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.

Juicy Chemistry : Ylang Ylang Lavender

My love affair with soap-free, natural facial cleansers is going to be an everlasting one! For me, switching to a gentle, natural cleansing routine meant switching to something that it is NOT provoking inflammations and something that will NOT leave my face feeling tight, dry or looking flaky. I wanted something gentle for my skin, something that keeps it hydrated and soft.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Juicy Chemistry HERE!     

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Oatmeal:  Gentle on the skin, oatmeal does not forcibly peel away dead and dying skin cells from the surface of the skin, instead, oatmeal contains over a dozen amino acids, which are vital for building healthy skin tissue and for healing the skin (1). During an oatmeal face mask treatment, the skin will absorb these acids, which will help to heal minor imperfections, blemishes, and to help repair uneven skin tone (1). As oatmeal has humectant properties it allows the skin to retain moisture, thus hydrating the skin. Due to its hypoallergenic properties, oatmeal is the treatment of choice for sensitive skin (1). Another benefit to oatmeal is that it absorbs oil, so you will be cleansing as you exfoliate.

• Sugar Mix: A natural humectant, it draws moisture from the environment into the skin, help hydrate the skin and keep moisture within (2). Natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) it penetrates the skin and breaks down the "glue" that bonds skin cells, encouraging cell turnover and generating fresher, younger-looking skin (2). Finally, sugar's small particles make an excellent topical exfoliant, and are used to exfoliate dead surface skin cells and reveal the glowing, healthy-looking skin underneath.

• Raw Forest Honey: Due to its antibacterial activity, bacteria and germs don't survive when covered in honey because of its highly acidic pH: in fact, microorganisms get trapped in honey’s sticky, acidic base and eventually die; the environment is too abrasive for their membranes. Honey also contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, a well-known disinfectant which when applied to the skin helps disinfect and heal minor skin wounds by stimulation of tissue growth, enhanced epithelialization, and minimized scar formation (3). Raw honey is loaded with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and natural enzymes that literally nourish your skin from the outside in. Honey also attracts and retains moisture (3).

• Olive Oil: Contains three major antioxidants: vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytosterols: Antioxidants, when topically applied, may help protect the skin from premature skin aging, Vitamin E partly accounts for the anti-aging benefits of olive oil because it helps restore skin smoothness and protects against ultraviolet light, Hydroxytyrosol, a rather rare compound found in olive oil, also prevents free radical damage to the skin (4,5). It’s comedogenic and enhances exfoliation by penetrating skin leaving the epidermis looking renewed and glowing (6).

• Jojoba Oil: Rich in vitamin E, B-complex, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, and chromium, jojoba oil can seal in the moisture and create an effective barrier to external elements (7). Jojoba oil works in several ways to counteract acne formation: first, it acts as a deep cleanser by penetrating deep into the hair follicle dissolving the sebum deposits and helping dislodge the comedone, thus clearing out the blockage (7). Second, its antibacterial properties helps control bacterial growth in the hair follicle and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, soothing the irritated skin (7). When used regularly, jojoba oil can control acne: the Vitamins A and E in the oil also may have a role in this.

• Almond Oil: Great moisturizer for skin, almond oil has a natural ability to plump and firm the skin (8). Helps in repairing, rejuvenating, as well as revitalizing damaged skin ensuring it is left feeling relaxed and looking great (9). (Learn more about the benefits of sweet almond oil HERE!).

• Vitamin E Oil: Rich in antioxidants, vitamin E oil prevents the damage of collagen helping repair the skin and improves collagen production (10). Vitamin E oil has anti-inflammatory properties that calm sensitive skin while its moisturizing properties soothe dry skin and helps heal damaged tissue (10).

• Almond Powder: Nourishes the skin while providing gentle exfoliation and promotes the natural turnover of skin cells. Almonds cleanse the skin by eliminating toxins and free radicals from your body. The vitamin E component is considered a skin food as it nourishes the skin, keeping it smooth and glowing, can help to remove fine lines and wrinkles. It can also lighten age spots and other blemishes on the skin. (11,12).

• Lavender Flowers: Rich in linalool, lavender helps the skin naturally heal itself. Lavender’s anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory; qualities can help treat and diminish the appearance of acne scars (13). For those who may be suffering from their acne due to an allergic reaction to pollutants, the anti-toxic nature of lavender can provide additional relief. Lavender is a rubefacient which encourages blood flow to the skin, and a cytophylactic, which encourages skin growth (13). Together, these help the skin regenerate itself more easily and keep skin looking young, firm, and smooth.

• Essential Oil of Lavender: An anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant. It reduces inflammation thereby causing less skin redness and blotchiness making skin appear evenly colored (14). 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 (14). This is essential to healthier cells, and benefits more frequent cell turnover.

• Essential Oil of Ylang Ylang: Blended with an emulsion or moisturizing creme, Ylang Ylang is a great essential oil for the skin, nourishing and moisturizing flaky and dry skin (15).

The ylang ylang lavender cleanser comes in a 75 gm plastic container with an inner protective lid and a screw on top. As with every JC product, the salient features of the cleanser are listed on the label.

The cleanser is a of a semi powdery /grainy consistency (you can see the sugar crystals in the above pic) . To use, I scoop out the required amount with the wooden spoon provided, spritz Oilcraft Naturals Panch Pusph facial mist to bring it to a paste like consistency and apply it on the face. I let it stay on for a couple of minutes before I gently massage it in circular motions and rinse it off. 

The cleanser, as the name suggest has top notes of ylang ylang and delicate accords of clearly distinguishable lavender. The fragrance however dissipates upon application and isn't in the least overpowering. 

I use this cleanser as part of my bedtime routine owing to its gentleness. The sugar crystals in the mix dissolve slowly in the liquid medium and while application thus rendering the cleanser gentle yet effective on the skin. The almond meal, oatmeal and sugar provide the exfoliation while the various oils impart the required moisturization. My dry/dehydrated/sensitive skin feels well cleansed and plush at the end of the treatment. I do however follow up with either a moisturizer or serum (depending on how my skin feels). 

This scrub is able to provide many of the positive benefits of a microdermabrasion treatment. Additionally, the scrub softens and smooths skin, while replenishing for healthy skin.