Do These Three Allergens Affect You?

Some are even allergic to the lovely lavender

What about allergies?  Often, customers come to me because they are allergic or sensitive to the commercial products they use, and are hoping that mine will be kinder to their skin.  Often, it's true.  Products crafted with natural oils and other ingredients may be just the ticket for sensitive skin.  Unfortunately, as much as I would like that to be true, it isn't always.


The fact is that people can experience sensitivities or allergies to any number of substances, either natural essential oils or synthetically created ingredients.  What's worse is that they can show up at any time.  A product that you have used for years may suddenly cause a rash.  Your threshold for tolerating a particular ingredient has been crossed, causing a problem for your skin.


(Please note that I will be using sensitivity and allergen interchangeably in the rest of this piece, even though they are not the same.  It just reads better and whether you're sensitive or allergic, both are negative reactions.)


Nevertheless, some substances are more likely to be culprits than others. My first suspect when people speak of reactions is scent, or fragrance oils.  Scents are made up of an unknown number of components, both natural and synthetic, and are proprietary, meaning that only the developer knows exactly what they contain.   The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is constantly working to keep fragrances as safe as possible, but it is unlikely that it will ever be possible to create fragrances that no one reacts to.  Moreover, if it is not synthetic fragrance, then it might be essential oils, which are derived from various parts of vegetation.  Just as we may or may not be allergic to Poison Ivy, we may or may not be allergic to other plant matter.


If the problem is not due to scent, it may be due to color or a preservative.  A small percentage of the population is sensitive to some preservatives, which hold down microbial growth in products.  Some are very allergic to various colorants.  Virtually any other ingredient, with the exception of water, is on the list of possible allergens or irritants, as well.


What's a person to do?  One method of determining sensitivity is to dab the product in the inside of your forearm, just below the elbow.  Cover with a bandage and go to bed.  In the morning (or sooner, if it bothers you), remove the bandage and check the spot.  If it is red and irritated or itchy, something in the product does not agree with your skin.  Wash it off well and take note of the ingredients.  With time and careful notes, you may discover the offender.


It is important to be very careful if you suffer from many sensitivities.  Taking a bath using a soap you're sensitive to is going to be a bigger problem than a dab on your arm, so do the test with any new product. Read product labels carefully if you know your allergens so you can avoid them.  If you purchase handcrafted products, tell your vendor that you have many sensitivities and list those you know.  Your soapmaker extraordinaire might head off troubles at the pass by steering you toward or away from certain products. Keep in mind that the manufacturer is responsible for accurate listing of ingredients and you are responsible for checking before using and using them safely.


Good business owners want to please thier customers and provide safe products.  I strive to do just that.  Realistically, however, I know that it would be impossible to manufacture a product that no one is sensitive to, so I want to make my customers aware of the possibility.  Together we can keep reactions to a minimum so that you can have the most beautiful, healthy skin possible!

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Weekly ad


Clearing out lotions!  All 8 oz. bottles I have in stock are a whopping 25% off. Regularly $12, now only $9  Scents include:

This isn't one of the scents on sale, but  the can looks like this.

Gingered Orange (orange with a bite of ginger)
Black Raspberries & Vanilla (nice berry scent)
Spun Sugar  (cotton candy sweet)
Sultry Sandalwood Vanilla (smooth sandalwood with a bit of sweet vanilla)


Valentine's Soaps:  each bar is $5; package of three conversation hearts is just $10


In addition, orders of $75 and up get free shipping.


Sale good until 2/18/12.  Orders right around Valentine's Day may be delayed.

Sweet Violet

Violet Flowers & Leaves

I picked a bowl of violets and their leaves a couple of days ago.  I'd pick more, but it's been raining.


Did you know that violets are useful herbs?  They are!  They've been used infused in oil and as a tea for centuries, and are even known as an herb that inspires courage, which is rather interesting, since it was thought to help a person sleep.  Ah, the dichotomies of life!


Assigned as a cure in the past for respiratory illnesses, it was taken as a tea or oil.  It was used to fight insomnia and as a laxative, and contains an aspirin-like property.


Considering how prolific violet is, it's no wonder people used them extensively in the past; and yet, they are rarely used today. A pity, methinks.


It seems unfortunate to me that the violet's scent is so fleeting.  If I pick a handful of flowers and take a sniff, I catch a momentary fragrance that never fails to delight.  It's a light, refreshing floral, to my mind.  I would be a very happy camper if I could bottle that scent!


You might be wondering what I plan on using mine for.  First, I make a batch of Violet Eye Cream every year.  I love how it smells and how it makes the skin around my eyes feel moisturized and appear non-baggy.


For the last two years, I've made violet syrup.  Yum!  I wish I could think of more things to use it on, but alas, only ice cream for now.


This year, it's the eye cream, for sure.  Then, assuming I can harvest more before their short season ends, I will make tea and try it in lemonade.  One of my Facebook friends suggested that, so I hope I get the opportunity to experiment.  Since I can dry it, I can create at my leisure--even though uttering the word, "leisure," makes me laugh!


If you're in a region where violets are blooming, go ahead and pick them, provided they are subjected to pesticides and herbicides or vehicle exhaust.  Make a tea and allow yourself to sit and enjoy one of the plants that God gave us.

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May Ad

I would like to introduce you to my Classic Gardener's Soap.   

It took me several tries before I found the formula and additives that made it a winner in my book, but I am very pleased with my final product.  It's as natural as soap can be, with exfoliants to get the dirt out, but not harsh and drying to the skin--and it contains skin-loving essential oils, to boot!  Both men and woman use this one.

Classic Gardener's Soap

I'm so concerned about products for gardeners, that I now have gardeners in mind for all of my products and tailor them for gardeners using herbs and other wonderful things from the garden.  Of course, any of them can be used and appreciated by those who claim to have brown thumbs, too!

If Classic isn't enough, you might like one of our other types:

Classic:  essential oils and exfolliants such as cornmeal and poppy seeds for men and women

Salt Bar:  uses salt for exfoliation and a floral scent.  Lovely lotion feel. Very pink!

Cedar & Sage:  same exfoliants as Classic, but specifically for men

Garden Walk:  fragrant floral for women, with exfoliants

Get 5 bars for 25.00!  Try it today.

Not on my site, but also available:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea. 

Liquid shower gel: Natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00;  8 oz.  $11 -  In any scent listed above. 

Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7; 8 oz., $12

Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, Lavender, and any other scent I sell. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Look for Soap and Garden on Facebook and Twitter.  We just love gardeners!

February is for Lovin'

Here we are, it's February already! January flew right by, don't you think? There are a couple of things I like about February. The first is that it's a short month. The second is that soon we will notice the days getting longer. Those are great things! The best thing of all, though, may be Valentine's Day.

I'm not a terribly romantic, pink and hearts kind of person, but V-Day is a bright spot at this otherwise cold and sometimes dreary time of year. I've got some celebration tricks up my sleeve to help you with your special day.

One idea is to surprise your spouse to an overnight stay at a nice hotel. Include dinner and a spa day. Who wouldn't feel romantic?

Not in your budget? Choose one of the above and you'll still be a hero--or heroine. Perhaps you're on a budget this year, or your situation doesn't allow you to go out. Don't let that dampen your enthusiasm! Some of our best Valentine's memories were in years when we didn't have extra dollars for mini-vacations.

Here is an idea that you can alter to fit your preferences: Fix your favorite meal. Set the table with a nice tablecloth and napkins, candles, flowers, whatever sets the mood. One year, hubby and I dined in the dining room while the kids dined in the kitchen. We ate shrimp cocktail, and other favorite dishes, and chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert. I don't remember what the kids ate, but it was easy to make, and something they all liked. They watched a movie afterward, while hubby and I had nice conversation by ourselves. Everybody was happy, and thought the day was very special. It was actually quite romantic.

The point is, really, to make Valentine's Day special and romantic, whether expensive or inexpensive, elaborate or simple.

If you have some great ideas, please comment. We'd love to hear them.


Make someone's Valentine's Day with special bath and body gifts. As you might imagine, I've got a whole line for you. Descriptions follow and pictures will be posted tomorrow:

Premium Valentine's gift set: You get one full-sized soap bar, a 4 oz. bottle of luscious body lotion, 1 oz. dry body/linen spray, and rose bath fizzy. Comes in Romantic Rose, unless you request another scent. Beautifully packaged in red. All this for $20!

Petite Valentine's gift set: This lovely set includes a full-sized soap, 2 oz. luscious body lotion, and bath fizzy. This one is also beautifully packaged, ready for gift-giving, and scented in Romantic Rose, unless you request another scent. Just $12 for this set!

Conversation Heart Soap Set - This cute set includes scented soaps that look like oversized conversation hearts. They are packaged three in a row in a clear box with filler. They're adorable, and only $10!

Soap & Heart Petals: soap dipped, scented hearts and petals, nestled on colorful shred in a corsage box. Ready for gift-giving. It's a great little something for a wife, girlfriend, friend, anyone you'd like to bestow a novel, but inexpensive gift on. Romantic Rose scent. Only $5

Scents: Fragrances: Sandalwood and Vanilla, Patchouli, Gingered Orange, Romantic Rose, Blackberry Vanilla, Rochester Lilac. Special requests possible. Essential oil: Lavender, Lavender Patch (lavender & patchouli), or Romantic Herbal Blend (notes of Palmarosa, lavender, and Clary Sage marry to create a provocative blend), or anything on my site,
www.soapandgarden.com

I couldn't resist posting a photo of my Midnight Merlot soap. It's at the top of the page. :-)

Daily posts

I got sick and forgot about blogging every day! A new initiative for the rest of October to blog daily. . .

For local readers, I'm teaching a one night class at R-H Continuing Ed. on Monday, the 19th on making botanical potpourri. We'll make a fall scented and colored potpourri and a Christmas scented and colored potpourri. I'll also talk about and have handouts for making your own.

Join us. It'll be fun!