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Calendula in Soap vs. Topicals: What It Really Does

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Calendula is one of those ingredients you see everywhere in skincare, especially in handmade products. It has a long history of being used to soothe irritated or sensitive skin, but what it actually does depends on how you use it, and that’s where things get interesting. When calendula is added to cold or hot process soap, the high pH of saponification destroys many of the delicate compounds responsible for its strongest anti‑inflammatory and healing effects. But that doesn’t mean calendula soap is useless, far from it. Several important components survive the process, and they’re the reason calendula soap feels so gentle. Calendula’s natural resins and plant waxes hold up beautifully in soap, giving the bar a smoother, creamier feel and helping it glide softly on the skin. Some of the fat‑soluble compounds also remain, contributing to that mild, calming sensation people notice when they use calendula bars.  So, while calendula soap isn’t a medicinal treatment, it is a noticea...
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Creating Soap That Lets Skin Heal Itself

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I thought I would take a moment to talk about why I started making soap. I’ve had skin issues most of my life. I struggled with terrible acne, and my skin always felt raw and overly sensitive. I even went on Accutane, which helped some, but my skin still felt irritated and dry. My biggest challenge was the constant dryness. I hated having to put on lotion several times a day just so my skin wouldn’t itch. It felt like a never‑ending battle. Every product I tried solved one problem but created a new one. I’ve always thought it was ridiculous how many products people feel they need for their skin. I’m a very low‑maintenance person. I haven’t worn makeup in years, and honestly, my confidence has grown because of that choice. I still appreciate the artistry of makeup, but I didn’t want to wear it on my own face anymore. My skin didn’t heal overnight, but it changed the first time I used the very first bar of soap I ever made, a tallow and honey bar using the hot process method. I instan...
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DIY Drawing Salve (With Tallow, Castor Oil, Clay & Charcoal)

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If you’ve ever dealt with stubborn splinters, bug bites, or those deep, under‑the‑skin bumps, a good drawing salve is a lifesaver. This little black balm has been used for generations to help “draw out” impurities from the skin and once you make it yourself, you’ll understand why it’s a staple in so many homes. One of the best parts of running this business is that I get to experiment and share what I’ve learned with others. Living in North Carolina means there are bugs, lots of them, so it isn’t uncommon to get a bite here and there. Topical medications have never worked for me and often made things worse because of how my skin reacts to certain ingredients. I started researching ways to create something natural that would help my skin help itself. This drawing salve is the result of that journey. Drawing salves have traditionally been used on bug bites, splinters, and deep bumps, including pimples. This recipe isn’t a medical product, but many people enjoy using it as a natural optio...
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Why Our Soap Is Healthier

Even when scented, our soaps remain phthalate‑free, paraben‑free, and SLS/SLES‑free. They’re made through true saponification using tallow, coconut, and castor oil, which naturally create glycerin — a gentle moisturizer that helps skin stay soft and balanced. Nature’s Oil fragrance oils are IFRA‑certified, cruelty‑free, and formulated for soap and skincare use, offering long‑lasting scent without harsh chemicals. Sources Pure Fragrances for Skin and Hair Care Products | Bulk Apothecary Natural soap is clinically effective and less toxic and more biodegradable in aquatic organisms and human skin cells than synthetic detergents | PLOS One Parabens What they are: Synthetic preservatives used to prevent mold and bacteria in cosmetics and body care products. Why avoid them: Parabens can mimic estrogen and act as endocrine disruptors, potentially affecting hormone balance and reproductive health ( Cleveland Clinic ). Why we don’t use them: Nature’s Oil fragrance oils are paraben‑free, offe...
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What is Soap?

Natural soap is made by combining oils or fats, water, and lye. When these ingredients come together, they go through a chemical reaction called saponification, which turns them into real soap. Nothing from the original lye remains in the finished bar — it’s all transformed into soap and natural glycerin.  What is Hot Process Soap Making Hot process soap is made by gently heating the oils, lye, and water together so the soap fully saponifies right in the pot. The oils are warmed until they melt into a smooth base, then the lye water is blended in to begin the transformation into soap. As the mixture cooks, it gradually thickens and becomes glossy, showing that the reaction is moving through its stages. The steady heat completes saponification, meaning the oils and lye have fully turned into soap and natural glycerin. Once it reaches this point, the mixture is pressed into molds, where it cools and firms into solid bars. This results in a bar with a simple, traditional feel. Soap vs...
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