SUSTAINABLE PINE SOAP DISHES

An often overlooked part of using handmade natural soap is the importance of keeping it dry between uses.  Since natural soap is very high in Glycerin, a by product of the soap making process, they are more water soluble in comparison to commercial soaps.  This is mainly because commercial soaps have their Glycerin removed and replaced with synthetic bar hardeners and detergents.  Glycerin in soap is wonderful, and the lifetime of this type of natural soap can be significantly extended with the use of a soap dish that allows for complete water drainage and the bar to completely dry out between uses.  

SOAP DISH

In addition to keeping our soap dry, being Eco-conscious is central to the work we here at BOSSANOVA, and because of this our Fire Branded soap dishes are sourced from 100% sustainable wood to ensure that they are environmentally friendly.  The Earth’s forests are home to an incredibly complex biodiversity, some of which has been lost forever. Astoundingly, about 80% of our forests have been destroyed or significantly degraded; over half of which has occurred in the last 30 years.  What remains of these forests today is home to two thirds of all existing animal and plant species on land.  Further complicating matters is the fact that only about 8 % of the world’s remaining forest is currently protected from further destruction.   

While avoiding the use of certain types of wood like Mahogany and Teak are important, it is still only part of the solution.  The timber industry is big business and our insatiable demand for wood is fed largely with unsustainable deforestation throughout the world.  Like the Pinewood that our soap dishes are made from, it is important that as much wood as possible be harvested from sustainable plantations. Pinewood is particularly nice in this regard because its high rate of growth make it one of the more sustainable woods.  Growing anywhere from 10-15 feet per year, a Pine tree will mature and can be harvested in as little as 10 years. 

SOAP DISHES

The forests are the lungs of the planet and home to a lush biodiversity. We only have one planet, and we feel we should do what we can to take care of it. 

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Nourish And Hydrate with Dead Sea Mud Soap

One of our favorite ingredients is Dead Sea Mud, but don't let the name fool you, the Dead Sea mud in this soap will not get you dirty; it will instead will feed your skin with essential minerals and nutrients to leave your skin feeling youthful and fresh.

Located in a valley surrounded by the West Bank, Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea is one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world.  Sitting more than1300 feet below sea level, its shores are the lowest dry point on Earth making this mud highly enriched with 26 different Dead Sea salts and minerals; such as Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, natural tars, and many silicon compounds.  In addition, the warm desert air evaporates the waters of the Dead Sea to leave a high concentration of salts and minerals in the mud.

Dead Sea Mud

We also love that this soap has fine grains of Dead Sea mud that lightly exfoliate and cleanse the skin to remove dirt, and toxins, and gently peel away dead skin cells to reveal a more youthful, healthier skin.

Aleppo Soap & the Syrian Civil War

Many people are aware that there is a civil war going on in Syria, but what many people are not aware of is that some of the first soap making in the world originated here.  Aleppo, located in northern Syria, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and its soap is widely considered to be the first soap ever made.  With the intense fighting business has ground to a halt and the future of soap making in this ancient city is uncertain.  

The BBC has shed some light on the consequences this war has had on the Aleppo soap making industry:

One of Nabil Andoura's earliest memories is making soap with his grandmother.

She was from a family of traditional Aleppo soap-makers and she handed down a closely-guarded recipe that hadn't changed for generations - "not for centuries" Andoura says proudly.

Made from mixing oil from laurel (bay) trees with olive oil and soda, Aleppo soap uses no chemicals or other additives.

First introduced to Europe by the Crusaders in the 11th Century, demand for the intensely moisturising, all-natural product has soared internationally in the last 10 years.

But last month, after two years of fighting in Syria, Andoura was forced to flee.  "It was a difficult decision to leave, very difficult. But it was simply too dangerous to stay," he says.

Continue reading the main story

We can only hope that this conflict has a speedy and peaceful resolution so all involved can rebuild their lives.

Eucalyptus Oils Are Mighty Fine

Native of Australia and Tasmania, Eucalyptus has been used for centuries by the Aborigines in topical applications to treat general skin problems.  It has many wonderful properties and is a great natural antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal.  Also, the camphorous nature makes it a great decongestant that can be used to treat respiratory distress and congestion. 

For our BOSSANOVA Eucalyptus soaps, we generate a stock of highly concentrated Eucalyptus infused Olive Oil for use in making these spectacular soaps.  We extract these sharp refreshing Eucalyptus Oils from freshly collected Red Ironbark and Narrow-leaved peppermint Eucalyptus trees by adding heated Olive Oil to the chopped leaves.  This infusion is left to marinate for a minimum of two weeks, and once strained, a distinctly green Olive Oil loaded with Eucalyptus Oils is the result.

Avocado Oil is a Very Nutritious Plant Oil

We ran out of Avocado Oil and had to pick some up today, which prompted this post on how special Avocado Oil is for the skin.  Avocado Oil is one of the most penetrative and nutritious of all natural plant oils and is deeply absorbed by the squamous (top) layer of the skin.

Rich in Vitamins A, D and E, lecithin, and potassium, Avocado Oil is naturally hydroscopic and acts as an emollient to promote soft and supple tissue making it helpful for eczema, psoriasis, and acne. 

Avocado Oil is also high in sterolins, which are reputed to reduce age spots and help heal sun damage and scars while its powerful antioxidants to fortify circulating white blood cells, helping to prevent skin oxidation and free radical formation.  

Leather Rebel an Inspired Soap

Sometimes in our soap making we get surprised. We had a special request soap for a leather scented soap. Our first impression was that a soap smelling of leather would be unusual and off putting.

 

The final result would end up being very different.  At this point this is one of my favorites. As it turns out, a smooth smell of leather makes the perfect Mens fragrance.

To give an idea of what our LEATHER REBEL soap is made of, we implore you to the watch the following.

Judas Priest - Hell Bent For Leather.

Blue Agave

Right now we're working on a Blue Agave soap with a floral smell. A mix of Rose and Ylang Ylang.

 

We're a big fan of raw agave.  This is a wonderful plant where its nectar is very beneficial to the skin.  

Agave Nectar comes from the Agave plant, best recognized as the plant from which tequila is made. Agave nectar was used by the Aztecs in Mexico for hundreds of years as a remedy to cure many types of skin conditions and wounds, and is also known for its anti-aging properties.

Agave Nectar comes from the Agave plant, best recognized as the plant from which tequila is made. Agave nectar was used by the Aztecs in Mexico for hundreds of years as a remedy to cure many types of skin conditions and wounds, and is also known for its anti-aging properties.