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Home > Archives for exfoliant

Sunday Soap Case: Soaps and Gear for Football Fans.

September 11, 2016 Leave a Comment

Football is HERE!!!

The chill in the air and the leaves on the ground can only mean one thing: football season has officially begun! Fall is the absolute best for a number of reasons, but football is definitely in the top five. This week’s Sunday Soap Case features items from a PNW local fan shop, as well as information on a Soap & Clay bar that’s perfect for men and women alike this season.

I’d like to preface this post with the following: this one hurt to type. As you may know, I’m a bit of a Broncos fan. As a Colorado native, I kinda have to be. Broncos 101 is a requirement before being admitted into kindergarten. Not really. But almost.

Anyway, as a Broncos fan living in the 12th Man’s backyard, football season is…interesting. I moved to Washington shortly after the Seahawks annihilated the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII and expected a not insignificant amount of ridicule from die hard Hawks fans. Surprisingly, I did not get much. Seahawks fans are actually a delightful bunch of people. Though football season in the PNW is not without a fair amount of teasing from the 12th Man, it’s all been in good fun and I appreciate that. So as a thank you for not keying my Broncos-stickered car, today’s post features a Seahawks fan shop located in Freighthouse Square.

Noble Trove

This shop has some of the most unique fan items I’ve ever seen. Sure, there are typical t-shirts, jerseys, and hats. But there are also handmade fingerless gloves, blingy adult tutus, and chainmail…bras? I don’t quite know what they are. But they look cool. Check out their facebook page and show them some love! Or better yet, if you’re out and about and looking for things to do in Tacoma, stop by Freighthouse Station and say hi in person!

nfl football fans need fingerless gloves. For your beer.

CUTE!! I ordered a pair in orange and blue.

things to do in Tacoma

A chainmail bikini, perhaps? Hope the wearer is a strong swimmer.

noble trove soap and clay freighthouse station freighthouse square

Stylish way to rep your team at the gym!

 

Karter Designs does Football too!!

karter designs custom orderKarter Designs is basically great at everything she does. I enjoy checking out all of her creations (that she produces at a dizzying rate) on Instagram and Facebook. When I saw this one on my feed the other day, however, I did the world’s geekiest coolest happy dance. Because, BRONCOS!!!

So it turns out, my Maker of the Month not only makes some amazing signs, she just so happens to LOVE custom orders to meet all of your drinkware needs. Like this one. If you haven’t followed her yet, please do so. And pick up a Broncos mug. Because they’re awesome. She’ll probably make you a Seahawks one too, if you’re into that sort of thing. I believe she charges double for Raiders gear, though.

Triple, probably.

A Soap & Clay Bar for Football Fans

best soap shop in tacomaIt’s not exactly for football fans. It’s for fans of all things awesome (if you consider being clean awesome, which of course you do). But it does (accidentally) have a color scheme that looks an awful lot like Seattle’s (and I still totally see a Seahawk in the design). It’s a spearmint and eucalyptus blend with a bubbly champagne kick and a jojoba bead exfoliant. It’s called The Bro Code, and it’s loved by men and women alike.

This bar was my first attempt at what is called a butterfly swirl, and as it so often happens in the world of soapmaking, it morphed into a pretty unique creation that doesn’t exactly resemble my original vision. Which is good, really, as the Bro Code is a men’s bar, and I don’t know a lot of guy that are terribly into butterflies.

Unless you’re this guy.

Bro CodeI would go into further detail about the production process and what goes into making The Bro Code, but football is on and I’m only partially paying attention (free bar goes to the first person to email me with a list of spelling errors I need to correct) to what I type. So I’m going to be lame and just leave you with a coupon code for a free bar. Which isn’t really lame, I guess. Because, FREE!!!

Not exactly free. Because you have to read. But reading is the coolest, so you’re still winning.

Anyway, enter coupon code FOOTBALLISLIFE for a bar of The Bro Code on me! Code is valid through Sunday, September 18th 2016. Cheers to a great season!

Filed Under: Sunday Soap Case Tagged With: broncos, Coupon Code, exfoliant, football, Freebies, jojoba, Karter Designs, seahawks, super bowl champs, the bro code

All You Need is Scrubbed – Exfoliation Series

January 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

Happy New Year, Sudsers! 2015 has come and gone, we’ve survived the holidays and we are inching closer to long summer days spent basking in the sun (with your sunscreen, of course!). But while we’re dreaming of warm weather, our skin is struggling to get through the cold, dreary winter days. While recommended year round, exfoliation is especially important to overall skin health during the winter months. This series will discuss the various types of exfoliants and their benefits and uses. The first in the series is an overview of exfoliants found in Soap & Clay products and appropriate usage. I will get more in depth with each category and type of exfoliant in later posts. Read on for Part One!

exfoliation

Why Exfoliate?

Cell turnover is a key component in achieving healthy, radiant skin. While other factors – such as diet, adequate water intake and sleep – are important in overall skin health, exfoliation is by far the easiest, most cost effective way to keep our skin plump and glowing. As we age, our cells turn over at a slower rate; young skin turns over every 7-14 days but that number increases to 30-40 days when we hit the 30-something mark. By age 50, it can take up to 3 months for our skin to turnover! To speed up this process, developing a regular exfoliation schedule is critical. Regularly getting rid of the dead stuff that hinders our skin’s ability to breathe and results in a mottled, dull complexion is recommended by skincare professionals.

Which Exfoliant is Right for You?

There are a lot of options for skin exfoliation. Peels, masks and microdermabrasions are all designed to remove dead skin and reveal new, bright skin underneath. These procedures can be costly, time consuming, and painful, so do your research before committing. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to get your regular skin buffing is through an exfoliating soap. Artisan soaps with exfoliants have the added benefit of cleansing the skin, providing needed moisture, and normalizing the skin’s pH levels without dryness or irritation that commonly occurs with other delivery systems. From mild clays to hardcore scrubbers such as seeds and ground coffee, there are a plethora of exfoliation additives in the soap world. Not all additives are created equal, however. Some are great for total body care, while others that are great for the particularly rough spots should not be used on sensitive areas such as the face.

The following is a breakdown of tested exfoliants that have made the cut for Soap & Clay products.

exfoliation

Mild Exfoliants: best for face

These exfoliants are gentle enough to be used daily without dryness or irritation. All deliver a gentle exfoliation without harsh abrasion, and some create pastes that can mimic a mini-peel while drawing toxins from the skin. Best for face or sensitive skin.

  • Clays (Kaolin, Bentonite)
  • Colloidal Oatmeal
  • Pumice Powder

Medium Exfoliants: suitable for face and body use

These additives are great for total body exfoliation, including face, for most skin types. These are used when a more scrubby feel is desired. Those with sensitive skin should test these exfoliants for face use before adding them to a skincare routine. Can be used daily on body, every other day on face.

  • Ground Pumpkin Seeds
  • Ground Walnut Shells
  • Jojoba Beads
  • Salts
  • Sugars

Strong Exfoliants: best for body use

These large-area exfoliants are extremely effective at sloughing off debris to reveal fresh, glowing skin. If overused, they can lead to irritation. Most skin types can use these exfoliants up to 5x a week on the body. Not recommended for face.

  • Coffee Grounds
  • Cranberry Seeds
  • Poppy Seeds
  • Strawberry Seeds

Choosing the appropriate exfoliant is important to overall skin health. Stay tuned for more detailed posts about exfoliation and the benefits of Soap & Clay’s additives in the coming weeks, but in the meantime click through for a list of our exfoliating soaps and scrubs. Happy sudsing!

Filed Under: Know Your Labels, Soap Science Tagged With: exfoliant, exfoliation, know your soap, soap science, soap tech

Your Mom Loves Oatmeal

December 3, 2015 Leave a Comment

…and you should too!

benefits of oatmeal

See, even cell phones love oatmeal.

The Benefits of Oatmeal

Everyone loves oatmeal! It’s warm, it’s creamy, it’s packed with super nutrients that give you super powers (check the box, super powers are clearly listed), oatmeal is the perfect addition to your day. We’re well aware of the internal benefits. But what does it do for your skin? A lot! Read on to learn why you should make oatmeal a staple in your grooming routine.

Skin Soother

From rosacea to eczema, acne to a bad sunburn – red, irritated skin is painful. Oatmeal contains natural antioxidants that can help reverse the damage caused by inflammation. When applied topically, oatmeal soothes the skin and aids in the healing process. When used regularly (like in soap), oatmeal can improve skin tone, calming angry red splotches associated with a variety of skin conditions. This makes oatmeal an ideal soap ingredient for even the most sensitive of skin!

Ultra Moisturizer

One of the greatest benefits of oatmeal in skincare is the ultra moisturizing properties these powerful little oats contain. Oatmeal contains polysaccharides, a form of complex carbohydrate that morphs into a gel-like substance when mixed with water. This new substance is capable of penetrating deep into the skin, pulling water with it and providing moisture to even the driest of skin. This means that itchy, dry, rough and cracked skin has met its match.

benefits of oatmeal

Sup.

Cleanser & Exfoliator

Oatmeal contains its own natural cleansers and lathering agents, and the “oat milk” created when oats meet water makes a mild exfoliant that removes dead skin and debris. Oatmeal’s pore purging properties make it an excellent, gentle addition to soaps designed for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Seriously, what doesn’t this little oat do?

Skin Protectant

Remember that oat milk mentioned above? Well, not only does it cleanse and deliver moisture deep into the skin, it leaves behind a fine layer of skin protecting vitamins and nutrients! Cool, yeah? This protectant helps balance your skin’s pH levels, guard against free radicals, and lock in moisture all day long.

Liz Lemon

This little bar? Full of MAGIC! Also known as oatmeal.

Benefits of Oatmeal: Recap

To recap, oatmeal heals, soothes and protects irritated skin. Oatmeal gently cleanses and exfoliates even the most sensitive of skin. Oatmeal moisturizes, removes debris, and locks in moisture. And when found in a Soap & Clay bar that is designed to moisturize, heal, cleanse (seriously, have you SEEN our bubbles??), nourish, and exfoliate? This little super-oat gains super powers!

For a list of Soap & Clay products that contain oatmeal, click here. And that’s it from me today, Sudsers. After all of this oatmeal talk, I’m off to make a giant bowl of steel cut.

benefits of oatmeal

Mmmm breakfast

If you’re craving oatmeal after reading this post, make sure to check out Jen Grothe’s amazing oatmeal cookbook, 75 Ways to Love Your Oatmeal. It will change your life.

Filed Under: Soap Science, Uncategorized Tagged With: acne, dry skin, eczema, exfoliant, exfoliating, moisturizer, oatmeal, protectant, sensitive skin, super powers, vitamins

FAQ Friday

November 13, 2015 Leave a Comment

FAQ Friday

Buy-3 Get 1 Free

It’s Friday, Sudsers! I hope you have a ton of awesome activities planned for your weekend! Soap & Clay girl-child #1 is turning 3 on Sunday (where did the time go?), so our weekend will be full of celebratory activities, and cake. Lots of cake.  This week has been full of celebratory activities, too, just not of the birthday variety. We’ve had a great launch week and I have LOVED all of the communication I’ve received from you. One of my favorite parts about the soaping world is assisting others in finding their perfect skincare products. I’ve been over the MOON excited to answer Sudser questions this week, and I thought that it would be nice to post said questions (and answers!) on the interwebs for the benefit of others. So without further ado, I present to you the first installment of FAQ Friday!

FAQ Friday

Question #1: Sensitive skin concerns

I have very sensitive skin. I break out easily and find most products irritate my skin. Can you recommend a bar that is gentle enough for everyday use that won’t leave me itchy or red?
Answer: I get the sensitive skin concern, most definitely. There is nothing worse than trying a new product only to find it causes inflammation, dries your skin, or even worse – makes you break out! Really, most Sudsers should notice a marked improvement in their overall skin health from using any of Soap & Clay’s products, mainly because our soaps don’t contain synthetic fillers, harsh detergents, or pore clogging preservatives you’d find in commercial soaps. That said, our BetaSudsers spent months testing products, and these five seem to yield the best results for super sensitive skin. The Black & Tan, C’mon Get Happy, and the Raspberry Stout all contain colloidal oatmeal, which is a great skin protectant that reduces inflammation. The Lavender Bar and The Liz Lemon also contain colloidal oatmeal but have the added benefit of lavender, which has anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties. Any of these bars would be great on sensitive skin; the C’mon Get Happy is a local (PNW, whaddup?) bestseller for its skin calming properties. Let me know which one you like the best!

FAQ Friday

THAT is a field of MAGIC!

Question #2: Exfoliation

I’m interested in purchasing your soaps, but I really love the exfoliation I get from my body wash and scrubs. Do you have a product that would compare?
Answer: Do I ever! I’m more than somewhat addicted to exfoliation products, so I’ve got a ton of exfoliant options in my line. I’m currently loving pumice powder, which is a super fine (but super effective) exfoliant that is gentle enough to use on the face. If you’re looking to replace your body wash and scrubs specifically, I’d recommend checking out our whipped sugar soaps. Sugar is an amazing exfoliant, and our whipped soap is light and fluffy and a perfect replacement product for the body wash purists. They also smell good enough to eat, which is a big bonus in my book. Just don’t eat it.

Question #3: Shipping Information

I’ve placed my order. When can I expect it to arrive?
Answer: Thanks for placing an order! *happy dance* As for shipping, Soap & Clay guarantees all in-stock items will be shipped within 72 hours of order acceptance. We currently ship Priority USPS, so you should expect to see it within 3 days of shipment notification. For more information on our shipping policies, as well as the rest of our policies, check out our About page and navigate from there!

Well Sudsers, that’s all from me today. Don’t forget: our Buy 3, Get 1 Free sale is in full swing until November 30th. Deals!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: colloidal oatmeal, exfoliant, inflammation, lavender, PNW, pumice, sensitive skin, shipping, whipped sugar soaps

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