know your soap Archives

Shine Bright Like A Diamond…

Happy Sunday, Sudsers! It’s June, which is my favorite of all of the months. The sun is bright, the days are long, and there’s no shortage of fairs, festivals, and outdoor activities. All of that extra time spent outside can result in dry, burnt, tight and weathered skin though, so I thought that today I should do a write-up on my favorite women’s exfoliating and rejuvenating soap: Amibrite.

The Starting Point

Most of my soap recipes start with the same question: what do I want the soap to do? I always want a bubbly lather that doesn’t take an hour of bar massage to obtain. I always want the bar to effectively cleanse and moisturize without drying the skin (or leaving it greasy, which soap should obvs never do). But after that, then what? Do I want the soap to polish the skin, to promote cell turnover, to soothe skin conditions such as eczema? After smelling the blend that ultimately went into Amibrite, the answer to all of the above questions was yes. This scent was so amazing that I wanted this bar to do it all. I wanted it to super-cleanse. I wanted it to super-lather. I wanted it to super-moisturize. I wanted it to super-scrub. I wanted it to be super-rific. So I got to work.

The Lineup

Rice Bran Oil – as far as skincare is concerned, rice bran oil is an absolute powerhouse. This lightweight, cold-pressed oil is high in Omega 6’s and Vitamin E, absorbs easily, and naturally protects against free radicals and UV damage. Rice bran oil is commonly used in high-end skincare products as it helps keep skin smooth and wrinkle-free. This oil is so effective and so nourishing that it is a staple in every bar of soap found in the Hey, Girl line.

Photo Credit: Dvortygirl

Orange Peel Powder – this antioxidant rich powder is a natural cleanser, promotes cell turnover, fights blemishes, and can help lighten scars on skin from sun damage or injuries (or both, if you’re Mrs. Soap & Clay). It acts as a skin brightener to boot! It’s also a mild exfoliant and has a wonderful citrusy scent.

Jojoba Beads – I have been a microbead fan since microbeads became a thing. Every skincare product I purchased had to contain them – until I learned what they were made of, and how terrible they are for our aquatic friends. The jojoba bead is the microbead’s cooler, healthier, sexier cousin. Completely biodegradable, jojoba beads are derived from jojoba oil (another staple of mine in soap recipes), are perfectly round and won’t cause microscopic tears in the skin, making them the perfect scrubby companion.

The Blend – this scent blend is my happy. One of them, at least. Bursting with citrusy goodness, this blend contains all of my favorite fruity treats. Orange, grapefruit, and tangerine mixes with blackberry and mango and finishes with a warm coconut scent that is just…well, it’s my happy for a reason. It’s bright, uplifting, energetic and all things summer. Once fully cured, the scent reminds me of Nerds candy.

Yes, I just provided you a link to buy Nerds in bulk. You’re welcome. It’s Prime eligible!

The Pour and the Name

As stated above, this scent is my happy. And sometimes my happy can be…a bit over the top. This pour reflects that ~~manic~~ excited state. Using my two happy colors, I drop-swirl the loaf from staggering heights while employing my very best mad scientist cackle. Then I take a skewer to it while unabashedly belting out Mandy Moore’s Candy loud enough for the neighbors three houses down to hear. And complain about. Because they’re jerks. And because I’m tone-deaf.

The end result is a bright, beautiful bar of soap with bold streaks of color interspersed with wispy swirls. A pour like this is not uniform; each bar is a bit different than the next.

The name dates back to my very first batch of this soap. After cleaning up the soap shop, I called Mr. Soap & Clay in to admire the freshly poured loaf. With a grin on my face and a lye burn on my neck (a story for a later date), I stepped back and allowed him to inspect my handiwork. Before he could say a word, I proclaimed “that ish is AMAZING, amirite?” That was the first time I had ever used the term amirite, so I felt an homage to that moment was fitting.

So now that you’re to this point, here’s what you do. Click the link. Add the bar to your cart. Use coupon code LIKEADIAMOND and get a bar of Amibrite on me. Coupon code is valid on all orders between now and next Sunday (June 12th). Happy Sudsing!

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!