Itty Bitty Soap Company

New Christmas Soap!

2010-10-28T16:04:00.001-07:00

Photo by Bramble Berry

I don't mean to jump the gun, but . . . I'm so excited to be offering this new stinking cute "Cranberry Fig" Christmas soap! (It doesn't really stink, it smells fabulous and oh, so holiday-ish). It will be ready to ship December 1st. Each bar will sell for $5.00, however, beginning Monday, November 1st, I will be taking pre-orders through November 10th and all pre-ordered soap will sell for $4.50/bar. Remember your friends, co-workers and family (great stocking stuffer) in a cute and useful way!!! They will love something fun from someone special.

Note: This soap is fragranced with a fragrance oil.

Price: $4.50 until November 10, 2010, then $5.00

Size: Approx. 4 to 5 oz.

All Soaps On Sale

2010-08-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

In an effort to make room for new merchandise, all of last year's soaps are on sale for $4.00/bar. This is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on your favorites or to give as gifts. Remember the holidays are just around the corner (I know, where did the summer go???). These bars have lost a bit of their fragrance, but don't worry, it will perk up in the shower. These soaps are wonderfully aged making them unbelievably mild and gentle. Hurry now. Sale lasts only as long as the soap bars do!

A 5 Minute Read That May Surprise You

2010-07-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about commercial soaps versus the natural or organic soaps? Have you ever asked yourself, “Why would I pay more for a natural or organic soap when I can pick one up at the grocery store for just a dollar or two”? I remember the first time I thought about these questions, it was when my first child was born and I wanted to make this world a little safer for her. I felt powerless to stop world hunger and wars (I was never a beauty queen contestant), but I knew for sure that I wanted to eliminate the chemicals she was exposed to, right down to my personal favorite perfume.

I had read an article about how babies respond to the scent of their mothers and I knew right away that I didn’t want to confuse her in any way (I’m not even sure that’s possible, given how smart these little ones are). I knew right away that chemical compounds weren’t good for her and probably were very harsh to her sensitive little virgin nose. Up until that time I had never given much thought to all the chemicals we heap on our skin in order to be clean, smell fresh (dare I say, even sexy), and look good. From shampoos to foot creams, we assault our bodies daily and multiple times daily with chemicals. For the most part, I gave up perfumes right away, but the rest came as a work in progress.

The commercially sold soaps we know of today are really more detergents than soaps. Detergents for the most part are made of petroleum products and consist mainly of surfactants, foaming agents and alcohols. Because detergents contain so much chemical, they are ladened with cheap, artificial, synthetic fragrances. They also contain preservatives and antibacterial agents so as not to spoil. True soaps, on the other hand, are made with natural products (fat and lye). They are made with no byproducts and what goes down the drain is biodegradable, making them very environmentally friendly.

I want to make clear that I am no chemist or scientist, but I do try to be an informed consumer, especially when it comes to the products I use around our home. I wasn’t very far into my research when it became abundantly clear to me that I needed to finish what I started 20 some year ago – that is, eliminate as many chemicals as I could from our skin care/personal cleansing repertoire.

Let’s take a look at commercially produced soaps as we know them today and some of the main offenders. The first ingredient I want to discuss is Triclosan and its sister chemical, Tricloban. This is a synthetic chemical used in almost all antibacterial soaps. Other products containing triclosan include hand sanitizer, baby wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, clothing with “antibacterial” labeling (think socks and athletic clothing) and plastics (toys, garbage bags, kitchen utensils). In fact, almost any product with the words “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial” most likely contains Triclosan. One of the problems with triclosan is that it is highly carcinogenic and a hormone disruptor. One study at Virginia Tech stated that products containing triclosan produced either chloroform or other chlorine byproducts (known carcinogens) when exposed to tap water. In the environment, triclosan reacts with sunlight and forms chlorophenol and dioxin. These byproducts are hormone disruptors. Particularly, they mimic thyroid hormones, thus taking the cell receptor sites of endogenous thyroid hormones. Once these receptor sites are taken the body perceives that it does not need to produce more thyroid hormones, creating a shortage of the hormones necessary for proper thyroid function. Both triclosan and tricloban are not very water soluble, both are fat-soluble and easily cross cell membranes. You may be thinking that triclosan is on your skin for such a short amount of time, how could it possibly penetrate so fast? You may also be interested to know that in one study 3 out of 5 women tested were found to have it in their breast milk. Remember that skin is one way our body absorbs the nutrients it needs, and it is very efficient at it.

But wait a minute, isn’t “antibacterial” good for us? Actually, no. We need bacteria, without it we could not survive our environment. In fact, our bodies depend a great deal upon bacteria and antibacterial soaps do not discriminate between “good” and “bad” bacteria. Not only do we need and depend upon “good” bacteria, we need some amounts of “bad” bacteria to build our immune system. When we come in contact with a “bad” bacteria or virus, ideally our bodies go to work immediately to produce the t-cells that fight the bacteria or virus, thus creating an immunity to that particular bacteria or virus. The use of antibacterial soaps weakens our body’s ability to build this important immune defense library. And since most common household illnesses, such as colds, sinus infections and the flu are viruses the antibacterial soaps do no more good in preventing and fight these viruses than ordinary soap and water. In 2005, an FDA Advisory Panel of Experts voted 11 to one that antibacterial soaps were no more effective than regular soap and water in fighting infections. In fact, antibacterial soaps create antibacterial and antibiotic resistance; the result – super strains. Therefore, antibacterial and antimicrobial soaps may make the use of antibiotics less effective in treating other illnesses. In 2002, the AMA stated, “There is little evidence to support the use of antimicrobials in consumer products . . . it may be prudent to avoid use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products”.

This may be hard for parents of young children to swallow, especially since they are in constant contact with germs. However, we are seeing more children with allergies and asthma than ever before and the use of antibacterial soaps, along with other environmental toxins, could be the culprit. Triclosan kills skin cells, compromising our body’s ability to protect and heal itself. Triclosan also dries the skin and aggravates eczema and psoriasis, not particularly vital concerns, unless you or your loved ones are suffering from these ailments. When reading your labels looking for Triclosan, be aware that it also appears as Microban, Irgasan (DP 300 or PG 60), Biofresh, Lexol-300, Ster-Zac or cloxifenolum.

Triclosan is one of the most detected compounds in rivers, streams and bodies of water, often in high concentrations. This is one chemical you should avoid. It has been banned in Japan and Canada.

Let’s move on to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is added to virtually every personal care item on the market. It is an anionic surfactant, which in layman terms means it is particularly good at removing dirt and grease and suspending them in water so they don’t reattach to skin, fabrics, etc. Its close cousin is Sodium Laureth Sulfate and I will refer to both of them as SLS, since they are similar in intent and effect. SLS is added to products to enhance foaming and as a dispersal agent. Anything that foams (soap, toothpaste, shampoos, conditioners, facial cleansers) and anything that needs a dispersal agent (fragrances, body sprays and body oils) contains SLS. Some argue that SLS is completely safe; however, when combined with nitrogen-bearing ingredients (often found in skin care products) it oxidates forming nitrosamines – carcinogenic nitrates. Considering that SLS is also used in detergents, car soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers, I seriously doubt it is as benign as the cosmetic industry would have us believe. It is a poisonous, caustic detergent, which effects are irreversible.

SLS is a known eye, skin and mouth irritant, membrane alternator and chronic irritant, it causes contact dermatitis, compromises integrity of the skin barrier, alters or harms cell function, corrodes hair follicles causing hair loss, has long-term retention in tissues, and penetrates the brain, liver, kidneys and heart. That alone should keep you from using any product with SLS, but let’s give it a further look.

Since SLS cleanses by corrosion you can expect that it dries the skin, stripping the protective lipids from the skin’s surface, which compromises the skin’s ability to regulate moisture. Those protective lipids are also what help protect the skin from harmful bacteria and other environmental hazards. How many times a day do you shower, use soap to wash your hands, apply lotion to help with the dry skin these chemicals leave behind, use deodorant, perfume, after shave or any other fragranced product? The list goes on and on and almost all of these contain SLS. You get the picture. Your body’s detoxification system can be overpowered by these chemicals. Also, a baby’s skin is thinner than that of an adult’s making it more permeable. Since their detoxification systems are not fully developed they don’t process out these toxins as easily as an adult, and it’s not easy for an adult! So, think of that in terms of baby lotions and soaps. Many beauty products containing SLS claim to help renew and regenerate the skin, making us look younger and more beautiful. This can be somewhat misleading, and in my opinion, utterly untrue.

Skin cells are made of protein. Our skin cells die and are replaced with new cells all the time, in fact, every cell in the body is replaced at least every seven years. SLS damages the protein structure in the molecule causing it to collapse, rendering it useless and compromising the cell. The effect is irreversible. But that’s only part of the problem. Because the cell is damaged, it increases the amount of time it takes for the body to heal itself and since new proteins are damaged the new cells are disrupted while they are forming. This is the type of activity that leads to early stages of skin cancer. SLS not only contributes to, but also worsens cancerous states. Hair follicles are also damaged by SLS and they are a major transport system for taking harmful ingredients into our bodies. Think of all the places on your body you have hair follicles. Your head alone has around 100,000. That’s a lot of transporting power! High levels of skin penetration may occur even at low concentrations.

SLS is obviously an eye-irritant. Have you ever gotten shampoo or soap in your eyes? I have and it burns (caustic detergent). But the burn is only one factor to consider here. According to the American College of Toxicology, tests show permanent corneal damage in young animals from skin contact in non-eye areas. In other words, because of its penetrating abilities, SLS causes permanent eye damage without ever coming in contact with the eyes. One of the concerns about SLS is its link to cataracts. Most of the information I have studied regarding SLS made the connection between SLS and cataracts.

There also exist concerns about SLS and hormone imbalance. SLS is a hormone mimicker. That means, in a nutshell, it absorbs into the body, attaches itself to estrogen receptors mimicking the endogenous estrogen. This causes nothing but chaos in the world of hormones. Since the body cannot tell the difference between the artificial (or chemical) estrogen and the endogenous estrogen - well, you can see the problem.

Both men and women have estrogen in their bodies and it is rigidly controlled by our glands. In men, whose estrogen levels are somewhat lower than women, this massive increase in chemical estrogen mimickers causes, among other things, breast enlargement, reduction of male hormone levels as well as massive drops in sperm count and mobility, leading to infertility. These effects are not only seen in adult males, but also in male babies in utero. Pregnant women should use caution, these chemicals travel effectively from the blood to the placenta to the baby. Who knows how these chemicals are affecting our children?

Of course, men are not the only ones affected by hormone imbalance. Women’s bodies are totally controlled by estrogen, progesterone and other hormones. SLS causes major rifts in our delicate hormone balances. This leads to menstrual problems, PMS, menopausal symptoms and potential infertility, just to mention a few. High infertility rates that we presently see may correspond to the highly available use of SLS. Many cancers, including breast and ovarian are directly related to estrogen levels and when we upset the balance we invite a host of problems.

Did you know a single fragrance has multiple chemical compounds, anywhere from 10 to several hundred. When you think of synthetic fragrances, think of chemicals. Phthalates are a family of chemical substances used in fragrance formulations. Phthalates are plasticizers commonly used in the manufacture of plastics. They are used as softeners and lubricants. PVC is manufactured using phthalates. Then what is it doing in synthetic fragrances? Well, it is used to help scents evaporate more slowly and last longer. They look like vegetable oil, have little or no smell and are relatively cheap, all appealing to manufacturers. But, of course, that isn’t all they have to offer. Again, we are looking at a hormone disruptor. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a common phthalate used in fragrances including perfumes, lotions, shampoos, conditioners and detergents. One website, Scorecard.org (a pollution information site) listed dibutyl phthalate as a developmental toxin, endocrine toxin, immuno-toxin, kidney toxin, neurotoxicant, reproductive toxin, skin or sense organ toxin. How sexy does that sound?

Labeling laws regarding fragrance are somewhat loose in this country to say the least. Because these scent formulas are protected by law as “private information” for cosmetic companies, including companies that produce any soaps, shampoos or personal cleansing products, they are listed in such generic terms as “fragrance” or “perfume” without any information on chemicals used or the amounts used. And don’t be fooled by “fragrance-free” labels. This only implies that a product has no detectable fragrance. However, it may contain fragrance used to mask bad smelling raw materials. Phthalates are petrochemicals, we know they can’t be good for us to consume. Remember consuming a product means more than just putting it in your mouth, if you are using it on you skin or hair, you are consuming it.

Once these petrochemicals are in our bodies they have a party that would make a frat hazing seem like Sunday school. They reportedly impair proper DNA expression; weaken the DNA repair process; accelerate gene loss; degenerate the body’s detoxification organs; and affect the blood/brain barrier, the brain’s primary line of defense. They affect the nervous system, immune system, the onset of child and adult cancers, neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders, asthma, allergies, infertility and miscarriage, learning disabilities, hyperactivity and ADD. The CDC has conducted studies and found phthalates in the urine of every person tested, with the largest amounts, (20 times higher) in women of child-bearing age. Once these phthalates pass through our bodies via urine, they return to the ecosystem. Water waste facilities cannot flush out such chemicals.

I have only touched on three chemicals found in detergents, shampoos and other body care products. Here is a list of other ingredients we should look out for:

*Mineral Oil - which is a petrochemical (found in some baby products)

*Alcohols - some of which are very carcinogenic and all are drying, skin and eye irritants

*Parabens - including methyl and butyl parabens and Germaben II which are known carcinogens and endocrine system disruptors

*Tocopheral Acetate (often listed as Vitamin E acetate) - a synthetic vitamin E which is highly toxic to organs

*Nitrosamines - which are formed when surfactants (SLS) come in contact with nitrates (which most products have) and are highly carcinogenic

*DEA, MEA and TEA – common emulsifiers and foaming agents known to be hormone disruptors, greatly increases risk of cancers especially in the kidneys and liver

*Formaldehyde - a preservative found in most aqueous cosmetic formulations (bubble bath, shampoo, conditioners, children’s bath products)

*PEG – polyethylene glycol, a detergent, thickener and surfactant which causes reproductive disorders, is a known carcinogen, contaminant, endocrine disruptor, organ system toxin and skin irritant.

In my research one question keeps coming back to mind, “If these chemicals are so bad for us, why are they allowed in personal body care products?” The short and simple answer to that question is money. These synthetic chemicals are cheap and help the bottom line. With huge operating costs, many cosmetic companies are looking to improve their profit margins and synthetic chemicals are less expensive than organic or natural products. Also, it is my opinion that the FDA has a limited interest in controlling these substances. A quick example, my husband and I were recently watching a documentary on the FDA’s approval of Aspartame. This documentary claimed that many of the people responsible for the approval of Aspartame shortly left the FDA for lucrative positions in the company that manufactures Aspartame. Even though somewhat unrelated to soaps, it goes to the point that money talks.

So, with all that discouraging news about our personal care products, what’s a person to do? There is a bright spot in all this. Fortunately there are many companies who are motivated to send a message and supply the consumer with options. Here are a few simple guidelines. You must read your labels; if you can’t pronounce it or if it isn’t in its natural or organic form, don’t buy it. Also, the shorter the list of ingredients, the better. Most hand-crafted soaps contain a few “saponified” oils (meaning the oils have bonded with lye to produce a true soap), possibly an essential oil for fragrancing and maybe dried herbs used as a colorant or exfoliant. You will recognize the names. Another thing to consider is vegan products. Many handmade soaps are made with beef tallow or lard. While these ingredients provide beautiful lathering properties, we have to be careful about pesticides, hormones and antibiotics used in the production of these products. There is a wide range of hand-crafted soaps available; many of them follow the guidelines listed above. Check the internet for hand crafted soaps, look in small boutique-type shops and ask around. Remember soaps have been around for thousands of years, while detergents are relatively new, only appearing within the past 100 years.

This soap is great for kids too!

2010-04-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

I received this note from a client in Pennsylvania. Her 4-year-old daughter had been having issues with her skin so I sent her some soap and this was her response.

Caroline,

Thank you so much for the soap. My daughter Sierra had patches of dry skin all over her arms. I used your soap on her body and in two and a half weeks it was gone. She has been a regular user of your soap and we have had no further problems. Thank you for making a natural soap that has no chemicals and is so gentle. She smells great and looks beautiful and soft, just like a child should. You are so talented keep blessing people's lives. Hugs - Lisa

Because these soaps are so gentle they are beneficial even to children and babies. Forget about the baby products you buy in the stores, they contain the same harsh and harmful ingredients that adult products contain. Don't be fooled by slick marketing either, commercially produced baby shampoos, soaps and lotions are no better than all the other junk on the market. Rest assured that no Itty Bitty Soap Company products ever contain any harmful dyes, fragrances or synthetic chemicals. All natural, all the time. Pure. Clean. Fun.

Thanks Lisa, it is deeply satisfying to know my soaps helped Sierra's tender skin!

Respectfully, I Must Disagree

2010-02-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

Many of you probably saw Dr. Oz yesterday. I usually try to watch his show because I always learn something. However, I don't always agree with what I see or what his guests may have to say. Yesterday was one of those times. His show was about cosmetics and how dangerous some of them are for us. While I agreed with most of what he was saying, he had a guest, Paula Begoun, who said that fragrances were harmful. Paula made a comment that fragrances were harmful to our health and it didn't matter if they were artificial or natural fragrances.

I'm not sure what she meant by "natural" but she used the example of lavender. She claimed that lavender was harmful to our skin. I don't know what kind of lavender she was talking about, but I feel like I need to make a clarification here. She said lavender causes cell death. If she was talking about lavender essential oils, she couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, lavender does not cause cell death, time causes cell death, along with chemicals and other environmental/health factors. But lavender essential oil does not cause cell death. She mentioned a few other fragrances such as cinnamon, eucalyptus, peppermint and menthol, claiming they cause irritation, break down collagen, impair our immune defense and cause inflammation. While I agree that some of the stronger oils can cause irritation and inflammation, I have never seen any studies or literature from the top essential oil experts that claim these oils impair our immune system or break down collagen. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

If she was talking about synthetic fragrances, I concur with what she is saying. Because of our current labeling laws, a synthetic fragrance can be called "natural". For example, if some company fragrances their lotion with synthetic lilac, it can still be called a natural lilac fragrance because lilacs are a natural fragrance. That doesn't necessarily mean lilac essential oil was used to fragrance the product (most likely it wasn't), it only means it smells like something natural. Again, I'm not sure what she meant by "natural".

While Ms. Begoun is an expert on cosmetics and the cosmetic industry, she clearly is not an expert on essential oils. Essential oils have been around almost as long as man. The Egyptians and Chinese have been using essential oils for thousands of years. Well preserved alabaster jars of essential oils have been found in King Tut's tomb. There are 188 references to essential oils in the Bible. So I think we can rest assured that essential oils have their place.

Lavender oil has, among other uses, been listed specifically for its benefit to the skin. Not only does it not cause cell death, but it actually regenerates cells. Specifically it is listed as useful for acne, burns (cell renewal) dandruff, diaper rash, scarring (minimizes), stretch marks, boils, bruises, cold sores, hives, insect bites and bee stings, infections of the skin, abscesses, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and sunburns, to mention few.

While I would never put cinnamon oil directly on my skin it too is a valuable oil. It is one of the most ancient of oils and was used in just about every prescription in ancient China. It is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for internal consumption by the FDA. However, cinnamon oil should always be well diluted because it is a very strong oil. A little common sense would be in order here. Repeated use can cause contact sensitization, it should be avoided during pregnancy and can cause skin irritation. I have a friend who is allergic to cinnamon oil, so she never buys any of my soaps with cinnamon in it. It is very useful in killing germs as it is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-viral and a purifier.

Eucalyptus is another very useful oil also containing anti-bacterial, anti-infectious, anti-viral and antiseptic properties. In regards to skin it is wonderful for acne, skin infections and wounds. It is approved by the FDA as a food additive or flavoring agent.

Peppermint and menthol also got a bad wrap from Ms. Begoun. The truth is it is also listed as beneficial to the skin. I use it for sunburns (wonderfully cooling and soothing) and hives. I rub it on my temples, down the back of my neck and over my forhead to relieve headaches. My daughter, who often has migraines, uses it in conjunction with rosemary and grapefruit essential oils for almost instant relief. Where does she put it - on her forehead, temples, down the back of her neck and across her shoulders (in other words, her skin). Remember, peppermint and menthols are very strong oils and should be diluted well with a carrier oil or water. Because it is antiseptic, it is also very good in treating certain types of acne. Put a few drops in a bottle of witch hazel and you have a perfect astringent for acne or a soothing tonic for sunburn.

Dr. Oz also talked about using more natural products and mentioned that we should be careful in our choices. I couldn't agree more. Not all companies are producing products that are safe for our use, even though they make many claims that they are. I want to assure you that Itty Bitty Soaps are made using the best products available, produced in clean facilities and are completely safe for use. I take a great deal of pride in the product that goes out the door and what has my name on it. I stand behind each and every bar of soap I make and guarantee its purity.

The Problem With Phthalates

2010-01-30T06:47:00.000-08:00

Most people love fragrances. Almost everything we touch, from cleaning supplies to personal body care, has a fragrance. We use them to feel and smell clean, appear healthy, more attractive and to appeal to the opposite sex. But, did you know a single fragrance has multiple chemical compounds, anywhere from 10 to several hundred? When you think of synthetic fragrances, think of chemicals. Phthalates (pronounced "tha-lates", emphasis on first syllable) are a family of chemical substances used in fragrance formulations. Phthalates are plasticizers commonly used in the manufacture of plastics. They are used as softeners and lubricants. PVC is manufactured using phthalates. So, why are phthalates in synthetic fragrances? Well, it is used to help scents evaporate more slowly and last longer. They look like vegetable oil, have little or no smell and are relatively cheap, all appealing to manufacturers. But, of course, that isn’t all they have to offer. Phthalates are hormone disruptors. That means, in a nutshell, they absorb into the body and attach themselves to hormone receptor sites, mimicking the endogenous hormones. Since the body cannot tell the difference between the artificial or chemical hormones and endogenous hormones, a message is sent to the brain to stop producing whatever hormone is being mimicked (often estrogen). The body is confused into thinking there is a sufficient supply of hormones and thus cuts back on hormone production.

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a common phthalate used in fragrances including perfumes, lotions, shampoos, conditioners and detergents. One website, Scorecard.org (a pollution information site) listed dibutyl phthalate as a developmental toxin, endocrine toxin, immuno-toxin, kidney toxin, neurotoxicant, reproductive toxin, skin or sense organ toxin. How healthy and sexy does that sound?

Labeling laws regarding fragrance are somewhat loose in this country to say the least. Because these scent formulas are protected by law as “private information” for cosmetic companies, including companies that produce any soaps, shampoos or personal cleansing products, they are listed in such generic terms as “fragrance” or “perfume” without any information on chemicals used or the amounts used. And don’t be fooled by “fragrance-free” labels. This only implies that a product has no detectable fragrance. However, it may contain fragrance used to mask bad smelling raw materials. Phthalates are petrochemicals. We know they aren't good for us to consume and remember, consuming a product means more than just putting it in your mouth, if you are using it on you skin or hair, you are consuming it.

Once these petrochemicals are in our bodies they have a party that would make a frat hazing seem like Sunday School. They reportedly impair proper DNA expression, weaken the DNA repair process, accelerate gene loss, degenerate the body’s detoxification organs, and affect the blood/brain barrier - the brain’s primary line of defense. They affect the nervous system, immune system, the onset of child and adult cancers, neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders, asthma, allergies, infertility and miscarriage, learning disabilities, hyperactivity and ADD, the list goes on and on. The CDC has conducted studies and found phthalates in the urine of every person tested, with the largest amounts, (20 times higher) in women of child-bearing age. And it doesn't end there. Once these phthalates pass through our bodies via urine, or go down the drain as runoff from our showers, they return to the ecosystem. Water waste facilities cannot flush out such chemicals. We then re-consume them as drinking water. While the evaporation and precipitation process does help clean these chemicals from our drinking water, it cannot clean out all particulates. This is why we are seeing phthalates in the urine of such a high percentage of our population, in fact, everyone, according to the CDC.

So, what's a person to do? One easy step we can all do is make sure we are using chemical-free personal care products as much as possible. We can replace many of our chemically-ladened products with all-natural products. This was one reason I started making soap. I was looking for something safer for me and my family to use on our skin. Itty Bitty Soaps are all-natural and you will never find any synthetics or chemicals in them. NEVER. That is our promise to you. Take a step towards true cleanliness, health and beauty, and do it today!

Manual Microdermabrasion

2010-01-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

I don't know how dry it is in other parts of the country during the winter months, but here in Utah it is dry, dry, dry. Here is a quick and easy recipe that you can do at home. This recipe comes from the book, "Organic Body Care Recipes" by Stephanie Tourles. Stephanie is a licensed holistic esthetician, certified aromatherapist, and author of seven books on natural body care and wellness. I love her book and will be offering many of her recipes in the future.

Manual Microdermabrasion

1 TBS. baking soda

1-1/2 tsp. water (I often use less water)

2 drops helichrysum essential oil

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until a velvety slurry forms. Dip the pads of your fingers into the slurry and slowly and lightly begin to massage the entire face, throat and decollete, using very small, circular motions. Do not use much pressure - let the tiny baking soda granules do the exfoliation work. Continue to dip fingers into the baking soda mixture as often as needed in order to cover skin with a thin coat. The procedure takes almost 10 minutes to complete. Rinse well.

The beauty of this treatment is that it is recommended for all skin types, except sunburned, windburned or irritated skin. You can do this one to two times per week, at your convinience. Be sure to follow up with a moisturizer. Wear sunscreen at all times following treatment and observe common sun sense, even on cloudy days.

As a licensed esthetician, Stephanie is privy to industry trends and trade secrets used in high-end, luxury spas and promoted by them as "exclusive." Sometimes these "exclusive" ingredients are so inexpensive and simple to create, it is shocking how much they charge. This recipe costs only pennies, nets huge results and bypasses all the risks of machine microdermabrasion.

Most often microdermabrasion is done using a hand-held device that polishes the skin with a type of micronized crystal, frequently very fine aluminum (which we all know is bad for our skin and health). When performed correctly, this procedure, repeated over several weeks time, can aid in erasing or diminishing fine lines, wrinkles and age spots and restore a smoothness and even texture to the skin. However, if the technician is not properly trained, uncomfortable damage can result with the removal of too much of the skin's outer surface, leaving it quite red an irritated. The manual microdermabrasion, on the other hand, is safer and won't ever leave your skin red or irritated. If used on a regular basis, your skin will achieve almost the same results as a mechanical microdermabrasion without having its protective shield compromised.

I love the helichrysum essential oil, but I only use one drop per application. I think two drops is too much. Remember, these essential oils are very concentrated. Helichrysum offers relief for eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis, detoxes and cleanses the blood. It is also good to help reduce scarring and scar tissue. I have also tried carrot seed oil, which is beneficial for aging skin, sunburn, wrinkles and dryness. Other oils you might like include patchouli which helps prevent wrinkles and tones the skin, as well as sandalwood, vetiver and myrrh. For sensitive skin try geranium, german chamomile, jasmine, lavender or neroli. For oily skin try bergamot, cajeput, Clary sage, cypress, jasmine, lavender, lemon, orange or ylang ylang. For wrinkles try cistus, clary sage, cypress, elemi, fennel, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemon, lime, myrrh, neroli, orange, rose, rosewood or ylang ylang. Remember to only use one drops of essential oil with the mixture.

Haitian Relief

2010-01-15T14:57:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I received an email from an online industry publication that I subscribe to. They were inviting their subscribers to contribute bars of soap to two very worthy organizations. The first one is Missionary Flights International out of Florida. This group is currently flying relief missions to Haiti. The other group is Clean The World, an organization that takes soap from hotel rooms and any other place they can get it, rebatch and sterilize it and send it to those in need. Through their efforts they are saving our land fills and cutting down on environmental pollution by recycling soap. Of course, Itty Bitty Soaps do not harm or pollute the environment because they are made with all natural ingredients. I was thrilled to make my small contribution. Check out both these organizations and see what you can do to help. Missionary Flights International can be contacted at www.missionaryflights.org and Clean The World can be contacted at www.cleantheworld.org. Every little bit you can do can help enormously.

New Products Coming Soon

2010-01-06T07:16:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to introduce new products to our line of soaps. We will be adding a lotion bar that is to die for. I gave some of my friends a sample of this lotion bar a few months ago and they have been asking for it to give as gifts, so expect to see it soon! We will also be adding spa salt soaps. These soaps are similar to what you get with a good spa salt treatment, only better! They are made with Dead Sea Salts, which are full of nutrients. I have been using this soap on my face for the past six months and I love it, especially the gentle exfoliation I get with every use. Look for rose tea soaps as well. These soaps have all the benefits of rose petals infused into each bar. They are super gentle to your skin and so very nourishing, not to mention they smell wonderful. Finally, we will be adding a men's line of soaps. Even though the soaps I now offer are perfectly suited for use by our male friends, maybe the packaging is a bit too delicate for our guys. This line will feature essential oils with base notes that most men find more appealing. We'll "man up" our packaging too. These will make excellent Valentine's gifts. So be sure to check back often to see what's new at Itty Bitty Soap Company! I hope all of us have a very happy and prosperous New Year filled with the blessings we desire and the strength, faith and courage to face the blessings that often come in disguise.

What Dr. Oz Has To Say

2010-01-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

Did you all see Dr. Oz on January 5th (maybe the 4th). He did his list of top ten "major agers" and one of them was bar soap. The problem with most bar soaps is that they are very harsh to the acid mantle of your skin. The chemicals found in these soaps strips the skin of it natural protective layer, leaving it dry, irritated and exposed to bacteria and infections in our environment. These soaps also do not break down in our water systems. We are currently seeing only female fish in our rivers and streams and this is because many of the chemicals found in commercially produced soaps mimick estrogen. When a fish is developing its sex organs, these mimickers trick the fish into thinking it is a female (because of the preceived presence of estrogen) therefore, no male organs develop. His solution - natural, pH balanced soaps. What could be more natural than Itty Bitty Soaps? They are made with all natural ingredients, such as vegetable and essential oils. They are not only gentle to your skin, but very nourishing as well. Feel confident that when using Itty Bitty Soaps, you are not only saving your skin from damaging and aging chemicals, but you are also doing your part to protect the delicate balance in our water supply too.

BIG SALE!

2009-12-27T02:13:00.000-08:00

End of season sale on Christmas Joy, Spruce, Peppermint Swirl, Chocolate Orange Sticks and Minty Hot Chocolate. All bars $4.00 each, while supplies last. Hurry some of these are running out and once they are gone, they won't be back until our next holiday season! Enjoy fantastic savings as an end-of-year bonus to you.

Ya gotta love the endorsements!

2009-12-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

Endorsements are always great, especially if they come unsolicited! This is what one customer wrote about Itty Bitty Soaps on her blog.

"If you are looking for something awesome to give a friend or family member look no further! Caroline has created some beautiful, healthy, handmade soaps that sound good enough to eat. I am sure their scent is divine and cannot wait until my package arrives. Seriously, I went through her list and had to stop when I had already purchased 5 bars and wasn't to the end yet. She has some wonderful Christmas scents that cannot be resisted! They would make fabulous stocking stuffers too! I can just see a big apothecary jar full of these beautiful soaps in my "coming soon" new bathroom!

I have posted this link as a permanent fixture on my blog so I can go back anytime I want and order more. Their appeal will be all year long for me! While she is working on a button, it will be at the bottom of my blog. You'll see her Itty Bitty Soap Company logo, you can't miss it...don't you just love the name of her company? Her lovely creations will be coming to you from Utah! Place an order soon and please tell her I sent you! Enjoy and pamper yourself and others with Caroline's all-natural soaps today. I highly recommend them!"

Then when she received the order this is the email she sent me.

Dear Caroline,

I got the soaps and LOVE them. Even Jim is going nuts! . . . You have a winner here! And thank you so much for the extra ones! . . . I put your link on Facebook...did I tell you? . . . Fabulous idea and so perfect for your life style too. Love everything about it! What a great adventure for you! The packaging is adorable!

Whoops!

2009-11-29T22:25:00.001-08:00

To all of our valued customers we apologize for any inconvenience you may have encountered over the past few days. Apparently our "Buy Now" button was not working (no fun shopping that way)! We now have it fixed and to make it up to you we are offering free shipping on all orders from now through December 20, 2009. We are still working on perfecting our blog so keep checking back for improvements. To view more soap fragrances, please scroll all the way down through "Older Posts". We have a total of 15 different soaps - something for everyone. If for any reason you are having difficulty placing an order please call me (435) 760-3038, and I will personally handle your transaction. Thanks for stopping by!

Gardener's Soap

2009-11-29T22:03:00.001-08:00

This bar of soap is for all the hard working hands out there. It cleans garden dirt, grease and everything in between, yet is gentle enough to pamper your skin. The light lemon lime fragrance is like a little ray of sunshine; inviting, uplifting and fun!

Ingredients: Saponified coconut, palm, wheat germ, jojoba and castor oils; shea butter; litsea cubeba and lime essential oils; dried lemon rind; yarrow leaves; grapefruit seed extract (natural preservative)

Price: $5.50

Size: approx. 4 to 5 ounces

Spruce

2009-11-27T15:35:00.001-08:00

2009-11-27T14:51:00.000-08:00

If you love licorice, this is the bar for you! Anise oil has been used traditionally for any condition that involves the respiratory system, but also balances the hormones. Peppermint, the perfect companion to anise, soothes and cools the skin, helps with headaches and is also a respiratory balancing oil. Activated charcoal is added for its detoxifying, cleaning and oil absorbing properties, without drying the skin. You don’t have to be under the weather to enjoy this exciting, energetic bar of soap!

Ingredients: Saponified olive, coconut and palm oils; anise and peppermint essential oils; activated charcoal; green oxide pigment (natural colorant); grapefruit seed extract (natural preservative)

Price $5.50

Size: Approx. 4 to 5 ounces

Ginger Grapefruit Eucalyptus

2009-11-27T14:44:00.000-08:00

This is the anti-bacterial, anti-germ soap. It is a great soap for everyone in the family. The combination of these three oils is deadly to lurking viruses and bacteria that are just waiting to attack. All three oils are beneficial to the immune system. Eucalyptus is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-infectious and deodorant oil. The eucalyptus used in this blend is eucalyptus citriodora which has a fresh, lemony aroma. Grapefruit was chosen for its antiseptic and disinfectant properties as well. Grapefruit also helps with depression, relieves stress and gets the lymphatic system moving – all important when you are fighting off an illness. Grapefruit adds a clean, fresh and slightly bitter citrus fragrance to this soap. Ginger has long been used as a blood cleanser, which again, is important in fighting off infections. It is wonderful when battling colds, congestion and the flu. It adds a sharp, sweet, spicy warmth to this aromatic blend.

Ingredients: Saponified olive, coconut and palm oils; ginger, grapefruit and eucalyptus citriodora essential oils; green, yellow and brown oxide pigments(natural colorants); grapefruit seed extract (natural preservative)

Price $5.50

Size: Approx. 4 to 5 ounces