Kingfisher Soaps

Kingfisher Soaps are made of vegetable oils and butters that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that are essential to healthy skin. Soap is created by a chemical reaction between oils, water and lye and is the oldest cleanser around. Although lye is used to make soap, there is no lye left after saponification (the chemical reaction that makes soap) is complete. Different soaps are made using a variety of different oils and each oil adds different qualities to the soap. Stored for several weeks the soaps harden and then are individually labeled or wrapped. We take great pride in the quality of our soaps and test every batch of soap on ourselves. It is commonly called soap, but that mass produced commercial stuff that you get at the grocery store is anything but. There is an array of personal cleansers to choose from that are labeled as deodorant soap, body bars, body washes and "beauty" bars. Most commercially produced bars contain synthetic lathering agents, artificial colors, and a slew of chemicals we can't even pronounce. They are made of detergents and synthetic ingredients that dehydrate and age skin, cause allergic reactions and have been linked to various forms of cancer. Most soap available in stores today are not really soaps at all, but detergents. Until about a century ago, all soap was made from animal fats, and much of it was made at home. Families would save the lard from butchering animals to make soap. Lye was made from the ashes from the fireplace or pit. However, in 1916, the first synthetic soap (detergent) was made. This occurred because of a shortage of animal fats, or tallow, during World War I. From that point on, synthetic soaps became popular with women eager to free themselves from yet another exhausting household chore. Detergents are a petroleum based product, like gasoline and kerosene. Detergents tend to leave your skin feeling dry, itchy and tight. Alkali, the most common irritant in soap is most often blamed for this effect. The most common ingredient in conventional bar soaps is sodium tallowate. Some very famous brands of soaps use chemicals which are of inferior quality and may prove harmful for the skin. Some strong chemicals like Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and parabens or chemical preservatives are also used in production of bulk bath soaps and body products. Handmade soap has become affordable; its popularity is growing rapidly as a chemical free alternative to conventional soaps. Glycerin isn’t added to a handmade soap recipe – it’s created during the soap making process! Glycerin is a precious emollient that softens and maintains water balance by attracting moisture to your skin. Handmade soap retains all of its natural glycerin glory and produces a rich and luxurious lather that is unparalleled to any other. Glycerin is obtained by the saponification procedure and 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 commercial soap manufacturers extract the glycerin and sell it as a by-product to be used in higher priced beauty products like lotions and skin creams. With our soaps, all of the naturally occurring glycerin remains intact along with all its skin-nourishing benefits. Handmade soaps are made in a time-honored fashion. It involves a very simple chemical reaction between oils (or fats) and lye (sodium hydroxide for bars, potassium hydroxide for liquid soap). All soap is made with lye, but there is no lye in the finished product. The chemical reaction converts the lye/fat mixture to glycerin. The glycerin is a natural by-product and, as such, the relationship between the soap molecule and the glycerin means you have a cleanser with abundant, luxurious lather that cleans like nothing else. As a bonus, it does not strip your skin of its natural, protective oils. Always remember that your skin is porous and absorbent. It absorbs whatever it comes in contact with, much the same as sticking something in your mouth. If you feel that variety is the spice of life then handmade soap won’t disappoint! Skin covers 20 square feet of the human body and works as the largest human organ protecting the body from dehydration, temperature, infection and harmful substances. Handmade soaps give skin the care it deserves and makes bathing a gentle, soothing experience. Everyone wants healthy skin and switching to daily use of handmade soap is the best place to start. If you need help finding the right soap for your needs, don’t hesitate to ask your soapmaker questions. No matter your skin type or personal preferences, there is a soapmaker out there who is creating just what your skin and senses crave at bath time. Not all handmade soap is alike and there are an infinite number of recipes and flavors for you to choose from. We take pride in our ingredients and are excited to share our knowledge with you. We are dedicated to helping you discover the joy of happy and healthy skin just the way you like it!