What's in every bar of Magic Moon's Goat's Milk Soap?

What's in every bar of Magic Moon's Goat's Milk soap?

Ever wonder what the MAGIC is to Magic Moon SoapWorks!  PURE, REAL, SIMPLE... NATURE'S INGREDIENTS! 

There is simply NO SUBSTITUTE for the abundance of gifts that Nature has given us and more and more these days, we are discovering how getting back to the simple things are better for us.  Don't get me wrong, I certainly appreciate the wonders of modern technology - but it's the simple things that keep it real and most often regain and maintain our overall well-being.

How can a simple bar of soap change your life?   Purity...freedom from chemicals, parabens, phthalates, dyes and preservatives.  The word Preservatives alone - should scare the pants off you.

Here's the simple Magic of our Magic Moon Soaps!  If it's not an amazing, naturally occurring, organic ingredient - it doesn't go into our bars.  We're serious about taking care of skin, NATURALLY! 

Here's the ingredients to our base recipe.  To "scent" or jazz up any of our varieties - we'll add ground certified organic herbs, botanicals and/or essential oils - but every single bar starts out like this!

Goat’s Milk   Goat’s milk provides nutrients that help relieve irritated, itchy dry skin. Goat’s milk contains essential proteins, amino acids and vitamin A that nourish skin. Rich in beta-hydroxyl, Lactic and alpha hydroxyl acids it acts as a natural skin conditioner, gentle cleanser, skin softener, exfoliant and stimulates cell renewal.

Water   Purified water

Pure Water is so under-rated but without - we are mere dust.  In order to maintain healthy skin as well as when we make our soap, water is an essential ingredient!

Saponified Carrier Oils Of:

Olea Europaea (Olive oil)   Olive oil prevents the loss of your skin’s natural moisture, softens skin, and attracts external moisture to your skin while still allowing for proper release of sweat, sebum and shedding of dead skin. 

Elaeis Guineensis (Fair trade Palm oil)  Palm is a mild but effective cleanser. It is superior to other vegetable oils to keep a soap bar hard, and is used in many expensive, luxury body products.

Sodium Cocoate (Fair trade Coconut oil)  Coconut oil is exceptional oil for dry, itchy or sensitive skin. It will not clog pores and absorbs readily into the skin while maintaining a longer shelf life creating fluffy lather.


Helianthus Annus (Sunflower oil)  Using sunflower oil is a healthy natural way to heal skin and maintain its health. It's GMO free(YAY!) Its calming and emollient properties have been known for years. Sunflower has many medicinal and cosmetic uses and may be helpful if you are suffering from eczema, acne, inflammation, general redness and irritation of the skin.


That's it.  SIMPLE, right?  Well, that's the MAGIC!   You've tried all the rest, now try the best and discover the MAGIC in your skin!
~Dana~

Caring for our Family Pet’s Winter Skin

by Sheilagh Cruickshank



* The Orange Essential oil, and the Rosemary and Sage herbs are all natural flea repellants, sending many of the fleas away before they can bite or lay eggs.

* Parsley and Nettle are diuretic herbs that help to reduce inflammation. It cleanses the blood in the capillary circulation areas and helps clear toxins from the skin systemically. Their antihistamine properties help to relieve the itching and bruising from any flea bites. Nettle also helps with hair follicle health and with the regrowth of hair from chewing and biting the irritated areas.Baby, its cold outside!

Here in the North East we are experiencing what we locals like to call “a cold snap”. Temps in the teens to low 20’s have been driven to minus degrees due to wind chills.  Meteorologists have stated that when it gets this unbearable, there is only a negligible amount of moisture in the air, causing everything from flyaway hair, sudden shocks of static electricity and dry, cracked skin. My husband, daughter and I are pouring on the moisturizer to combat itchy, scaly, red hands and dry, flaky faces! Between the dry outside air and the forced indoor heat, it becomes a very uncomfortable situation!

As I sit writing with my hot tea and wool blanket, my thoughts are turning to our beloved four- legged companions, who are also experiencing the effects of the cold dry climate. You may notice that Fido is scratching more, and you see dry skin flakes on his coat. Fifi may be biting irritated dry patches, and her soft fur is getting tangled and matted from static cling. Even my poor cat is itchy, flaky and jumps a mile from all the electric shocks she gets when petted!

So what can we do to help our animal friends when they are suffering as much as we are? Here are some ideas: 

Omega 3 fatty acids

One of the ways is to increase the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in the diets of both cats and dogs. Your veterinarian can help you to do this safely. These fatty acids help keep their skin healthy and their coats shiny, working from the inside.

Humidifier

Consider a humidifier. This will help the entire household. Not only does having the right moisture level in the home help to prevent illness (dry cracked mucus membranes are more susceptible to viruses) It will help keep your pet’s skin and coats a little more hydrated, and you will benefit, too! When looking for a humidifier, investigate warm mist 99.9% germ free types. When the water is boiled prior to being blown into the air, it removes much of the impurities you’d rather not breathe in.

Brushing

Brushing often removes loose hair and dry flakes, while distributing the natural oils in an animal’s coat that will protect their skin and combat dryness. Brushing will also help mats from forming, which can complicate dry skin problems.

Bathing

For dogs, this can be a great way to help control dry skin and coat. While some vets advise less bathing, others suggest more. I would talk to your vet to get guidelines for your specific dog and their needs. When you do bathe your hound, make sure to use gentle cleansers without added chemicals, perfumes, colors or ingredients that will further dehydrate their fur, hair and skin.

When looking for the perfect product for your pup you need go no further! Magic Moon Soapworks is unveiling one of their newest products, the Doggie Bath Bar! This non-toxic, all natural goat’s milk bar is full of beneficial oils for skin & coat, anti-inflammatory herbs for dry itchy skin and gentle essential oils that mildly repel fleas and smell great! Let’s check it out!

Goat’s Milk   Goat’s milk provides nutrients that help relieve irritated, itchy dry skin. Goat’s milk contains essential proteins, amino acids and vitamin A that nourish skin. Rich in beta-hydroxyl, Lactic and alpha hydroxyl acids it acts as a natural skin conditioner, gentle cleanser, skin softener, exfoliant and stimulates cell renewal.

Water   Purified water

Pure Water is so under-rated but without - we are mere dust.  In order to maintain healthy skin/coat as well as when we make our soap, water is an essential ingredient!




Saponified Carrier Oils Of:

Olea Europaea (Olive oil)   Olive oil prevents the loss of your skin’s natural moisture, softens skin, and attracts external moisture to your skin while still allowing for proper release of sweat, sebum and shedding of dead skin. 

Elaeis Guineensis (Palm oil)  Palm is a mild but effective cleanser. It is superior to other vegetable oils to keep a soap bard hard, and is used in many expensive, luxury body products.

Sodium Cocoate (Coconut oil)  Coconut oil is exceptional oil for dry, itchy or sensitive skin. It will not clog pores and absorbs readily into the skin while maintaining a longer shelf life creating fluffy lather.


Helianthus Annus (Sunflower oil)  Using sunflower oil is a healthy natural way to heal skin and maintain its health. Its calming and emollient properties have been known for years. Sunflower has many medicinal and cosmetic uses and may be helpful if you are suffering from eczema, acne, inflammation, general redness and irritation of the skin.

Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed Oil)  Castor oil is considered a super fat. One of its great qualities is that is attracts and hold moisture in the skin. This makes it very good for dry skin conditions, including eczema. Castor oil contains Undecylenic Acid which, due to its germicidal and disinfectant properties, is useful in treating skin issues that may have a bacterial or fungal cause. It is also a very effective topical anti inflammatory.

Ground Herbs of:

Leafy Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)   Most folks don’t think about using parsley on the skin, but it has had a long history of topical use. Parsley has a soothing effect on the skin and is also toning. Parsley has been a folk remedy to treat the itching and inflammation of bruises, stings and bites, including flea bites.

 

White Sage (Salvia apiana)   Sage is anti-infective, anti-microbial and anti-viral. Due to its rosmarinic properties (that it shares with Rosemary) it is an anti-oxidant. This makes it a wonderful therapeutic herb for the skin, especially irritated skin. Sage is helpful with eczema, psoriasis, dandruff as well as bites and stings. It is a common ingredient in many natural flea repellant formulas. Recently, researchers at the University of Maryland found evidence that Sage may be promote new hair growth.

 

Tuscan Rosemary (Rosemarinus officianlis)   Rosemary is a long standing herb for hair and skin. Besides its wonderful aroma, it is an anti-fungal, anti-septic, astringent (mildly) and toning. Use to help rid odors, add shine to coats and hair, and eliminate dandruff. Rosemary has also been used in treating inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. It helps in the healing of wounds and is a natural insect repellent. It has also been a long standing folk remedy for baldness.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)   Nettle is an herb for universal skin care; it works on dry and oily skin. It is an anti-inflammatory as well as an astringent; it can improve skin firmness as well as treating dandruff. Nettle has also been used for minor cuts and abrasions. Used as a cleanser, it cleans deeply without stripping the natural oils from hair or skin.

Certified Organic Sweet Orange Essential Oil   Orange essential oil hails from Spain, Sicily, Israel, and the US.  The essential oil is cold pressed from the skin of the orange. The properties of orange oil are anti-fungal and a mildly astringent. It works well with inflamed problem skin. However, that is not its only benefit. The smell is very uplifting, and has been known to have a mild anti depressant quality as well as calming anxiety and nervous tension. Researchers have confirmed its effect on improving mood. Sounds like a good remedy for both owner and dog during bath time!

 
The Doggie Bath Bar is available from the Magic Moon SoapWorks website https://MagicMoonSoap.com , as well as many lovely shops in the Salem, MA area and beyond.

I hope you have enjoyed this segment of the Magic Moon SoapWorks blog! Until next time, stay warm and be good to your animal companions!

Blessings,  Sheilagh

Follow your Dreams and Make them a Reality!

   Our wish(es) for 2013 are obviously for Magic Moon to grow and prosper.  It is our livelihood but also our Passion!   We wish for everyone to take a healthier and more positive approach to their lives, families and livelihoods.  It could begin with a spark or it could begin with a bath!  Who knows? 

If you felt better and healthier in your skin - wouldn't you take steps to improve and get all the aspects of your life "healthy"?  Some of our most inspiring moments are in the shower.  Why do you think we sometimes sing in there?
    Magic Moon all started in 2003, when a friend asked me over to her farm to watch and learn how to make soap "the Old Pioneer way".  


That day was the spark to a passion and dream that I would have never otherwise imagined.  Shortly after that, I completely lost my passion for medicine and working as a healer in the hospital setting.  I prayed for "a renewed passion" in my heart and to be helped to find my path and vision again.  I started developing the recipes and substituting animals tallows for vegetable based carrier oils that would eventually be - our 'formula'. Many years later and MANY recipes tweaks - and Magic Moon has grown into a fledgling start-up that has truly blossomed and grown in 2012.  

   Dreams don't come true over night and never without sacrifice.  It will be the hardest work you've ever done and sometimes with the tiniest, almost unnoticed rewards yielding.  But- does that mean - not to bother.  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Go for your dreams and make them a reality! 

Make 2013 your year to shine, and shine brightly!  Write down your inner most secret desire - the one that would complete you and make you feel special - then break that down into tiny doable steps to make it happen.  It might take 1 year - it could take 10 or more (look at us!) and then DO IT!   Do each of those steps- it will certainly take more steps than you first wrote down - but that's ok.  You will fall down and come across "Toads in the Road", kick them out of the way, get back up and DO IT!

Shine as brightly and as big as the Moon in 2013 - we plan to!  Happy New Year!
~Dana~

The SCARY words of Bath and Beauty Products- Part 2: Phthalates

When last we chatted- I promised to start telling you about all the 'dirty' words in Bathing and Beauty products. the words I'm referring to are the Big Uglies like Phthlates, Parabens, Dyes, Sulphates, etc.

Commercial manufactured bath care and beauty products claiming to be "all that and a bag of chips" -will claim to be 'lower' in these components or be free of some but probably not all of them.  Here is why you need to steer clear of them!

 Ok- let's just jump right in.

PHTHALATES

Which is scarier - the duck or the bath product?  BOTH!

Even the word looks scary- doesn't it?  
According to the Enviroblog: Phthlates cheat sheet http://www.enviroblog.org/ , 
"...Phthalates are a common industrial chemical used in PVC plastics, solvents, and synthetic fragrances. They've been around since the 1930's, and now they're pretty ubiquitous (constantly encountered : widespread); when they tested 289 people in 2000, the CDC found phthalates in all of the subjects' blood at surprisingly high levels." 

"What are the possible health effects?"

"...Phthalates are endocrine disruptors linked to problems of the reproductive system, including decreased sperm motility and concentration in men and genital abnormalities in baby boys. (Oh, and did you know that average sperm counts have decreased significantly since the 1940's?) More recently they've also been linked to asthma and allergies."

How can I minimize my exposure?   We've highlighted the biggie that concerns bathing and beauty care products in Purple!

Avoid these, and you'll also be avoiding phthalates:

1. Nail polish: Dibutyl phthalate is often used to make nail polish chip-resistant. Look for it on the ingredients list, where it may be shortened to DBP.
2. Plastics in the kitchen: Take a critical eye to your cupboards. Phthalates may be more likely to leach out of plastic when it's heated, so avoid cooking or microwaving in plastic. 
3. Vinyl toys: Phthalates are what make vinyl (PVC) toys soft, so don't give them to children. Opt instead for wooden and other phthalate-free toys, especially during that age when they put everything in their mouths!
4. Paint: Paints and other hobby products may contain phthalates as solvents, so be sure to use them in a well-ventilated space. 
5. Fragrance: Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is often used as part of the "fragrance" in some products. Since DEP won't be listed separately, you're better off choosing personal care products, detergents, and cleansers that don't have the word "fragrance" on the ingredients list.
6. Vinyl: Vinyl shows up in a lot of different products; lawn furniture, garden hoses, building materials, and items of clothing (like some raincoats) are often sources. Aside from carefully choosing materials when you're making purchases, there is one easy change you can make: switch to a non-vinyl shower curtain. That "new shower curtain" smell (you know the one) is a result of chemical off-gassing, and it means your shower curtain is a source of phthalates in your home.
7. Air Fresheners: Just like fragrances in personal care products, most air fresheners contain phthalates.

 This is why Magic Moon SoapWorks is so persistent in educating people about Phthlates and make sure that we not only minimize the use of Fragrance oil completely when we can - but use phthalate free fragrance oils - when we can't get around it in our formulating of a recipe.

Fragrance oils containing DEP are so prevalent and common-place that we had to search high and low to find PHTHALATE FREE.  Most often - the few distributors of Phthalate Free products - also don't condone the performance of Animal Testing.  So- We Phthalate-free companies are indirect working together to provide a more natural product!  Yay!!!

LeapingBunny.Org

Then - when we were attempting to get our Certification from Leaping Bunny as a Cruelty-Free manufacturer - this was one of the components of interest in our Certification.  Why?  Because most distributors of Fragrance Oils that contain DEP - get them from manufacturers who either do Animal Testing themselves or get the components to make the Fragrance oils from vendors who perform Animal Testing.  We had to provide a list of manufacturers and vendors that we get our raw materials from - and those supplies vendors had to provide their lists to Leaping Bunny as Cruelty Free too.

I know this was probably some really DRY reading for a Monday - but we felt you needed to know.  Now that you know a bit more about Phthalates - hopefully you'll be a lot more picky about letting those products into your home.

Parabens are hiding everywhere!

This is why we do what we do!!!  Have a great couple of days - I'll be writing next on Parabens!  EEEWWWHHHH!

The SCARY words of Bath and Beauty Products - Intro to All-Natural, part 1

Hello all!  With Halloween just around the corner, today I want to talk a little bit about the "Scary Words" of bath and beauty care products.  There is so much information floating around out there - that one can easily get confused.  My goal is to attempt to clear some of it up for you.

When you visit our website or reach for a bar of our soap, you might quickly see a bit of jargon about "Paraben, Phthalate, Dye, Sulfates and Cruelty Free".  But what in the world does all that mean?  In October we added "GMO Free" and in November - we're adding "100% Gluten Free".  OK, great!- more confusion.

Some of these scary words have to do with food additives (and yes GMO's are in those chocolaty Halloween treats), genetically altered manufacturing practices and some with the chemical use in manufacturing bathing and beauty products.  Why does Magic Moon put both bathing and food jargon in the mix?  Well- simply because we use 100% organic ingredients, many of them from the culinary world.  Because we handcraft our products with plant derived oils most commonly used in the culinary realm - we concern ourselves with all of these issues. We also use herbs and botanicals in our formulations as well - many you only heard about in your grandmother's garden or mother's kitchen.

You have to remember - that in the "All-Natural" philosophy - what you put ONTO your body is just as crucial as what you put INTO it.  Your skin literally absorbs a good portion of what you bathe it with and apply to it everyday.  Commercially manufactured shower gels, bath bars (notice I did not say 'soap'), creams,lotions, makeup, sunscreens, scrubs, pollution, free-radicals, lead, dirt, etc.- can be harmful.  Soap and Bath Bars - are two completely different things.  Bath bars most often contain very little that we could consider pure, natural or nature made.  True SOAPS on the other hand - can be all-natural bliss that feed and nourish your skin with everything that it is hungry for without all the unnecessary additives.  We finally are starting to see some of these on the common place grocery shelves and commercial manufacturers are finally getting it  - so they are ramping up their versions.

You've heard me say many times - that your skin is the largest organ of your body and if it's not healthy and happy - neither is the rest of you.  We hear of so many being diagnosed with Cancer every single day.  People that we consider health conscious, nutritious eaters, organic gardeners, etc- that are very conscious of what they put in their mouths.  But- are they just as conscious of what they bathe with? Is there so much junk in our environment and in the foods we put into our bodies - causing us more harm than good?  What about what we put ONTO our bodies?  How much of that is causing us tremendous harm?

This is not a topic that Bath and Body manufacturers want you to seriously pay attention to or ask questions about - I assure you.  They would rather entice you with pretty words about their products containing Vitamin E, Aloe, Green Tea and so forth - and not address the real issues of healthy skin care.  Even our children are not safe because of all the chemicals that are present in their "gentle baby and children's formulas".

But what does 'Healthy Skin Care' even mean?  Well - quite honestly - the only companies out there that you are even going to hear that from - are the ones that are serious about being a green or health conscious company.  To be in this once taboo category, stepping out of the common 'box' -would have meant exposing the serious issues that many companies attempt to skirt around religiously.  Only since the rising interest of "all-natural" and "certified organic" - these now common knowledge words were at one time, like a foreign language.

OK- getting off my soapbox now.  In this series - I hope to introduce you to all those SCARY words of bath and beauty products - why they matter and why you need to rid yourself of them.

Stay tuned...more to come very shortly - same Bath Time, same Bath Channel.  (couldn't resist - Loved Batman as a kid!)
Happy soaping - Dana!

Ingredient Comparison of Magic Moon SoapWorks, Part 3

Welcome to Magic Moon's product ingredient comparison.  In Part 2 - I shared the ingredients list and information about a popular national brand.  In this segment, I'll share our ingredients list as well as how each ingredient benefits your skin.

In an attempt to a fair comparison - I'm providing the information on our unscented "Not So Plain Jane" bar.

Ingredients:

Pure Fresh Raw Goat's Milk

Fresh Goat’s Milk
The inclusion of Goat Milk to our Cold Processed Goat's Milk soaps provide additional properties that are good for the skin as well as hair, because of its minerals and hydrating properties.

• Goat's Milk contains essential proteins, amino acids, and vitamin A that nourish skin.
• Goat's Milk is rich in beta-hydroxyl acids that act as natural skin conditioners.
• Another important nutrient supplied by the goat's milk is lactic acid, which helps to gently clean and soften skin. Lactic acid also stimulates skin cell renewal.
• Modern laboratories know why milk worked wonders for peoples skin in the past. Goats milk has natural alpha-hydroxyl acid, a natural substance that dissolves the glue holding dead skin cells to your skin.
• It helps reduce skin darkening brought about by the wear and tear of aging.
• Goat's Milk has been proven to cleanse skin down to its deepest layers.

H2O -purified water to mix with Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) to initiate the saponification process.

Sodium Hydroxide - there isn't any other way to make soap.  You have to have this alkaline substance to saponify the oils and fats.  What does Saponify mean?  Saponification is the process in which oils and fats are mixed with an alkaline catalyst (Sodium Hydroxide-Lye), and the molecular breakdown of both when coming into contact with each other - the molecules then bind together into neither oils or lye - but something completely different = SOAP!



Saponified Carrier Oils of:

Pumice Olive Oil

  Olea Europaea (Olive)  -  Olive oil is excellent as a base oil in soaps, either in whole (Castile soap) or in part.Olive Oil prevents the loss of your skin's natural moisture, softens skin and attracts external moisture to your skin. It helps keeps your skin soft, supple and younger looking.Olive oil attracts external moisture to the skin and still permits the skin to properly release sweat, shed dead skin and release sebum.

Palm Oil Fruit

 Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) -  Palm oil makes a hard bar that cleans well and is also mild.The quality of Palm oil is far superior to other vegetable oils that are filler oils. Palm oil is universal and used in many expensive luxury soaps.

Coconut Oil

 Sodium Cocoate (Coconut) -  Coconut oil is an exceptional oil for dry, itchy or sensitive skin. It will not clog pores and it absorbs readily into the skin. Coconut oil is a gift to the soap making industry because of its resistance to rancidity and its ability to make a hard bar of soap with fluffy lather.

Sunflower Oil

 
Helianthus Annuus Seed (Sunflower) -
is an all natural, healthy way to heal skin and maintain its health; and its calming and emollient (moisturizing) properties have been known for years. Sunflower oil has many medicinal and cosmetic uses and may be helpful if you are suffering from acne, eczema, inflammation, general redness and irritation of the skin. It’s also a great product to use on your newborn baby for extra skin protection.

That's it!  That's the entire list.  With such a short list of ingredients, I suppose we should include the list of ingredients and by-products that Magic Moon SoapWorks products do NOT include, but I'll leave that for another day.

Ingredient Comparison of Magic Moon SoapWorks, Part 2

Hi there, Dana from Magic Moon SoapWorks again.  

This is Part 2 of my series on bathing all-natural vs with the commercially manufactured soaps.   This particular brand that I'm reviewing today is recommended more than a million times daily by dermatologists throughout the USA.  I've blurred the label - but you get the idea.  I'm sure if you've gone to the doctor lately for your skin conditions - he or she has probably recommended this one to you.  

 I've tried it personally and ran right back to the shower and bathed with my Magic Moon bar. why?  I did attempt to dry off, get dressed and ignore how sticky I felt.  I didn't feel moisturized, loved or taken care of.  I felt itchy and dry but with a layer of  goo between me and my clothes.  Couldn't wait to get to the shower and be loved once again by all-natural ingredients.

So- with no further a due - I present to you the Ingredients List of this very famous, commercially manufactured bar.  

(I know that this is some really DRY reading - but bare with me here!  You really need to know this stuff.  In Italics is the research and definitions and then beside it is the Straight Talk answer and my snarky comment.  I got the ingredients list directly off their website and then did the research of each ingredient that took 2 or more tries to even pronounce.)

Ingredients:

Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate- a detergent, wetting agent, and emulsifier. Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate is sodium salt of the lauric acid ester of isethionic acid.  What the hell?  What does all that mean? Deemed safe and non-toxic – still a chemical detergent and softening agent.

Stearic Acid - It occurs in many animal and vegetable fats and oils. Oh goodie - a natural occurring ingredient - byproduct of the fats used to make soap. This one they don't actually strip out because it is a surfactant and softening agent.  Used in commercially manufactured bath and grooming products as a surfactant and softening agent.  

Sodium Tallowate – Rendered Beef Fat to get straight to the point.  This is it’s job in detergent bars for bathing= Surfactant - Cleansing Agent; Surfactant - Foam Booster; Viscosity Increasing Agent.  OK- a natural ingredient – I’ll give it that.  But it’s an inexpensive animal fat and is only as good as what the animal was fed or given while alive.  There is no information available as to where the beef fat comes from- but presumably the slaughter houses.  Are there growth hormones in that fat?  Who knows?  I couldn’t find out any information.  You be the judge.

Lauric Acid - a naturally occurring component of triglycerides, comprises about half of the fatty acid content in coconut oil.  Cool!  A natural ingredient.  Thought to have antimicrobial properties, non-toxic, skin-safe, inexpensive and increases shelf life.

Sodium Isethionate – according to sci-toys.com, Sodium isethionate is an amphoteric detergent used in detergent bar soaps. Huh?  Explanation= It makes a dense lather in addition to the lather made by the soap. Derived from Coconut Oil - it is mild on the skin, and non-drying.  Yay!  A non-drying component.

Water -  groovy- we can pronounce that one!

Sodium Stearate – a naturally occurring compound when beef tallow is mixed with Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) to make common soap.  It’s a mild, non-drying surfactant that helps the lather mix with water to get the grime of your skin. OK- so this compound exists in an animal or vegetable form according to the fats and oils used in a soap formula.  

Cocamidopropyl Betaine -  according to ewg.org - Antistatic Agent; Hair Conditioning Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent.  Here’s the kicker!  Cocamidopropyl betaine is a synthetic surfactant; it has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis, reactions that could be due to the ingredient itself or to impurities present in it, such as 3-dimethylaminopropylamine.  Then, why put it in there? More info: read the whole page - I found this jewel while attempting to find a picture for you:  http://www.useful-chemicals.com/?p=37 (especially part #3 - hazards warning)YIKES!

Sodium Chloride – salt!  Basically this is a naturally occurring drying agent for the bar.  It literally separates the soap from the water on it.  If it’s in the bar – doesn’t it then get deposited onto your skin – thus separating you from your moisture?  Just my thought!

Tetrasodium EDTA -  according to BubbleandBee.com as one of the Top Five chemicals to avoid at all costs!  This is what they had to say about it:  “3. Tetrasodium EDTA is a preservative that’s made from the known carcinogen, formaldehyde and sodium cyanide.  It is also a penetration enhancer, meaning it breaks down the skin's protective barrier, going right into your bloodstream. Many companies trying to be "natural" will use Tetrasodium EDTA instead of parabens to preserve their products. In my opinion, Tetrasodium EDTA is just as bad.”

Tetrasodium Etidronate - Tetrasodium etidronate is used as a water softener in soaps to prevent soap scum from attaching to your skin and tub.   Had to dig around for this one because the above Tetrasodium EDTA kept coming up in the window as being synonymous.  Scary huh?

Maltol – is a naturally occurring organic compound that is used primarily as a flavor and fragrance enhancer.  Great – another natural ingredient – but why put it in there for fragrance – if the product is supposed to be ‘fragrance-free’?  I don’t have a clue.

Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) - also known as titanium(IV) oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula TiO₂. When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6.  Used mostly in food applications as a white food dye.  Ah-hah – so it has a dye.  Yet something else that our most sensitive of skins could react to.  Again, why put it in?

Yikes- after all that - I feel like jumping in the shower again and getting that stuff off quick!  Wait - whew!  I didn't use that bar.  Thank the heavens!

Stay tuned for Part 3 - where I tell you everything that goes into our Magic Moon "Not So Plain Jane" Unscented All-Natural Goat's Milk soap bar.