Why You Should Consider Going Natural With Your Soap

Bathing is an everyday part of life (for most of us) and many people don’t pay attention to what’s actually in the stuff that we use to get clean. We lather up without a second thought, but maybe it’s time we gave it a second look.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and because it’s porous, much of what you put on it gets absorbed into your body. The absorption rate goes even higher in areas such as your armpits and genitals. Knowing this, it’s important we look at the ingredients that we can find in the traditional mainstream soaps we grew up using. 

“Fragrance”

This is one of those terms that companies use as a hiding place for toxins, because the FDA doesn’t require manufacturers to list the ingredients that make up the scent of their product. Looking closer at various cosmetics products, known allergens such as Phtalates have been shown to cause damage to kidneys, reproductive systems and the liver. This chemical is typically used as a fixative and solvent in the fragrance. 

Parabens

In order to keep the soaps from going bad, preservatives are added, similarly to how a lot of the processed food we eat has preservatives. Paraben use is pretty common in the modern world, and while studies are not definitive, there are some studies that have shown traces in body tissue, showing it’s capability of entering through the skin and remain in the body. It is suspected that normal hormonal function can be disrupted by parabens in the body. 

Triclosan

This chemical was banned for use as a preservative by the FDA in 2016, but this hasn’t stopped it from appearing in antibacterial soaps. Since antibacterial soaps aren’t regulated by the FDA, they can still be found in thousands of products, and it’s common use in personal care items means that you can still be exposed to Triclosan.

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)

We all love a good lather. The more the better, right? One of the ingredients that add to the lathering properties of traditional soaps is SLS, and can be highly toxic. This may be the cause of the irritation of the eyes and skin some experience with regular soaps. 

1, 4-Dioxane

Another ingredient not required by the FDA to be listed in ingredients is 1, 4-Dioxane. This is a result of common ingredients being mixed together as a byproduct, and can be found in many of the soaps you can find in your grocery store. While this byproduct can be removed rather easily before it gets packaged out for consumers, it still remains in almost half of the personal care products in stores. Even exposure in the short term can cause nose, throat, and eye irritation, in addition to liver and kidney disease.

Natural Soap Is The Way To Go

Now that we know what is found in traditional soaps, how can we avoid these common chemicals in our daily routine? Luckily, we carry many natural toxin free soaps here at The Body Condiment Shop. Handmade with care and free of the chemicals discussed above, we can ensure that shower time doesn’t have to put our health at risk. 

We are proud to announce that we have our own line of natural soaps on the way, with 10 scents from you to choose from, with fragrances coming from essential oils. Our soaps are cold processed the "old fashioned" way of making soap, and each have the old world artisan appeal. Natural and vegan, you can feel good about what you are using on your body. Not only do they smell amazing, but they are much more gentle on the skin which is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin that can be aggravated by other soaps!

In the meantime, here are three of my favorite soaps from Buck Ridge

• Sinus Helper: As the name suggests, great for clearing the sinuses! If you have allergies like I do, this is a lifesaver. 
• Stoned Koala: The combination of eucalyptus and hep offer anti-fungal and anti-staph properties. Perfect for those who train in combat sports, which is perfect for me after a night of jiu-jitsu.
• Fresh Out The Wash: Who doesn't love the smell of a fresh load of laundry? Get it out the shower too, and damn this one smells good. 

Check out our full collection of soaps