Some Soap Facts
Much commercial soap is based on synthetic detergents, colorants, and fragrances instead of unprocessed natural ingredients. You would probably be shocked at all the chemicals that go into commercial soap and shampoo.
I got this information from an article I read in 2001:
"Soaps and cosmetics marked 'unscented' or 'fragrance-free' may not be what their labels imply. Often manufacturers add just enough fragrance or scent to mask other offensive-smelling ingredients, but not enough to create a new scent. This is permissible because there are no legal definitions for these terms [scents and fragrances] -- so the cosmetics industry can use scents and fragrances but still label their products as if they are free of them. Although it is not required, most manufacturers do list these 'fragrances' or 'flavors' in their ingredients list, even when the promotional wording on the packaging states otherwise. If in doubt, call the manufacturer."
Those offensive-smelling ingredients are usually animal fats. Fragrances are hundreds, even thousands of different chemicals mixed together to form a mask to cover up the ugly smelling stuff. These chemicals can be harmful to your skin.
Extra Virgin olive oil is cold pressed right out of the olive using no chemicals. Essential oils are steam-distilled from plants and herbs using no chemicals. I use only Essential Oils and/or Organic plant products for the fragrance in my soaps. Personal selections can be based on herbal medicine and aromatherapy,which have beneficial properties as well as a pleasing fragrance.
If you are allergic to anything, then my soaps should be tested on your hands or a small part of your arm before using. So far no one has complained of an allergic reaction to my soaps or about anything else as far as I know. A child with eczema has said it makes his skin feel really good. As I grew older, my skin and scalp became very dry and that is the reason I developed BOBSKINSOAP. I had dandruff and itchy scalp most of my adult life until I developed BOBSKINSOAP. Now, as long as I ONLY use BOBSKINSOAP I have absolutely no problems with my skin and scalp. I use Organic oatmeal, Organic dried flowers and leaves, Organic clove powder, Organic cinnamon powder, and Organic powdered Goats milk, etc., when I add these ingredients to my soap. To read the ingredients of a batch of BobSkinSOAP, click the "Ingredients Example" button on the left. Ingredients information on current batches of soap can be provided upon request. For more information about how commercial soaps and shampoos can dry your skin, click the "Dry Skin" button on the left.
THIS IS A DEFINITION I FOUND ON THE INTERNET:
Eczema is nothing more than dry skin. The problem with dry skin is that the barrier function is abnormal, making the skin more susceptible to viral, fungal and bacterial infections. Eczema can be caused by genetics as in Atopic Dermatitis, which is a more severe form of eczema. Eczema can be caused by oral medications that dry out the skin. People with eczema have more sensitive skin therefore they need mild soaps like Dove Unscented or the new Cerave soap that also moisturizes that are not drying. Patients with eczema need to moisturize their skin 4-8 times a day. Cerave is a good moisturizer as it adds ceramides to the skin, which help hold moisture. There is also a good prescription moisturizer called Atopiclair, which helps re-establish the barrier function of the skin. There are mainly two treatments for Eczema beside moisturizers. There are the topical cortisones and the new non-cortisones like Elidel and Protopic. The FDA placed off black box for theoretical cancer for both of these drugs. However, there is no data showing that topical Elidel or Protopic cause cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology wrote a strong letter to the FDA along with other medical organizations criticizing what the FDA had done. Thus, for flaring of eczema some use topical cortisone and when the flare subsides then use the non-steroids. Steroids can thin the skin, cause growth suppression and ocular toxicity if used for long periods of time. Thus, steroids for flares otherwise intermittent use of Elidel or Protopic which do not have the side effects of the steroids and of course moisturizers.