In the English language, it is has been named soap, in French Savon, celts called it sapo. As it turns out, soap has a very long history! Today, it’s a bit out of date, but still has lots of supporters. Did you know that soaps are one of the most popular cosmetics purchased for gifts? Of course, I am not talking about a regular, widely-available soap but the high-end, finest quality elegant bars that apart from cleansing properties, look too good to use them;) The best ones simply cannot be compared to what you find in every drugstore. If you would like to know which soap is a real one, not only named that way, and discover which one is worth choosing either for your own purpose or as a gift, just keep reading. You will also learn where soaps come from.
How was soap invented?
The history of soap goes back to the times so ancient that the dust of such old ages would not be removed by any, even the most luxurious soap 🙂 The art of making the foaming bars was first mastered by the Babylonians (around 2800 years BC). They made them from animal fats mixed with ash – it is not difficult to guess that the soap was invented by chance while heating game over the fire. It turned out that the fat released into the ash forms a substance that is ideal for cleaning (mainly wool and other textile products). Soaps were also used by Egyptians (1500 BC) and Phoenicians (around 600 BC)
Moreover, there is a legend connected with the origins of the soap: it is said that the name of the soap comes from a mountain called Sapo, where people used to sacrifice animals for Gods. From the ritual remnants (its how it sounds), to be more precise ashes and fats, a substance was created that flowed down the mountain slope and entered the Tbil river. In its streams, women used to do laundry and discovered the washing properties of soap. I really like this legend, because it says that … SOAP WAS CREATED BY WOMEN. (✿ ♥‿♥)
How is soap created?
It’s a very easy process and I’m sure that many of you would like to do it yourself in the comfort of your own homes. Also, a homemade soap is a great idea for a gift! In general, to produce soap, you will need oil – of course, you can remain calm, it does not have to be animal, it would be best if it was vegetable type oil or oil extrudate, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) – it is quite dangerous but a necessary substance. Of course, being already a component of soap, it does not behave so “unkindly”, it becomes mild and in no way harms the skin. Additives to the soaps tend to be different – flowers, herbs, coffee, cinnamon, pieces of various exfoliating substances (I recommend luffa, peels perfectly) – generally the imagination has no boundaries in this area. It is important that the ingredients are of the highest quality and not only smell beautiful, but also condition and beautify. Soaps are also often enriched with thermal water and essential oils, honey, beeswax, milk …
Soap tyes
To be honest, I had no idea that there are sooo many soap types! I am totally fascinated by all of them and hopefully some of them you will also find interesting.
Sulphur soap
Has been created especially for oily skin and (mainly) with acne. It gently dries the skin and is irreplaceable in the fight against seborrheic dermatitis, lichen, acne, eczema and some types of psoriasis. However, you must buy it with caution, as many soaps do not contain enough oils and thus, they can dry the skin too harsh instead of healing it. A good sulphur soap should have – apart from sulphur in the right concentration (7% is the absolute maximum) – also a very developed fat base (preferably a few natural oils).
Glycerin soap
Of course, not all soaps are equal, and the one bought in supermarkets is often stuffed with a range of chemical, foaming and just cheap ingredients. An original glycerin soap will not make the skin dry but soft and moisturized. They also improve skin’s condition, prevent water loss, soothe irritations, cleanses and beautifies and is free of chemical substances.
Marseille soap
This is, generally speaking, a traditional soap that has come to us from the southern coast of France. King Louis XIV fought for his name, because he valued the soap as a cosmetic raw material. Thanks to it, soaps produced in Marseille have gained the general name Savon de Marseille. The original Marseille soap has a neutral pH and is gentle to the skin. The most valuable ones that are eco are created in tiny, Provencal manufactures. And now a small note: not every soap with the word “Marseilles:” is valuable. Read the compositions and choose the one that has natural ingredients, not chemical “foamers”.
Clay soap
It is produced from various types of natural clay. They are perfect for oily, combination and acne skin. They are rich in minerals valuable in skin care.
Aleppo soap
It is a contemporary soap which has been produced accordingly to the same recipe for over 2000 years. Aleppo soap is still handmade in Syria and it contains mainly olive oil and laurel oil (bay oil).
Black charcoal soap
Black soap? Yes! I’m sure you are already familiar with cosmetic properties of activated charcoal. If not, let me remind: detox, cleansing, brightening the skin, supplying a set of minerals to the interior and exfoliating effect – this is the main aim of black soap. One could write an essay about its properties and wonders. It is sensational and looks great in the bathroom – just such a designer gadget (especially that you can buy a soap in the shape of a lump of coal) For me – awesome.
Dudu Osun – a soap from Africa
Black, or to be more precise, a dark brown soap from Africa called Dudu Osun is made of African wood with an intense, rusty colour combined with cocoa ashes and palm ashes. It is enriched with a number of oils (shea butter is the most popular, because its “homeland” are the regions of Africa). The soap provides the skin with a number of vitamins and minerals, brightens it, reduces wrinkles, eliminates excess sebum secretion, helps to heal acne, and moisturizes.
Herbal and plant soap
High-quality herbal soaps are enriched with concentrated infusions of herbs, often also containing herbal extracts or dried plants (eg flowers). Of course, the herbs used are not accidental – those added to the soap have healing properties and support the skin in its regeneration. The most popular herbal soaps include: linen, chamomile, lime, calendula, neem, lavender, hemp and aloe.
Soap with nanosilver
Especially recommended for allergy sufferers, it has bactericidal properties, heals the skin, cleanses, tones and soothes irritations. It is also suitable for children over 3 years of age and is a good alternative for children’s drugstore cosmetics (if one of the mums has ever checked what is in the composition of baby soaps, she knows what I’m talking about).
A good natural soap
What soap is the most beneficial? The answer has already been said – a NATURAL one, of course, or the one that does not contain any artificial substances, weirdly sounding names of ingredients, artificial fragrances, parabens and SLS substances – in other words – when looking for a good skin care soap we must be guided by what our skin needs, and then we can look for natural soaps, which are made according to old recipes.
Do you have your favorite soaps? Or maybe you have a recipe for it, do some soap yourself? I have not tried it yet, but I will certainly be tempted, and of course I will let you know 🙂
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