INSTRUCTIONS & CARE
CARE FOR NATURAL SOAP BARS
Natural handmade soaps may not last as long as commercial store-bought ones due to the absence of synthetic preservatives, and softer texture from natural oils and butters. Here are some tips to keep your skin loving bars from melting away into puddles.
Keep It
After each use, place the soap bar in a well-draining soap dish or tray. This prevents the soap from sitting in water and becoming mushy.
Store It
When not in use, store unused soap bars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity. A linen or cotton bag can help protect them while allowing air circulation.
Save It
Consider using a soap saver or pouch. These porous bags allow soap to dry between uses and can be used to create a lather.
Cut It
If you feel your bar is too big, you can cut it into smaller pieces. This reduces the amount of soap exposed to water and extends the life of each piece. Note: cutting doesn't work well with our Sea Salt Soaps, as they tend to crumble if cut when they've cured.
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
— Lao Tzu
CARE FOR SOLID SHAMBOO BARS
1. Wet your hair thoroughly.
2. Take the solid shampoo bar in your hand and stroke it across your scalp and roots in a different place each time, 3 - 4 strokes. Then, rub it between your palms to create a lather, in your hands. Place bar back on a soap rack to dry.
3. Once you have a good lather, gently massage the shampoo lather from your hands into your scalp and hair as you would with liquid shampoo. Focus on the scalp where dirt, oils, and product buildup tend to accumulate.
4. Rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water until all the shampoo is washed out. Condition if needed or rinse with a vinegar rinse (instructions below).
5. After use, store your solid shampoo bar in a dry place away from water. A well-drained soap dish or a tin with ventilation holes is ideal. A dry bar, is a happy bar.
6. Transitioning from commercial shampoos that typically contain SLS, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates and silicones to natural shampoo bars involves a detoxification stage for your hair. As your hair starts it's clarifying stage, you may experience changes in oil production and texture. Your hair may initially feel dry and straw like, this is possibly due to the following:
Absence of Silicones: Commercial shampoos often contain silicones that coat the hair shaft, providing a temporary smooth and soft feel. Natural shampoo bars do not contain silicones, so your hair may initially feel rougher and less conditioned without this artificial coating.
Adjustment Period: Commercial shampoos with SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) tend to strip natural oils from the scalp and hair. When you switch to a natural shampoo bar, which is typically gentler and doesn't strip as much oil, your scalp needs time to adjust its oil production. Initially, your scalp may still produce excess oil, leaving your hair feeling greasy at the roots but dry towards the ends.
pH Differences: Natural shampoo bars often have a different pH than commercial shampoos. This pH difference can temporarily affect how your hair feels. Commercial shampoos are often more alkaline, which can cause the hair cuticle to swell and feel rough. Natural shampoo bars, which are generally closer to the natural pH of hair, might not provide the immediate smoothing effect.
Residue Buildup: If not rinsed properly or if your hair has residual buildup from silicones or other ingredients in commercial products, this can interfere with how natural shampoo bars interact with your hair initially. It might take a few washes to a few weeks of washes, to completely remove residues and for your hair to adjust.
To mitigate these effects, give your hair time to adapt to the natural shampoo bar. Typically a commercial shampoo detox can last 3 weeks or more. Depending on wash frequencies.
Over time, as your scalp adjusts and any residual buildup is removed, your hair should regain its natural texture, volume, health and shine with the natural shampoo bar. Patience is key as your hair detoxifies and adapts, ultimately leading to healthier, more balanced hair and scalp over time.
After Shampoo Conditioning Vinegar Rinse
A vinegar rinse for hair, specifically apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse, is a natural treatment used to improve hair health and appearance. Here’s how to prepare and use it:
1. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup (240 ml) of water. Adjust the ratio based on your hair type and sensitivity.
2. After shampooing and rinsing your hair, pour the vinegar rinse over your hair, focusing on the scalp and lengths. Gently massage it into your scalp for a few seconds.
3. Allow the vinegar rinse to sit on your hair for 1 to 2 minutes. Then, rinse thoroughly with cool water to remove the vinegar smell and residue.
*Avoid Eyes* Be cautious to avoid getting vinegar rinse in your eyes, as it can cause irritation.
The vinegar smell dissipates as your hair dries, so don’t worry about lingering odor.