Soaps By SanGi : Egg Rosemary Shampoo

Solid shampoo bars are a great all-natural alternative to traditional liquid shampoos. They are designed to clean and condition hair without stripping your strands of any natural oils.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Soaps By SanGi HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is packed full of great things like lauric and capric acids and vitamin E that helps keep hair healthy, luxuriant and strong. Coconut oil for hair is an all-natural way to keep both hair and scalp healthy. Coconut oil on hair helps to prevent dandruff, promotes hair growth, and helps to keep hair soft and silky (1). It also makes a nice hard bar that cleans and lathers well.

• Palm Oil: The hair specifically requires fat soluble vitamins A & E to nourish the roots and scalp, and red palm oil specifically is not only very high in vitamin E, but also in beta carotene. When consumed, beta carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A (2).

• Sunflower Oil: Packed with Vitamins A, B, C, E, potassium, iron and calcium that are very beneficial for hair health and growth. Vitamin E is known to be an excellent moisturizing agent that can give hydration to your hair, promoting hair growth and preventing early hair loss. High oleic acid content also stimulates natural hair growth, prevents brittle hair and hair loss (3).

• Sesame Oil: Sesame oil treats damaged hair by dissolving away many toxins that accumulate on the scalp (4). The oil has a good essential fatty acid profile which boosts health of hair follicles, helps in scalp psorasis, prevents hair loss and restores shine to dull looking hair (4).

• Castor Oil: Can be used on the scalp to help prevent and remedy hair loss: it’s antibacterial and anti fungal properties make it beneficial against folliculitus, dandruff and scalp infections and its ricinoleic acid content helps increase circulation to the scalp and improve hair growth (5). The antioxidants in castor oil also support the keratin in hair and help make hair stronger, smoother and less frizzy. Also helps stabilize the lather created by the other oils.

• Almond Oil: Effective moisturiser for hair, thanks to its rich concentration of vitamins, proteins and omega fatty acids. Rich source of vitamin A (for maintaining healthy cell membranes), B (shown to promote hair growth) and E (rich in antioxidants that promote blood and circulation to the scalp), almond oil prevents hair breakage and split ends while keeping locks strong and healthy (6). Its natural moisture-sealing properties replenish and nourish hair by holding moisture in locks for longer periods of time while providing nourishment to the scalp, preventing dryness, dandruff and stimulating hair growth. A rich source of magnesium, almond oil moisturises the scalp, strengthens hair root and improves hair quality to prevent hair fall and breakage. Rich in proteins and vitamin E, almond oil lends shine and volume to dull, dry and frizzy hair (6). Using sweet almond oil for soap making adds a nice creamy lather and conditioning properties (7).

• Moringa Oil: High in behenic acid, moringa oil is a powerful hair conditioner adding shine and gloss to the hair. It also strengthens hair roots and as such can help with hair loss. It nourishes weak, damaged hair and reduces the lifelessness in them (8). Commonly used in soap making due to its skin cleansing and moisturizing property.

• Egg: Eggs contain a large amount of protein as well as fatty acids and vitamins to strengthen hair. The vitamin A found in egg yolk will improve the hair’s ability to produce natural moisture by stimulating sebum production (9). This increased sebum production lets vitamin A control dandruff and prevent drying of the scalp, improving hair growth while preventing hair loss at the same time. Vitamin E works to promote healthy hair by offering protection from environmental factors such as UV rays that could otherwise cause damage to your locks (9). The vitamin D in egg yolks improves the texture and luster of hair while fatty protein lecithin helps reduce frizz in your hair and also prevents breakage and brittleness. Biotin is also present in egg yolks and works to renew hair roots and follicles, improving the hair’s overall health (9).

• Rosemary Essential Oil: Packed with antioxidants which help scavenge free radicals – that are responsible for greying as well as hair thinning (10). This wonderful oil stimulates blood flow to the scalp and promotes strong and healthy hair growth. Rosemary oil is also effective for treating dandruff, itchiness, scalp irritation and oily skin (10).

• Citric Acid: Also known as lemon juice, citric acid is added to lower the pH and make these bars extra gentle.

• Lye: A.K.A sodium hydroxide, is used in the saponifiation of the oils, none of it remains in the end product.

The egg rosemary shampoo bar is a white block of shampoo that is fragranced with ocean breeze scent. 

To use the shampoo bar, either lather the bar in your hands, apply to wet hair or wet the bar and rub directly on hair. Get a good lather going and massage into scalp and hair, letting it sit for at least 30 seconds before rinsing out. 

My daughter is bestowed with abundantly thick and curly hair. Often times, after shower her hair is a mess and untangling is a chore neither of us like to engage in! I have used Sangita’s beer and coconut milk shampoo with great success and decided to give this interesting egg variant a go.

The shampoo bar like its beer and coconut milk variant lathers luxuriously and takes off any excess oil from the hair (from pre-wash oiling), without drying the scalp or hair. The vitamin rich eggs revitalize dull and dry hair and improve texture. Egg yolks create a mild, protein rich natural shampoo that adds shine, bounce and body to the hair. The fatty acids in the egg make it super conditioning and make my daughter's dry hair feel exceptionally smooth, light, full of volume and tangles free (full points here). There is NO residual egg smell, in fact the bar has a mild fragrance to it, which my daughter seems to like but does not linger after the wash. 

My only issue is with the shape of the bar which kind of makes using it uncomfortable, however this can be easily counteracted by cutting the bar into a smaller size prior to use.

This egg-cellent shampoo gently cleans hair and increases bounciness and smoothness of hair without stripping it of natural oils: now that is commercial worthy!!

Aroma Essentials : Face Washes

A lot time ago, surfactant based cleansers were my choicest facial cleansing products. If a cleanser did not foam I would write it off as being ineffective. Yet full of promises, these cleansers never delivered. My skin was drier than usual and had frequent bouts of acne. The irony is today at 30, my skin looks better than it did when I was in my 20's. Having switched to a "greener" lifestyle and having ingredient awareness has certainly helped with that.

Aroma Essentials has a myriad variety of soap free facial cleansers that delivers on results. To learn more about a cleanser, click on the title. 

GREEN TEA : ANTI-AGING

 NEEM ACTIVATED CHARCOAL : OILY / ACNEIC SKIN

 ORANGE : SKIN BRIGHTENING

ROSE : DRY SKIN

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TOMATO : TAN REMOVAL

Indian Earthy Naturals : Kashmir Lavender Soap

There is something very satisfying about using handmade natural soaps and IEN has some of the best ones I have tried so far. They might not have the fancy swirls, colors, shapes or fragrances but they are simple bars of goodness that do not fail to deliver on the promises they make. I like to dub them as "butter" bars for the intense moisturization they provide. 


ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about IEN HERE!

 

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Olea europaea (Virgin Olive Oil): Full of linoleic acids, oleic acids, palmitic acids, and polyphenols, the acids in high quality olive oil work by trapping water into the skin, ensuring hydration (2). Polyphenols are antioxidants, which when absorbed into the skin, will combat the free radicals thus preventing premature ageing. Two other benefits of polyphenol is that is offers protection against ultraviolet rays and will also encourage new cell growth, so that new cells are made to replace any damaged skin cells (2). Virgin olive oil also contains high levels of natural squalane that penetrates deeply to hold in moisture. In soap making, it has moisturizing, disinfectant and anti-wrinkle properties and can be used to produce a mild soap (3).

• Butyrospermum parkii (Raw Shea Butter): A great emollient oil addition to soap, it makes a hard, shiny, conditioning bar with a stable lather and moisturizing properties. Naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F, it provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production (4). The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin, and is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils (4). Due to its cinnamic acid content and other natural properties, shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties (5). One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations making it beneficial for people with acne (4). Shea butter aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying and with long term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction (4).

• Cocos nucifera (Coconut Oil): The fatty acids along with the numerous minerals and nutrients in coconut will provide the skin with great benefits. The oil can also work to help remove dirt and dead cells from the skin. The aforementioned acids in coconut oil (lactic, capric, etc) can also have benefits when it comes to acne treatment: the antimicrobial properties of these fats can act to prevent or help reduce current acne breakouts (7).  The antioxidants prevent and help to reduce skin aging. Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection, reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis while supporting the natural chemical balance of the skin, softens the skin helping relieve dryness and flaking, prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots promoting healthy looking complexion (7). Essential to soap making, it is a natural cleanser and moisturizer and makes a hard, cleansing bar with creamy, bubbly lather.

• Ricinus communis (Castor Oil): Soothing oil that has been used medicinally for thousands of years and has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties (3). In soap it acts as an emollient, humectant and softener, adds and retains moisture and protects the skin. It is also used to treat dry lacerated and chapped skin, including psoriasis. It makes a soft, conditioning bar with bubbly, stable lather.

• Elaeis guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil: High in lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids which will produce a hard, cleansing bar with a full lather when used in a soap making formula (8).Palm oil contains toctrienols, members of the vitamin E family which helps the skin to fight free radicals that damage the skin and cause fine lines and wrinkles (9). Found in soaps for its ability to remove oil and dirt from and also contains a refatting agent that helps restore the skin’s natural oils (9).

• Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Oil: An anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant. It reduces inflammation thereby causing less skin redness and blotchiness making skin appear evenly colored (6). Enhances circulatory system by causing an increase in blood flow and subsequently an increase in nutrients to the skin along with much needed oxygen to the cells (6). This is essential to healthier cells, and benefits more frequent cell turnover.

• Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Buds: Lavender is well regarded for its skin healing properties. It’s beautiful scent and is thought to be very calming to the nerves. Lavender is credited with being anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, balancing, energising, soothing, healing, toning and stimulating (7). It works well on all skin types and is effective in treating oily skin as well as acne, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis and is thought to stimulate cellular growth and regeneration in the skin by helping the upper layer of skin rejuvenate itself (7).

• Sodium Hydroxide: Used in the saponifiation process to turn oil into soap, none of which remain in the end product.

The lavender soap comes in a 4 oz bar format wrapped in cellophane and packaged in a reusable/eco-friendly jute burlap bag. Purple in color, lavender buds are sprinkled on top of the soap and is mildly scented of lavender courtesy of the essential oil and dried lavender buds. 

To use, apply on moistened skin, use a loofah to work up a lather before rinsing off.

The bar produces creamy lather and like other IEN soaps I used thus far (HERE & HERE), this soap bar is too functions like a lotion bar, resulting in intense hydration and has excellent moisturizing qualities that are ideal for those with dry skin. The natural fragrance of lavender essential oil provides a calming and soothing aromatherapy experience.  

Ideal for babies, toddles and adults, the bar lasts for well over a month when used twice a day, everyday, and retains its shape well (I leave it to air-dry after use).   

Scented with pure lavender oils to calm the mind and soothe the body, the bar is made from nurturing and conditioning oils & butters to produce a mild, skin-nourishing soap that leaves the skin feeling clean, soft, and radiantly healthy.