Osmia soap is made with plant oils and sodium hydroxide, which get mixed together and rearrange into soap molecules and glycerin. It is more nourishing to the skin and the environment than commercial soap.
Glycerin is a natural by-product of cold-process soapmaking, and remains in the bar, where it draws moisture to your skin throughout the day. It keeps the skin clean and soft, and effectively removes many harmful viruses and bacteria.
Ingredients in Osmia soaps like olive oil, shea butter, sustainably-sourced palm oil, mineral rich clays, and essential oils make all of our bar soaps wonderful to use—look for one that appeals to you. If you’re extremely sensitive, choose an unscented bar like Oh So or Oh So Detox.
Natural bar soap has fewer ingredients and less packaging than body wash, and is generally less drying to the skin than body wash.
For dry skin, look for a natural soap that contains ingredients like olive oil, shea butter, natural clays, and only essential oils for scent, rather than synthetic fragrance. Avoid any product with sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate. Oh So, Milky Rose, and Lavender Shea are Osmia’s most nourishing bars.
Dermatologists often recommend soaps from companies that provide free samples to their offices, without much consideration for the ingredients. Since many skin conditions involve allergies or inflammation, a soap with fewer, more natural ingredients and no synthetic scent like Oh So Soap is actually a better choice.
In order to be called soap, either sodium or potassium hydroxide—both forms of lye—must be used. In a properly made soap, the lye all gets used up in the chemical reaction, and there is none left in the final bar or liquid.
Body oil, when applied to wet skin, seals in moisture and fortifies the protective lipid layer of the skin.
Body oil is a great choice for all skin types. When applied to wet skin, it helps the skin hold moisture and keeps the top layer of skin soft and nourished.
Body oil has fewer ingredients than lotion, and does not require ingredients like emulsifiers and preservatives. In addition, you’re not paying for water, which is the main ingredient in most lotions.
Choose an Osmia Body Oil based on the product description and your scent preferences. Night is a best seller, and Naked is not scented if you’re looking for a simpler option.
Sunset and Water are especially nourishing to dry skin, but the most important thing is to apply any Osmia Body Oil to sopping wet skin and allow it to air dry for maximum moisture.