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This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- ntso:natural_soaps [2025/12/05 10:38] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ ntso:natural_soaps [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Natural soaps
+This topic is part of [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]] and [[gt:wellbeing|Wellbeing, home & relationships]].
+====== Natural soaps ======
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+===== What are natural soaps? =====
-## What are natural soaps?
+They are soaps without the added preservatives, parabens, surfactants and other assorted nasties commonly found in the commercial soaps sold in supermarkets (where of course, we'd urge you [not to shop](/lish/shopping)), apart from the lye (sodium hydroxide or caustic soda) that is necessary in the soap-making process. Natural soaps are made largely from various plant oils, although animal fats can be used too.
-They are soaps without the added preservatives, parabens, surfactants and other assorted nasties commonly found in the commercial soaps sold in supermarkets (where of course, we'd urge you [not to shop](/lish/low-impact_shopping)), apart from the lye (sodium hydroxide or caustic soda) that is necessary in the soap-making process. Natural soaps are made largely from various plant oils, although animal fats can be used too.
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 ![soaps-dish](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/soaps-dish.jpg)
 <caption>
-Hand-made natural soap bar on a hand-made wooden soap dish.
+_Hand-made natural soap bar on a hand-made wooden soap dish._
 </caption>
 </figure>
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 <caption>
-A range of natural ingredients for soaps, including lemongrass, shea butter, satsuma peel, cinnamon sticks, calendula petals, lavender, star anise, beeswax, oatmeal, nutmeg, cocoa butter and eucalyptus leaves.
+_A range of natural ingredients for soaps, including lemongrass, shea butter, satsuma peel, cinnamon sticks, calendula petals, lavender, star anise, beeswax, oatmeal, nutmeg, cocoa butter and eucalyptus leaves._
 </caption>
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 <caption>
-Finished soap bars.
+_Finished soap bars._
 </caption>
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-## What are the benefits of natural soaps?
+===== What are the benefits of natural soaps? =====
 **Benefits for your skin**
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 <caption>
-Pouring soap mix into a mould.
+_Pouring soap mix into a mould._
 </caption>
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 <caption>
-Hand-made liquid soaps.
+_Hand-made liquid soaps._
 </caption>
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+===== What can I do? =====
-## What can I do?
 Make sure that you only buy natural soaps, or you can learn to make your own. First, learn as much as you can. Here’s our [free online course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/natural-soaps-course/) on all aspects of making your own natural soaps.
-You can buy or make soaps for washing your body, hair, laundry, floors or pets. Plus some soaps can be used for [shaving](/lisv/low-impact_shaving), as they contain cosmetic clays that add 'slip', to allow a razor to glide over the skin.
+You can buy or make soaps for washing your body, hair, laundry, floors or pets. Plus some soaps can be used for [shaving](/lisv/shaving), as they contain cosmetic clays that add 'slip', to allow a razor to glide over the skin.
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 <caption>
-Two machines for cutting the finished soap into bars.
+_Two machines for cutting the finished soap into bars._
 </caption>
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 <caption>
-Ideas for packaging soaps for gifts or for sale.
+_Ideas for packaging soaps for gifts or for sale._
 </caption>
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-## Further resources
+===== Forum =====
+This topic belongs to the section [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/crafts).
+It is also in the section [[gt:wellbeing|Wellbeing, home & relationships]] (Forum: [Wellbeing, home & relationships](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/wellbeing)).
+===== Further resources =====
+- [free online course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/natural-soaps-course/)
+- [Guild of Craft Soap & Toiletry Makers](https://gcstm.co.uk/)
+- [Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild](https://www.soapguild.org/)
+- [SoapCalc](http://www.soapcalc.net/calc/SoapCalcWP.asp) - calculate the lye for your own recipes, or to check recipes you get from elsewhere
+- [Cosmetic Database](https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) - info on health risks of over 60,000 cosmetic ingredients
+- [International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI)](https://www.cirs-reach.com/Cosmetic_Inventory/International_Nomenclature_of_Cosmetic_Ingredients_INCI.html) - standard names and info on cosmetic ingredients
+- [GreenPeace](https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/palm-oil/) - the problem with palm oil
-- free online course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/natural-soaps-course/) on all aspects of making your own natural soaps.
+===== Related topics =====
+- [[ntsk:Natural skincare]]
+- [[ntcl:Natural cleaning]]
+- [[dair:Dairying]]
+- [[lisv:shaving|Low-impact shaving]]
+- [[eoil:Essential oils]]
+- [[craf:Craft| Craft production]]
-## Specialists
+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====