OK, so now we know we don’t want toxic chemicals in our soap. What do we want in it? Don’t be fooled by misuse of the word “natural,” which has been so abused it no longer means anything. You will have to ask questions. Here are some things to ask your soap maker:

What kind of oils are used?

• Are they cold-pressed or solvent-extracted, which leaves traces of solvent. For example, extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed, while pomace-grade olive oil is solvent-extracted.)
• Are they fresh? Are they as nature made them, or have they been deodorized (Deodorization removes the evidence that an oil had gone rancid.), hydrogenated (using toxic nickel), etcetera? Ask how each oil was processed.
• Are the colorants safe, or are they made from toxic dyes? Ask just what the colorants are. Things like annato seed and other plant colorants are best.

What is used to scent the soap?

• Pure essential oils (EOs) are safe, with the exception of wintergreen and birch, which have a high methyl salicylate content. “Fragrance oils” are toxic. Ask which are in a particular soap, as some soap makers use both EOs and synthetics.
• Be aware that fruit scents such as “strawberry” or “mango” are synthetics, as are scents like “Rain,” “Chocolate” and “Bubble Gum.” Genuine rose, honeysuckle and jasmine are way too costly to use in soap, so ask what soaps of these names are scented with.

If you like those pretty, translucent “glycerin” soaps, be aware that they are almost universally made with propylene glycol, not healthful glycerin (The label may correctly state that the product is made from vegetable glycerin if it contains ANY at all, even if the percentage of propylene glycol is high. The maker may mention only the ingredients they choose to.) Such bars contain many other toxic petrochemicals as well.

After reading the advertisement of one glycerin “melt & pour” soap manufacturer, which said their product contains no propylene glycol, or other undesirable ingredients. I requested an ingredients list from their technical department. It clearly lists such ingredients. I called their main office and inquired about the ingredients and was told there was absolutely no PG, etc. I then read to their representative the list of ingredients. She hemmed and hawed just a bit, then blithely said that of course they welcome their customers to educate themselves!

A good place to begin would be to ask the company’s technical department to send you an ingredient list. (There are at least two smaller companies making a less-toxic glycerin soap. These soaps are less translucent than the toxic ones.)

You have a right to know what is in any product you are going to absorb into your body. Asking to know all the ingredients is not the same as asking for the maker’s recipe secrets.

Now you know that manufacturers are not required to list all the ingredients in all the products they sell you for personal use. But most products do come with an ingredients list. The next time you purchase a personal product, read the label! Are those chemicals you want to absorb into your body or expose your family to? Isn’t it time to upgrade?

Fortunately, better, safer products are available. When you use them, you will not only discover improvements in your skin, hair and gums, you will also have more peace of mind, knowing that you and your family are no longer being exposed to the health-damaging effects of most commercial personal-care products.

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