Soap Making and Community Coming Together at NVIT
Our small business, Earth and Soul Collections was called for a collaboration with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. We were asked to craft custom bars of soap as a token of appreciation for their students and faculty members as together they raise awareness toward Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and overall wellness. These long-lasting soap bars are far more than meets the eye. They are brought to you in small batches that are mindfully made at our homestead, located on Nlaka’pamux and Syilx territories in Canford, BC. My name is Brooke, my partner Scott and I offer homemade remedies from soaps, skincare, candles and natural cleaning products to our family and the community around us. We love being immersed in nature and inspiring others to join in too. Now let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that were chosen for your soap and why they are so special.
Img.1) The melting pot of oils that will soon be turned into soap.
One thing you all need to understand about our labels is that all ingredients are written in scientific and Latin(botanical) terms. The cosmetic industry has made it this way because common names for plants vary from region to region and even from town to town. One plant may live under several different synonyms, or a single common name may refer to several plants that don't look anything alike.
First on the ingredient list is Aqua, (water). We use purified distilled water when making any remedies to ensure its long-lasting quality and to minimize space for bacteria growth.
Next, we have Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, made from the fruit of coconuts. It is excellent for hydrating dry skin and often a top choice for those managing sensitivities. Considered a superfood, coconut oil is loaded with benefits for topical and internal use! It is anti-fungal, anti- inflammatory and carries a high amount of antioxidants to help prevent signs of premature aging.
Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil is an edible plant oil derived from the kernel of the oil palm tree Elaeis guineensis. We’ve teamed up with manufacturers that keep a close eye attuned to the environmental impact when collecting this oil. We offer a Certified Sustainable source, which must meet strict standards to ensure it is being produced in a way that is healthy to the environment. Palm oil contains compounds that may be beneficial to protect the skin's elasticity.
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil is made from cold processed grape seeds that offer high amounts of Proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins are antioxidants that effect the body 20 times more than vitamin C and 50 times more than vitamin E. The antioxidants found in grape seed oil help your skin fight free radicals and protect it from harmful effects from the elements.
Soft enough for a baby’s bottom, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil brings in the bright and warm energy of the sun. It contains linoleic acid, oleic acid, lecithin, carotenoids and has a high vitamin E content to best protect and replenish the skins moisture barrier while leaving you feeling smooth and soothed.
We chose 100% pure essential oils with mood elevating and anti-anxiety properties for this soap. Lavendula Hybrida Grosso (Lavandin) and Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) are two Sisters amongst the mint family offering a sense of peace for your central nervous system and a reduction of stress. Lavender essential oil will summon inner clarity and offers strong antiseptic abilities.
Img.2) Here are the soaps resting in their molds right after being made. We’ll let these harden for a minimum of 24 hours before proceeding to the next step.
Next, we have the well rooted energy of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil. It enriches skin with maximum hydration while its very essence encourages motivation to complete your tasks even if they previously felt like an impossible burden. Castor is a medicine of movement and is documented throughout history for its many traditional uses from birth work all the way to parasitic cleansing. It’s an astringent oil that is generous to the skin when applied topically.
Kaolin is a mild clay that improves blood circulation, gently exfoliates and helps remove impurities without removing your natural oils. Kaolin is a great choice for dry or sensitive skin types.
At first glance, CI 77007 (Ultramarine) may seem unnatural but really it is a mineral composition also known as Lazurite. When ground into a powder it shows itself as bright vibrant purple in soap. This stones high vibrational frequency can be helpful when battling depression or stepping into the dream realms. It helps seek the relevant information from convoluted situations and brings compassion and understanding to communication and self-expression.
Lastly on the ingredient list is the versatile life force of Calendula Officinalis, added to your soap for its potent nurturing ability that is not only gentle on the skin but also gentle on the soul. It helps to remove fear and anxiety while encouraging stability through emotional challenges. It empowers leadership, helps wounds, burns, eczema, and carries anti-inflammatory properties. This flower was grown in our Medicine Garden and harvested with love to be shared through your soap. We hope you enjoy its essence as much as we have enjoyed creating this lively bar for you.
Img.3) The Soap Bar’s being freshly cut by Scotty
When crafting soaps, you must use the chemical compound known as Sodium Hydroxide in order to convert your chosen fats and oils into soap. Once the oils and sodium hydroxide are mixed at its perfect temperature, they begin to create a reaction called saponification which can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several days to fully transition into soap. You know your soap is ready to share with others once all traces of sodium hydroxide are no longer present. When the saponification process is complete, we leave the mixture to rest in its mold for a day or two before cutting it into the appropriate soap bar size. After that, the bars must rest for a minimum of 2-4 weeks until fully cured. The timeline for curing will vary depending on what type of soap was made. Once fully cured they are ready to be packaged. We wrap our soaps with 100% degradable polyolefin to ensure a minimal waste footprint. Once covered and heat sealed it is time to finalize the look with the customized label showing the NVIT vibrant logo and a personal message.
Soap making is a skill that Scott and I have grown with over the past 6 years with many silly stories of trial and error to share that helped us pave the way to our successes. This ancient craft is a timely process that brings forward our patience and curiosity. It is a skill we cherish in our home as it is the nucleus of our passions bringing gardening, foraging, wellness and science all together as one. Thank you for taking the time to read this and gaining a brief understanding of the soap making services we offer from our small business and the love and attention that is put into each layer of creation. This project was a blessing to bring to life with such a wonderful team helping guide our choices.
Sincerely, Brooke and Scott
INCI: Aqua (Water), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Lavendula Hybrida Grosso (Lavandin), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Kaolin, CI 77007 (Ultramarine), Calendula Officinalis
To learn more about NVIT and their mission please visit their website at www.nvit.ca