Hi Everyone! Welcome to another Friday blog. Today I want to look at why it is important to use natural soaps and creams. And...yes, soap kills...rather, de-activates enveloped viruses and bacteria including the Corona viruses.

First, what is SOAP? It is the combination of oils with an alkali (basic ionic salt) and water. The fats react with the alkali through a process called saponification. The basic recipe hasn’t changed for thousands of years. It was first created by the Babylonians and used throughout history for treating wounds and washing fabrics. The Egyptians used it for personal washing as well as cleaning wounds and fabrics. The Romans eventually got on board, but for a long time soap was a physician’s tool for treating diseases. Soap actually destroys enveloped bacteria and viruses (like Corona) by breaking apart the phospholipid bilayer of their envelopes, lessening the load on your immune system. Soap also removes harmful bacteria and viruses that are trying to take hold in the crevasses in your skin by the mechanical scrubbing of your hands. The friction mechanically loosens their hold while the soap makes it slippery and they can’t hold on! Washing your hands is the single most effective way to prevent infection. The CDC recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds and don’t forget to clean under your fingernails!!

 [Viral Envelope being destroyed by soap]

Why does it matter whether you use a natural soap vs say, Dial antibacterial bar? Take a look at the ingredients:

Benzalkonium chloride (the active ingredient) goes by the trade name Zephiran. According to the Journal of the American College of Toxicology, “it is an organic salt classified as a quaternary ammonium compound.” It is used as a biocide, cationic surfactant and a phase transfer agent. It currently can be purchased for use at .1% concentration as a germicide and sanitizer for chemically clean surfaces. This is the same concentration in the soap bar. Hence the label “If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.” A study using benzalkonium chloride (BAK) at concentrations of .1%, 1.5%, and 6.5% on mice with solution drops on the back of the neck and rubbed in. They were observed for 1 month. The mice at the lower concentrations appeared unkempt for up to 4 days, whereas the mice at the higher concentration remained unkempt. Furthermore, areas on the ears began breaking down becoming necrotic (dead). These areas eventually healed, but each of the mice treated with the higher dose also had a 5mm bald spot where the BAK was applied to the back of the neck. They also noted impaired growth of epithelial cells and fibroblasts. When BC was applied to the eyes, desquamation and necrosis was noted in the corneas of mice 4 hours after application at all BAK concentration levels. They tested it on multiple body parts and organ systems on animals and concluded that overall it is safe to use at concentration up to .1% with some warnings of skin and eye irritation. This is really worrisome because it is used in creams, lotions, personal cleanliness products, baby products, eye make-up preparations, hair shampoos and conditioners. It is used in these products to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. However, there are some companies that use lactobacillus ferment in their skin care products to combat bad microbes by enhancing your skins natural biome (check out blog #9). It is certainly not necessary to add to soap. 

Several other ingredients are in this soap bar such as Palm and Palm Kernel, fragrance, dyes, soap hardeners and latherers and talc. Well, many of you are familiar with the lawsuits linking talcum powder, including baby powder to ovarian cancer. A court in Missouri recently awarded $2.1 Billion to ovarian cancer victims by Johnson & Johnson. As we know from blog #14 comparing dietary oils, Palm is the cheapest to produce, most heavily contaminated with herbicides and pesticides, bleached and deodorized oil you can use. I don’t know about you, but I’ll pass on the Dial bar. 

In case you didn’t know, The Virgin Olive Oiler makes in-house soaps and body polishes. But, why go to all the trouble? If you’ve ever read the ingredients on a bar of soap claiming to be all natural, you’re in for a surprise. You can’t read most of the ingredients. Many of the oils they are using are “food-grade vegetable oils,” such as Palm. These oil choices are crucial. It is also important to use essential oils vs fragrance oils. Essential oils have many health properties and benefits. Artificial dyes are also detrimental to your skin and can cause irritation or even an immune response (allergy). More people than ever are realizing how important it is to eliminate bad chemicals from our bodies and environment. Remember back to blog # 9, the skin is the largest organ of the body. Many things are absorbed by the skin.

What you put on your skin matters!! This is why developing a natural soap was so important to The Virgin Olive Oiler. Using top quality EVOO, VCO, organic African shea butter, food-grade lye and essential oils produces some of the most moisturizing and vitamin-rich soap you can use on your skin. Some soaps contain oatmeal which adds an exfoliant to the soap, as well as a calming and soothing effect on your skin. Essential oils add other benefits, such as energizing or relaxing effects. Check out the orange/ginger or the lemongrass/eucalyptus. They smell divine. Unlike soaps using chemicals that leave your skin dry and irritated, natural soap contains glycerin that naturally traps moisture keeping skin healthy. These soaps contain oleic acid and several powerful antioxidants that protect our skin. It is also noteworthy that the natural soaps at The Virgin Olive Oiler are 6% super-fatted, meaning there are extra fats that are free (not bound to lye) adding moisture to your skin as you clean your body. It is important to let natural soap dry between uses. These soaps don’t have any additives to harden the soap!

So what about milled soap? For many years French triple-milled soap was considered the best you could get. This is basically a process where the soap is passed through stainless steel rollers that further mixes and compresses the soap removing moisture or air. This results in a naturally harder soap that lasts a long time. However, if milled too much, you can end up with a very dry soap. Further, it’s important to look for additives like sodium laurel sulfate, not good for your skin. Also, many triple-milled soaps are made from de-glycerinized soap flakes. (Wait! Glycerin is good for your skin!) Read the ingredients and how the soap is made.

Have you checked out the body polish at The Virgin Olive Oiler? This wonderful concoction is made from Dead Sea salt, EVOO, VCO and essential oils. Dead Sea salt comes from the Dead Sea and has been a healing place for people with inflammation and psoriasis since ancient times. Oceanic salt is roughly 85% sodium chloride (table salt). The level of sodium chloride in Dead Sea salt is only 30.5%, the remainder is composed of dried minerals and salts. Some of the minerals found in Dead Sea salts include magnesium, great for promoting cell metabolism, detoxifying, cleansing and healing inflamed skin. Calcium, which helps retain moisture, promote cell regeneration and stimulates production of antioxidants. Zinc, promotes healing and rejuvenation as well as collagen production. Sulfur, antifungal and antimicrobial as well as healing properties. Potassium, reduces puffiness and helps retain moisture. Bromide, soothing properties, promoting relaxation of muscles and calming nerves. “These minerals can penetrate deep into the skin offering prolonged benefits, including moisturizing effects.” Dead Sea salts have a very beneficial and healing effect on a host of ailments including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and more. Due to the high magnesium levels, Dead Sea salt reduces inflammation and improves skin hydration, having very positive effects on dry skin. My personal favorite is lemongrass/eucalyptus. It is chock full of minerals and micronutrients from the sea salt, antioxidants from the EVOO and VCO, the benefit of Oleic Acid promoting skin health at a cellular level. The essential oils contain vitamins, antioxidants, and provide other benefits such as decreased inflammation, improved relaxation or even invigoration. The finely ground sea salt blended with the oils creates a wonderful exfoliating scrub that gently removes dead skin cells and cleans pores while providing a moisturizing and nourishing layer protecting your skin. You will definitely love it! 

Until next time, stay HEALTHY my friends! Wash your hands with soap!! Drink, drizzle, digest EVOO, eat some fatty fish, drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep, take 5 to de-stress, give your gut a good pre/probiotic, exercise your body and mind. #EVOO