Allantoin

Allantoin is a natural chemical compound that can be found in the comfrey plant.  It can be found in sources such as cow urine as well, but we only use the comfrey derived type in our products!  (No cow urine...)

Allantoin is a natural soothing, anti-irritant, and skin protectant.  It also increases the smoothness of the skin and promotes the healing of wounds, burns, and scars. It is added to skin care products for its moisturizing effect as well as its ability to cause the outer layer of dead skin cells to loosen and shed.

Even the FDA has approved the following statements for non-prescription, drug products containing allantoin:

• For the temporary protection of minor cuts, scrapes, burns and sunburn.
• Helps prevent and temporarily protects chafed, chapped, cracked, or wind burned skin and lips.
• Relieves dryness and softens cold sores and fever blisters.
• Helps treat and prevent diaper rash. Protects chafed skin/minor skin irritation due to/associated with diaper rash and helps protect from/seal out wetness.

You're no dummy!  Do a Google search for 'allantoin' and you'll read all sorts of useful information about the product!

Products: Neem Cream, Butt Balm, Starboard Men's Aftershave

Neem Cream for Eczema, Rosacea and Psoriasis

This cream is perfect for problem skin areas.  Made with neem oil, this oil has been used in India for thousands of years to treat psoriasis, rosacea and eczema.  But neem cream is great for so much more!  Neem also relieves dry skin, soothes itchiness, redness and irritation and It improves general skin health and immunity.

The olive oil used in this cream has been macerated in herbs and botanicals that aid in healing minor skin infections.

Allantoin gives this cream an extra soothing kick, as it helps with skin protection and anti-inflammatory issues.

We suggest using this cream on areas that need extra special care: extremely dry skin, rashes, areas with eczema, etc.  However, many of our customers like to use this cream as an all over body butter,  or even as a night time face cream.  So you should use it how you see fit!

One downfall to all the great benefits of neem oil is it's unpleasant smell.  We've done a pretty good job at blending this scent with tea tree and litsea cubeba essential oils which in themselves supply a wide range of healing properties.  Most people don't mind the smell or even like it after being blended with the essential oils. Either way, this cream is great for anyone who has skin problems.

Want to read some feed back about this cream?
 ~ Here is what one customer had to say about our Neem Cream: "THIS IS MIRACLE CREAM!!! You would not believe the difference in my skin. From red skin, bumps, & dry skin, to beautiful clear skin that I haven't seen for years! I will be back for sure!"
~ Here is what one customer had to say about the scent:
"I was scared to open this after reading the description. I mean, how terrible could it smell? Well, I was relieved that this smells wonderful! The light lemony scent smells delicious!"
~ This is what one customer had to say about using the Neem Soap and Cream together:
"I have been using this product, together with the carrot neem face soap, for about a month, to treat mild to moderate rosacea on my cheeks and neck. It does work! The red flushing on cheeks is gone, and there are virtually no red bumps on my neck. Impressed! Container is small, but a little goes a long way, and the neem smell is not at all overpowering. Thanks for an effective, natural product!"

You can get a sample of the Neem Cream here.
You can also purchase our Carrot Neem Face Soap, a good soap to pair with this cream.

Ingredients: distilled water, botanical infused olive oil (calendula, comfrey, plantain, chamomile), neem oil, liquid glycerin, vegetable derived emulsifying wax, palm stearic acid, allantoin, tea tree essential oil, litsea cubeba essential oil and paraben-free preservative.

BUY SOME NOW!

Neem Oil

If you haven't heard by now, I must tell you that neem oil is amazing.  We currently use it in two of our products and those products FLY off the shelf.  I mean, it's like they grow wings and disappear in the middle of the night because I'll open the shop the next morning and at least half of what is left of the stock is spoken for.  Yeah.  It's that good.

Let me tell you a little about neem oil.  Neem oil is pressed from the seeds and fruit of the neem tree, native to Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. It can be helpful to a variety of skin issues including  psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.  It can be used to ward off insects.  It makes great soaps, lotions, hair treatments, etc.  It's really great if you have skin issues.  But it smells disgusting.

The terrible smell of neem oil is actually what contributes to it being so good for your skin.  If you remove some of the bad smelling components of the oil, you will be decreasing its effectiveness.

There is a plethora of information about the benefits of neem oil plastered across the internet.  Just do a Google search for 'neem oil uses' and you'll see what I mean.

Please note, you should not take neem oil internally with out speaking to a professional first.  I'm not sure why you would want to ingest it, but I still felt the need to warn you.

Neem oil itself makes a good natural pesticide and it's effects are increased when combined with it's cousin, karanja oil.

Products: Carrot Neem Face Soap, Neem Cream

Rose Water Toner

This toner is made with rose water, which has excellent soothing effects, can improve the condition of dry and aging skin, as well as cleanse, purify and tone skin, and reduce swelling and redness.

Toner removes excess oil on the surface of the skin.  It tightens and strengthens the skin as well.  Rose water is a gentle, effective toner while witch hazel acts as a mild astringent.  Rose water is great for all skin types and mature, aging skin.  You can spray this product directly on your face or on a cotton ball to wipe over your face after cleansing, before cream application.  You can also carry this product with you for spraying a refreshing application on your skin through out the day.  This product comes in a plastic recyclable (#1) bottle and a spray pump top with over 4 ounces of product.

Ingredients: rose water, distilled water, liquid glygerin and witch hazel.

You can get a sample here. Or try our new Lavender and Chamomile toner here.

Thanks for shopping at Halo Soap!

Glycerin

Me with a bottle of glycerin., a photo by Halo Soap and Products on Flickr.

Did you know it's sweet? I didn't. Very interesting...

Crack Stick Lip Balm

Anyone who has tried my Crack Stick lip balm knows it's one of the best lip balms out there.  I get orders for this one 5 times as often as any of my other lip balm.  Here's a little peek into making it.

 

 Here I am measuring out the amount of menthol crystals for the Crack Stick.  Not too much that it's overwhelming, but just the right amount to make it cooling and tingly!

 Then I add the crystals to my melted lip balm base (which I of course make myself, no pre-purchased bases here!)

 

 Then they go into the tubes to cool!  I do a special way to avoid the top caving in, creating an unflattering "cone".

Enjoy!

Making Steampunk Octopus Owl Soap

I took a few pictures while creating my special Steampunk soap.

 

Here's the mold I special ordered and what the octopus owl looks like when he's popped out of the mold.

 

 Here's an idea of how big my little buddy is.

 

 And here he is embedded in a big ol' chunk of glycerin soap.

Enjoy!