Why would you use something on the outside of your body that is made from things you wouldn't use inside your body?
Have you ever read the labels on the soap you use, specifically the ingredients list? Are you able to pronounce the ingredients on the list, much less know what they are? I admittedly might lack in some education so I couldn't. I had to google most of the chemicals. Chemicals like -
Tetrasodium EDTA- Used in soap to prevent fungus growth and rancidity, as well as preserving the texture and odor of the soap. Unfortunately its made from formaldehyde, sodium cyanide, and ethylenediamine. In lab test its been found to cause irritation and rashes to people with sensitive skin.
Titanium Dioxide - Used to improve texture and appearance. Titanium dioxide has been banned in an ever-increasing list of countries, and labeled as a carcinogen that may cause neurotoxicity.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine- Cocamidopropyl betaine is a synthetic detergent and surfactant (substance that increases spreading and wetting properties) that is used to increase the foaming action of cleansing products and moderate the viscosity of liquids. As a synthetic surfactant, cocamidopropyl betaine is found in a number of personal hygiene products including hand soaps.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES) - SLS and SLES are surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation, which is used to make other chemicals less harsh.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG compounds) - PEGs are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. Depending on manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are both carcinogens.
Synthetic Fragrance - These man-made, engineered scent agents may contain any combination of 3,000-plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed.
The list can go on and on, the summarized take away is that most modern soaps have a lot of chemicals in them that are only there for the sake of the soap its self to make them easily mass produced and shelf stable, and are not only of no aid to your skin and overall health but can be to you detriment.
So what's the solution? For me the solution I found was to look to the past. Soap has been around a long time, so what was it made of before "modern industrialization"? Old soap recipes that were handed down for hundreds of years only had 3 primary ingredients.
FAT WATER LYE
These are the only 3 simple ingredients required to achieve the chemical reaction known as Saponification, or soap making. So for me the solution was to use the best versions of those 3 components. Water, food grade Lye, and grass fed beef tallow. Beef tallow is fat taken from specific parts of grass fed cattle, and has been rendered into a pure, clean oil. It is ultra rich in the same kinds of lipids that are found naturally in youthful, healthy looking skin. Grass fed tallow also contains fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, E & K. The fatty acids in pure grass fed tallow are similar in composition to those found in the protective outer layer of human skin and in naturally produced skin oils (sebum). This makes grass fed tallow highly skin compatible, allowing it to absorb easily into the skin to improve the protective barrier of the skin, prevent moisture loss and regenerate the appearance of healthy looking skin.
In conclusion - Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it protects the rest of your body from the outside world. You should protect it and care for it with products that are made from ingredients that are just as safe and beneficial for the inside of your body as the outside. Keep your soap simple and safe, use Ancient Suds grass fed beef tallow soap.