Soap: Chamomile & Calendula
Soap: Chamomile & Calendula

Soap: Chamomile & Calendula

A moisturizing natural soap made with Turmeric and skin soothing herbs steeped in organic sunflower oil.
Title:
Regular price $9.95
oeffa
cruelty-free
certified-sustainable-palm-oil
non-gmo
made-in-the-usa
Product Overview

Good For: Sensitive Skin, Eczema, Irritated Skin Conditions, Rosacea

A rich, moisturizing natural soap made with skin-soothing organic herbs that may help bring relief from skin irritation and itching caused by irritated skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Herbalists consider Calendula one of the most effective herbal remedies for irritated skin conditions.

Chamomile can ease the itching of eczema and other rashes and helps reduce skin inflammation. 

Chickweed helps soothe the itch of healing skin, stings, and bites.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and healing properties that may help ease the symptoms of rosacea. Rich in antioxidants, turmeric is a common ingredient in Ayurvedic skincare products to naturally promote glowing, smooth skin.

  • The natural golden yellow color is the result of the calendula-infused oils and turmeric
  • Turmeric is revered in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to relieve inflammation 
  • Enriched with unrefined virgin shea butter and hydrating honey
  • Honey moisturizes and soothes skin
How To Use

What Should I Use With My Natural Soap to Clean My Body?

organic-natural-soap-latherThe purpose of soap is to combine with oil and dirt on the body, which allows water to wash it away. The method you use to cleanse your skin is really a personal preference. We thought we would share just a few examples.  

Bar Bathers rub the bar directly on their skin to create a creamy lather. Massaging the velvety lather into your skin before rinsing allows you to experience the best moisturizing properties of the soap. This is definitely the best way to use exfoliating soaps.

Hand Latherers create lather in their clean hands and use the lather to massage and wash the skin. This gentle, mild cleansing method may be good for those with sensitive skin. 

Organic Cotton WashclothWashcloth Washers use a washcloth to lather up. Washcloths are made out of lots of different textile textures, from soft cotton to agave fibers, and can provide very gentle to intense exfoliation. Be sure washcloths are laundered and dried often.

Puff Polishers use a mesh puff that works up a foamy, bubbly lather, even with hard water, to wash and gently exfoliate the skin. Poofs make natural soap last longer but can harbor bacteria, so rinse thoroughly after use and replace every few weeks or clean per manufacturer's instructions.

Loofah Latherers love their loofahs that exfoliate and help increase circulation. Whole loofahs can be breeding grounds for bacteria, so be sure they dry out properly after use and replace them every two months. If you would like something less abrasive, check out our Bath & Body Accessories. 

Soap Sackers place their soap into a nylon soap bag. The fibers have a smooth texture for gentle cleansing. Soap sacks can be used for whole bars of soap or scraps that would normally be thrown away.

There is a large variety of bathing accessories available. If using any accessory, never share them with others and replace or clean them often. 

Effective, Feel Good Ingredients

The goal is simple: to Harness the Power & Simplicity of Nature® to cleanse, soothe, heal, and protect your skin and hair!

Our unique formulas rely on moisturizing oils and butters, healing botanicals, and pure essential oils. We choose every ingredient with one end-result in mind….the BEST possible natural skin care for YOU!

Featured Ingredients

Organic Turmeric
Organic Turmeric
Organic Calendula
Organic Calendula
Organic Honey
Organic Honey
All Ingredients:
Organic Coconut Oil*
,
Organic Canola Oil
,
Organic Palm Oil (Sustainable)
,
Organic Sunflower Oil
,
Distilled Water
,
Sodium Hydroxide^
,
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
,
Organic Castor Bean Oil
,
Organic Virgin Shea Butter*
,
Organic Honey
,
Organic Turmeric
,
Organic Chamomile
,
Organic Calendula
,
Organic Chickweed
,
Organic Cornstarch
,
Organic Rosemary Oil Extract (ROE)

The Organic Sunflower Oil is infused with Organic Chamomile, Calendula & Chickweed

*Ingredient is Fair Trade Certified

^Used in the saponification process to turn oil into soap and glycerin. None remains in the finished product. 

Made with certified organic Sunflower Oil, Honey & Turmeric
Certified Organic By OEFFA  
A USDA Accredited Organic Certifying Agent

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Wash Your Hands To Help Stay Healthy
Hand-Hygiene-Helps-Prevent-Illness

Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says that for good hand hygiene all you need is plain soap and water.

Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community.

Five simple and effective steps can help reduce the spread of illness so you, your family, your friends and the general public can stay healthy.

Hand washing is a win for everyone . . . except for the germs!

CDC recommends cleaning hands in a specific way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The guidance for effective hand washing was developed based on data from a number of studies.

Wash often and follow these five steps every time you wash your hands!

1. Wet your hands with clean, warm running water and apply soap.

  • When dealing with cold and flu viruses, as you wash your hands the soap molecule burrows its way into the fatty envelope of a virus and literally pulls the virus apart.

2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.

  • Soap and friction help lift dirt, grease, and microbes—including disease-causing germs—from the skin so they can be rinsed down the drain.
  • Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.

  • Lathering and scrubbing hands creates friction, which helps lift dirt, grease, and microbes from skin.
  • The entire hand should be scrubbed. Microbes are present on all of the wrinkly surfaces of the hand, especially under the nails.
  • How long are 20 seconds? About the amount of time it takes to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  • The ideal length of time for handwashing can depend on other factors for example, if hands are very dirty or if you are caring for someone is ill.
  • Evidence suggests that washing hands for about 15-30 seconds removes more germs from hands than washing for shorter periods.

4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

  • If you are using a public restroom use a paper towel to turn off the faucet after hands have been rinsed.

5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

To date, studies have shown that there is no added health benefit for consumers (this does not include professionals in the healthcare setting) using soaps containing antibacterial ingredients compared with using plain soap.

Information is taken from the CDC.gov website

Read our blog "Simple Soap Can Help Decrease the Spread Of Viruses"


View Answer Page
12 Reasons to Use Handmade Natural Soap

Natural Organic Bamboo Charcoal Soap for Oily Skin1. Handmade Soap is Actually Soap

Most of the soap you purchase today is a commercially manufactured chemical cocktail of ingredients. It is not natural and is not even really “soap.”

2. Natural Soap is Made With Natural Ingredients

The very best reason to use natural soap is the ingredients. A product is only as good as the ingredients used to make it.

3. Natural Soap Is NOT Made With...

  • synthetic ingredients
  • artificial fragrances or perfumes
  • artificial colors
  • detergents
  • synthetic preservatives

Our soap bars contain only the ingredients that they need—no extra preservatives that liquid body washes or commercial bar "soaps" require to increase their shelf life to years, and no foam boosters to make them lather.

4. Natural Soaps Are Moisturizing

Sadly many people have the misguided perception that all bar soaps will dry your skin. The problem is that most commercial bar “soaps” are detergents and not real soap.

There are three main reasons why natural soaps are moisturizing.

  • Natural Soaps are made with Plant Oils and Butters
  • Natural Soaps are Superfatted
  • Natural Soaps retain their natural Glycerin

5. Scented Natural Soap Provides Real Aromatherapy

Scented natural soaps are made with pure essential oils, not fragrance oils, and offer aromatherapeutic benefits.

6. Natural Soap Helps Maintain Healthy Skin

The body’s largest organ, our skin, is incredibly porous and absorbent. How we treat our skin can have a major impact on our overall health as well as the look and feel of our skin.

7. Natural Soap Provides Rich Lather Without Synthetic Foam Boosters

People absolutely love bubbly lather. The foam, bubbles, and lather we know and love from commercial liquid and bar soaps are produced by surfactants--synthetic foam boosters, lathering agents, and detergents.

8. Natural Soap is Economical

Some consumers are put off by the cost of handmade soap. You probably look at a bar of natural soap and wonder why it costs more. I mean, soap is soap, right? But there are some things to think about!

9. Natural Soap Has a Smaller Environmental Impact

The synthetic chemicals in liquid and many bar soaps wash down our drains into our septic fields or water treatment facilities. Also, if you use a liquid body wash, how many plastic bottles and pumps do you dispose of in a single year?

10. Natural Soaps are Unique

For me, soapmaking is a synergy of science and art that took years to perfect. It is a labor of love. I take the time to create wholesome soap recipes that do not sacrifice beauty or scent while incorporating amazing natural and organic ingredients.

11. A Natural Soap Company Has Social Consciousness

While I am sure there are some large commercial soap companies with a social conscience, natural soapmakers tend to have the utmost respect for the earth and all its creatures.

Environmental stewardship is not a buzzword for us. It is not a talking point, not a political stance nor is it about optics!

12. You Are Supporting A Small Business

When you buy a handmade bar of natural soap, you are supporting a small business that truly cares about and believes in the products they make. Your purchase really does make a difference.

Before I conclude I would like to add one final reason to the question of "Why You Should Switch To Natural Soap Bars."

The simplest answer is, Why Not?


From its composition to its benefits for the skin and health, to its impact on the environment, natural soap is very different from commercial liquid “soap,” bar “soap,” or syndet bars.

This list is a scaled-down version of a blog I wrote that shares the same name. For more detail please read our blog, “12 Reasons to Use Natural Soap"


View Answer Page
How Long Will A Bar of Natural Soap Last?

Short Answer

Natural Organic Soap Sweet BasilHow long a natural soap bar will last depends on:

  • how many people are using it
  • how often you bathe or shower
  • how you use the bar

For one person showering every day, a well-drained bar should last for about one month.

Longer Answer

Natural soaps are normally softer than commercial soaps because they retain their natural glycerin (which is removed in commercial soap production) and contain no artificial hardening chemicals, synthetic waxes or free alkali.

We also superfat our soaps (add extra oils or butters) and use "softer" oils so that Chagrin Valley natural soaps are more emollient and leave skin feeling moisturized.

Different oils impart different qualities to soap. Some add lathering qualities, some moisturizing, some hardness, and so on. Compared to other natural bars, we use a larger percentage of extra moisturizing and conditioning oils in our soaps and shampoo bars. These oils produce a bar that may not be as hard as bars with less conditioning oils.

How you use the bar will also affect its lifespan. For example, do you use a washcloth, an exfoliating accessory, or only the bar? Although exfoliating loofahs and sponges are great they will use up the soap much faster than a washcloth or the "only the bar" purists.

Our Natural Soap Will Last A Long Time With Proper Care

  • Don't let your soap sit in water
  • Store soap on a well-drained soap dish
  • Allow soap plenty of fresh air to dry between uses
  • Never place soap where shower water can continuously hit it
  • If your bar ever gets waterlogged and becomes gooey, simply set it on a draining soap dish or stand it on its edge for a few days and let it dry out thoroughly

Cute Story: A customer called to say she loved our soaps but could not buy them anymore because they did not last as long as other soaps. A week later she called to place an order and apologize. Her husband, who would NEVER use her natural soaps before, fell in love with her new Juniper soap . . . and he showered twice a day!

To maximize the life of your soap, keep it in a well-drained soap dish so it can dry between uses.

We sell a handcrafted solid white oak soap dish. The deep ridges are perfect for keeping your all natural handcrafted soap dry between uses. White Oak is the wood used in shipbuilding.

A tip passed on by one of our customers whose kids always leave the soap in a water puddle: cut the large bars in halves. Then alternate the halves, allowing a longer drying time between uses.


View Answer Page
Don't I need to use antibacterial soap to protect my family from germs?

The Short Answer

NO! Adding antibacterial chemicals to soap does not keep your family safe from germs.

I understand why folks (especially those with children) are choosing products labeled “Antibacterial,” hoping to keep their family safe in the war against germs.

According to Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

"Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water.

In fact, some data
suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term.”

Simply washing your hands with old-fashioned natural soap and water rids your skin of most fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Soap does not kill germs, it surrounds them and carries them away.

The Long Answer

Please read our blog: Antibacterials: More Harm Than Good!


View Answer Page
Is Your Palm Oil From Plantations That Protect Our Rainforests?

We often receive emails from concerned customers that have read about the devastating effects that palm plantations can have on tropical forests.

At Chagrin Valley Soap we treasure our planet and its inhabitants. We know that although we play a very small part, we must always make choices that are ecologically and socially responsible.

As the global demand for palm oil continues to increase we want to be part of the global initiative that changes how that palm oil is grown.

Our Palm Oil is grown and manufactured according to standards for sustainable practices set forth by Palm Done Right.

Certified Sustainable

Certified sustainable by RSPO (The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) and Palm Done Right

RSPO Certified Sustainable Logo

Our USDA organic palm oil variety carries RSPO Certification, otherwise known as Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, guaranteeing the sustainability and traceability of the palm oil production throughout the supply chain.

It has RSPO-IP (Identity Preserved) certification which is one of four certification levels offered by the RSPO and carries the highest and strongest level of sustainable guarantee with traceability of each lot of palm oil back to the field of origin. With Identify Preserved sustainable palm oil, the entire batch of palm oil is from a single identifiable certified source and kept separate from all non-certified batches.

Palm Done Right Sustainable Logo

Palm Done Right presents the first fully integrated, 100 percent organic supply chain in the palm oil industry. Palm Done Right requires a fair labor certification, organic certification, Non-GMO Project Verification, and has the highest level of certification — Identity Preserved — offered by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

As the global demand for palm oil continues to increase, we believe that if both manufacturers and consumers demand Certified Sustainable palm oil, producers will grow Certified Sustainable palm oil. That is the only way to really protect our rainforests.

If there is no demand for sustainable palm oil, growers will continue their cheaper unsustainable practices, because no one is paying them for a sustainable product. (If you build it, they will come!)

Please read our blog, "Will A Palm Oil Boycott Really Help?"


View Answer Page
Do Your Natural Soap And Shampoo Bars Have An Expiration Date?

The Short Answer

Yes And No!

Although handmade natural soaps usually get better with age, we recommend using our soaps within 12 months of purchase. Our scented soaps should be used within 3 months after removing them from the box.

Although the soaps will not be "spoiled" after that time, you may notice some changes as natural soap ages.

  • some natural colors may fade over time
  • the scents from pure natural essential oil scents will fade over time


The changes in color and scent happen even more quickly in our sample size bars.

These small natural soap bars have a much greater surface area to volume ratio which allows essential oils to evaporate from the surface more quickly. However, the scent may still be there when you lather up.

I have found some ancient bars hiding in my closet that years old. The scents were gone, but the lather was incredible!


The Long Answer

For a more detailed discussion please read our blog, "The Shelf Life, Color & Scent of an All Natural Soap."


How You Can Help Prolong Shelf-Life

  • Natural soaps need to breathe. Exposure to air promotes hardening of your soap and contributes to longer-lasting quality. Soap should be left unwrapped in their boxes or wrapped with breathable materials. Tight wrappers cause humid conditions by preventing evaporation of moisture.

  • Our soaps are packaged in breathable, recyclable, sustainable packaging! Keep your natural handmade soaps in a dry, cool place away from sunlight, excessive heat and humidity.

  • Our scented soaps, like Lavender Rosemary, can be placed in a muslin bag, old clean sock, or wrapped in a piece of cloth and put in your linen closet or dresser drawer to give a delightful fragrance to your linens and clothes while waiting to be used.

View Answer Page
Is There Lye Your Natural Soap?

Is There Lye In Natural Soap?

Natural Organic Soap Bar Coconut Shea Butter LavenderIf you are asking the question:

Do you use lye (sodium hydroxide) to make Chagrin Valley natural soap?

The answer is -- yes, of course.
No lye -- No soap!
All REAL soap is made with lye (sodium hydroxide mixed with a liquid).

Any skin or hair cleansing product made without sodium hydroxide is not soap, it is a detergent.

If you are asking the question:

Is there lye in a bar of Chagrin Valley Natural Soap or Shampoo?

The answer is "No."


When the chemical reaction of making soap, called saponification, is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin.

If the soap is made properly, the lye is used up in the saponification process to turn oil into soap.

There is no lye present in the finished bars of soap or shampoo. While all real soap must be made with lye, no lye remains in our finished product after saponification (described below).

But, It Doesn't Say "Lye" or "Sodium Hydroxide" on My Soap Bar Ingredients

If it is real soap or contains read soap, it is made with lye!

Some commercial "soap" bars and all handmade soap bars are made with lye even though the words "sodium hydroxide" or "lye" do not appear on the labels. Does your bar of "soap" contain ingredients such as...

  • saponified oils: oils and butters are mixed with sodium hydroxide and a liquid (usually water).
  • sodium cocoate: the generic name for the mixture of coconut oil with sodium hydroxide (lye).
  • sodium palmate: the generic name for the mixture of palm oil with sodium hydroxide (lye).
  • sodium palm kernelate: the generic name for the mixture of palm kernel oil with sodium hydroxide (lye).
  • sodium tallowate: the generic name for the mixture of beef fat (tallow) with sodium hydroxide (lye).
  • sodium olivate: the generic name for the mixture of olive oil with sodium hydroxide (lye).

These words are not usually used to deceive consumers. But soap makers know that consumers are afraid of the word "lye."

At Chagrin Valley we believe that today's consumers are pretty savvy and the best practice is to educate.

View related natural skin care blogs

"Is There Lye in Natural Soap? Won't it Harm My Skin? Information about lye and the chemistry of soap making

"How We Make Soap"


View Answer Page
Biodegradable Soap? Are Chagrin Valley Natural Soaps and Shampoo Bars Biodegradable?

Yes!

Chagrin Valley Natural Soaps Are Made Using Natural & Organic Ingredients and Are Biodegradable!

What Does Biodegradable Mean?

By definition, biodegradable means capable of being broken down by the action of living things, like natural bacteria, into simple substances that are not harmful to the environment.

If You Are A Camper Or Backpacker, Please Read On...

There are many soap makers out there with good intentions who are claiming that their biodegradable soap or shampoo is safe to use in rivers and streams.

Even biodegradable soap can eventually pollute lakes and streams if it is not used sparingly.

The bacteria that break down natural soap are present mostly in the soil. That means that when you wash, please be sure that your soapy rinse water ends up in the soil away from freshwater sources like lakes, rivers, and streams.


View Answer Page

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