6 Characteristics we avoid
What our Soap base doesn't contain
When you’re looking through our ‘Melt & Pour Soap Base’ products Glycerin, Goat’s Milk and Shea Butter, you’ll find several characterises used to describe these soaps bases. Instead of describing what is in the soap, they also state what isn’t in your soap base. We believe that education is an important part of soap making and it can help you make the right choices when buying any product for your skin, including other beauty and skincare products.
This guide works in partnership with our Ingredient guide, explaining to you the 6 characteristics of our soap bases, that we specifically avoid. It will helps to better what we have to offer for your skin, taking your homemade soap bars to the next level. These characteristics are an easy way to differ cheap and low quality soap base from the gently soap base that will nourish and protect your skin, without causing irritation.
Read on to find out more about these six characteristics.
SLS
When a product is labelled with ‘no SLS’, it means that it does not contain sodium lauryl sulphate. You’ll also see ‘no SLS’ being referred to as ‘sulfate-free’. SLS is a foaming agent that you’ll find in dozens of cleansing products, including shampoos and soaps. SLS can cause irritation to your skin, with ‘no SLS’ formulas giving you a gentler cleanse that soothes your skin.
You typically find SLS in inexpensive brands, who use it as a cheap cleansing agent that produces an excessive foam when used. While it cleanses your skin, it also stripes your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and dehydrated. One reason why you want to avoid SLS is because it’s an ingredient that was originally developed to wash your clothes – and not your skin!
If you have sensitive skin – including eczema – you want to avoid SLS at all costs. Using products that contain sodium lauryl sulphate can result in irritation to your skin, mouth, and also your lungs. It can also clog your pores and lead to acne.
SLES
SLES stands for ‘sodium laureth sulphate’, a chemical with a similar composition and used as SLS. In fact, SLES is a by-product of SLS, which goes through a process known as ethoxylation. You’ll typically find SLES used alongside surfactants within the beauty industry.
While SLES is not as harsh on your skin as SLS, it can be just as damaging. It’s used in shampoos and soaps for the same reasons of a cheap ingredient that creates a lather when used.
When a product states that it contains ‘no SLES’, it means that the product is free from sodium laureth sulphate and uses alternative ingredients to create a lather. A more nourishing alternative to SLES is sodium cocoyl isethionate and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate.
Just like SLS, this ingredient is harmful for your skin as it strips away your skin’s natural oils. It can cause your skin to become dry or develop conditions like eczema.
Soaps that contain no SLES typically use glycerin as their primary ingredient to create a lather. Not only is glycerin a popular ingredient for homemade soap, but it’s also one of the most used in the industry. It works to hydrate and moisture your skin, acting as a humectant to attract water.
PEG
Our soap bases are ‘PEG free’, which means that it does not contain polyethylene glycol, an ingredient that derived from petrochemicals. Not only is it harsh on your skin, but it’s also damaging for the environment. Just like SLES and SLS, PEG is a cheap ingredient that is used to keep the price of cosmetics low.
PEG is used as an emulsifying agent, as well as being an emollient that softens and smooths your skin. While this might sound like a good thing, the dangers of using PEGs far out weight the benefits. There are wide-ranging concerns around the health risks associated with PEGs, including their ability to cause dermatitis.
The environmental impact of PEG is one of the reasons why we do not include it in our soap bases. One of its primarily components is ethylene oxide, a toxic and sensitising chemical that is damaging to the environment. As PEG is not bio-degradable, this ingredient makes its way into the water system and is harmful to marine life and the local community.
phthalate
Phthalate is a man-made chemical that is typically used to make plastics more flexible and durable. So, why does it end up in bodycare products? It’s usually included as a fragrance agent to amplify the scent of your soap. When you’re breathing in the floral aroma of your favourite soap, you might also be breathing in chemicals like phthalate.
Our soap bases are proudly phthalate free, meaning that you won’t find any traces of this chemical in our formulas. Phthalate is a chemical that can negatively impact your hormones and even increase your risk of cancer.
PARABEN
Our homemade soap bases are paraben fee, meaning that they’re made without harmful chemicals that can irritate your skin. These chemical preservatives have been commonly used in the personal care industry since the 1920s and have come under question in recent years for their long-term consequences.
The danger behind parabens is that they mimic oestrogen, a human hormone, meaning that they interfere with your hormone balance. Parabens are quickly absorbed into your skin and can lead to allergic reactions, typically causing issues like redness, irritation, and flaking.
The most common parabens that you’ll find in soaps include methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. We’ve skipped all these chemicals and other parabens when making our soap bases to create a product that won’t negatively impact your health and hormones.
Animal testing
In the personal care industry, ‘cruelty free’ is quickly becoming the gold standard and something that consumers have come to expect. When a product – like our soap bases – are cruelty free, it means that they are developed without any aspect of the process involving cruelty against animals.
Our soap bases are proudly cruelty free, with none of the ingredients tested on animals. When a product is cruelty free, none of the activities involved in the creation of the product – and its ingredients – involve harming or killing animals. A product is not considered cruelty free if it is tested or made from animals.
One thing to consider when you see that a product is ‘cruelty free’ is whether the product is truly cruelty free or whether it’s simply no longer tested on animals in its final form. There are no regulations around the use of the term ‘cruelty free’, so it’s always worth doing your research – even when you see the label on a product.
We make our famous ‘Melt & Pour Soap Bases’ products Glycerin, Goat’s Milk and Shea Butter with ingredients and formulas that are kind to your skin and the world around us, including animals. As most of our ingredients are naturally derived, there’s no need to test them on animals. In fact, we do most of the testing ourselves around here!
With this soap base guide, it’s easier for you to understand the benefits of making homemade soap. Each of these characteristics play a role in creating a nourishing and hydrating soap. Want to find out more about the ingredients in our soap bases? Read all about them here.
our Melt & Pour Soap Base
Shea Butter
★ 100% NATURAL – Organic, Vegan and Premium Quality! with only natural ingredients to ensure the best homemade results. No SLS/SLES, PEG free, Soy free, Phthalate/ Paraben free and Cruelty free (not animal tested). Makes about 22 luxurious soap bars of 4oz (113 gr.) each!
Goat's Milk
★ NOURISH THE SKIN – This gentle cleanser is rich in nutrients. A great option for people with sensitive skin. Maintains your skin’s natural moisture, prevents overdrying and leaves a smooth feeling. With Coconut Oil to create a foamy rich lather, just as our Shea Butter and Glycerin!
Glycerin
★ SAFE & SOFT – Our soapbase has already gone through the ‘saponification’ process, making it a safer alternative to cold process soapmaking. Avoid handling lye! Use it straight out of the package. Works great with soap colorants, essential oils, etc. More pounds for less money!