I'm also going to discuss why I don't use palm oil. As you read through, there are certain qualities to the oils that all revolve around one vitamin. There is a reason why my products help people, why my products work, and it comes down to a target vitamin that I purposely look for whenever I am dealing with oils.

In my nearly 16 years of making products, I have developed an assortment of different recipes for different reasons. Some recipes are my go-to recipes, others are for people who are allergic to coconut oil or olive oil. I always try to cater to people so that they are not left out of the wholesome goodness that comes from using herbs.

Olive oil is used almost exclusively in all soap by all soap makers. It's a light, non-greasy oil with significant antioxidant properties and has long-lasting moisturizing effects which is the main reason for using this oil. However, there are other benefits such as being great for sensitive skin like babies or those with acne. The oil also relieves the effects of psoriasis and eczema while promoting healing for skin, rashes and sun burn.

Coconut oil could be called a magic ingredient. It produces a rich lather, hardening the soap bars and moisturizing skin. Rich in vitamin E, it helps the body to heal. Coconut oil like olive oil has many wonderful qualities. It helps deodorize, removes dry skin, bacteria and dirt, while hydrating your skin without stripping away the skin's natural oils.

Calendula oil, this is an infused oil and I'll have an article written up on infused oils as well. However, I will cover this particular oil simply because its a mainstay in some of my salves and lotions. I do what is called a double maceration which is taking the first infusion, and do it again a second time with fresh, dried plant matter. Calendula is excellent for damaged or injured skin tissue as it promotes blood circulation which helps the healing process. Calendula is also very gentle, so much so, that it's the number one recommended oil to use on babies.

In my soaps, Canola oil produces a rich, creamy lather. It's high in Vitamin E. As an antioxidant, it helps to look after your skin and protect it from free radicals. But there are added benefits such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 good fatty acids that help soothe dry and irritable skin, as well as help smooth out wrinkles, and when used regularly, can help fight the signs of aging.

Animal fats such as Lard or Tallow is just another oil I use. I remember my first loaf of soap was made of beef tallow. Let me tell you that processing tallow is an awful smelling practice. It stunk so bad that it's the very reason I use lard, not much smell and lard is much easier to scoop out and use. Some people swear by tallow, I am not one of those persons. Lard in soap is mainly used as a hardening agent. If you want a super hard bar, turn to the animal fats. Lard for instance is cheap to buy but has an assortment of high amounts of Vitamin D and E, and Vitamin D helps reduce inflammation. It also produces a stable and creamy lather, and the soap is great for laundry purposes.

Grapeseed oil is another oil that is high in Vitamin E and has a higher amount than Olive oil. Grapeseed is packed with beta-carotene, Omega-6, oleic acid, antioxidants, and linoleic acid. It's an ideal oil for hair, especially for dry, brittle or dull looking hair and it strengthens hair molecules. It also reduces inflammation, softens skin, treats rashes, and protects skin from sun damage.

Safflower oil is rich in Vitamin E and made primarily of oleic and linoleic fatty acid. In skincare, linoleic acid acts as an emollient and a thickener, it works to soothe skin. Oleic acid is highly moisturizing (it's the main fatty acid in olive oil) and is perfect for applying to dry skin, with the benefit of vitamin E which as natural preservative.

Jojoba oil pronounced as ho-ho-ba, is considered one of the best natural oils to use in a variety of cosmetic products including balms, oils, washes, and conditioners and is rich in eicosanoid acid fats. It has an incredibly long shelf life, odorless and colorless, and has a light consistency that quickly absorbs into the skin. It's a rich oil loaded with Vitamin E, Vitamin A and D. It also contains zinc, copper and chromium, thus nourishing hair particles and softens hair, removes dandruff, reduces itchiness, and helps essential oil soak into the skin. In beard oil, this is the number one oil that is used, and its often paired with Argan oil which I will list next.

Argan oil is another oil I use in different products that target hair. Moroccan Argan oil is considered to be top of the line for best carrier oils for beard oils, but also benefits skin, and nails. It reduces dandruff, prevents dryness, reduces itchiness and nourishes the beard and moustache due to the high Vitamin E content. Since it's a non-comedogenic, it won't clog pores or leave the face and beard feeling oily. I call this oil liquid gold because I use the very best that I can get and it is costly.

Sunflower oil is close to our own natural oil, or sebum as it's sometimes called. It's a great moisturizer because it helps the skin retain water. Rich in Vitamin E, C, K and D which all help protect skin from environmental stressors that aid in premature aging. The ability to soothe skin, Sunflower oil provides gentle moisture and protection, while at the same time unclogs pores, alleviates redness in sensitive skin, and helps skin stay clean and free of dirt and toxins.

The last oil I use is Shea butter. I use unrefined (raw) as I stated in a different article only because I prefer to have my shea loaded with vitamins and minerals. Shea butter contains fatty acids and is loaded with vitamins A, D, E, and F which aid in UV protection. It's these vitamins that make skin look and feel smoother, softer and healthier. Shea also fights aging and repairs damage skin, but it also reduces stretch marks, blemishes, scarring and aids in eczema. It's sometimes considered the number one natural skin care moisturizer on earth.

Now from all these oils, you should notice 2 things. 1.) There is no mention of Cocoa butter and 2.) the Vitamin I target. I don't use and never will use Cocoa butter. Why? Because I am highly allergic to it both touching and smelling it. It is impossible for me to handle, so I have to avoid it. The oils I do use, however, fill that gap of using cocoa butter and its benefits. Secondly, I love Vitamin E. This particular vitamin targets skin care in many different ways and from many different angles. All oils have Vitamin E in it. Plus, it's a great preservative which makes my products last longer than other soap companies. Vitamin E is overloaded in everything I make.

Now you'll also be wondering why I don't use palm oil. When I made my company, I purposely made it so that I would not harm anything living. That means I don't believe in killing off animals or plants. Palm free. It's an argument that can be created with soap makers. Some makers don't care about the lasting effects on the planet. I do. Some only care about profit, and some only care about having the best oil for everything and that is considered to be palm oil. My BS meter goes off every time this comes into play. I absolutely dislike those who use it and I lose all respect for a company, person, practice and belief, when it comes to the use of palm oil and palm kernel oil. Why?

Palm oil is in a wide range of foods and other products. It's extracted from the pulp of the fruit of oil palms. Palm oil is the very reason why rainforests are being destroyed and the land is cleared away for farming of palm oil. On top of this, these plantations are also linked to child labor, and the destruction of the rainforests is leading many species to extinction, including primates, which could be extinct within 20 or so years.

The lack of rainforests also increases the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the amazon rainforest, has for years been considered what makes earth breathe. Oh, but what about select cut palm oil...bah! it's still deforestation. All of this still isn't the full reason why I don't use this oil. Palm oil is 50% saturated fat and contains 8 or 9 (trying to remember) tablespoons. This type of fat has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, inflammation and intestinal problems. It's not a healthy oil, not by any means. But you're not eating it, so it won't hurt you, right? Wrong! It soaks into your skin, feeds your skin which is your biggest organ, then it feeds your internal organs. I am against killing off people, animals, earth to gain oils that bring profit. I'm against ingredients and products that bring harm to people. My soaps, my products, using oils from above, harm no one, harm no living creature. That is how it will always be with Herbal Soap N Salves.