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Pictured here to the left is my youngest living her best life on the farm. She is all about the animals and loves to pitch in wherever she can. On this day she was DETERMINED to learn all there was about how to milk the goats by hand.
I was always outside as a kids, but never in a million years would I have thought....hmmmm - someday I want to have goats so that I can use their milk to make soap. Fast forward to now and here we are - living that homestead life (or trying our best to get there...) and loving it!
I also never would have imagined switching over all of our products and things that we use to more natural choices. I mean, I have always loved nature, but didn't really think to embrace natural products for home cleaning, body and skin-care. BUT - I also did not think to look into the products that I was using on a daily basis and how those products can impact our health and life. When I got married, my husband began to enlighten me on the simple things that I use every single day and how they have chemicals in them that can affect my health.
It was definitely an eye-opener when I was made aware of all of the unnatural elements in our skin-care products and knew that it was not something that I wanted to continue to support. After that we began slowly transitioning our body and skin-care into more natural options.
Some common chemicals found in skin-care products
Keep in mind that the impact of these chemicals can vary based on individual sensitivities, concentrations, and patterns of use. Here are some chemicals that have garnered attention:
Parabens: Parabens (such as methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben) are preservatives commonly used to extend the shelf life of skincare products. They have been associated with hormone disruption and have been found in breast cancer tissue, although no direct causal link has been established.
Phthalates: These are often used to increase the flexibility and durability of plastics in cosmetic packaging. Some phthalates have been linked to endocrine disruption and potential reproductive and developmental toxicity.
Formaldehyde Releasing Agents: Ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15 release formaldehyde over time, which can be a skin irritant and allergen.
Fragrance: Fragrances in skincare products can contain numerous undisclosed chemicals, potentially causing skin irritation and allergies. Some fragrance compounds have been associated with hormone disruption as well.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): These are surfactants used to create foam and lather in products like cleansers and shampoos. They can be harsh on the skin and might strip away natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation for some people.
Synthetic Colors: Artificial colorants, often listed as FD&C or D&C followed by a color and a number, can potentially cause skin irritation and allergies.
Triclosan: This antimicrobial agent was once used in antibacterial soaps, but its use has been restricted due to concerns about bacterial resistance and potential health effects.
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): These synthetic antioxidants are used to extend product shelf life, but they can cause skin irritation and have been linked to endocrine disruption and carcinogenicity in some studies.
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate: These chemicals are often found in chemical sunscreens and have raised concerns due to their potential to disrupt hormones and harm aquatic ecosystems. Many regions have started banning or regulating their use in sunscreen products.
Retinoids (Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate): While these ingredients are used for anti-aging benefits, they can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and might cause irritation for some individuals, especially when not used as directed.
To make informed choices, consider opting for products that are labeled as "paraben-free," "phthalate-free," and "fragrance-free," and look for those that contain more natural and minimalistic ingredients.
Your Skin is an Organ - Treat it as Such!
Did you know that your skin is THE LARGEST organ on your body? Everything that touches our skin seeps into this organ and enters our bloodstream and runs through our body. Think about that for a second....
When your heart is struggling, you get help for that organ. When your kidneys need support - you give it to them. When the organs on the inside of our body tell us they are sick we work to make them well....
Guess what - our skin is the same concept. It is an organ! But why should we wait until our skin is sagging, wrinkled, struggling with maintaining moisture, itchy, red - spotted, etc... We can use great product to help prevent our skin from having those symptoms AND ensure that we are feeding this organ with NATURAL goodness so that the rest of our body gets added health benefits too!
I have found through my years of research some amazing products and oils that we can use for our skin, but amazingly enough I also found that Goat Milk Products are one of the best you can use for this large organ of yours.
So now, not only do we have access to this super amazing product, BUT I get the privilege of using our ladies' milk, combine it with other super awesome natural oils and butters and make our OWN soap. Now we KNOW what is going on our skin and what we are putting into this large organ that protects our body and helps support our everyday health and wellness!
Benefits of Goat Milk for the Skin
Goat milk has gained popularity in skincare due to its potential benefits for the skin. Here are some of the potential advantages of using goat milk in skincare products:
Moisturization: Goat milk is rich in natural fats, such as fatty acids and triglycerides, which can help moisturize and hydrate the skin. These components create a barrier that prevents moisture loss, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple.
Gentle Exfoliation: Goat milk contains lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs are known for their gentle exfoliating properties, helping to remove dead skin cells and promote a smoother complexion. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with sensitive skin who may find other exfoliating agents too harsh.
Vitamins and Minerals: Goat milk is a source of vitamins A, D, and B-complex vitamins (such as B2, B6, and B12) as well as minerals like selenium and zinc. These nutrients contribute to maintaining healthy skin by supporting various skin functions and promoting a youthful appearance.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The lactic acid and fat content in goat milk can have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, helping to soothe irritation and redness. This makes it potentially suitable for those with sensitive or inflamed skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Anti-Aging Effects: The vitamins and antioxidants found in goat milk, such as vitamin A and selenium, can help protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by environmental factors like UV radiation and pollution. This may contribute to a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Acne Management: Goat milk's natural exfoliating and soothing properties can help manage acne-prone skin. Lactic acid can aid in unclogging pores and preventing the buildup of dead skin cells, while the anti-inflammatory properties can help calm existing breakouts.
Hypoallergenic Potential: Goat milk is often considered to be hypoallergenic compared to cow's milk. This means that individuals who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to cow's milk may find goat milk-based products more suitable for their skincare routines.
Nourishing for Dry Skin: The fatty acids and proteins in goat milk can help repair the skin's natural moisture barrier, making it beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin.
Goat Milk Soap
So, if you every wonder WHY people love goat milk soap so much - now you know. The benefits to our skin and health are super amazing AND we know that it is a natural product.
Want to jump in and see how amazing this product is for yourself? Where can you get goat milk soap you ask? Goat milk soap is actually becoming much more popular than it was even five years ago. If you go into any natural store-front, grocery, or artisanal shop you should be sure to find several options to try.
Just ensure that the ingredient list is readable and that the ingredients listed are natural products. It would not do any good for you if you bought soap to use for the health benefits and then ended up with synthetic fragrances in it that have endocrine disruptors or a preservative that can cause skin irritation.
Remember to look for: products that are labeled as "paraben-free," "phthalate-free," and "fragrance-free," or "fragranced with essential oils" and look for those that contain more natural and minimalistic ingredients.
Gregoryhouse Farms Soap
If you want to go straight to the source - Our soaps are 100% natural and made in very small batches to ensure the best quality and product for your skin-care needs.
All of our soaps are made with organic and natural products and those that are fragranced are done so with therapeutic grade essential oils for added health benefits.
Each and every soap is made with intent and purpose to provide the BEST skincare support and to ensure that not only does it clean well, that it lathers, and that it nourishes and moisturizes the skin.
We also ensure that we have options safe for the whole family even to the littlest of littles. We want the best natural skin-care support for the WHOLE family and all of its different needs.
Check out a few of our most popular soaps:
That's a wrap you guys! Literally :) Wrap yourself up in the ultimate goodness of all things goat milk soap and enjoy the benefits that this product can provide for your skin and long-term health.
Enjoy the journey~
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