Goat Milk Soap

Activated bamboo charcoal is said to be capable of drawing dirt and bacteria out of our skin and absorbing it through the charcoal pores. This may help deter acne or other skin conditions. The uneven surface of charcoal may also have the ability to absorb dead skin cells, thereby exfoliating the skin and helping to keep it clean and smooth.

Tea Tree oil comes from a plant called Melaleuca alternifolia which is native to Australia, but has been transplanted across the world because of its useful and versatile traits. It is typically described as either a small tree or a tall shrub (averaging between 20-35 feet high) that grows in swampy areas and around streams. Most of its thin, pointy leaves grow towards its top, along with a few yellow or white flowers.

Everyone loves the smell of cherries in their goat milk soaps and lotions, but bitter almond essential oil (which naturally smells like cherries) can only be used with extreme caution. For safety's sake, we avoid using straight bitter almond essential oil. Instead we use a bitter almond blend to scent almond goat milk soaps and lotions.

The reason we can add milk to goat milk soap without it going bad is because soap goes through a chemical reaction called saponification. This reaction takes the inputs and produces soap and glycerin as the outputs. The properties of the milk are in the soap, but it's no longer milk, so it doesn't spoil or grow bacteria. Unfortunately, lip balms and lotions do not undergo this same reaction.

Jewelweed is a plant that is often used by herbalists to relieve poison ivy symptoms. We wildharvest fresh jewelweed and infuse it in oils and then use those to make a jewelweed soap and jewelweed salve. This goat milk soap is safe to use before and after trips into poison ivy infested areas, as well as on poison ivy rashes. We do not add any scent to the soap.

With all of the yogurt and cheesemaking we do at Goat Milk Stuff, we have a LOT of extra whey.  Whey is the liquid part of the milk that is left after the milk has been coagulated for cheese or yogurt.  There are two types of whey (acid and sweet) and they both contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and protein and can be used in many different ways.

I'm regularly asked if our goat milk soap will be better for someone's skin than the soap they are currently using.  I'm a bit biased, but my answer is usually a laughing, "Of course!"  I then qualify it to say that everyone's skin is different and I can't predict how their skin will react to our goat milk soap. But I do know that many other soaps and detergents are filled with chemicals that we avoid.

Lavender Essential Oil is derived from the pretty purple flower tops of lavender plants and is easily recognized by its floral, fresh, and sweet aroma. It not only smells great but also provides many other benefits to the user. From chest congestion to skin relief, this lovely smelling fragrance is versatile in many ways and is a great addition to your goat milk soap.

One question I am regularly asked is, "How strongly are your soaps scented?" This is such a difficult question to answer because everyone's sense of smell is unique.  I can give the exact same bar of soap to 3 different people.  One person will say it smells too strong, one person will say it smells just right, and one person will say it barely smells at all.

Lemongrass essential oil can have one of two distinct aromas. It can be lemon/citrusy or rosy, depending on the type of lemongrass it is extracted from. Both of the scents are refreshing and relaxing and tend to rejuvenate the senses. This scent is a great mood lifter and helps bring on a "happy" state of mind. The lemongrass used by Goat Milk Stuff has a strong lemon/citrus scent.

There are a wide range of benefits that have been attributed to Orange Essential Oil. Many believe that it can be anti-inflammatory, antiseptic (guards against harmful bacteria), and an aid in the digestion process. It has also been suggested that this essential oil can help make your skin smooth and healthy, whiten your teeth, relax muscles, deliver antioxidants (which support your immune system), and flush toxins out of your body.

Peppermint oil has been show to help increase blood circulation. Apparently, when your nose smells the peppermint, it can increase your pulse rate which aids in blood circulation. This makes it a good choice for people with diabetes where circulation can be a problem. It may also be one more tool to help with arthritis.