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The Glynne's Soaps blog has moved. You can now read our blog at http://glynnesoaps.com/soap_blog/ Thank you Glynne's Soaps

I am sure, if you are regular reader, that you know we got tickets to see the Panthers v Steelers game on Thursday night. You probably also know Jenn is a die-hard Steelers fan and I am a die-hard Panthers fan. We had a great time at the game! Although the final score was not all that much fun for me. On our trip to Charlotte, we took the time to stop by RJ Rockers in Spartanburg, SC and deliver the new Son of a Peach Beer Soaps. They have just moved into their new facility in Downtown Spartanburg. It is a very nice location. While there, we learned that RJ Rockers Son of a Peach beer would be available in the Wilmington area by the end of the year (stay tuned for locations). During our long drive to Charlotte via Spartanburg, Jenn and I took the time to discuss what soaps we would like to make for the fall. As is popular with game shows these days, we decided to poll the audience. We sent out a twitter message asking for fall scent suggestions. We received many responses, Thanks twitterverse! We will definitely be making a pumpkin soap (maybe pumpkin spice or punkin pie) and a gingerbread scent for fall. We got several suggestions for an apple or apple cider scent, and we will be researching & working to try to accommodate that scent. One thing I have learned since we have been making soaps is that it is not always easy to create a scent you want and keep the product all-natural. And here at Glynne’s Soaps we are committed to All Natural Soaps. We hope everyone has a peaceful and relaxing Labor Day Weekend! Be safe. Want to be a part of our studio audience? Follow us on twitter (www.twitter.com/glynnesoaps) Gayle

For the longest time, we have kept a bar of our Java Scrub soap near the kitchen sink. The coffee soap was great for removing odors from our hands while cooking. Smells from foods like onions, fish, and garlic were gone with a quick wash. It was great! Then we learned from a friend of ours, who also does a lot of aromatherapy work with her spa clients, that the caffeine in the coffee soap can also reduce cellulite. A bar of Java Scrub soap was immediately carried to the shower. Approximately 85% of all women have some cellulite on their bodies; that lumpy, bumpy, cottage cheese look just under the skin. It occurs more frequently in older women or larger women, but even those with low body fat can usually find some cellulite. Dr Ava Shamban, who owns the Laser Institute for Dermatology and European Skin Care in Santa Monica, Calif., states that cellulite "is a structural problem. It's not only the fat, but it has to do with the connective tissue. The connective tissue acts as a mesh to keep the fat close to the legs, which happens for men, but not so well for women. So, in women, sometimes this connective mesh opens up and the fat bulges out. That gives you the cellulite." (http://www.cbsnews.com “Caffeine is Latest Cellulite Weapon”) The theory behind the benefit of caffeine is that it will increase your metabolism, which will reduce fat. The caffeine also will reduce some of the swelling or edema of the fat cells by drawing out water, making your skin smoother. Other reports suggest that the benefits of the caffeine in soaps or creams can be enhanced by massaging and rubbing the needed areas. This breaks up the fat cells and decreases the lumps and bumps even faster. Our Java Scrub soap contains real coffee grounds which, aside from being exfoliating, can aid in this massaging process. Still one more benefit of the Java Scrub lies again with its caffeine content. Just like drinking a cup of coffee, showering with coffee soap gives you that morning pick me up. Inhaling that great coffee scent will help wake you up in the morning and also can provide the afternoon boost without having to drink a cup of coffee. So, head on over to www.glynnesoaps.com and pick up some coffee soap for you and all your friends. It’s benefits are far reaching. Jenn soapmaker@glynnesoaps.com

Last week, Gayle and I found ourselves playing tourist in Chico, CA at the Yo-Yo Museum. One of the items on display was a 256 pound working yo-yo. It had actually been dropped from a crane and had “yo-ed” 10 times. “Big-Yo” (Yo-Yo Museum) also performed the “walk the dog” trick. The museum was filled with interesting memorabilia and a teenager that was performing some tricks and testing out some of the new yo-yos. His tricks were very impressive. However, we did not make a week long trek across the country just to visit Big-Yo. The main purpose of our trip was to throw a party for my parents for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. And everything went wonderfully, if I do say so myself. We had a reception in the afternoon with cake and finger foods. Gayle had put together a slide show of pictures from the last 50 years that was running on a big TV and there were other pictures used as decorations. The crowd consisted of friends and family from all over the U.S. Some had been friends of my dad’s for 60+ years. That evening there was a dinner for any interested at a restaurant right on the Sacramento River. The theme of the evening was a 50’s diner complete with Cherry Colas and music to “twist” to. A great time was had by all, and I know my parents appreciated seeing people they hadn’t seen for many years. After all the party planning, we still managed to get in some sightseeing. We spent some time in Chico and Paradise (if you need a quiet, beautiful getaway I would highly recommend Paradise, CA) and also a day touring San Francisco before we flew home. The best times were those spent reconnecting with friends that I hadn’t seen in years. We are now back home and working again. Yesterday was a busy Glynne’s Soaps day. We met with 2 companies that are thinking of partnering with us on making some custom soaps. We are very excited about both opportunities. Be on the lookout for these new soaps, coming soon! We will also be unveiling our Christmas scents in the near future, and new beer soap from a brewery in South Carolina. Exciting things are happening! Jenn soapmaker@glynnesoaps.com

The average adult has 21 square feet of skin. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it is very good at absorbing most of what it comes into contact with. This includes any toxins that might be in the soaps, lotions and makeup that you are using. If you look at the ingredient list on the back of your store bought soap, you will probably see the following items. SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate) – used to create foam and lather, can be an irritant Lauric Acid – irritating to mucus membranes Pentasodium pentetate - used as a water softener, emulsifier and dispersing ingredient in cosmetic cleansing creams, lotions and soaps, can be an eye irritant Tetrasodium EDTA - synthetic preservative Trisodium etidronate – a preservative and possible irritant BHT - (butylhydroxytoluene) - synthetic antioxidant to keep oils in formula from going rancid, it has been linked to tumor formation and liver enlargement Triclosan (or triclocarban) – this is found in most anti-bacterial soaps and is registered with the EPA as a pesticide. (It does kill the bacteria. All the bacteria, even the good stuff you need to stay healthy) Commercial manufacturers of anti-bacterial soaps will tell you that it is used at such low levels that it is not harmful, but it has been shown that Triclosan can be stored in your fat cells and it will soon reach a toxic level. “A study at Virginia Tech discovered that products containing triclosan produced either chloroform or other chlorine byproducts when exposed to tap water.1 In fact, triclosan decomposes into chlorine byproducts in as little as one minute when exposed to chlorinated tap water at 100 degrees Fahrenheit.2 The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers the triclosan byproduct, chloroform, to be a probable human carcinogen that could cause cancer.” (www.bodyecology.com/07/09/20/avoid_dangerous_triclosan.php) Another reason to stay away from commercial soaps is that most of them are not really soap. Look carefully at the label and you will see the words “beauty bar”, “cleansing bar”, “deodorant bar” or something similar. This is because these products are not soap. They are detergents.3 The glycerin that is a natural by-product of the soap making process is removed so it can be made into lotions and other products that can be sold for a higher profit. That natural glycerin is very moisturizing and when left in the soap, can keep your skin soft, reducing the need for lotions. Using a commercial detergent strips your skin of the natural moisturizing oils that your skin needs, leaving it dry and irritated. So, the next time you are at the store buying soap, take a look at the ingredients and consider an all natural alternative that is much safer and better for your skin. Visit our website at www.glynnesoaps.com to see our selection of all natural soaps. Our soaps contain no chemicals and are very gently and safe for your skin. Jenn soapmaker@glynnesoaps.com References: 1 Gutierrez, David, "Antibacterial soap ingredient triclosan may be harmful to humans," 15 Mar 2007, NewsTarget.com. http://www.newstarget.com/021703.html 2 ibid 3 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-glycerin.htm