(Piggy is handmade by Vanessa Monfreda - www.vanessamonfreda.com)

Benefits Of Handmade Soap
There are said to be many healing properties of a handmade bar of soap. Those who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as people that have sensitive skin or are hypoallergenic often find immediate relief by switching to an all natural chemical free handmade soap.

Compared to a conventional bar of soap, handmade soap is very mild. Most of them are made from vegetable-based oils, such as olive, coconut, and palm and do not contain the potentially harmful chemicals found in store bought soap. Some say one of the biggest differences between commercial soap and handmade soap is glycerine.

Glycerine is a clear liquid that absorbs water from the air and is a key factor in keeping skin soft and healthy. Glycerin soap is especially good for sensitive and delicate skin, and for children. Because it is a high quality by-product in the soap making process, many mass commercial soap manufacturers often extract the glycerine and sell it as a by-product to be used in higher priced beauty products like lotions and skin creams.

Handmade Soap Is Good For Your Body, Spirit and Soul
Skin is the largest human organ and is the bodies first line of defense against dehydration, temperature, infection and harmful substances. Handmade soaps give your skin the care it deserves and make bathing a gentle, soothing experience.

In our busy day to day life we often put aside the indulgences of a simple thing like a special bar of soap. With our limited time it becomes last on our list of priorities. But a fragrant, handmade bar of soap is a simple indulgence that fosters a feeling of relaxation and being pampered. Treat yourself or someone you love to the benefits of handmade soap!

Updates

Oh, it has been such a long long time since I have posted to this blog, and for that, I am so sorry. Because there has been so much going on with Curat!

Hopefully, I can bring you all up to speed. First, I want to make sure you are following Curat-Romania on Twitter. www.twitter.com/curatclean....and you're a fan on FaceBook. www.facebook.com/curatclean.

Vodka*Star has been in high demand, very much so! I am so glad you guys love your soap with liquor! There are currently 2 scents of Vodka*Star, and YES..they are here to stay! There will be a new addition in Spring 2011..so for now enjoy "PEARWOOD" & "JUNIPERBERRY". They sell out very quickly, so when they become available on the website or in the retail locations, it's not a bad idea to grab up a few.

 

Aromatherapy. You Need Some!

Everyone needs a pick-me-up every now and then. Even more so if you are exposed to a high pressure job, a student going through a tough semester, or a mom with a lot to do.  Using aromatherapy on a regular basis reduces stress, rejuvenates your spirit and enhances your well-being.


::::History of Aromatherapy::::

The roots of Aromatherapy can be traced back more than 3,500 years before the birth of Christ, to a time when the use of aromatics was first recorded in human history. In reality, the history of aromatherapy is inexorably linked to the development of aromatic medicine, which in the early days was itself combined with religion, mysticism and magic.

This was a time when the ancient Egyptians first burned incense made from aromatic woods, herbs and spices in honor of their gods. They believed that as the smoke rose up to the heavens, it would carry their prayers and wishes directly to the deities. Eventually, the development of aromatics as medicines would create the foundations that aromatherapy was built upon.

The richness of the Egyptian botanical pharmacopoeia had already been assimilated by many other cultures during previous millennia; the Assyrians, Babylonians and Hebrews had all borrowed from their vast knowledge of aromatic medicine.

As the Egyptian Empire crumbled into decline around 300 BC, Europe became the heart of empirical medicine, where new methods were steadily evolving into a more scientifically based system of healing.

The earliest known Greek physician was Asclepius who practiced around 1200 BC combining the use of herbs and surgery with previously unrivaled skill. His reputation was so great that after his death he was deified as the god of healing in Greek mythology, and thousands of lavish healing temples known as Asclepieion were erected in his honor throughout the Grecian world.


Perhaps the most brilliant and influential of all Greek physicians was Claudius Galen, who lived from 129-199 AD and studied medicine from the age of seventeen. He began his medical career aged 28 under Roman employ treating the wounds of gladiators with medicinal herbs.

Due to his phenomenal success he quickly rose to become the personal physician to the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and since Rome was a thriving academic center during the lifetime of Galen it was the ideal place for him to conduct further research.

As the Romans began pulling out of Britain, much of their medical knowledge was discarded and all progress in the Western tradition of medicine came to a halt for hundreds of years. During this period, Europe sank into the lowest depths of barbarism recorded in history, and it would be the turn of another culture to carry the torch of aromatic medicine forward.

 ::::Benefits of Aromatherapy::::


Essential oils that are inhaled into the lungs offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefit. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil to help ease congestion is a prominent example.

Essential oils that are applied to the skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The constituents of essential oils can aid in health, beauty and hygiene conditions. Since essential oils are so powerful and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. To apply essential oils to the skin, essential oils are typically diluted into a carrier such as a cold pressed vegetable oil. Common carrier oils include sweet almond, jojoba, apricot kernel and grapeseed oil.

In addition to therapeutic benefit at the emotional and physical level, essential oils are helpful in other applications. Essential oils can be used in household and laundry cleaners. Some oils act as a natural insect repellent and pesticide.

::::What Are Essential Oils::::

An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distilled (most frequently by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. Essential oils, contrary to the use of the word "oil" are not really oily-feeling at all. Most essential oils are clear, but some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass are amber or yellow in color.

Essential oils contain the true essence of the plant it was derived from. Essential oils are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way.

 Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. Where essential oils are derived from the true plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances or contain artificial substances and do not offer the therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer.

Essential oils can often be purchased as blends of several essential oils. The advantage if it is a blend of pure essential oils is that you can save from having to buy every oil individually. The disadvantage is that you have no control over the blend by not mixing it yourself nor can you reliably mix the blend with other oils.

"VODKA*STAR" made with real vodka, by Curat!

VODKA*STAR is the new men's line by Curat. Made with VODKA, it's a very unique experience. Huge sized bar, that gives a great stable lather, it is also fragranced.

'PEARWOOD' is a  customized sent made on site, very cooling and features the scents of crisp pear, cedar wood, vertiver, bergamot and oak moss.

Melissa Gladney for Curat!

Our newest model, Melissa G. is showcasing "LAVENDER OVAZ". We will feature Melissa in upcoming campaigns for Curat "ORIGINAL 27" and "STILETTO".

Photog: Matt Bowen

Handmade Soap Is Great For Everyday Use!!!!

By Essential Depot

Handmade soap everyday for everything: Would you believe if someone told you that people used hand crafted soap as a barter to buy things at stores during the great depression? Would you believe that this type of soap was so valued among the ancients that soapmaking was an important traditional work assigned to women? Would you believe if we tell you that daily use of hand crafted soap means your skin is healthy, glowing and simply remarkable? Yes, all these are true.

1.General skincare: Using hand crafted soap is like pampering your skin daily. Skin is one of the most ignored of the body parts. We expose it all day to heat, light and dust and yet, never take adequate care to maintain it. The least that our skin gets is a daily bath or shower. That too happens in a sloppy and hurried way. Hand crafted soap makes your skin fresh and young. Regular use of hand crafted soap cures psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions like dry skin, itchy skin, bug bites, athlete’s foot etc.
2. Acne cure: Apart from other skincare treatments, hand crafted soap is a great acne cure. Many dermatologists and doctors recommend it for acne reduction. The soap is said to cleanse the pores and keep the skin moisturized for the whole day. For acne, wash your face for about three times a day (or as recommended by your doctor), you will see improvement in months. But ensure that you use hand crafted soap without chemicals, preservatives or additives. Unscented, mild soap is better.
3. Sunburns: Hand crafted soaps can relieve you of sunburns in minutes. Place generous amounts of lather on your sunburn and leave it overnight. The sunburn may disappear if you keep doing this everyday. Experts opine that hand crafted soap absorbs heat better than commercial soaps.

4. Bug bite relief: Hand crafted soap offers relief from mosquito, chigger and other bug bites immediately. Like in the case of sunburns, you can use your  soap as an insect repellent.

5. Poison Ivy and Poison Oak cure: There is nothing which offers instant cure to poison ivy and poison oak like hand crafted soap. Apply the soap immediately on the suspected area of contact and rinse thoroughly. Keep applying as many times or at least 5 times a day in that area. After rinsing place soap lather on the rash and leave it till the next wash. Your poison ivy or oak syndrome will disappear soon. You can use hand crafted soap to even wash your infected clothes/other fabrics.

6. Insect repellent: Keep mosquitoes at bay by placing some hand crafted soap lather on bare skin. A bar of soap placed under the sink helps keep ants away.

Do You Need "LYE" To Have Soap? YES!

"Properly made handmade soap has no lye left in it but cannot be made without it. Our ancestors made up a weak lye solution from wood ash to produce their handmade soap." - a soapcrafter


This statement is true. Many people think that lye is a horrible "chemical" that is best to avoid in soap. But let me ask you this....does your soap lather? If yes, then it is made with lye. It is impossible for it not to be.


There are no lye soaps on the market, but they are made with harsh detergents.
But natural soap (void of these manufactured detergents) is great to use everyday and can be very moisturizing.


The most common practice of soap-making is 'cold process'. With this method, the lye(sodium hydroxide) and fats are mixed then set in molds to cure. The curing process can take up to 3 weeks. After this time the soap is safe to use. This is great to make lots of batches in a small amount of time. Also many crafters use this method to take advantage of the artistic capabilities it offers. The visual effects that are possible are endless. You can swirl, use a vast array of colors and the soaps can be molded in many shapes that are not possible with 'hot-processed' soaps. But the crafter must be attentive to the curing process. The lye and fats come together(saponify) to create soap, so this process must finish before exposing to skin.


I have used the 'cold-process' method many times. And it produces a great bar of soap. I prefer the 'hot-process' because after my soap has cooked, I know it is ready for use by the next day. The saponification has finished and it is safe to use.

Another soaping method is "melt & pour". This is commercial soap offered in large blocks that can be melted down to add herbs, scents and colors. Many hobbyists use this method to produce personalized soaps. But they are not handmade.

The next time you purchase your soaps, ask which process your crafter uses. If they are proud their products they will be more than happy to tell you. If not, you may want to think about what you are purchasing.

Shoe Fetish & Fashion @ Indy Fringe

Curat will be out to celebrate our new line, "STILETTO"! You can receive 20% off all Curat soaps Thursday at Indy Fringe. Make sure you are receiving the promo code by joining the Official Curat Newletter & E-mail list! Send your email address to misty@curatclean.com to get your promo code!

Shoe Fetish & Fashion @ Indy Fringe Downtown is sponsored by JC Cognac!!! Indulge yourself within the shopping networking mixer, where you can take pleasure in a complimentary experience of JC Cognac, wiggle your toes, and enjoy the showcase of fashionable finds locate...d in the heart of Indy. Oh! Have you heard…”Sweet Revenge” is sponsoring a fetish gift basket for the savviest shoe slayer! So, if you come looking shabby, you better make sure your looking Shabby-Chic!!!! 6pm-7pm JC Cognac Hour of Networking with DJ Gabby Love 7pm-8pm Debut of Signature Shoes & Nikki Blaine Couture Handbags along with showcasing other merchandise from the vendors 8pm-9pm Shop and network until you drop…But, save some of your energy for the No Coast Art Series Show and Tru on Saturday, May 29, 2010!!!

******ONLINE SOLD-OUT LIST UPDATE******

CHERRY BOMB AVAIL 5/16, LEMON ZEST AVAIL 5/22, ORANGE PEEL AVAIL 5/22
SPICE No.1 AVAIL 5/22. SPICE No.2 AVAIL 5/22, SANDALWOOD & BLACK PEPPER
AVAIL 5/22

Herbal Blends Help Condition of Skin!

For centuries herbs have been applied to the skin to help with healing and preventing skin problems. With the "natural movement" in the cosmetic and beauty industry gaining a huge following, one concern I do have is the quality of the products being used, and if they are really effective in overall treatment.

When I started "soaping", I used the cold process method. Meaning, no heat source is used to make the soap. You mix fixed oils (coconut, olive etc) with a sodium hydroxide
solution (water and lye) and allow to saponify for up to three weeks. This method is a good way to make soap. I had no problems, and it was relatively easy to do. But then I thought about the materials I used to enhance my soaps and if they were being utilized properly. Meaning, were the herbs making a difference or were they being demoted to mere decoration.

For an herb to have any effect, it's properties must be able to get to the skin,and most need the help of carriers. Not only that, it has to be absorbed. Now taking a fresh mint leaf and rubbing it on your skin doesn't give you the full benefit of the herb. But if you release the properties of the mint leaf effectively, the essential oil, then it becomes absorbable and you would have the true benefits of mint available to you.

I switched to hot processing my soaps because I wasn't getting the full effect of the dried herbs I used. Yes, I also use essential oils, but I really like the benefit of having an all-natural product in it's natural form as well. When I add the herbs to my fixed oils and heat them, they release their healing qualities effectively. Not only that, but after the mixture has "cooked", the product is stable. I ensure the chemical process is finished, and I can actually use my product immediately. I know if a batch is good right away, and this prevents alot of wasted effort.

I have a history of cystic acne, and many of my friends have various skin conditions they suffer with. The leading culprits are acne and eczema. I used Acutane for awhile, and it wreaked havoc on my face, I mean the side effects were devastating. Raw irritated skin followed by dry peeling skin. It effected my mood, my digestive system, but I continued with the prescription because I wanted clear skin. After a year I just couldn't deal with the effects and switched to using medicated skincare. Some worked, some didn't. It was trial and error.

My grandmother told me of natural remedies and I tried tinctures and decoctions (teas) and these really helped my condition. Healing teas are becoming more common placed again, but one has to be very careful and armed with knowledge, as well as the a-okay from a physician to proceed with a personally made formulation.

Herbs in soaps and body products, for me, was a great way to receive all-natural benefits that were consistent and readily available. Also the repetitive use of the product also helps to improve the skin effectively. I suggest reading more about herbs and the healing properties they possess.

A great book I suggest to everyone is actually endorsed by the Herb Society of America, "Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses" by Deni Brown. Deni is a botanist and freelance horticultural writer. The book is very informative and I have had mine for over 11 years. If you are willing to invest the time to discover the benefits of herbs and how to use them effectively it is well worth it.

What You Pay For When You Buy Commercial

Industrial soap , soaps that are purchased from your chain stores that are not labeled all-natural or hand-made, contain high amounts of detergents. They can be very drying to the skin. When was the last time you used a commercial soap and not needed to moisturize your skin? Or, better yet, have you ever taken a shower or bath and noticed a white film on your skin? Especially your hands and feet?

Most people purchase commercial soap because of it's price. Usually 79 cents or a dollar. This is a lot less than a bar of handmade soap, but you quickly dismiss your savings when you reach for the extra emollient moisturizers to replenish your skin.

Now, there are also commercial soaps touting moisture rich formulations, but you pay more for them than the average commercial bar. Added glycerin and emollients do cost more you say. But here's the kicker...

Hand made all-natural soaps contain high amounts of glycerin that occurs naturally through the soaping process. So why pay more for a commercial bar that is chock full of detergents with added glycerin to soften, on top of various synthetic components to provide a 'luxurious' feel? Hand made soap IS a luxury to begin with!

Start off on the right foot. Buy handcrafted soap.

Curat Beauty : There are 3 soaps for a great face!

Everyone wants clear glowing skin, and Curat has 3 soaps designed with this in mind.

"CARROT MINT" is great for all skin types, and contains beta carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E. These are essential to to skin cell regeneration. Mint is a natural antiseptic, and also refreshes the skin. This soap is made with organic carrot juice, pureed carrots and dried crushed mint. It is a fave of many Curaties, and is great for the entire body.


"LAVENDER OVAZ" is perfect for sensitive skin. Many Curaties with dry skin also adore this slab. Although I made this formulation with the ' young ones' in mind, it turned out to be a wonderful beauty soap as well!

Lavender lends it ability to soothe sensitive skin, while hibiscus petals soften and condition. Wonderful for skin effected by eczema, for it soothes and has healing properties. I also use thick cut organic oats in this soap. Oat is a natural humectant, allowing skin to retain moisture. This soap contains both lavender buds and essential oil, and jojoba oil.

"ASHES 2 ASHES" is our detoxifying soap that everyone can't get enough of! I am very proud of the formula and can truly say, it works! I have struggled with cystic acne for many years and so have 3 of my daughters. We have tried numerous products, and have spent a lot of money for presciptive creams, cleansers and pills. I am glad that our skin is finally clearing up naturally!

This soap formualtion includes fennel (crushed to exfoliate dead skin and also helps to firm the skin) which refreshes and is a natural anteseptic. Licorice root is also added to soothe skin irrataion. But the main feature of this soap is activated charcoal.

Used externally, charcoal is unequalled for pulling pus, toxins and infective material from skin wounds. It promotes clear refined and healthy skin. Activated charcoal has a huge following in Japan and Europe, and they are obsessed with achieving perfect skin.

Hey!! We Have A Blog!

This is the official blog for Curat Handcrafted Soaps. We are excited about it, and hope that you will tell your friends and use this blog to find out about all-natural soaps, Curat and me, Misty!