The Amazing Growth of
the Natural Beauty Products Market
Today's crafters
are turning out new and creative ointments, balms, salves,
lotions, creams and soaps at an amazing rate. These moisturizing
bath and body selections are turning the beauty
industry on its ear. The quality of these soothing, herbal,
botanical offerings and biodregradable components
is very compelling. The choices of essential oils, fragrance
oils continue to grow each year. Floral favorites continue
to be lavender and lilac blossom, while vanilla is always
a best seller. The variety of exfoliating agents
ranges from poppy seeds, to Rhassoul clay. Some are now
using sea salts, others oatmeal, wheat germ, dried
herbs and even sand. The creativity displayed by these
crafters is never ending
Dry skin is no match for
all of these new products. Creating different products
for facial and body care is important as specialization
in the industry continues at every turn. Crafters who
have mastered the use of lye (sodium hydroxide)
in the cold press soap (lye soap) making
method, have been adding outstanding exotic oils to their
soaps. Starting with the standard coconut oil, olive oil,
palm oil and lard, non-gmo soybean and shea butter
have now also become staples. A very popular addition
is the goat milk soap option known for it's ph balance(similar
to humans)and it's alpha hydroxy properties. The newer
additions are apricot kernel, avocado, babassu, canola,
cocoa butter, cottonseed, emu, flax/linseed, hazelnut,
hemp, jojoba, kukui, macadamia, mango, neem tree, peach
kernel, rice bran, safflower, sesame seed, sunflower,tea
tree oils and tallow. As you can see the list of newer
oils is quite extensive. Some of these newer oils, packed
with the humectant glycerine, act as moisturizing agents
and emollients that are added at the end of the saponification
process as super fats, or super-fatted soap. Other soap
makers insist on vegan products that have only vegetarian
ingredients. While still others insist the anti-fungal,
anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that demand
incorporating certain oils into their formulas. This is
definitely a growing segment of the
natural soap market.
Coloring and swirling
as well as layering soap is now in vogue. There is a nice
choice of oxides, micas and dyes to add your special
touch to each bar or loaf. Some may even take flowers
or seeds from their own gardens to enhance their new creations.
The curing process is one most soap makers would
like to skip, but is a required part of any soap making
process. Patience during saponification is required. Employing
hot process soap making methods still means you
have to endure the curing process. New products also include
natural face masks, some of which are made form
mud. These same products can be used in nail and cuticle
care.
Many beauty crafters have
their own bath salt line. Ingredients include epsom
salts and sea salts. These are then colored and scented.
They make very colorful gifts. These natural gifts
retain all of the mineral and glycerin properties
that make them so beneficial. Some crafters have even
spilled over into the soy and beeswax candle business
as a way to supplement and nurture their beauty business.
Many of the supplies are similar and available from the
same wholesale suppliers.
Packaging your creative products in attractive crates,
tins, and glass jars can create instant buzz about your
products. Ribbons offer an nice elegant touch. Handmade
paper using natural ingredients such as rice, daphne or
mulberry that are acid free will add a rustic touch to
any products offerings.
Another large segment of the new beauty business is the
aromatherapy component. In the natural healing
arts, aromatherapy has many adherents. Supplying these
practitioners (naturopaths) with quality oils is a very
lucrative sideline for the handmade soap maker. Spas and
salons are actively seeking out handcrafted beauty
products such as massage oils, emu oil, vegan products
etc, to sell their customers. This versimilar market is
made for the aggressive crafter. Adding products such
as gift baskets and soap balls can always
add to the bottom line of the homemade soap crafter.
Aroma therapists and masseurs are another natural market
for handmade soap
marketers.
The organic beauty
market is definitely the upper end of the market but one
well worth exploring. Making products that don't have
any pesticides, herbacides or other unnecessary synthetic
chemicals is quite satisfying. Selling overseas can be
tricky as some markets require certified products
which can take some time to obtain the proper qualifications.
Some of newer serums and toners are specifically made
as organic products where an authentic organic certificate
can be obtained from the manufacturer.
We offer soap made by exclusive processes that removes
any excess alkali for a nice mild bar. Our little
soap factory is only a tiny player in this exciting
market; we hope you enjoy our products.