Why All-Natural Soaps are Better for You

I started Charlene’s All Natural to stay busy and travel, selling my soaps, cards, and paper art. It was a dream my ex-husband and I shared, so we could explore different parts of the United States while having fun and meeting new people. But he didn’t work out. For me, it has become something different. I am learning how oils, butters, and essential oils can be used to help with various skin conditions and health issues. The benefits of all-natural products have completely changed my approach to self-care. My soaps are made to nourish and hydrate your skin. Some of my soaps are just simple soaps without essential oils, like my Bastille Mold soaps, which help with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin issues. My lavender soap is a great skin conditioner, and the lavender essential oil is good for anxiety, depression, headaches, and promoting relaxation. My Fido Bars are made with cedarwood and lavender essential oils, which are natural flea repellents, and the men like them too.

I suffer from severe inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, severe depression, scoliosis, and other health issues. Yeah, it’s tough. There are days I sleep for a week because of these debilitating problems. I manage to pull myself out of the grey clouds mainly thanks to my partners, Hawk and Hunter. After years of working early mornings, they haven’t adjusted their schedule, and at five a.m., they are ready for breakfast and to go out. That’s how my day begins, and then they go back to bed. They have such a hard life.

Since starting my journey, I’ve read and studied many different materials about the benefits of plant-based oils and essential oils, and how I can use them to help myself cope with bad days while still maintaining healthy skin and hair. Yes, I’ve successfully created two unique hair soaps using infused chamomile and other beneficial ingredients for both regular and mature, flyaway hair. It’s been a game-changer! I’ve been working on making a variety of body butters and bath bombs (the first ones didn’t turn out quite right). They were still good, just a little over-moisturized and sweaty, and I’ve made an awesome shaving cream. Leaves your legs/face soft, smooth, and nourished.

Many of my soaps contain infused flowers and herbs in oils and teas because of their beneficial properties, and some naturally produce beautiful colors as a bonus. I am currently making sunflower petal-infused sunflower oil. Its color is stunning, and the oil is excellent for the skin.

Take my Golden Frankincense & Myrrh soap. It’s made with turmeric, which is a wonderful inflammation fighter. Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils are used in skincare for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. They help soothe irritated skin, fight acne, and reduce signs of aging. Myrrh also promotes skin regeneration and moisturizes, making it good for overall skin health.

In my bathroom, I use over five different soaps. Lavender, of course, to relax my anxiety; Fido Bar because it produces a great lather, smells wonderful, and makes my coworkers’ coats shiny; Buttermilk Ylang-Ylang, which smells amazing; Olive Oil to combat crepey skin, and it’s very gentle on my face—no breakouts. Then I also have my shampoo bar with Chamomile and Argan oil. The best part is I’ve eliminated all the bottles in the shower and no longer need lotion afterwards. The soaps I’ve made, and thoroughly tested myself and on many others, are very moisturizing and leave your skin feeling clean and nourished. I also have an After Sun Aloe Vera for use after a day in the sun. It helps soothe sun-kissed skin.

My soaps are made with care in small batches so I can control the ingredients. There’s a large variety of oils and butters that must be measured carefully. It’s been both therapeutic and challenging. Everyone knows not to touch or come into the kitchen when I’m working my magic. I’m also working on various moon phase soaps, hopefully ready in the next few months. It takes 6-8 weeks to cure a bar of soap, and olive oil soap takes even longer.

I hope you find this interesting, and I’d love to hear your feedback. I’ll be more consistent with my blog about new products I’m developing and preparing to sell. This month, I’ll focus on fall soaps and some Christmas soaps. I plan to try making a pumpkin soap with real pumpkin puree. Fingers crossed— I know it will smell amazing, and pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A.

Wishing you a blessed week, and I’d love to hear from you about any topics I can research and share in the future. "

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius