About our Ingredients
Botanical Suds uses many different all natural ingredients in our Soaps, Bath Salts, Lotions, and other products. Not all oils listed below will be in every product as different recipes are used for our products requiring different oils, butters, and other ingredients. We use only the finest food quality oils and butters in our products so you can be assured they are safe on your skin. We have attempted to list below the various ingredients we use as well as the purported benefits of each of these products.
Castor Oil: Castor oil is unique in being almost entirely composed of ricinoleic fatty acid, found in no other oils and possessing a high affinity for water molecules. This makes it an excellent humectant, attracting and holding moisture to the skin.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil: Used in skin care coconut oil is an emollient, moisturizing, conditioning, and protecting to the skin.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This Oil attracts external moisture to your skin, helping to keep skin
soft and supple. Traditionally "Castile" soap was made using only olive oil but the term has loosened now to include soaps that have olive oil as a major proportion of the oils in them. However, here at Botanical Suds we believe in sticking to tradition and will use ONLY Extra Virgin Olive Oil to create our Castile Soaps.
Palm Kernel Oil: Very similar benefits to Coconut Oil in that it acts as a humectant,
drawing and holding moisture to the skin.
Palm Oil: Contributes to the conditioning properties of the skin providing a silky feel.
Rice Bran Oil: Very moisturizing and a good choice for inclusion in formulations
intended for mature, delicate, or sensitive skin.
Soybean Oil: At Botanical Suds we use non-hydrogenated soybean oil which offers better conditioning properties to our soaps.
Shea Butter: This has been used in Africa for a very long time to heal ailments of the skin and scalp. In most cases Shea butter is used to treat dry skin, relieve pain and swelling, treat discoloration and help provide relief from arthritis pains. Shea butter itself comes from the nuts of the Shea Karite Tree, mostly found in West Africa. Once extracted from the nuts, the Shea butter comes out white or cream color, and for the most part does not have much of a scent. With all the fatty acids and vitamins inside Shea butter, it's no coincidence that it is quick to heal your skin and also provides some protection from harmful UV rays from the sun. Shea butter also helps fight stretch marks. It is also usually received well on many skin types, so it's ideal for those people who have very sensitive skin. Shea butter contains a high amount of vitamin A, E, and F that help keep the skin healthy and flexible and helps to prevent signs of wrinkles and helps to work as a rejuvenating agent. Rough skin is healed and soothed as the Shea butter easily absorbs into the skin while not clogging your pores. When it comes to including Shea butter in our soap recipe there are abundant benefits. Shea butter is not toxic, and soaps containing Shea butter are perfect for those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. Shea butter does not get destroyed when making soap, and that's why Botanical Suds uses a high percentage of Shea butter in our soaps.
Coconut Butter: Both Coconut Butter and Coconut Oil in soap not only cleanses your
skin but deposits germ-killing fat molecules in your skin to guard it against disease-causing microorganisms. Coconut butter and Coconut Oil are very rich in medium-chain fatty acids which treat bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other skin menaces as mortal enemies. Coconut butter and coconut oil also help to eliminate the following skin problems: Acne, Age Spots, Athlete's Foot, Blisters, Body and Food Odor, Boils, Bruises, Burns, Chapped Lips, Cuts and Wounds. Long after you have washed, this natural antibacterial soap keeps on protecting your skin.
Cocoa Butter: Cocoa Butter is extracted fat from the cocoa bean. Soaps made using Cocoa Butter are among the most moisturizing soaps on the market. It is also one of the most emollient, making it an ideal product to lock in the moisture in the skin. People who have dry and flaky skin, especially in the knees and elbow areas, can benefit from using soaps with Cocoa Butter. The melting point of the Cocoa Butter is the same as the temperature of the human body thus it is absorbed dasily when rubbed on the skin. For people who like soft skin but do not like the feeling of having a film of lotion on their skin, cocoa butter is excellent to keep the skin moisturized. Cocoa Butter is also used to treat stretch marks, especially for pregnant women. The cocoa butter helps replace the lost moisture in the skin and restores its elasticity, making stretch marks less visible. Pregnant women can prevent the worst of stretch marks by using soap containing Cocoa Butter once the baby bump appears. Cocoa Butter has long been used as home remedy for healing wounds, burns, and scars, as these heal better
when properly moisturized. Cocoa Butter has also been known to treat other skin disorders such as dermatitis and eczema and can even heal sunburn. In order to receive the full benefits of the Cocoa Butter in your soap be sure to keep the lather on the skin for a few seconds to a few minutes before rinsing it off.
Essential Oils:
There are literally thousands of Essential Oils that can be used in soap making and each has a distinctive fragrance and purpose in the soap making process. Since it is impossible to list them all here, I have selected my top five essential oils for soap making and hope you find the information helpful. I hope to be adding to this list as the soap making schedule permits..
Lavender: Calming, soothing, and relaxing, which helps those with stress and nervous tension, headaches, and migraines. It is a natural choice for healing many skin conditions such as acne, bruises, burns, dermititis, eczema, inflammation, psoriasis, sunburn, and wounds to name a few. It blends well with many oils from citrus to florals.
Rosemary: Rosemary immediately alters my mood. If I'm feeling a bit down, just a little sniff will help restore and balance my mental state. In addition, it is wonderful to use to aid in dermatitis, acne, eczema, and your boosting immune system. Try blending with Lavender, Peppermint, cedarwood, basil, and lemongrass. Caution, Rosemary should not be used by individuals who are pregnant or who suffer from Epilepsy.
Peppermint: Refreshing, restorative, and a wonderful stimulant. It aids in circulation, muscular pain, can relieve asthma, and boosts the immune system. Of late it has been purported to supress apetite. Blends well with rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, and of course lavender just to name a few.
Patchouli: Calming in small amounts, and uplifting in larger amounts. A known anti-inflammatory and useful in relieving dry skin. Patchouli is one of several essential oils known to "anchor" scents. Use in small amounts, even when blending, as it can easily become overpowering. Blends well with lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, bergamot, clary sage, and of course, Orange.
Lemongrass: Very uplifting and refreshing. A favorite for a kitchen soap. Aids in healing of acne and improves muscle tone. Works well with citrus oils, lavender, geranium, and bergamot. Great with peppermint or eucalyptus and exceptional with a bit of patchouli.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): Delightful, fresh, uplifting, and clean with a citrus/floral scent. Stands on its own, or blends well with most other oils.Both balancing and regenerating this oil seems to have the power to help lift melancholia and depression. Suggestions for blending include patchouli, lavender, and rose absolute.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): An anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, uplifting, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, and aid in deeper sleep. Excellent in body care products, especially those for hair and skin.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus): An effective insect repellant and can benefit the skin by acting as an antidoge to bites and stings. It also has been found to help relieve neuralgia and muscular aches and pains. Believed to be balancing, antiseptic, antidiabetic, antiviral, decongestant, expectorant, insect repellant, fever reducing, and disinfectant. It has been rumored to be effective in cases of asthma but has also been known to trigger an asthmatic onset.
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi): Bright, uplifting, clean, and euphoric as well as cleansing, clearing, and stimulating to the lymphatic system. Believed to help balance the appetite, and has been found useful in treating obesity as well as helping to balance the emotions and of late has received high marks in helping to reduce mood swings.
Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale): One scent nearly everyone loves with a deep, sweet, floral and rich fragrance. Believed to be an antidepressant, warming, anti-anxiety, beneficial to the skin and scalp, aphrodisiac, emotionally balancin.g, soothing, antiseptic, and sedative. Rumored to be effetive in relieving lethargy, fear, and lack of confidence
(more essential oils to be added soon)
Castor Oil: Castor oil is unique in being almost entirely composed of ricinoleic fatty acid, found in no other oils and possessing a high affinity for water molecules. This makes it an excellent humectant, attracting and holding moisture to the skin.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil: Used in skin care coconut oil is an emollient, moisturizing, conditioning, and protecting to the skin.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This Oil attracts external moisture to your skin, helping to keep skin
soft and supple. Traditionally "Castile" soap was made using only olive oil but the term has loosened now to include soaps that have olive oil as a major proportion of the oils in them. However, here at Botanical Suds we believe in sticking to tradition and will use ONLY Extra Virgin Olive Oil to create our Castile Soaps.
Palm Kernel Oil: Very similar benefits to Coconut Oil in that it acts as a humectant,
drawing and holding moisture to the skin.
Palm Oil: Contributes to the conditioning properties of the skin providing a silky feel.
Rice Bran Oil: Very moisturizing and a good choice for inclusion in formulations
intended for mature, delicate, or sensitive skin.
Soybean Oil: At Botanical Suds we use non-hydrogenated soybean oil which offers better conditioning properties to our soaps.
Shea Butter: This has been used in Africa for a very long time to heal ailments of the skin and scalp. In most cases Shea butter is used to treat dry skin, relieve pain and swelling, treat discoloration and help provide relief from arthritis pains. Shea butter itself comes from the nuts of the Shea Karite Tree, mostly found in West Africa. Once extracted from the nuts, the Shea butter comes out white or cream color, and for the most part does not have much of a scent. With all the fatty acids and vitamins inside Shea butter, it's no coincidence that it is quick to heal your skin and also provides some protection from harmful UV rays from the sun. Shea butter also helps fight stretch marks. It is also usually received well on many skin types, so it's ideal for those people who have very sensitive skin. Shea butter contains a high amount of vitamin A, E, and F that help keep the skin healthy and flexible and helps to prevent signs of wrinkles and helps to work as a rejuvenating agent. Rough skin is healed and soothed as the Shea butter easily absorbs into the skin while not clogging your pores. When it comes to including Shea butter in our soap recipe there are abundant benefits. Shea butter is not toxic, and soaps containing Shea butter are perfect for those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. Shea butter does not get destroyed when making soap, and that's why Botanical Suds uses a high percentage of Shea butter in our soaps.
Coconut Butter: Both Coconut Butter and Coconut Oil in soap not only cleanses your
skin but deposits germ-killing fat molecules in your skin to guard it against disease-causing microorganisms. Coconut butter and Coconut Oil are very rich in medium-chain fatty acids which treat bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other skin menaces as mortal enemies. Coconut butter and coconut oil also help to eliminate the following skin problems: Acne, Age Spots, Athlete's Foot, Blisters, Body and Food Odor, Boils, Bruises, Burns, Chapped Lips, Cuts and Wounds. Long after you have washed, this natural antibacterial soap keeps on protecting your skin.
Cocoa Butter: Cocoa Butter is extracted fat from the cocoa bean. Soaps made using Cocoa Butter are among the most moisturizing soaps on the market. It is also one of the most emollient, making it an ideal product to lock in the moisture in the skin. People who have dry and flaky skin, especially in the knees and elbow areas, can benefit from using soaps with Cocoa Butter. The melting point of the Cocoa Butter is the same as the temperature of the human body thus it is absorbed dasily when rubbed on the skin. For people who like soft skin but do not like the feeling of having a film of lotion on their skin, cocoa butter is excellent to keep the skin moisturized. Cocoa Butter is also used to treat stretch marks, especially for pregnant women. The cocoa butter helps replace the lost moisture in the skin and restores its elasticity, making stretch marks less visible. Pregnant women can prevent the worst of stretch marks by using soap containing Cocoa Butter once the baby bump appears. Cocoa Butter has long been used as home remedy for healing wounds, burns, and scars, as these heal better
when properly moisturized. Cocoa Butter has also been known to treat other skin disorders such as dermatitis and eczema and can even heal sunburn. In order to receive the full benefits of the Cocoa Butter in your soap be sure to keep the lather on the skin for a few seconds to a few minutes before rinsing it off.
Essential Oils:
There are literally thousands of Essential Oils that can be used in soap making and each has a distinctive fragrance and purpose in the soap making process. Since it is impossible to list them all here, I have selected my top five essential oils for soap making and hope you find the information helpful. I hope to be adding to this list as the soap making schedule permits..
Lavender: Calming, soothing, and relaxing, which helps those with stress and nervous tension, headaches, and migraines. It is a natural choice for healing many skin conditions such as acne, bruises, burns, dermititis, eczema, inflammation, psoriasis, sunburn, and wounds to name a few. It blends well with many oils from citrus to florals.
Rosemary: Rosemary immediately alters my mood. If I'm feeling a bit down, just a little sniff will help restore and balance my mental state. In addition, it is wonderful to use to aid in dermatitis, acne, eczema, and your boosting immune system. Try blending with Lavender, Peppermint, cedarwood, basil, and lemongrass. Caution, Rosemary should not be used by individuals who are pregnant or who suffer from Epilepsy.
Peppermint: Refreshing, restorative, and a wonderful stimulant. It aids in circulation, muscular pain, can relieve asthma, and boosts the immune system. Of late it has been purported to supress apetite. Blends well with rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, and of course lavender just to name a few.
Patchouli: Calming in small amounts, and uplifting in larger amounts. A known anti-inflammatory and useful in relieving dry skin. Patchouli is one of several essential oils known to "anchor" scents. Use in small amounts, even when blending, as it can easily become overpowering. Blends well with lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, bergamot, clary sage, and of course, Orange.
Lemongrass: Very uplifting and refreshing. A favorite for a kitchen soap. Aids in healing of acne and improves muscle tone. Works well with citrus oils, lavender, geranium, and bergamot. Great with peppermint or eucalyptus and exceptional with a bit of patchouli.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): Delightful, fresh, uplifting, and clean with a citrus/floral scent. Stands on its own, or blends well with most other oils.Both balancing and regenerating this oil seems to have the power to help lift melancholia and depression. Suggestions for blending include patchouli, lavender, and rose absolute.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): An anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, uplifting, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, and aid in deeper sleep. Excellent in body care products, especially those for hair and skin.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus): An effective insect repellant and can benefit the skin by acting as an antidoge to bites and stings. It also has been found to help relieve neuralgia and muscular aches and pains. Believed to be balancing, antiseptic, antidiabetic, antiviral, decongestant, expectorant, insect repellant, fever reducing, and disinfectant. It has been rumored to be effective in cases of asthma but has also been known to trigger an asthmatic onset.
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi): Bright, uplifting, clean, and euphoric as well as cleansing, clearing, and stimulating to the lymphatic system. Believed to help balance the appetite, and has been found useful in treating obesity as well as helping to balance the emotions and of late has received high marks in helping to reduce mood swings.
Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale): One scent nearly everyone loves with a deep, sweet, floral and rich fragrance. Believed to be an antidepressant, warming, anti-anxiety, beneficial to the skin and scalp, aphrodisiac, emotionally balancin.g, soothing, antiseptic, and sedative. Rumored to be effetive in relieving lethargy, fear, and lack of confidence
(more essential oils to be added soon)
