My mother has made hand-crafted, cold-process soap for over 15 years now. She began when I was at an age where I could not have cared less. I was a teenager, with acne and raging hormones of chaos. I didn’t give a flying rat’s ass what was in my acne wash, just so long as I actively battled nature’s more horrific years with potent cosmetics and even doctor prescribed pharmaceuticals. I remember the Retin A prescribed for my acne just turning my face inside out. I remember it all burning like hell.
And then, so gradually that it went without notice – I abandoned the war against my pores. As I did so, the carnage lessened. I simplified my routine. I found simple and gentle Nutrogena products that actually seemed to help more than hinder. I have been using the same Nutrogena products, without interruption, for damn near 15 years. Only now is it really occurring to me that I could do better than even Nutrogena.
Fifteen years later, I am just now starting to appreciate the natural soap that my mother has taught me to make, and wondering why I waited so long to care. I knew then that simpler was better, but somewhere in my infatuation with mall shops and over-powering scents, I lost sight of that simplicity. And now, as I prepare to teach others how to make healthy soap for themselves, I am realizing just how essential this step could be. Any step away from commercial, chemical-ridden products and back toward nature is a step in the right direction. I’m proud of my mom for taking that step so many years ago. I’m proud to follow her and forge on ahead. And I’m proud to teach others how to do the same.
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Posted on October 27, 2010
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