Thank You for Visiting
"I am constantly trying and adding new formulations to the Kissing Moons line. Please be sure to check back to see what is new. Since all my products are freshly handcrafted in small batches availability may be limited in some cases. Kissing Moons does not condone animal testing but relies on the feedback from our family, friends and customers. I hope you enjoy these products as much as I do."
The Kissing Moons Story
I have spent many years in the cosmetology profession specializing in skin care. Seeing the increasing instances of skin problems and issues with product sensitivity, I began searching for new options. I discovered that most commercially made products are nothing more than synthetic detergents, which are irritants and have been determined to be the root cause of many sensitivity issues. Keeping this and the limited availability of products lacking synthetic detergents in mind, I took a leap of faith. I left the salon and focused on taking my knowledge and experience to a new level. My research was aimed at creating products gentle enough to use on even my own ultra-sensitive skin. I began handcrafting soaps, facial and bath products from home for my own use and shared them as gifts to friends, family and clients. With continuous positive feedback and encouragement from family and friends Kissing Moons handcrafted soaps were born. All of my products are made with only the highest quality vegetable oils, exotic butters, essential and cosmetic-grade fragrance oils available. Each product is (and will remain) crafted by hand in small batches to insure that each product purchased is fresh and consistent in quality. Each batch is made from the age old handcraft methods and are formulated to yield mild results. Each bar of soap is hand cut and wrapped with no two appearing quite the same but are all equal in effectiveness, reliability and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
* Why use handcrafted soap?
* How is soap made?
* Does your soap have lye in it?
* How is handcrafted soap different from the commercial name brand soap bought at the supermarket?
* What is castile soap?
* How to care for your Kissing Moons soap?
Why use handcrafted soap?
Handcrafted Soap is rich in natural Glycerin, free of alcohol, detergents and harsh chemicals. Our soaps are made using the highest quality vegetable oils, essential oils, cosmetic-grade fragrance oils and exotic butters available. We do not use any artificial colorings as our products get their shades from the natural saponfication of various oils and the addition of herbs, vegetable powders and other botanicals.
Many commercially made soaps contain detergents which can irritate skin. Handcrafted soap is very mild, so those who are sensitive to detergents may benefit from using natural soap. Also, the handcrafted process does not produce any harmful by-products and is safe for the environment.
(Note: As with any product it is possible some people may be sensitive. Discontinue use if any signs of sensitivity or allergic reaction should occur. Some Kissing Moons products contain a minimal amount of coconut oil or other "nut" butters so persons with nut allergies may want pay close attention to ingredient listings.)
How is soap made?
Soap is made through a process called saponfication. Without saponfication you can not have soap. All soaps are made using oils and sodium hydroxide (also called lye), it is false to think soap can be made without it. During the Saponfication process this combination of acids (oils) and alkali (lye) is chemically changed into soap. There is no lye present in the finished bars of soap.
Oils, butters, or fats are mixed with a carefully measured amount of sodium hydroxide dissolved in water. This mixture is then blended to produce the chemical reaction needed to result in the beginning stages of soap. As saponification takes place the mixture heats up, thickens and is poured into molds. The molds are then insulated for 24 hours for to complete the process. Once saponfication is complete the soap is unmolded, cut into bars and set out to dry on racks. After a 4 week air-cure time each is tested for the correct pH to ensure consistency.
There are many variations of this process but each results in a very mild bar of soap which still contains the moisture loving glycerin produced during the saponfication process. Glycerin is a natural humicant which aids in moisturizing skin by drawing moisture from the air.
Does your soap have lye in it?
In one word....No!
Many people are under the impression that all handmade soaps are the same as the harsh "lye soap" grandma used to make. The fact is soap can not be made without the use of lye in the initial process. Even commercial soaps begin with this same basic process. Though the process is still the same the end result is quite different. The harsh soap remembered from the old days more than likely contained excess amounts of lye from imprecise chemistry and lack of measurement. Modern soap making has become a very precise science. During Saponfication the combination of acid (oils, fats, or combination of) and alkali (lye) chemically change into soap. There is no lye left at the end of the process, it is used up completely. What is left is the purest form of soap and natural skin loving glycerin that in no way resembles the lye soap of old.
How is handcrafted soap different from the commercial name brand soaps bought at the super market?
Most commercial soaps are mass-produced via the continuous process using inexpensive rendered animal fats such as beef tallow or lard. To further cut their production cost, many manufacturers use an alarming list of synthetic detergents and petroleum based chemicals to extend, preserve and enhance their product. Read the labels and you will notice that most are not soap at all, they are actually synthetic bars of detergent. To cut cost even more, manufacturers extract the natural humectant, glycerin, during the process. It is then sold as a by-product to other industries for profit, and replaced with synthetic additives leaving the consumer more often that not with dry, itchy skin that feels tight. Remember this...True soap is not detergent and true soap does not need to be "enhanced"!
Our soap is made in small batches using the highest quality vegetable oils and butters available. The naturally occurring glycerin remains in finished soap leaving you with pure natural soap.
Simply this...
# We use the trinity of soap making oils in our soap making process. Olive, palm and coconut oils blend to produce the perfect bar of soap. Castor oil or Shea Butter is then used to super fat the mixture to lend their added benefits and insure the mildest bar of soap. Olive oil is extremely mild and moisturizes the skin by attracting external moisture from the air. It does not leave a film on the skin allowing necessary functions such as sweating and shedding of dead skin to occur.
# Palm oil is used to make a hard, long-lasting bar of soap that cleans well. It is used instead of Lard or Tallow as a "hardener" when making vegetable soaps. It has similar properties to that of coconut oil and is very mild.
# Coconut oil is one of the oils that gives soap its lather. Coconut oil produces a fluffy stable lather that cleans well (even in hard water), acts as a hardener and is mild. Unfortunatly some people are allergic to coconut. If you are sensitive to coconut or other nut oils try our Castile Soap which is made from 100% olive oil.
# Castor oil is a wonderful to add as it produces thick, long-lasting lather. It is a wonderful oil for dry skin due to its humectant properties, drawing moisture from the air and holding it down. It is mild and is good for all skin types.
# Shea Butter is a superb moisterizer and has exceptional healing properties to the skin. It contains Vitamin A, E and F and the same moisturizers produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. It doesn't clog pores like animal fats such as tallow and lard. I could go on and one about the benefits of shea butter. Shea Butter in any form is truely a luxurious treat for the skin.
What is Castile Soap?
Castile soap gets its name from the region of Castilla, in northern Spain where it was first produced in the 13th century. For centuries it was exported to royalty throughout Europe and became known as the Queen of Soaps. Traditional castile soap is made from 100% olive oil and that is how we at Kissing Moons continue make it. Castile soap is by far one of the gentlest soaps avalible and is wonderful for those with sensitive skin and is many times used as baby's first soap. Castile soap also makes a wonderful facial soap that is good for all skin types. Castile is a hard white to cream colored bar of soap that cleanses very well while being extremely mild. Castile soap does not lather like other soaps, it has a cream-like consistency that, with a little work, yields an abundance of rich lather.
Read your labels...
Today it has become difficult to find 100% pure castile soap. The term castile has come to describe any soap containing over 50% olive oil in the formulation. There are even soaps on the market today claiming to be pure castile soap but by reading the label you will see they contain no olive oil at all!
How to care for your Kissing Moons Soap?
Handcrafted soap is like wine, it gets better with age. Exposure to dry air contributes to hardening and makes for a long lasting bar. How long does handcrafted soap last? Like with any soap, it depends on use. Do not allow your soap to "swim", meaning do not let it remain in the bath water while you use it. To insure the longest life out of your soap, place it on a draining soap dish, loofah slice or soap basket so it can thoroughly dry after each use. The use of a bath scrubby or loofah may also extend the life of your bar.