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The Gentle Touch: Why Natural Soap is Your Skin's Best Friend

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Melanie Brown

4 natural soap bars, pink clay and rosehip, lavender and patchouli, carrot-orange and ginger and rose garden soap

Are you tired of dealing with skin irritations, allergies, or dryness after using commercial soaps? It might be time to make the switch to something gentler and more nourishing – natural soap. At Mel's Little Luxuries, we're passionate about the benefits of natural soap, and we're here to tell you why it's the best choice for your skin.

**1. Avoiding Harsh Chemicals: Many commercial soaps contain a laundry list of harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, sulphates, and parabens that can wreak havoc on your skin. Natural soap, on the other hand, is crafted from ingredients found in nature, like pure vegetable oils and essential oils, without the harmful additives. This means no more dryness or irritation.

**2. Reduced Allergic Reactions: If you've ever experienced skin sensitivities or allergic reactions to soaps, you're not alone. The synthetic fragrances and additives in commercial soaps can be major culprits. Natural soap relies on the gentle aroma of essential oils, which are less likely to trigger skin sensitivities and allergies.

**3. Mild and Moisturizing: Natural soaps are formulated to be incredibly gentle on your skin. They often include moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, or aloe vera, which can keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness. These natural ingredients also offer a soothing effect, perfect for those with sensitive or dry skin.

**4. pH Balance: Maintaining the pH balance of your skin is essential to prevent excessive dryness or oiliness. Natural soaps are often created with a pH level closer to that of human skin, which is around 5.5. This helps your skin's natural protective barrier stay intact, reducing the risk of irritation.

**5. Suitable for Skin Conditions: If you suffer from skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, you know how delicate your skin can be. Natural soap can provide much-needed relief. By avoiding harsh chemicals and incorporating soothing and moisturizing ingredients, natural soap may help alleviate symptoms and reduce the chances of flare-ups.

At Mel's Little Luxuries, we're committed to crafting natural soaps that not only cleanse but also pamper your skin. Our selection of handmade natural soaps is carefully formulated to provide a gentle, nourishing, and luxurious experience every time you step into the shower or bath.

Say goodbye to skin irritations and hello to skin that feels soft, smooth, and radiant. Make the switch to natural soap, and your skin will thank you. Explore our range of natural soaps at Mel's Little Luxuries and discover the gentle touch your skin deserves.

Ready to experience the benefits of natural soap for yourself? Visit our online store today and indulge in the luxury of pure, skin-loving ingredients. Your skin will thank you!

Posted in Handmade Natural Products, hydrating and moisturizing, Moisturizing, natural, natural handmade soap, natural handmade soaps, Natural Ingredients, Natural Skincare, no chemicals

Why do you do what you do?

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Melanie Brown

 

"Why do you do what you do?"

This question has popped up countless times in my journey.

My soap making journey began when I was looking for something to do.

I had taken some time out of my corporate background to spend quality time with my then, very young family.  Because of long working hours, I found that I was missing out on the monumental dates at school that really mattered. You know what I mean; sport's day, concerts and plays. For me, my kids were my priority and I wanted to be there for them.

I got a simple melt and pour soap kit and started playing around with it. It was amazing fun. l could create quick simple projects and enjoy the results. 

It occurred to me that I could start using skin loving ingredients which was important for me, as 2 of my children had dry skin conditions which irritated them.

I began experimenting with ingredients which left their skin feeling hydrated and moisturized. I started looking at soap making in more detail knowing that I could create beautiful soap bars with great benefits for the skin. 

My friends began asking me questions about what I was doing and then asked if I could make them pamper treats and little gifts for friends. I suddenly had that lightbulb moment where I realized that I could run my own soap making business.

I did all the research and trained so that I could produce quality soaps and have never looked back.

This journey has been so empowering. I have a business which I can run around my family and I actually enjoy getting up in the morning. Working in an environment which is enriched with gorgeous smelling essential oils and botanicals is absolutely incredible.

Now, I educate others about the wonderful world of soap. In fact, I am running a three day challenge called The Bubbles to Bank Challenge to help people who are going through the circumstances I have described. The challenge is going to cover topics such as botanicals, infusions, ethical sourcing and making visually appealing and captivating soaps. Want to know more?

Check the following link for details The Bubbles To Bank Challenge.

 

 

Posted in business owner, handmade soaps, natural handmade soap, skin loving ingredients, soap business owner, soap making

3 Top Questions I Am Asked About My Soap

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Melanie Brown

I've been making soaps for a number of years and have been asked a lot of questions about it.

Here are the top 3 questions I am asked about my soaps.

  1. What ingredients do you use in your handmade soap?
  2. How does handmade soap differ from commercially produced soap?
  3. Can your handmade soap help with skin conditions such as dryness or acne?

1. What ingredients do you use in your handmade soap?

I use natural ingredients when I make my soaps. I was influenced to do so as 2 of my 3 children had eczema and I wanted to find ingredients which would care for their skin. I therefore use products which are skin loving, hydrating and moisturizing. 

My favourite ingredients to use are coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter and olive oil. These oils and butters hydrate the skin and lock in the moisture. They are renowned for being soothing and calming.

2. How does soap differ from commercially produced soaps?

A soap maker who makes soaps from home, will get the best natural ingredients to make skin loving, preservative free and cruelty free soaps. They do not contain chemicals. Each bar is uniquely made with love and devotion.

Commercial soaps are mass produced and are more than likely to include preservatives to ensure that they have a longer shelf life. They occasionally contain chemicals which dry out the skin.

3. Can your handmade soap help with skin conditions such as dryness or acne?

As a general rule, I cannot give medical advice as I am not a doctor. However, I can say that the ingredients used within the recipes are renowned for hydrating and moisturizing the skin. There are natural ingredients such as tea tree oil and charcoal which when combined calm and soothe the skin.

I hope you found this information useful.

Please share it with someone who you know is concerned about the ingredients used in their skincare. 

You might also want to pop over to The Mel's Little Luxuries Website to see the range of natural soaps and bodycare. 

Posted in anti-aging benefits, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, charcoal soap, cold process soap, handmade soap, natural handmade soap, tea tree and charcoal

5 Fun Soap Facts You Never Knew

Posted on April 24, 2023 by Melanie Brown

Do you ever stop and think about the soap you use. It’s such a simple thing but there is more to it than meets the eye.

Let’s lather up and dive into 5 fun soap facts that you never knew:

  1. The phrase "soap opera" comes from the early days of radio when soap manufacturers sponsored daytime dramas aimed at housewives, who were their target market.

 

  1. The world's oldest soap that is still in use today is the famous "Marseille Soap," which has been produced in Marseille, France since the 14th century.

 

  1. In some countries, including Japan and Korea, soap is traditionally made with natural ingredients such as green tea, rice bran, and charcoal.

 

  1. The world's most expensive soap is the "Cleopatra's Golden Soap," which is made with pure gold flakes and costs $3,800 per bar.

 

  1. Soap was first made by ancient Babylonians around 2800 BC, who boiled fats with ashes to create a cleaning substance.

So, as you can see, soap is full of surprises.

You can check out our luxury soaps here at www.melslittleluxuries.co.uk 

 

 

 

Posted in 5 fun soap facts, natural, natural handmade soap, natural handmade soaps, Natural Ingredients, Natural Skincare

What Memories Do Scents Conjure Up for You?

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Melanie Brown

When you think of Christmas, what scents does it conjure up for you? 🫢
 
There are so many different smells but the one that strikes out to me is peppermint.
 
I remember visiting a Christmas stall in Germany. It was freezing cold and didn’t deter visitors to the market. I recall getting a mug of hot chocolate which had a delicious hint of peppermint.
 
The drink was warming and somehow made me forget about the cold weather.
 
My Green Clay, Mint and Kelp Soap bar reminds me of the same relaxed feeling.
 
Imagine that you have had a stressful day and you just want to unwind.
 
You set a warm bath and relax with a bar of Green Clay, Mint, and Kelp soap. It's as if you are in your own personal spa.
 
It is refreshing and uplifting and helps you to wash away the troubles of the day. It helps you to feel 'you' again.

Check out our Green Clay, Mint and Kelp Soap. It's beautifully hydrating and moisturising. It is a wonderful mood enhancer.

The green clay is renowned for its detoxifying properties.

This is a gorgeous pamper treat for yourself and an amazing gift for a friend or loved one. Who knows what memories this will create for you. 

 

Posted in green clay mint and kelp soap, Handmade Natural Products, handmade soap, Moisturizes, Moisturizing, natural, natural handmade soap, Natural Ingredients, Natural Skincare, Pamper, pamper time, pamper treat, self care, Soap, soap gift ideas, soap gifts

Let's Celebrate The Awesomeness of Teachers!

Posted on July 09, 2021 by Melanie Brown

One thing that this past year has taught me is how incredibly amazing teachers are!

A lot of last year was spent on remote schooling. My kids were so lucky that they could still receive such a high standard of education under the guidance of their teachers.

Whilst they received a lot of help, sometimes they were left to do some independent work which the parents were tasked with supervising. It hit me like a hammer – it was hard work making sure everything was done and handed in on time! It showed me truly how much in-depth planning went into the lessons and how hard it is for teachers to keep children on task.

At home, I sometimes found the children wandering around the house or daydreaming when they should have been working. On a few of occasions, I struggled to reign them back in so that they would focus which helped me gain a new appreciation for the teachers that have to do this on a daily basis. They should really be acknowledged for this more regularly.

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Posted in celebrate teachers, end of school presents, gifts for teachers, handmade soap, natural handmade soap, pamper treats for teachers, presents for teachers, soap gifts, teacher's gifts, teachers