I’m a big fan of natural soaps and one of the popular organic soaps that I can’t stop raving about is goat milk soap, but first a little science lesson on why natural soap is better than commercial soaps.
Natural soap is crafted from water, lye and oils through a process termed saponification resulting in glycerin. Glycerin is what pulls the impurities off from our skin’s pores and leaves it protected and moisturized. Soap is naturally made from water, not commercially crafted in a factory mixer, and has no synthetic ingredient in it compared to detergents.
Natural soaps clean the skin and moisturize it. Natural butters and natural oils are sometimes added to enhance the benefits. Some organic ingredients in natural soaps include: aloe, oats, peppermint, cinnamon, olive oil, sea salt, sunflower seeds, red clay, yucca root, shea butter and our fav…goat’s milk.
Like I mentioned earlier, one of the popular natural soaps in the market right now is goat milk soap. Drinking goat’s milk has been dubbed as a healthier alternative compared to cow’s milk, and it certainly has wonderful benefits when added to soap. Read on to learn more about goat milk soap and why you should use it instead of regular soap.
1. It is known for its richness in restorative minerals, vitamins proteins and natural moisturizers that maintain pH balance.
It contains Vitamin A, B1, B6, B12, C and E – all food for healthy skin. Vitamin A, in particular, is necessary in the repair of damaged skin tissues.
Goat’s milk is also full of zinc, iron, copper, fatty acids and antioxidants that penetrate through the skin surface and nourishes the skin from within.
2. It contains fats that are good for you.
It contains capric, caprylic and capronic acids and triglycirieds, as well. These good fats revitalize and nourish dehydrated skin.
3. Well-balanced pH level in goat’s milk is almost the same pH level of human skin.
The use of goat’s milk makes our skin healthier and keeps skin’s oils in balance. When you use commercially-made soaps that have a high acid base, the glands work overtime to produce oils to regulate the skin’s pH resulting in oily skin. Oily skin means clogged pores, pimples and blackheads. Goat’s milk maintains a standard pH that helps you avoid these oily problems.
Additionally, healthy pH levels in the skin prevent the growth and attack of germs and bacteria.
4. You’ll never feel taut and itchy ever again.
The cream in goat’s milk keeps skin healthy and hydrated. Skin will not dry out, stretch out or break out even in cold winter seasons. Goat’s milk has qualities that act as an effective moisture barrier that keep skin supple and soft. The cream penetrates the skin’s upper layer and reaches down to gaps and moisturizes it.
5. It helps you appear more youthful with smoother skin.
The High alpha-hydroxy acids in goat milk remove dead skin cells and help build new skin cells. Chemical-laden commercial soaps break down and burn dead skin cells. Use of goat’s milk soap will help you delay the signs of premature aging and reduce lines, sun spots and wrinkles. Goat’s milk is rich in antioxidants which naturally softens the skin and keeps the skin free from oxidative damages.
6. Naturally occurring glycerin and emollients in goat’s milk deeply clean and gently moisturize the skin.
These natural ingredients clean the skin and eliminate impurities without causing unnecessary dryness. Goat’s milk also helps repair damaged skin more rapidly. Milk is an ancient beauty and skin treatment and is still as effective today. Even Cleopatra was known for taking milk baths to keep her skin supple. It is widely used in many health and beauty spas today.
7. It has an anti-inflammatory effect on skin.
Fat molecules in goat’s milk diminish skin inflammation and soothe dry or damaged skin. And because it has no chemical additives, goat’s milk can be used even by people with sensitive skin without worry of irritation or inflammation.
8. It is safe for all skin types
Goat’s milk is quite effective in treating skin problems such as acne because it is loaded with anti-bacterial properties that delay and prevent the development of microbial organisms in the skin. It efficiently destroys existing bacteria on skin that causes acne, blemishes and other problems. The restorative minerals in goat’s milk removes skin irritation that can treat many skin conditions as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, contact dermatitis and the likes.
9. It helps you avoid skin cancer.
Goat’s milk contains selenium – a mineral that prevents skin damage from exposure to excessive sunlight and plays a vital role in preventing skin cancer. It acts as sunscreen, protecting skin from the damaging UV rays.
10. It is good for you and for the environment.
Goat’s milk is not processed using potentially harmful chemicals and is less allergenic for all types of skin. Goats produce no pollution and no toxins to the ecosystem. They are made with natural substances. What’s more, goat’s take up less food and space compared to cows, making them more environmentally-friendly.
Even with the benefits detailed above, people will find it hard to switch to natural or organic soaps because they are a bit more expensive. But you need to look at it from a perspective of health and safety instead of price.
Natural soaps are very different from non-organic, commercial soaps. Natural soaps contain pure essential oils, commercial soaps contain chemicals such as dyes, animal tallow, synthetic coloring, preservatives and fragrances. The chemicals found in commercial soap are harsh on the skin and causes it to dry and be damaged. Chemical additives leave a residue on the skin and these residues cause allergic reactions, after-shower itchiness, tautness and chronically dry skin. Some chemicals are even carcinogenic.
On the other hand, handcrafted soaps do not have preservatives, chemical compounds and synthetic fragrances. Goat’s milk soaps, like other organic soaps, are more expensive than commercial bath bars because of the process it takes to make them. They are made in small batches and cold processed. Cold processing retains the natural nutrients of the soap, especially the by-product glycerin. Commercial soaps take out the natural glycerin so they can offer cleansing bars at a cheaper price.
I say choose healthy over cheap. Take care of your skin – the largest organ in your body. So be good to your skin and go natural!
Have you tried goat’s milk soap? Share your thoughts by commenting below!
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Ashby says
September 14, 2015 at 9:22 pmGreat article. Im hoping to make some goats milk soap to sell on my blog and I love the information about why more people should use it. Thanks!
Diana Ajih says
September 15, 2015 at 1:48 pmThanks! I’m glad you found it informative!