Does antibacterial soap work better than a natural soap?
No :)

http://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/antibacterial-soap.aspx

Just out of the mold

Mornin' Wood

Apricot Freesia

I might add these are bath soap bars, not the shampoo bars :) those are being made today.

Goat Milk Liquid Soap

For a while, I'd been wanting to try making some liquid soap using goat milk as a base, and seeing just what I'd come up with.
I know what bar soap does when it is made with goat milk, but what about liquid?
I found that it makes wonderful soap! That's what :)
It didn't quite process into transparent soap, but that's ok. It means there is a little bit of excess fat left in the soap.
Just my style... I will be testing this batch out for a while to see how it does long term, but so far I love it!!

There are numerous cellulose thickeners, and other kinds of natural thickeners that can be used, but shown below is the consistency of the goat milk liquid soap with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has been widely used as a food additive for thickening and emulsifying liquids.  Did you ever wonder how fast food places make such nice thick milkshakes? :)

New discovery for something fun to do

We got together with friends last night to go up to the Old Grainery building in Mt Vernon to the River Belle Dinner Theatre.
 http://www.riverbelledinnertheatre.com/
We were not sure what to expect because none of us had ever been to anything like that, but it was a lot of fun.
Tables aren't anything fancy, tickets are $30, and include dessert buffet.  Once you arrive dinner is available to order with your show for another $10.
We didn't order dinner with our show, but pot roast was what they were serving. The dessert buffet was simple, with cookies, brownies, fruit etc. and these were quite tasty. It is a down home type atmosphere, and I think we'll be going there again.
It's a place you can go all dressed up, or you can choose to go in your jeans. You won't feel out of place dressed in either, and you'll have a good time.

Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference

I just returned from the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference, that was held on May 9th through the 11th in Portland Oregon.
It's always nice to meet with other soapmakers to talk about the latest soap creations, to ask and answer all kinds of soap related questions people might have, and just to have a great time.
Soapmakers brought all their creative bars which were voted on for various things, such as best fragrance, best appearance, best packaging etc. Beautiful soap!
For entertainment one of the evenings, there was a performance by the March 4th Marching band, a local jazz/big band sounding band, and they have people performing on stilts ...they were fabulous! Quite different from the ordinary, but that was part of what was so entertaining about them. Here is a link to their page, if you want to check it out:

http://marchfourthmarchingband.com/

There was also a huge boat (a paddleboat?) parked yesterday outside the hotel on the river that was awesome.
All in all the convention was a blast!

Fizzing Bath Bombs Anyone?

Fizzing Bath Bombs anyone? 

Man, these babies are gianormus!

Our pictured bath bombs are fragranced with Oatmeal Milk & Honey, and have Apricot kernel oil in them to help soften your skin while you take a bath.
Our reasons for using Apricot kernel oil?
It's light enough not leave your skin feeling too oily,  it's useful for  using on oily complexions, and gentle enough to use on any skin type to re-hydrate dry skin.
According to HealthGuidance.org, apricot kernel oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acids, fatty acids which contain vitamins A and E, essential nutrients for the skin. The site recommends using the oil to soften and protect the skin. Because it is high in linoleic acids, apricot kernel oil provides superior moisturizing properties that plump cells and protect against moisture loss.

Oatmeal Milk & Honey Fizzing Bath Bombs

Chocolate Butter Bliss

Chocolate Butter Bliss is finally here!

Our Chocolate Butter Bliss is a, thick creamy luscious body butter which offers a rich emolliency with an amazing powdery after feel.
It offers long lasting hydration, and moisture barrier for the skin.
Made with shea butter and tocopherol-rich rice bran oil, along with glycerin for added humectancy and dimethicone for its skin protectant properties, this body butter is packed with Botanical extracts and goodies for your tired dry skin!
Not only that, the fragrance is Oh-My-Gosh wonderfully Chocolate, but mellows into a light beautiful chocolaty musk.
It's my newest personal favorite fragrance!
Here is some information about the extracts we have selected to use in our formulation:

Centella Asiatica Extract: (also known as gotu kola and Indian pennywort) is a perennial creeping plant which grows around the Indian ocean. Traditionally used in the management of dermatological conditions in its native area, it is used to support faster healing of small wounds, scratches and superficial burns, as well as an anti-inflammatory for eczema, minor itching and insect bites.
Its active constituents are pentacyclic triterpenoids which have regulating and activating functions, acting on the collagen present in many organs. In skin, the major components are collagens type I and II. Skin aging is related mainly to a decrease in type I collagen levels, which also plays a major role in wound healing. Studies have shown that the main constituents of Centella asiatica (Asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and asiaticoside) increase collagen synthesis. In addition to stimulating the synthesis of collagen, it also improves tensile strength of the skin.

Willow Bark Extract

The Willow tree, of the family Salicaceae and genus Salix, is common to much of North America. The Black Willow (Salix nigra) tree, famous for its dark brown, ridged bark which is rich in tannins and salicylic acid-like materials, is found primarily in the eastern part of the continent.  Aqueous extracts of the bark made from freshly harvested bark collected in the spring are said to have analgesic, antiseptic, astringent, anti-pyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Willow Bark Extract is a source of natural salicylic acid-like ingredients which has been shown to contribute effects similar to those seen from synthetic salicylic acid with none of the drawbacks associated with its use, primarily irritation. As such, it is a safe way to get the benefits of a ß-hydroxy acid.
Salicylic acid, when used in cosmetic formulations at a low percentage, enhances skin cell turnover by promoting exfoliation, resulting in a general improvement in the appearance of the skin and a smoothing effect with accompanying reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. Also known for its antimicrobial properties, it can be helpful for problem skin conditions.
The superior exfoliation action concentrates its exfoliation action in the lipid-rich outer layers of the skin, where the natural rate of exfoliation reduces with aging, it helps to reduce the buildup of dry, dull skin flakes without irritation.

Licorice Root Extract:Produced from the roots and rhizomes of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, Licorice Root has a long history of use as an anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory.
Recent research indicates Licorice Root Extract shows promise as a soothing ingredient for the relief of eczema. Studies have shown it may be of benefit in skin lightening products as it contains liquiritin and isoliquertin, flavonoid containing glycosides which induce skin lightening by dispersing melanin pigment and enhancing more even pigment distribution.

Elderberry Fruit Extract:
Elderberry certainly fits the description of a superfruit.
Though Elderberries have traditionally been used for making wine, syrup, and confectionaries. The flowers and berries of these plants have been used most often for medicinal purposes. Elderberries are rich in a variety of phytonutrients that exhibit both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and quercetin.

Antioxidants, like those found in elderberries, are excellent additions to skin care regimens as they provide protection from free radicals that contribute to cell damage, aging, and wrinkle formation. Bioflavoinoids, which can also be found in elderberries, exhibit astringent properties that help tighten the skin and provide additional anti-wrinkle benefits.

Disclaimer
Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional skin care provider.