Soapy Suds
Sunday 3rd June 2007 by Elizabeth Richards
Whether you use it as one of your bath time luxuries or you simply stash it beside
the kitchen sink for instant freshen-ups, soap is one of life’s little essentials. Less messy and more convenient to use, liquid hand wash has become the preferred option for many but with a longer life and no packaging left at the end, the traditional bar of soap is by far the most eco-friendly option.
There is also of course a certain nostalgic charm in an old-fashioned bar: weighty to handle, therapeutic to use and crammed with fragrance that lingers on the skin. Soaps made from natural ingredients and vegetable oils tend to be gentlest on skin while with most of the excess moisture removed, triple milled bars create masses of soft lather for indulgent hand or body washing. Remember, though, to keep regular soap away from facial skin where it can strip moisture and cause irritation.
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap, £6.59
This very gentle and deliciously scented soap is designed for babies but makes a fabulous choice for dry or sensitive skin of all ages. It cleanses instantly with soothing buttermilk and honey working hard to keep skin soft and supple.
Available at www.BathandUnwind.com 
The Body Shop Mango soap, £2.50
With its fresh zingy fragrance and perky orange colour, this bright bar wakes up tired bodies and stimulates weary minds and is bursting with moisturising mango seed oil to help hydrate skin. Perfect for those early morning showers!
Available at www.TheBodyShop.co.uk
Gianna Rose Robin’s Egg Soaps, £15
This beautifully presented box contains six speckled egg-shaped soaps delicately scented with meadowsweet and soothing chamomile and with oatmeal and wheat bran to gently exfoliate skin. Give as a gift or simply treat yourself.
Available at www.UrbanApothecary.co.uk
Gelato boxed soap, £11
With shea butter and vitamin E to moisturise, this sweetly-scented bar adds a luxurious touch to the bathroom or guest bedroom and comes packaged in a super-stylish box that also makes it a wonderful gift. Lather is rich, fragrant and utterly indulgent.
Available at www.Austique.co.uk
After The Rain Exfoliating Bath Soap, £2.99
Enriched with glycerine to protect against dryness and with oatmeal to gently exfoliate, this soap is ideal for restoring softness to hard working hands and has a simple, clean scent. Beautifully packaged in white tissue paper and gold ribbon, unwrapping it is half the fun!
Available at www.ArranAromatics.com
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