journey to the present day.  The earliest recorded evidence of soap-like materials dates back to around 2800BC in Ancient Babylon where a recipe for soap was discovered (written on a clay tablet) consisting of water, alkali and cassia oil.  It is indicated that ancient Egyptians bathed regularly and combined animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to create a soap-like substance.  

Ancient Soap Stories

The word ‘soap' (from the Latin word - sapo) first appears in a European language in Elders Historia Naturalis by Pliny an ancient natural philosopher, author and naturalist, which records the manufacture of soap from tallow - a hard fatty substance extracted from the fat of sheep and cattle mixed with ashes, but the only use he mentions is as a pomade -perfumed oil or ointment used to make hair look smooth and shiny.  

Another popular claim is that soap takes its name from the supposed Mount Sapo where ancient Romans sacrificed animals.  Rain would send a mix of animal tallow and wood ash down the mountain and into the clay soil on the banks of the Tiber.  Eventually women would notice that it was easier to get their clothes clean with this ‘soap'.  The location of Mount Sapo is unknown as is the source of this ancient Roman legend.

True soaps were made from vegetable oils such as olive oil and aromatic oil such as thyme oil and lye were first produced by Muslim alchemists in the medieval Islamic world.  The formula for soap hasn't really changed since then. 

From the beginning of the 7th century soap was produced in Nablus (West Bank), Kufa (Iraq) and Basra (Iraq).  Soap as we know it today is a descendant of the historical Arabian soaps.  Arabian soap was perfumed and coloured, some were solid bars and others were liquid and they even produced a special soap for shaving! Recently a manuscript was discovered from the 13th century detailing more recipes for soap making. 

Modern Soap Making

In semi-modern times soap was often made in the home made by mixing animal fats with lye (a sodium hydroxide)  or potash (potassium hydroxide) and soda ash (sodium carbonate) which were leached from the ashes of a hardwood fire for soap-making at home. Because Lye is caustic it was a dangerous procedure which could result in serious chemical burns or even blindness.

In recent modern times the use of soap had become universal in industrialised nations due to a better understanding of the role of hygiene in reducing pathogenic microorganisms. Manufactured soap bars first became available in the late nineteenth century, and advertising campaigns in Europe and the United States helped to increase popular awareness of the relationship between cleanliness and health.  Until the Industrial Revolution, soap making was done on a small scale and the product was rough.

Andrew Pears started making a high-quality, transparent soap in 1789 in London. With his grandson, Francis Pears and they opened a factory in Isleworth in 1862.  William Gossage produced low-price good quality soap from the 1850s.  Robert Spear Hudson began manufacturing a soap powder in 1837, initially, by grinding the soap with a mortar and pestle. William Hesketh Lever and his brother, James, bought a small soap works in Warrington in 1885 and founded what is still one of the largest soap businesses, we now know as Unilever.

In Chicago in 1888, one of the first manufacturers of soap was the Armour & Company. The soap was made from tallow, a by-product of the meat production process. In 1948, Armour soap became Dial soap, the first deodorant or antibacterial soap introduced in the USA. 

In addition to the traditional sale of many kinds of soap products by pharmacists through retail outlets, soap itself has found numerous applications in pharmacology, such as pill making, lotions and liniments, dentifrices, plasters, enemas, suppositories and poultices, in addition to veterinary applications. The use of soap in pharmacology is long established.

The above information has been sourced from The pharmaceutical Journal  Vol.263 pg.985-989 by Dr Hunt, Vice President of the British Society for the History or Pharmacy; The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 2001-07  www.bartleby.com ; and Wikipedia, http://www.wikipedia.com/  and www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Quarter/2926/Soap_History.html

 

 

 

 

Current Soap Manufacture Practices

So there you have it, soap has a long standing history of invention and use dating back to ancient times, although this is probably a lot more information on soap than you may have thought possible. 

With the introduction of the industrial age and the large scale production factories, soap has taken a more chemically based route.  Sadly the chemicals used in the large scale production of soaps have many side effects for th ose with sensitive skin and for young babies and children. It is my opinion that modern chemical based soaps are not just hazardous to sensitive people but to all of us.  

A typical analysis of a modern bar of soap or a liquid soap wash includes (and usually second on the ingredients list) such chemicals as SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or SLES - Sodium Laureth Sulphate which just on their own have some very nasty side effects such as stress related illnesses; lowered sperm counts; cataracts; corneal damage; improper eye development in infants and children; dry skin; liver toxicity; dermatitis; mouth ulcers; impaired hair growth and corrosion of hair follicles; teratogen; and is on the NIH Hazards list.

Is it any wonder that many soaps are not recommended for use with babies and young children?  Is it any wonder that most soaps will irritate sensitive eczema skin when one of the main ingredients can cause dry skin and dermatitis? 

SAFE SOAP

I've always searched for suitable soaps and cleansers and even those soaps advertised for sensitive skins or allergy skin have always irritated my skin.  I even tried sorbolene cream as my soap for many years and tolerated its use because there wasn't much else available.  

In recent years I came upon this soap in the supermarket.  Surprise, surprise, it is inexpensive, readily available and free of nasty chemicals.

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU ...

PRIYA Natures Olive Oil (Soap) Bar is my personal favourite in the shower.  It smells lovely and feels silky on my skin.  It does not irritate my skin nor does it dry my skin.  Used as a skin purifier for over 3,000 years, olive oil provides your skin with essential oils and nutrients to leave it invigorated and refreshed.  This bar contains 100% Olive oil, Palm Oil and an exclusive blend of essential oils to leave your skin smooth and aromatic every time you use it.  It contains no animal fats and is made in Australia. 

It does not contain chemical additives, colours or aromas and lives up to my expectations every single time.  I purchase this soap at Woolworths at around $1.50 - $2.00 per soap bar.  When trying a new soap or body cleanser, firstly try just washing your hands with it.  If it irritates your hands you can guarantee it's going to irritate the rest of you.  If it does irritate your hands, leave them under the running water and thoroughly rinse, then lightly dry your hands and apply moisturiser.  Actually you should ALWAYS apply moisturiser  after washing your hands.

Other soaps I have tried have been purchased at health food shops and local markets supporting natural and hand crafted products.  Natural soap making has become very popular recently and you will often find beautiful natural hand crafted soaps at market stalls throughout the country.  These soaps are made using all natural ingredients including essential oils that nurture the skin rather than strip your skin of its own natural oils.

When you buy these products from market stalls, talk with the person who made it, explain that you have a skin condition and it is important for you to know what is in the soap.  Most people who make these natural products are quite willing to discuss it with you as most of these people recognise that the manufactured soaps can be dangerous to sensitive skin.

 

PRODUCT NAME

AVAILABLE BY

AVAILABLE THROUGH

CONTACT DETAILS

$$$

Aud

Priya Nature's Olive Oil Soap

Pick up or online bulk order

 

 

allow for freight costs

Coles, Woolworths, David Jones, Franklins,  David's, Safeway, Big W, Jewel, Fresco, AIW and Foodland

 

 

Ph:

Web:

 

ML International

Pty Ltd

(+61) 2 9690 2688

www.priyasoap.com.au

 

    100gmBar less than $2.50

In bulk from manufacturer -

1 carton = 100 units = $154.00 plus freight; allow approx $10.00 per carton.

 

Look around, shop around, there are many more alternatives available than what you find advertised and on the supermarket shelf.  Support your local hand crafters, those that make products with love and devotion to their craft and your skin rather than those whose devotion lies only with your hard earned dollars.