Certified Soap Makers?

I am starting to see a lot of people adding to their websites that they are "Certified Soapmakers"
It would seem that their are different levels of the certification process.
In searching the web I have only found one site that offers certification for soap making.
While their intentions are good I think that it is unfair to those that have been making handcrafted soaps for years now.
Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild has developed the program, which is offered to their members.
The certification program seems very well covered.
I think even this soap maker of over 40 years, might learn a thing or two!
The only drawback would be that only people that make handcrafted soaps and follow the handcrafted soap industry would know what the certification process covers.
As it is stated on their website "to encourage and promote the highest professional standards among HSMG members."
Does that give HSMG members an unfair advanage ? Being able to add to their websites that they are certified soapmakers, without adding that it is for HSMG members only, it would make people assumed that there is a standard when it comes to making handcrafted soaps.
I agree that there should be a national standard for soap making, along with shampoo, sugar scrubs, body lotions, and all the other bath products.
I think the FDA covers most of it. I would much rather see a government certification program, if there are to be any.
I now have the choice of joining HSMG and pay to take their certification test, which if I passed would give me the right to say I am a "certified soapmaker" on my websites, blogs, facebook and twitter.
I did email the president of HSMG voicing my concern that "certified soapmaker" might give the general public a false impression that there is a set standard for soapmakers. She was kind enough to reply."As the only non-profit trade association for handcrafted soapmakers, we have developed the Certification Program to help the industry as a whole by creating a set of standards. Our logo as well as the HSMG Certification logos clearly have the HSMG symbol in them and are very similar to each other making it very clear where the program originated."
HSMG has even hired a DC Advocate to help be a voice for handcrafted soapmakers and setting standards for soapmakers.
Should there be a national standard for soapmakers?
From the handcrafted soapmakers that I know, we all take pride in creating our handcrafted soaps. We know that selling our soaps, we have to be consistent with all of our products. I am sure that there are some soapmakers that take shortcuts just like any other industry. They will be the ones that will not get repeat sales, or they will stop taking shorcuts.
Now I could join and become a " Certified Soapmaker", or I can choose not to and say "I am not a certified soapmaker", with over 40 years experience in making handcrafted soaps. Who knows one day I might, but until then I will still take pride in the way I make my soaps, knowing that only the best will be given to family and friends, because If my soaps are not good enough for my family to use then I know they are not good enough to be sold.
To all my fellow soapmakers that take pride in crafting the best handcrafted soaps I give you the title " Master Soapmaker!"

Why do so many soapers mislead with their ads? I know it really comes down to getting people to buy their products.
Over the last few months we have seen a lot of people and companies trying to regulate our industry. We are not helping ourselves by misleading the consumers.
Two or three times a week, I check out other handmade soap web sites. I would have to say well over 50% cross the line on making false claims.
We need to take responsibility and police our own industry. From reading some of these medical claiming ads "Scented with sweet orange, rosemary, and ylang-ylang essential oils, which work to refresh and soften the skin as well as generate new skin cells"
Generate new skin cells? Just wait a minute and skin cells will regenerate on their own. Dead skin cells are replaced every minute by new skin cells, which are again replaced by new cells when they die because each skin cells lifetime is not more than a minute. I guess the point I want to get across is that a natural handmade soap will not cure your skin problems, even if they have exotic ingredients. Handmade soaps don't have added chemicals such as petroleum products.
A few years ago there was a caffeine soap fad, where pure caffeine was used in handmade soaps.
The claim was that it would help in waking you up.
That was until a study was done. Caffeine Soap http://scienceforums.com/topic/1320-does-caffinated-soap-really-work

Now we are seeing handmade soaps that list the benefits of using tree tea oil, lavender, vitamins along with a ton of other exotic plants and oils.
The truth is, there are no studies indicating that using handmade soaps with exotic ingredients benefit the skin. (Think about it, soap is put on and rinsed off in a matter of minutes.)
So why buy handmade soaps?

A good handmade bar of soap can help moisturize your skin. It smell good!
A person makes the soaps, not a machine in some factory. Soap makers put their heart and soul into making a batch of soap. We get more satisfaction knowing that someone uses our soaps to feel good and refresh, than making a living from selling our soaps. Creating a soap that will help you to relax, and indulge for a few minute of luxury. Most handmade soaps are a cottage industry business, that help provides jobs, So next time you get ready for a bath, grab that handmade bar of soap, lather up, relax, and escape to your own little world!
Here at Eros Soaps we are not going to get rich, but we will get the satisfaction of knowing that our soaps are bought because you love them!

Organic Soap?

I had a request from a spa to make some organic soaps for them.
Now we do make a 100% natural soap. Made with the finest oils and botanicals that can be found.
So I made a quick order from my suppliers for everything I needed to make my first batch of 100% Organic Soap. There was one problem! Finding an organic sodium hydroxide, better known as Lye, seems that Lye can not be organic, even if organic wood ash was used in making it. Now I did do some reseach about labeling soap organic.
Being a soap making, I am always looking at other soap maker's products.
I was amazed at how many "Organic" soaps that are being sold.
The FDA does not oversee the labeling of soap.
If a soap does not make a claim such as "moisterizing, healing, or "contains vitamins" then it is not consider a cosmetic.
Now there are some organic police, that have come up with recommendations on what soap can be called "Organic", such as if the soap has at lease 70% organic ingredients, it can be label as organic.
Plain and simple, there is no such thing as 100% organic soap, since soap is made by a process known as saponification. When oils are hydrolyzed by the addition of an alkali, yielding soap, glycerin, water and other by products. Glycerin is not organic, lye is not organic.
So Eros Soaps will not be labeling our soaps as Organic, since it contains glycerin, a by product of saponification of oils and an alkali.
Sure we could call it organic like a lot of handmade soapers do, but we don't jump on bandwagons to try and make a buck. We take pride in our soaps!
I am glad that I was asked to make 100% organic soap, other wise we might have been like "those other soapmakers" It's nice to be green and all, but not going to try and pull the wool over anyone's eyes. We do make an "All natural" soap. Guess I will have to use all those organic oils in a salad!

Granny's Soap

We are not your granny's soap!
Every time I get ready to soap, I think of the first time I was introduced to soap making.
My great grandmother Eula Caldwell had moved in with us. She was one of those old time Pentelcostal ladies, that never cut her hair, only wore dresses, and never owned any makeup.
She would always sit in her rocking chair. Rocking away while listening to some preacher on the radio and reading the bible.
One day she decided to make some soap.
I remember gathering wood for a fire, so she could make some lye.
You hear people longing about the old days, how much more simple life was. Well It is a lot simpler going to the hardware and buying lye, then it is to make it! I think the whole process of making lye took about a week. Well for an 9 year old boy it seemed forever.
One thing I do remember was my mother telling me not to use any of the soap because it was lye strong and would eat me up.
I would always sneak out and wash my hands with it. I really don't remember the effects it had being "lye strong" I just remember It was soap my great grandmother and I made!
Over the last 40 years since my first soap making experience, soap making has come along ways. Now we use exotic ingredients that benefits and helps protect your skin.
It is hard for me to believe that people still buy soap at the store.
Next time you buy a bar of soap look at the label. Do you see shea butter, sweet almond, grape seed or olive oil in the ingredients? Do your body a favor and try a bar of handmade soap.
I think granny Eula would want you to!

Love your Body

Making this all natural soap took me just over an hour to make. I made just about 6 pounds.
Which got me about 25 bars of soap, weighing between 4.5 - 5.5 ounces each.
Why do I do it? Well it is a great way for me to relax, most important I like the way it make my skin feel. Yes we men like to take a relaxing bath/shower too!
Our Oatmeal Honey Cinnamon all natural soap feeds your skin! It is moisturizing without all the hard to pronounced chemicals that you get from soaps you pick up at the local store. In just 3 days of using our soaps you will noticed a difference your skin feels. Throw out those chemical filled soaps and lotions!
Those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as people that have sensitive skin and are hypoallergenic often find immediate relief by switching to handmade soap
So you want to know what makes our natural soaps so good for your skin?
Oatmeal moisturizes and nourishes the skin, making it soft. (Try it for 3 days and see!)
Honey has the ability to attract water and aids in the process of tissue regeneration.
Cinnamon has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce joint pain, muscle pain, and other discomforts due to arthritis.
Now does our Oatmeal Honey Cinnamon soap reduce join pain and muscle pain?
Just take a nice relaxing bath and caress your body with our soap, it may not reduce those pains, but it sure will make you forget about them!
Our Oatmeal Honey Cinnamon soap is made from

saponified olive, coconut, rapeseed, almond, grape seed, and castor oils, shea butter, fresh honey, cinnamon and organic oats with tussah silk.
"Love your body, enjoy the pleasures of Eros Soaps"

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