Vermont Soap Organics in the USA manufactures unique and natural body care products of utility and value. They are also an example of how companies can contribute to positive social change. They emphasize holistic practices across all departments within the company through communication, participation in the growth process, and employee accountability. They commit to conducting their business in an environmentally conscious manner and emphasize reuse and recycling, and perhaps most importantly for the environment; they use only natural base ingredients from sustainable sources in all their products. Their products are certified according to the USDA organic food standard (USDA Organic) from Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF). Of course, none of their products contain hidden animal ingredients which are otherwise common in conventional soap.
What is Castile Soap?
The word Castile in Vermont Soap Organics' liquid Castile soaps refers to La Castilla – a region in central Spain that is historically significant in soap-making history. In America, Castile means a soap made with olive oil, usually a liquid soap made from olive oil and coconut oil. But always check your ingredients – some companies add synthetic chemicals to their so-called Castile soap. Vermont Soap Organics doesn't do this. And all their ingredients are organic and carefully selected.Their liquid Castile soap contains only saponified coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, essential oil for fragrance (varies depending on which scent you purchase), rosemary extract as a natural "preservative" and aloe vera. Nothing else. And it is 100% organic. Their foaming soap contains only aloe vera juice, saponified oils of coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil, vegetable glycerin (glycerin), essential oil for fragrance, and rosemary extract as a natural "preservative". And it is 100% organic.
How are their solid organic soaps made?
Well, they are manufactured using a modern version of a 250-year-old ancient method. Certified organic oils from palm, coconut, olive, and palm kernel (all oils sourced from sustainable sources) are mixed at precise temperatures with an alkaline solution*.
*To make soap, you need an oil (which is an acid), an alkaline base, and water. Saponification is a reaction between these ingredients that results in the creation of soap. The oil and alkali undergo a structural change to form solid or liquid soap.For the alkaline base, it is traditional to use potassium hydroxide (INCI: potassium hydroxide) to make liquid soap and sodium hydroxide (INCI: sodium hydroxide) for solid soap. The oils used in these organic, handmade soaps are carefully selected by the soap makers with consideration for the characteristics they bring to the final soap. At Vermont Soap, they use organic oil of the highest quality. They have experimented over a long time to arrive at the best blend of oils. Coconut oil creates pockets of glycerin, produces good lather, and is very stable.Olive oil has natural antioxidants and makes the soap creamier. Each oil is used for a specific reason. Note that oil and alkali must be in perfect balance to create the perfect soap; adding too much of a specific oil will not yield good results. This is a science that takes a long time to learn, and after several months of countless trials, Vermont Soap found the perfect recipe. At Vermont Soap, the batch for solid soaps is mixed for hours, allowing it to thicken slowly. When it's ready, botanical and organic herbs, spices, and grains are added.The batch is then poured into wooden molds and kept warm for about three days. As the soap solidifies, alkali salts begin to rise to the top like cream. Around the fourth day, the soap, now solid in block form, is removed from the molds, skimmed of all alkali salts, and cut into individual bars. The soaps are then placed on custom-made oak and stainless steel drying racks and cured for approximately three weeks. This process produces the mildest and finest solid soap available.
Why should we buy natural soap?
These soaps last approximately twice as long as conventional ones and are very moisturizing and soothing for the skin. No measurable free alkali, i.e., residues of sodium hydroxide, remains when the soap is finished. This is part of the reason why their soap is so mild. Many modern conventional soaps are made in a mass-produced industrial way. They may use beef or ox tallow instead of oils. In conventional soaps, many synthetic additives are subsequently added, for example to make the soap lather more.The glycerin is often separated out to be sold elsewhere, while in natural soap it is stirred back in during the soap production process. Problems in mass-produced soap manufacturing can include low-quality base ingredients, alcohol, synthetic colors and fragrances, and preservatives. The soap then lacks moisture at its foundation and tends to have alkali residues remaining in it, which will irritate the skin. Oil and alkali must be in balance to make the perfect soap as we mentioned before. Problems arise when alkali and oil don't chemically bond properly; alkali salts remain in the product. Excess alkali results in harsh soap that dries out the skin.People with sensitive skin are particularly vulnerable to irritation from these types of soaps. Why all this? It costs less, takes less time, and generates higher profits. We believe it's better to buy an organic soap that may cost more but lasts longer and does good for your skin, health, the environment, and animals. We are proud to sell Vermont Soap Organics! You can find their soaps here.
