So it is 2012. The ball dropped, fireworks fired off, and millions of good luck greetings have been given. Many of us wrote down lists of new year resolutions, made plans to form new healthy habits, and are ready for anything this year will bring.

I’d like to start our new year with introducing the new product – Smoky Nights birch tar soap. Birch tar soap is not something you would normally find in a bath & body store. It has very specific smoky aroma, color of chocolate milk, very outdoorsy nature, and will certainly not win the beauty contest between the soap bars.

Why would we make such soap, and then, on top of that, talk about it? What makes it worth making? Have we lost our minds? And the answer to all these questions is – its therapeutic qualities are amazing!

• Birch tar has been well known for centuries for its restorative qualities. It is used to help in treating a long list of skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, seborrhea, psoriasis, dandruff, and itching. It exfoliates old skin and tones the beautiful new layer.

• Birch tar is an excellent diuretic; it is used for body detoxification and cleansing. It helps enhancing body’s blood circulation and prevents toxins from collecting in muscles and skin.

• As disinfectant and antiseptic, birch tar could be applied to small wounds and cuts to prevent microbial infections and speed up the healing process.

And all of these therapeutic qualities of the birch tar are transferred to the soap!

The distinct aroma of the birch tar – smoky, warm, and leathery astringent, is exactly how this soap smells like. It will remind you of a beautiful, warm, and cozy campfire in a middle of a cold winter night. Of course, if you don’t want your whole bathroom to be filled with this strong and specific aroma, you can hide the bar in the soapbox and close the lid tight. Otherwise, leave it open to air – that should keep it from going stale. The bar will dry faster, stay fresh longer, and gladly return the love back to you.

In Finland, where birch tar is incredibly popular, its aroma is widely considered to be pleasant. Many food and hygiene products have birch tar and birch oil added to them. I’m talking not just shampoos, perfumes, soaps, and lotions, but also beer, ice cream, and even candy! There is a great Finnish proverb that praises the healing qualities of birch tar: “If vodka, sauna, and birch tar did not cure you, nothing else will!”

Just as a reminder, birch tar and oil can cause irritation to a sensitive skin, especially if concentrated. It is advised that you test your sensitivity by applying the soap to a small area of your skin. Also, pregnant women must refrain from using birch tar and oil products.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

What soap do you use? If you are using the same old soap from the grocery store you should give some thought looking at what you and your family are putting on you skin. I am going to list a few ingredients that are very likely found in your store bought soap and hope just mentioning these will give you thoughts about what you use and at least check the ingredients. Might be time to be thinking All Natural and treat your body with care.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and another closely related Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) with these commonly used in soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothpaste and many other products that foam up. These chemicals are known as surfactants and are great for foaming. These are compounds of Sulphuric acid and SLS is also known by over 150 other names. SLES is commonly found with dioxane a known carcinogen. SLES between the two is less irritating that SLS but the problem is it cannot be metabolized by the liver and so it makes this one longer lasting.
Propylene glycol is found in many soaps, hair products of many kinds, baby items and so much more. I am not going to go into a lot of tech stuff on this one. I do want to add that this is also found in tire sealant, rubber cleaner, De-icer, stain removers, fabric softener, degreaser, paint, adhesive and wallpaper stripper so this should be enough for you to investigate this more.
Here is one 1, 4 Dioxane that is mostly found in shampoos and conditioners and again will not go into a lot of tech stuff on this one either. In 1992 it was brought to the FDA’s attention that this was very harmful in excessive levels. You are right if you were thinking to yourself I am sure nothing has been done to control these levels.
Dioxin and this is a chemical that if you have ever heard for Agent Orange that was used to kill off vegetation during the Vietnam War and has been the subject of many deaths of returning military men since.
These are just a few of the possible chemicals and there are many more that your soap, shampoo, conditioner and many other products might contain. The main thing about mentioning some of these are to get you aware that you’re off the self products that you are using everyday could be very harmful for grownups and children. Take a moment and check the ingredients on your soaps, shampoos, conditioners, laundry detergent and the many other house hold products and check some of the chemicals contained in these.
Then start taking a look at natural products that you should be using for the health and safety of your family. Here at Elena’s Natural Soap we take pride in offering a healthier lifestyle choice. Whether it is our soap, shampoo, condition and many other products to our Soap Nuts that is the much healthier way of doing your laundry you should take some time and check us out.