GOATS MILK SOAP - Why I think it is the best thing for making soap

I decided to write this post as a way of explaining to you why I always use goats milk in all my soaps (apart from the Bridge Inn Beer Bar - I use beer of course!).

Also I want to take this opportunity to let you all know about Norsworthy Dairy Goats here in Devon as it is their lovely goats that provide the milk I use at Naturally Made Soaps. The link above is to a rather out of date blog but it does have the contact details.  I am told by Dave that he is soon to have a new website.

So, why goats milk.........

Goats milk contains lactic acid for skin rejuvenation.  Old skin cells are easily lost after exposure to lactic acid leaving the smooth new skin cells behind.  Your skin will feel unbelievably clean and refreshed.  I hear from people all the time saying how amazed they are that my soap makes their skin feel smooth and has eliminated the need for so much lotion and cream.

Regular use of goats milk soap makes a huge difference to how your skin feels.  In wintertime hands get terribly dried out by washing and drying them, this is because with commercial soaps the acids and oils are stripped away leaving behind uncomfortably dry skin.  Your poor skin endures a lot of punishment when exposed to hot water and factory made soap and gels.  This constant abuse leaves skin feeling dry, taut, irritated even cracked. 

Coming in to be milked

Goats milk is a natural emollient that helps soothe and moisturise the skin.  It contains vitamins A, B6, B12 and E.  Goats milk has 3 times more beta-casein than cow's milk.  Caseins are easily absorbed into the skin and allow for quick hydration.  Other contents such as triglycerides, capric, caprylic and caproic acid help to balance the skins natural pH and promotes natural exfoliation of dry skin.  In fact goats milk soap is almost the exact same pH level as human skin.

Now I'm not allowed to make medical claims for my soap or tell you that it definitely will help people suffering from skin allergies, winter itches, eczema, psoriasis, chicken skin, bumps and pimples as well as dry skin.  However many, many people using my soap who have these conditions and others too tell me regularly that it helps them and most definitely does not further exacerbate them.

Only yesterday at Exmouth Farmers Market a lovely lady in a wheelchair came to the stall, I recognised her immediately, she is terribly overweight and suffers with diabetes, as a result of this she has horrible boils on her skin especially where the skin folds and touches.  She came to me a month ago and asked if my soap would be OK for her - Wow, big decision, I did not really know what to say, all I could think was that no one has ever complained that my soap has made a skin condition worse and I knew that there were no ingredients in it that could cause allergies or harm.  So she bought a bar of my lavender soap and came back yesterday to buy another one!  she said it had only just run out and she showers with it every day.  She also said that her boils were much better, really drying out and not itching any more, it was the only thing she had ever used that made things better for her.  I felt so pleased for her as she had obviously been really suffering.

Why do I use Dave and Marlyn Johnsons milk?  Simply because it is the best around.  They are very experienced, well known West Country goats cheese makers with outlets for their award winning goats milk cheese all over the country.  Their farm Gunstone Farm, is situated in the heart of Devon with views across the slopes of Exmoor.  Dave and Marlyn have a herd that is 180 strong, their girls produce beautiful, creamy milk which is unpasturised and left full fat, perfect for my soap.

The girls being milked

They make 3 hardish varieties Norsworthy, Gunstone and Posbury which have been joined by two soft cheeses Tillerton and Chelworth Ash, there is also a blue - Nanny Bloo.

I only ever use Norsworthy milk for my soaps because it is high quality, raw, unpasturised and comes from very happy, contented goats.  I will never use powdered milk or carton goats milk from Tesco - that is a promise!

Norsworthy goats are also incredibly cute

So, there you have it.  If you have never tried goats milk soap, well you think that soap is soap right?  You would be wrong.  Goats milk soap leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed, the difference can easily be felt but don't just take it from me, give it a try yourself.

IMPORTANT warning to all soapmakers out there - please read

Hi there everyone in the soap world.  I received this warning today and decided that it was important enough to put straight on the blog.  I have had a couple of similar requests too, seemingly very flattering, they want your product shipped out to Hong Kong, Poland, China etc. and ask what payment options you accept.  They want you to take credit cards so that they can make a payment in full, you send the goods and they then cancel the payment so you are left with nothing!  Delete them or just let them know that you accept direct BACS or bank transfers only.

If you have any examples of this kind of thing do let Elizabeth know, the more information the better.  Thank you.

Dear Member, It has come to my attention that several members of the European Directory of Soap and Cosmetics Makers have been contacted by someone from South Korea claiming to want to buy soaps and other items. I believe this might be a scam and would like to warn all members to be wary if contacted. I'm in the process of gathering more information, and would appreciate input from all members. If you have been contacted about sending products to South Korea, or anywhere else, and feel unsure about the transaction, please let me know. Kind regards, Elizabeth Carnahan www.soapmakers.eu An official communication from The European Directory of Soap & Cosmetics Makers The European Directory of Soap & Cosmetics Makers 146 Glasgow Road • Longcroft • Stirlingshire • FK4 1QL • United Kingdom Email: sales@soapmakers.eu • Web: www.soapmakers.eu