What’s the deal with all-natural, organic, (almost) edible soap? Why is organic so great, and what makes it (almost) edible?
Gage’s Natural soap is made up of five base ingredients: tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, lye, and water. Let’s dive into each ingredient and see how they all contribute to a clean body, mind and soul.
Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished Tallow
Tallow, which is rendered beef fat from the kidney and loin area, has traditionally had a wide range of uses. From cooking, to soap and candle making, to moisturizers and more, tallow is a highly valuable resource.
I don’t buy grass-fed, grass-finished tallow just because it’s “trendy.” Grass-fed animals are known to have a greater number of omega 3 fatty acids, which helps balance omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids in your body. Grain-fed animals have a much lower number of omega 3s, which creates an imbalance that can lead to inflammation and even trigger other health issues.
Grass-fed tallow is also more sustainable and nature-friendly. Grass-fed cows spend their life outside in lush pastures, while grain-fed cows typically spend their time in muddy, cramped pens, and need antibiotic shots to avoid getting sick.
Tallow from grass-fed cows works wonders for your skin, and I’m happy to use it as the main ingredient in Gage’s Natural soap.
Organic, Extra Virgin, Cold-Pressed, First-Pressed Olive Oil
The wide popularity of olive oil around the world can’t be denied. But this has led purity issues, with many people taking shortcuts. I traced the purest olive oil back to its source, and I’m proud to offer the best olive oil you’ll find.
In soapmaking, olive oil is known for its lather and mild cleaning properties. The oleic acid moisturizes and nourishes skin, it's gentle in all the places you need it, and is ideal for people with sensitive skin.
The organic label specifically refers to the growing, cultivation, and harvesting methods. This certification ensures the olives have never seen any pesticides, herbicides, or other toxic sprays typically used in industrial farming.
Extra virgin means that the olive oil is the highest quality available and it’s extracted without the use of chemicals.
Cold-pressed olive oil is pressed without the use of heat. This ensures the delicate, heat-sensitive nutrients of the olive oil stay intact- all the way from the branch in the orchard, to your skin in the shower.
First-pressed olive oil is made from the first batch of olives, ensuring it isn’t diluted or “cut” with older olives or other ingredients.
Organic, Extra Virgin, Cold-Pressed, Fair Trade Certified Coconut Oil
Coconuts, while produced commercially in the Asia-Pacific, can be found in tropical climates around the world. Coconut oil, popularized in the mid-1900s, is used with cooking, makeup, and skin and beauty care worldwide. The extraction method of coconut oil is similar to olive oil, but differs in one major way- labor.
Coconut oil producers in the past have faced scrutiny for mistreating laborers and the land where they grow coconuts. The Fair Trade USA certification means the laborers are now paid fairly, the community is supported, and the coconut oil is made in an ecologically friendly way.
In soap, coconut oil is known for its moisturizing properties, giving relief to those who struggle with eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, its antibacterial properties help eliminate acne and soothe skin conditions.
Organic Essential Oil
No matter if you use the spearmint, lavender, cedarwood-pine, or other essential oil, rest assured they’re all organic. The oils are extracted naturally without the use of harmful chemicals, and the purity is ensured by the organic label.
Essential oils can be harmful if sensitive skin is exposed to a large concentration. That’s why I keep a low concentration in the soap- just enough for you to enjoy it!
Whether it's steam-distilled, cold-pressed, CO2 extracted or other, know that you’re only getting the best quality there is.
Fluoride-Filtered Water
You’ve known water since you were a kid. But do you know about fluoride-filtered water? Perhaps not.
Fluoride, a registered neurotoxin, continues to be dumped into waterways in the name of “dental health.” Despite numerous studies proving otherwise, it’s your responsibility to steer clear of this hazard.
Luckily, when it comes to soap, I've got you covered.
Water is used to dilute and evenly distribute the lye in the soap. The soap loses some of its water content as it “cures” or hardens, but about 70-80% of it stays in the soap.
Most people wouldn’t know (or care) about the difference between using tap water and fluoride-filtered water in soap. But I enjoy the peace of mind my soap offers, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
I now present to you the sole ingredient that makes Gage’s Natural soap (almost) edible- lye.
Lye today has a wide range of uses, from soap making, to drain cleaning, to chemical manufacturing and more. This chemical is a highly basic alkali on the pH scale, measuring between 13 and 14. If you aren’t careful when handling lye, and you get some on your skin, a chemical burn happens immediately.
It’s a peculiar ingredient to make soap with. Without it, the combination of oils and water would be just that- oil and water.
Lye is the secret ingredient that brings all the great parts about soap together!
As early as 2800 BC, lye was made (discovered) by pouring water through wood ashes. Our ancestors found that when they combined this mixture with animal fats, it created a substance that bubbled and cleaned skin and cooking utensils alike. This process, called saponification, is essential for the cleanliness of any person or object alike.
Conclusion
It’s obvious that Gage’s Natural soap only has the highest quality and most sustainable ingredients you can find. They all blend together, giving you the most healthy and luxurious skin you could ask for.
What’re you waiting for? Ground Yourself with a bar of Gage’s Natural soap! Use promo code 5OFF to receive $5 off your next purchase!