Why Buy A Handmade Soap????

The soap you buy in the stores from the big manufacturers are not as safe as they would lead you to believe. The FDA has no regulatory authority over these soaps and will only investigate if it can be determined that they have caused direct harm to human health. The fact that many of these soaps are formulated from a variety of combined chemicals complicates this issue even further. This "soap" is a synthetic detergent, made with some of the same chemicals that are used in cleaning garage floors & engine degreasers. The #1 ingredient in this "soap" is tallow, which is made from the rendering of beef fat, which is inexpensive & readily available. To cut costs even more, the manufacturer removes the natural occurring glycerine and sells this as a "waste product" to other industries. (Glycerine is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture.) Repeated use of this soap can cause skin damage & irritation among other problems. A part of every skin problem is due to the toxic elements that can be found in these soaps. For instance aluminum is commonly added as a "skin moisturizer". It does this by impregnating the skin and attracting water, giving the illusion of moist skin. In fact you simply have 'moist aluminum' stuck in your skin, which your immune system must remove. The following is a list of these potentially harmful ingredients found in many commercial soaps.

*A-pinene -- Derived from the resinous sap of pine trees, this substance is a major component of turpentine and can damage the immune system.

*A-terpineol -- This chemical is extremely irritating to mucus membranes. Frequent or prolonged exposure (and especially repeated inhalation) can also cause edema, as well as respiratory difficulties.

*Benzaldehyde -- Also called oil of bitter almond, this substance is a narcotic and anesthetic that can depress the central nervous system. When inhaled, it can bring on vomiting, dizziness and a sudden drop in blood pressure.

*Benzyl Acetate -- An eye and lung irritant and kown carcinogen (cancer-causer) that has been associated with pancreatic cancer.

*Ethanol -- Appears on the EPA Hazardous Waste List and is used in the manufacture of varnish and paint remover. This chemical can irritate the respiratory tract and can cause impaired vision and loss of muscle control.

*Linalool -- A narcotic that can impair respiratory function and motor activity. Linalool also attracts bees which can be a problem for those allergic to bee stings.

* Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) -- Used to increase absorption of other chemicals: it is also a "wetting agent" that allows shampoo to spread out and penetrate more easily SLS breaks down lipids (fats) and impairs the skin's ability to retain moisture. It is classified as a 'mutagen', meaning it can alter cellular genetic material. In fact, SLS has been used in Japanese studies to promote bacterial mutations.

*Triclosan -- one of the most popular anti-bacterial ingredients & a mutagen that is readily absorbed through the skin. It is also related to the pesticide 2,4-D. When this was tested in animals, it was found toxic to the blood, liver & kidneys.

It seems anti-bacterial soaps & water-less hand sanitizers are all the rage  now among germ-conscious consumers. But the overuse of such products can lead to the killing of beneficial bacteria and create more drug-resistant strains of harmful bugs.

(Information taken from the U.S. Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act of 1938 and the February 2001 issue of Better Nutrition Magazine, "The Cure for Cancer" by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D., N.D. & from the internet) Do your own research...you'll be amazed at what you find is hiding in your favorite body care products!