How can tallow soaps and balms with essential oils help my skin?

Aside from our Pure Tallow soap and Unscented balm, all of our products have essential oils that add to the benefits of tallow. From the zesty allure of citrus oils to the soothing embrace of plant-based oils and the robust richness of pine tar and coffee, each section unveils unique qualities within our soaps and balms. So, let's dive in and discover the transformative power of these natural ingredients on your skin.

Citrus Essential Oils

Citrus essential oils offer more than just a refreshing scent. They contain invigorating properties that contribute to the overall health of your skin. 

• Antioxidant Boost - Citrus essential oils like lemon, lime, and orange are rich in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals. This antioxidant boost protects the skin from environmental stressors and supports collagen production, promoting a more youthful complexion.

• Brightening and Revitalizing - Citrus essential oils have natural acids, such as citric acid and alpha-hydroxy acids. These naturally occurring compounds brighten the skin by gently exfoliating dead cells, revealing a radiant and revitalized complexion. These acids also promote cell turnover, diminishing dullness and leaving the skin looking refreshed and renewed.

• Cleansing Properties - Citrus essential oils also play a pivotal role in skin cleansing. Their astringent properties make them great for tightening pores and regulating oil production. They also cut through impurities and excess oil, leaving the skin thoroughly cleansed and refreshed. From makeup residue to environmental pollutants, citrus oils can contribute to a clean start for your skin.

Plant-Based Essential Oils

Explore the diverse benefits of plant-based essential oils, such as Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Rosemary, and more.

• Lavender's Calming Effect - Lavender essential oil is known for its remarkable ability to calm and soothe the skin, creating relief for skin in need. Whether addressing irritation or simply offering a moment of relaxation, lavender's calming properties make it a gentle companion in your skincare routine, providing a touch of serenity to your daily ritual.

• Eucalyptus and Lemongrass Invigoration - Eucalyptus and lemongrass essential oils are known for their energizing aromas that awaken the senses, offering a burst of freshness that lingers on the skin. Eucalyptus and lemongrass promote a feeling of invigoration that goes beyond the surface, making each skincare moment a rejuvenating journey.

• Skin Toning & Scent Reducing – Rosemary essential oil is your skin's companion in toning and revitalization. Uncover how this botanical powerhouse aids in improving overall complexion by promoting skin elasticity and tone. It is also great for removing harsh scents from your skin when working in the kitchen or outside.  

Exfoliation & More

The transformative properties of coffee essential oil, coffee grinds, pumice, and pine tar essential oil reveal a path to smoother, rejuvenated, and delightfully pampered skin.

• Coffee & Pumice for Exfoliation - Indulge in the rejuvenating properties of coffee essential oil as it takes center stage in exfoliation along with our Pumice tallow soap. Pumice and coffee contain a natural grittiness that is perfect for buffing away dead skin cells and revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion beneath.

• Pine Tar's Soothing Abilities - Pine tar oil is known to have potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, unveiling its efficacy in addressing a spectrum of skin conditions, including acne and other minor skin ailments. There is also a gentle side of pine tar, which can soothe irritated skin. Over the years, pine tar has become a go-to for sensitive or problematic skin types, offering a calming touch that harmonizes with your skin's natural balance.

Embrace the benefits of these natural ingredients, and let your skincare routine become a daily celebration of self-care. Our commitment to crafting products that reduce unnecessary chemicals and encourage your skin's resilience is unwavering. Here's to radiant, nourished, and healthy skin!

Unveiling the Vitamin Powerhouse: Tallow Soap and its Vitamins, a Series

Tallow soap offers a range of advantages, particularly due to its rich vitamin content. Tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, contributing to skin health and appearance. In this special vitamin series, we will delve deeper into the vitamins present in tallow and explore the remarkable benefits they provide when incorporated into tallow soaps and balms. To kickstart our series, we will explore the skin-nourishing properties of vitamins A, D, and E found in tallow.

How is vitamin A good for your skin? 

Vitamin A: The Skin Rejuvenator

Vitamin A is vital in promoting healthy skin by supporting cell growth and renewal. When applied topically through tallow soap or balm, it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promoting a more youthful complexion. Additionally, vitamin A aids in regulating sebum production, making it beneficial for both dry and oily skin types. By unclogging pores and promoting skin cell turnover, it helps combat acne and promotes a clearer complexion. Tallow soap's vitamin A content offers a natural and gentle way to improve your skin's texture, elasticity, and overall appearance.

How is vitamin D good for your skin? 

Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin for Skin Health

Known as the "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D is typically associated with sunlight exposure. However, it is also present in tallow and can be absorbed by the skin when used in soap or balm formulations. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy skin function and has been said to soothe and reduce irritation due to various skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. Vitamin D also possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping soothe and calm irritated skin. By incorporating tallow soap into your skincare routine, you can harness the benefits of vitamin D, promoting a healthier, more balanced complexion.

How is vitamin E good for your skin? 

Vitamin E: The Antioxidant Shield

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin against environmental damage caused by free radicals. It helps neutralize these harmful molecules, preventing premature aging and promoting a youthful glow. Tallow soap's vitamin E content helps nourish and moisturize the skin, leaving it feeling supple and hydrated. This vitamin also assists in improving the skin's natural moisture barrier, reducing water loss, and promoting long-lasting hydration. With its exceptional moisturizing and antioxidant properties, vitamin E contributes to a smoother, more resilient complexion.

Based on the few vitamins we discovered in this blog, the benefits of tallow soaps extend beyond mere cleansing; tallow products reach into the realm of skincare nourishment. Tallow soaps and balms help eliminate harmful chemicals from your skincare routine while enriching your skin with powerful vitamins and nutrients that help improve your overall skin condition.

By incorporating tallow soap into your daily routine, you can tap into the remarkable benefits of vitamins A, D, and E, which contribute to skin health and appearance. Vitamin A promotes cellular renewal, reducing signs of aging and improving skin texture. Vitamin D aids in maintaining healthy skin and combating skin conditions, while vitamin E acts as a potent antioxidant, protecting the skin from free radicals and maintaining moisture balance.

Embracing tallow soap enriched with these vitamins offers a natural, holistic approach to skincare. By harnessing the power of these nutrients, you can achieve a vibrant, youthful complexion while enjoying the nourishing benefits of nature's own ingredients. 

Stay tuned for the next installment in our vitamin series, where we will explore the benefits of vitamins K and B12 found in tallow and their impact on skin health and vitality. We will also cover ways to maximize these benefits and add additional benefits with essential oils.  

What vitamins and nutrients are in tallow soap, and why are they beneficial to you?

We chose tallow for our soaps and balms because it is a natural, sustainable, and nutrient-dense base for skincare. In our earlier blogs, we discuss why tallow is a sustainable and natural choice, and today we want to hone in on the nutrient-dense properties of tallow. Tallow is packed with vitamins and nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. All of these vitamins have different properties beneficial to your skin. We wanted to highlight each one to showcase the fantastic benefits of tallow soap for your skin.

Vitamin A: A powerhouse for your skin and a soft and soothing vitamin, vitamin A is an excellent addition to any skincare product. Vitamin A already exists in our bodies, and we typically get a regular supply of it through food like eggs, cheese, oily fish, or milk. While getting a healthy source of vitamin A through your food is essential, adding vitamin A to your skincare can be equally beneficial. When used topically, your skin can directly absorb vitamin A to retain the benefits.

Vitamin A is commonly known to smooth wrinkles, lighten sunspots, calm acne, balance oil, and more. When vitamin A is used on the skin, it promotes the production of collagen, which helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin A also supports the healthy function of your sebaceous glands. It helps your sebaceous glands and skin operate at their optimal capacity when used correctly. This is also why it is great for reducing acne. With quick cell turnover and optimal skin conditions, vitamin A helps prevent acne. Finally, as a known antioxidant, vitamin A can help protect your skin against pollution and sun damage. You see similar properties in other antioxidants like vitamin C and A.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is common in tallow, and it exists in our bodies naturally. We typically get vitamin D from sunlight and in our diet through foods like red meat, fish, and eggs. People often have common vitamin D deficiencies, especially in the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. As a topical skincare product, vitamin D has been known to restore vibrancy in the skin due to its many benefits.

It may or may not surprise you to know that vitamin D is an antioxidant. Therefore, it can help stop damage to your skin created by free radicals. Vitamin D has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties, which help improve your skin’s natural defenses, help repair cells, and rebuild your skin’s barrier. This allows your skin to retain moisture and prevent damage from the environment. Vitamin D is also a known anti-inflammatory that has been used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis. Think of vitamin D as a great protector for your skin, making it stronger for longer.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is another common vitamin in tallow and many skincare regimens. As a very commonly known antioxidant, vitamin E is known for promoting skin rejuvenation through protection against free radicals. Free radicals like pollution, chemicals, and others have been shown to cause wrinkles and damage our skin. Vitamin E is also prevalent in tallow and has been shown to prevent collagen breakdown. Sun exposure tends to deplete our body’s antioxidants. Using skincare products with these antioxidants can help replenish what the body loses. Antioxidant skincare acts as the first line of defense from things like sunlight and pollution.

Like many of the other vitamins on this list, Vitamin E is fat-soluble and can easily penetrate the layers of your dermis to deeply protect and repair your skin. Vitamin E is also extremely moisturizing as a fat-soluble and will help your skin retain the moisture it needs to look and feel its best.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K is another fat-soluble vitamin; however, this one is much less common than the others we’ve mentioned. Even though it is less common, vitamin K is still a great addition to your skincare routine. In fact, vitamin K is known as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It will help protect your skin and keep it looking its best. Vitamin K is also ideal for soothing skin ailments because it helps speed up the recovery time of certain skin injuries, such as cracks in the skin.

These vitamins work together to repair, protect, and soothe your skin. When used regularly as a soap or balm, you will see how these vitamins work to make your skin look and feel better for longer. You can also use products paired with other ingredients like essential oils for added benefits. We can’t always control our health or our skin’s reactions to the elements; however, we can use products that help make our skin stronger and more protected when the time comes.

What are masking fragrances, and why don’t we use them?

We have gotten a lot of questions lately about masking fragrances, so we thought we would go over what they are and why we don’t use them. Essentially, masking fragrances and fragrances are the same thing, but their purpose differentiates them. Fragrances are designed to create a perceivable pleasant smell, while masking fragrances are designed to conceal a bad smell and create a neutral smell. Some commonly used raw materials have an unpleasant odor that is covered to allow regular everyday use. 

Masking fragrances are no stranger in the skincare world. In fact, many brands find certain ingredients worth it despite their scent. For example, urea, sulfur/sulfa, and hydrolyzed collagen may have a foul odor to some, but a masking fragrance is used to make these ingredients pleasant to apply and wear.

As some may think, masking fragrances do not simply add scent on top of a foul odor. It is often a chemical combination that allows the foul odor to subside or appear neutral. The unpleasant smell may reappear, as is the case with many self-tanners. The longer you wear it, the more you may notice the scent. The goal of a masking fragrance is for a product to appear unscented. Thus, unscented does not always mean fragrance-free, but rather smell-free. 

With this information in mind, it’s important to understand that products labeled fragrance-free aren’t necessarily free of fragrance. They may contain a very small percentage of masking fragrances to make the use of the product much more enjoyable. Unscented products definitely won’t contain added scents like essential oils or fragrance oils. However, most products deliberately add scents to offer additional benefits and make the product more appealing. 

Why don’t we use masking oils? 

 The simple answer is that we don’t need it. Often people are worried that tallow soap will smell like meat, but it doesn’t! The soap will not smell like meat if you render the tallow and strain it correctly. It will smell like tallow, which has a very mild scent if any at all. We use essential oils in our soaps for their benefits and soothing qualities for sensitive skin; however, they aren’t necessary. Our unscented soaps are, in fact, fragrance-free. 

 If you are sensitive to fragrances and essential oils, we recommend you research to ensure that your products don’t include any masking agents. You can find a list of masking agents online. All of our products are gentle on your skin, but we also have options for people that need or choose to go fragrance-free. Our fragrance-free products are our Unscented Tallow Soap and Unscented Tallow Balm, perfect for sensitive skin.

Why is coffee good for your skin?

Why is coffee good for your skin? 

Our Coffee! Tallow Soap is one of our absolute favorites for several reasons, including the incredible smell! It is like a fresh cup of coffee from your favorite coffee shop! Our Coffee! Tallow Soap is made with coffee essential oil and coffee grounds that we source from local roasters.  We infuse the coffee essential oil into the tallow and add coffee grounds for exfoliation and additional benefits. That brings us to our first question. 

Why is coffee used for exfoliation in skincare?

Coffee grounds don’t dissolve in water, making them great for scrubbing away dead skin cells. The soap helps hold the coffee grounds in place so you can moisturize and exfoliate simultaneously. Combining the coffee grounds with soap can create an exfoliating bar that lasts three weeks to a month! While there are many types of exfoliators, coffee is a particularly good one due to the additional antioxidants and benefits it provides.  

What are the benefits of coffee essential oil? 

Coffee essential oil acts as a vasoconstrictor and is rich in antioxidants and phytosterols. This means it protects your skin from free radicals, helps your skin retain moisture, and reduces inflammation. It is known in the skincare world for its skin tightening and cellulite-reducing potential. Coffee essential oil is also known to soothe anxiety symptoms, muscle tension, respiratory conditions, inflammatory conditions, allergies, and acne.

How is coffee essential oil created? Why use both oil and grounds for the soap?

Coffee essential oil is created during the cold-pressed distillation process of roasted coffee beans. This potent essential oil smells fresh coffee and is filled with a wide range of antioxidants and active ingredients that provide potential health benefits. Coffee beans come from the coffee plant, taxonomically known as Coffea arabica, and are one of the world’s most common and sought-after plants. 

We use both the coffee essential oil and coffee grounds in our soap to increase the benefits of the coffee in the soap. The coffee grounds are used for their magnificent exfoliating properties, and the oil is used for the scent and the additional health benefits. 

 Combined with our grass-fed, pasture-raised tallow, the coffee essential oil and grounds come together for the ultimate moisturizing, exfoliating and soothing experience. Whether you use this soap every day for light exfoliating or a few times a week for an intense exfoliating feeling, your skin will thank you. Finally, you’ve found a soap that lasts and has the power to exfoliate, moisturize, tighten, and smooth all in one. 

Tallow Soap Facts and Myths

Tallow is known as a common base for high-quality, long-lasting soaps and balms. However, like most products, there are many misconceptions regarding the sourcing and benefits of tallow. These misconceptions have generated a series of common myths about tallow soaps. As always, we want our customers to be informed. We want you to choose our soaps because you trust what goes into them. That is why we are highlighting some of the facts and myths of tallow soaps. 

Myth: Tallow soap is created with an animal byproduct, so it can’t be good for the environment.

FALSE. Tallow soap is actually a sustainable base for soap. Unlike palm oil, which benefits from massive deforestation, tallow utilizes an animal byproduct that typically goes to waste. Pasture-based tallow is made by rendering suet. The suet used to make tallow is generally considered waste in the farming industry. The primary harvest for most meat-based farms is the meat that people commonly eat. Once the parts people eat are harvested, the suet and other non-traditional parts are wasted. Tallow soap making helps eliminate this waste by utilizing the remaining tallow for nutrient-dense soaps and balms. 

Fact: Tallow-based soaps moisturize my skin better.

TRUE. Tallow has a high percentage of oleic acid, a well-known skin conditioner. Oleic acid is a non-essential fatty acid that is found in human sebum. Oleic acid has a wide range of positive effects on the skin, including acting as an emollient and moisturizer. Oleic acid aids skin regeneration and helps reduce inflammation. Oleic acid is readily absorbed by the skin and can help the absorption of other important molecules like omega-3 fatty acid, which plays an important role in inflammation and the reduction of bad cholesterol. The similarities of oleic acid to human sebum allow its vitamins and nutrients to be absorbed into the body easier, and it locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores.

Myth: Tallow Soap can clog your pores. 

FALSE. Tallow soap is rich in oleic acid, a known skin conditioner. It also contains a similar fat content to human skin making it easy for our skin to absorb. This is why tallow soaps are a great source of vitamins and nutrients for our skin. When we use tallow soaps regularly, they help build up our natural sebum creating soft, healthy-looking skin. 

Fact: Tallow soaps have more nutrients than other soaps. 

TRUE. Tallow contains vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, contributing to skin health and appearance. Given that the fat saturation of tallow is close to human fat, the vitamins within it can be absorbed into the body easier, and it locks in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores. On the other hand, palm oil is high in vitamin E and vitamin A, and it has refatting agents that allow your body to restore its natural oils. While these are amazing benefits, it is clear there are more benefits of tallow soap, making it even better. 

Myth: Tallow-based soaps have a meat smell.  

FALSE. This is a very common concern and definitely one we understand. However, if you render and strain the tallow correctly, the soap will not smell like meat. It will smell like tallow soap, which has a mildly fatty smell to some, but it is very soft and non-offensive. Essential oils are a great way to enhance the soap’s properties and scent. Essential oils have their benefits, and when used in conjunction with traditional tallow soaps, they are typically soft and soothing. 

Fact: Tallow can help soothe dry, cracked skin. 

TRUE. Tallow is packed with nutrients, and it has similar fat saturation levels as we do - making it easy for our body to absorb. Tallow balms contain vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, which can all be beneficial to your skin health and appearance. Given tallow’s organic compatibility with our skin, it works as natural sebum, locking in moisture and nutrients without clogging your pores. These properties are what make tallow balms so great for skin conditions including dry, chapped, calloused, cracked, and sun-damaged skin, rashes, burning, itching, wrinkles, and so on. Tallow soaps and balms give our skin the nutrients to heal itself and the natural oil to retain moisture and nutrients.

Myth: All tallow soaps are created equal. 

FALSE. Like any other product, where you get the ingredients matters. Depending on the kind of suet used to make tallow, there can be vast differences in the final product for tallow soaps. Our suet always comes from grass-finished cattle at a farm in our region. We choose grass-finished cattle that are pasture-raised. By obtaining our suet locally, we can ensure that the cows are treated humanely, graze freely, and live happily. It is important to us that we make high-quality soaps in the most humane way possible. That is how we can create quality soaps and balms that set us apart from the rest. 

Tips for Using Essential Oils Safely

As you can tell from our previous blog posts, we are big fans of all-natural essential oils. We use them in our soaps and balms, and we can use them for so much more.  As long as we are using them safely, the possibilities are endless. It can be tricky to understand just what to do with essential oils and how to do it safely. Just because a product is natural doesn’t mean we can always use it in its natural form or excess. That is why we wanted to share some information on how to use essential oils properly. We want to try and help spread information that can keep our customers safe.

Essential oils are made from various plants, barks, rinds, leaves, herbs, and flowers. The oil is extracted using different methods depending on the type of material, and each oil is different with unique benefits, scents, and potencies. All of the essential oils we use in our products are diluted with sunflower oil and tallow when we put them into the product. Diluting the oil in the product makes the essential oil softer and less likely to irritate the skin. Some essential oils are not made to be directly placed on the skin because their potency is too high, and they may cause irritation. When starting your essential oil journey, here are some important tips to keep in mind.  

Use essential oils for aromatherapy safely. Put the oil in a diffuser, humidifier, in soaps or lotions.

Never put essential oils in your eyes, nose, mouth, or sensitive areas. Unless they can be ingested, it can be extremely dangerous to ingest or absorb some of these oils. Lemongrass, peppermint, and cinnamon bark are examples of oils you shouldn’t consume.

Essential oils that are safe for you may not be safe for your pets.  Always check with your veterinarian before introducing a diffuser to your home and never use essential oils topically on your pets unless your veterinarian says it's okay. 

Always check the quality of the oils you are using. Especially if you are putting them on your skin, we use natural essential oils instead of fragrance oils. Fragrance oils can irritate the skin, and you don’t want to get a rash unnecessarily. You can avoid this by researching the company you are purchasing your oils from and checking quality standards.

Throw out older oils. After three years, oils may be spoiled due to oxygen exposure and can irritate your skin. 

Research all the oils you use. You shouldn’t ingest some skin-safe oils, and you shouldn’t put some ingestible oils on your skin. It is important to know the difference, so you don’t end up sick or with a rash.

Speak to a medical professional about the oils you use. If you’re ever worried about using or ingesting an oil, speak to your doctor and make sure it is safe for you. Each person is different, and you never know how your body will react to things specifically. Just because it works for a friend or family member doesn’t mean it will work for you.

Dilute your oils.  Undiluted oils are too potent to use right out of the bottle. Diluting them helps keep them at a level that is less likely to cause a reaction. You can dilute them with water, vegetable oils, creams, or bath gels, to make them softer for your body. A lower percentage of essential oil is less likely to cause a reaction.

Be mindful of the condition of your skin. Some essential oils may be safe to use on skin conditions, but some are not. Putting the wrong essential oils on damaged skin can worsen irritation.

Be careful with the amount of oil you use. Undiluted oil is powerful, and even diluted oil can cause a reaction if you put on too much at one time.

Most importantly, listen to your body and do your research. Doing the research is the best way to ensure that the oil is of good quality and correctly used. Once you have done your research, you can test it to make sure it works for your body. Essential oils are safe to use and contain vast health benefits; that is why we use them in our soaps. They are more than just scents; they are filled with antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, antiseptics, and other amazing qualities. We encourage you to embrace the world of essential oils but always do it carefully.

What does it mean to opt-out of the chemical lifestyle?

Over eight years ago, we decided it was time to opt-out of the chemical lifestyle. To us, opting out of the chemical lifestyle is a decision to use natural products with straightforward ingredients whenever possible. We use chemicals in our homes, our bodies, and at work. While we know some chemicals are necessary, and it would be difficult to cut them out 100%, limiting our exposure to unnecessary chemicals can benefit our health and the world around us. Specifically, we want to limit our exposure to synthetics—artificial chemical compounds that are usually cheap and easy to make. These synthetic chemicals are typically not environmentally conscious and can be bad for our health/skin. 

When it comes to soap and skin specifically, we began making soap because we realized how damaging these synthetic chemicals could be to our skin. They have little to no health benefits, and they can actually work against us. Opting out of the chemical lifestyle was a way for us to take control of our skin health by making and using products that give us added health benefits. That is why we only use pasture-based beef suet in our soaps and all-natural essential oils in our products. By using pasture-based beef suet, we can ensure our tallow is nutrient-rich without unnecessary chemicals and hormones.

Similarly, using all-natural essential oils help keep our products safe for most skin types with less risk of irritation than synthetic fragrance oils. Making our products healthy for our customers and us is our top priority, but sustainable production is equally important. We make sure we support sustainable farming practices that value and nourish the soil, and we use reusable packing whenever possible to help keep our oceans clean. When it comes to our soaps, opting out of the chemical lifestyle is more than a motto, it's a lifestyle. We want to make sure we embrace it while also making it easy for our customers to opt-out of this lifestyle along with us. 

Opting out of the chemical lifestyle may look different for everyone, but ultimately, it is choosing to use natural ingredients and products. It may not always be possible, but making that choice and working towards it is enough. When you start to consider opting out of the chemical lifestyle, there are several ways to do it and how you begin is also up to you. Here are some great suggestions to get you started: 

• Shopping at local businesses with locally sourced ingredients.

• Utilize reusable packaging through package-free wholesale stores or alternative uses.

• Research ingredients and learn what natural, sustainable products work best for you.

• Using companion gardening to deal with pests and diseases instead of pesticides. This hugely aides the bee community.

We want to emphasize that we are not perfect; no one is. But, we should always strive to be better a little bit at a time. Keep educating ourselves, and apply one thing at a time. We hope this blog makes opting out of the chemical lifestyle a little easier for you. 

The Benefits of Essential Oils

Aside from the Pure Tallow Soap, Pumice Tallow Soap, Pine Tar Soap, and the Unscented Tallow Balm, all of our soaps and balms include natural essential oils made from plant extract. We use essential oils in our soaps for their scent and their potential health benefits. When choosing the right soap, you have to figure out which essential oils work for you and why. To make it a little easier, we have compiled all of the essential oils we use and some of their benefits. If you want to know more about a specific essential oil, we recommend doing some individual research to confirm which one is right for you. 

Cedarwood - Cedarwood essential oil is derived from the needles, leaves, bark, and berries of cedar trees. It is known for its soothing, relaxing, and comforting properties. Cedarwood essential oil is commonly used for sleep, anxiety, aromatherapy, and in colognes. It is also great for oily and acne-prone skin because it helps alleviate and reduce stubborn breakouts. Cedarwood oil may also be beneficial for other skin conditions. For example, it may reduce the appearance of scars, treat minor wounds, alleviate arthritis pain, and soothe symptoms of eczema.

Coffee – Coffee essential oil is derived through a cold-pressed distillation process of coffee beans. It acts as a vasoconstrictor and is rich in antioxidants and phytosterols. This means it protects your skin from free radicals, helps your skin retain moisture, and reduces inflammation. It is known in the skincare world for its skin tightening and cellulite-reducing potential. 

Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus essential oil is made with eucalyptus leaves that are dried, crushed, and distilled. Eucalyptus essential oil is known to relieve respiratory based ailments and muscle pain and soreness. It also has properties that strengthen your immune system, act as an antiseptic, and stimulate brain activity. It is an excellent bug repellent and DEET alternative for those who cannot use DEET. 

Peppermint – Peppermint essential oil is made by extracting oil from the leaves of the peppermint plant. Peppermint essential oil has been used medicinally for centuries and dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Peppermint oil has a wide variety of uses, but its most common properties are itch relief, muscle pain, and headache relief. Peppermint oil also has a cool, sharp scent that can be refreshing and awakening. 

 Lavender – Lavender essential oil is derived from the lavender plant, and it is commonly known for its calming and soothing properties. As a natural antidepressant and detoxifier, lavender essential oil is typically used for aromatherapy and stress relief. Lavender essential oil is also said to have antibiotic and antiseptic properties that can help promote healing and prevent scarring. It is a great soap ingredient with healing properties that leave skin feeling smooth, silky, and moisturized.  

Tea Tree – Tea tree oil comes from the evergreen leaves of the Australian Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. It is a very fragrant oil that is known for its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil can be used to soothe skin, hair, and nail conditions and as an insect repellent. When used topically, tea tree oil can aid certain skin conditions or improve the skin's overall appearance.

Lemongrass – Lemongrass essential oil is extracted from the leaves and stalks of the lemongrass plant. It has a bright citrus scent that can help with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Lemongrass essential oil is also known to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It can help with infections, arthritis, fungi, and free radical damage. 

Orange – Orange essential oil is extracted from the rind of the sweet orange, Citrus sinensis. Much like lemongrass essential oil, orange has a bright citrus scent that can improve your mood and combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can also be used to reduce pain and inflammation in some cases. 

Clove – Clove essential oil is derived from clove trees known as Syzygium aromaticum. It is native to Southeast Asia, although today, you may find it growing in other locations, too. It has antiseptic, antiviral, and antifungal properties that can help kill bacteria and fungi and ease pain. Clove oil has also been found to aid in severe itching. 

Patchouli - Patchouli essential oil is derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant. The leaves and stems of the plant are harvested and allowed to dry out before the distillation process to extract the oil. Patchouli has a calming, earthy scent, and it can be used as an insecticide, antifungal, and antibacterial. Patchouli essential oil can help relieve anxiety and depression, and it can soothe skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and dry skin.

Rosemary – Rosemary essential oil is extracted from the needle-like leaves of the rosemary evergreen shrub. It has been known to help increase memory and brain function and can help relieve stress. It is also ideal for removing other strong scents from cooking or working. Rosemary essential oil has anti-inflammatory, insecticide, and antibacterial properties. It can help improve circulation and healing. 

Pine Tar – Even though pine tar is not an essential oil, we feel it’s important to list its benefits. The pine tar we use is derived from pine tree stumps and burned in a kiln resulting in "genuine peasant made tar." This pure form of pine tar is known for its antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It is excellent for relief from long and short-term skin conditions like dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. 

This list is not all-encompassing, and we hope to continue to try new essential oils in the future. If you’re looking for a fresh new soap this summer, we recommend our Lemongrass Tallow Soap or our Eucalyptus and Peppermint Tallow Soap. Both of these soaps are the perfect summer fresh vibe. Check out one of those, or use this list to find the perfect soap for you.

Fragrance Oil vs. Essential Oil

When we began our handmade soap journey over eight years ago, we had so many choices to make when it comes to what we put in our soaps. We know that our customers have to make the same choices when it comes to choosing a soap. Should I use a palm oil or tallow based soap? Should I get a fragrance-free or scented soap? Essential oils or fragrance oils? The questions could go on and on. In today’s blog, we will discuss the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils, and why we choose to use essential oils in our soaps. If you want to learn more about tallow vs. palm oil, check out last month’s blog.

What are fragrance oils?

Fragrance oils are made with a mixture of synthetic and natural ingredients. Some are made with as many as sixty different ingredients in one small bottle. Due to the synthetic nature of the ingredients in fragrance oils, they typically last longer than essential oils. Resins, preservatives, and other synthetic ingredients allow the fragrance oils to withstand the soap-making process better and remain stronger once the process is completed. Fragrance oils also come in a much larger variety of smells than essential oils because they aren’t limited to natural scents. This means they are typically cheaper than essential oils and can be found in many commercial products. 

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are extracted from different parts of a plant, such as flowers, herbs, or roots. The extraction processes, steam distillation or cold extraction, are what creates 100% natural essential oils. Essential oils are not mixed or diluted with any other substances making them very neat compounds of a plant’s essence. It is difficult to recreate the scent of an essential oil in a fragrance oil and when it is attempted it contains an abundant mixture of synthetic compounds. The purity of essential oils allows them to retain the health benefits of the plants they are sourced from. The same purity makes it difficult for the scent of essential oils to remain stable during the soap making process, especially when it is done on a large-scale, like commercial soap making. However, for smaller retailers like us, we take the time and care to ensure the scent and beneficial qualities of the essential oils remain in our soaps.

Where do you get your essential oils for your soaps?

We get our essential oils from New Directions Aromatics. They offer a wide variety of products at a reasonable cost so we can keep our soaps reasonably priced for our customers. Aside from the cost, we choose their essential oils because they are certified 100% pure essential oils and Certified Fair Trade. We want to make sure we are using quality essential oils for our soaps, so we can help our customer’s skin look and feel its best while using natural products.  

Why should I choose essential oils over fragrance oils?

As we mentioned before, essential oils are 100% natural oils made from plant extract. The reason we use essential oils in our soap, and the reason you should choose them, is for their health benefits and gentle qualities for sensitive skin. Synthetic ingredients used in fragrance oils are more likely to cause skin irritation than essential oils. Typically, unless you are allergic to the plant itself, essential oils are safe to use on the skin and can actually help the skin. Depending on the type of essential oil, the health benefits may differ along with the scent and shelf life. Many essential oils are used for their anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial, and pain relief properties. However, each essential oil has specific health benefits and should be chosen based on each person’s health and skincare needs.

Much like the essential oils put into our soaps, each soap has unique health benefits based on the oils that are used. When choosing a soap, we encourage you to read up on the essential oils and the grass-finished tallow, so you can make an informed decision that aligns with your health and skincare goals. We want to make sure our soaps allow you to opt-out of the chemical lifestyle to create the healthiest version of you.