Discover the Skin Benefits of Elderberry Soap

The Benefits of Elderberry Soap

Elderberry soap has become an increasingly popular addition to skincare routines. Elderberries, derived from the elderberry bush, are packed with antioxidants and nutrients that provide numerous health and beauty benefits. Using elderberry soap can be an easy yet effective way to care for your skin.

What Makes Elderberries So Beneficial?

Elderberries contain high levels of vitamins A, B, and C. They also contain minerals like iron, potassium, phosphorus, and copper. However, the antioxidants in elderberries are what makes them stand out.

These antioxidants include flavonoids like quercetin and anthocyanins. Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. This can help defend your skin against signs of aging while providing an overall healthy glow.

How Elderberry Soap Can Help Your Skin

By harnessing the powers of elderberries, elderberry soap offers several advantages for your skin care routine:

• Fights oxidative damage and premature aging
• Helps improve skin tone and texture
• Reduces appearance of acne, scars, and blemishes
• Soothes irritation and inflammation
• Deep cleans pores to prevent breakouts

The nutrients in the elderberries nourish your skin, while the soap base gently cleanses. Using elderberry soap helps keep your complexion smooth, clear, and radiant.

What to Look for in Elderberry Soap

With more makers offering elderberry soap, quality can vary greatly. Here is what to look for when choosing an elderberry soap:

Minimal Ingredients

High quality elderberry soap contains very few ingredients. Look for soap comprised mainly of fats/oils, elderberries, water/liquids, and lye. Avoid soap with a long list of additives.

Natural Ingredients

See that the ingredients are natural and safe for your skin. Common oils used include olive, coconut, palm, shea, cocoa butter, castor, avocado, almond, etc. Only vegetable-derived colors and scents from essential oils should be present.

Handmade Process

The soap should be handcrafted in small batches using traditional soapmaking methods like cold process or hot process. This preserves the integrity of the ingredients better than commercial manufacturing.

Elderberry Quantity

A high percentage of real elderberries should be used in the soap recipe. The elderberries should not be merely an extract. Quality soap will list “elderberries” specifically in the ingredients.

How to Use Elderberry Soap

Using elderberry soap is no different than using your regular bar soap. Here are some tips:

Lather Thoroughly

Create a nice lather between your hands before applying to skin. Be sure to cover your whole body, paying special attention to acne-prone areas.

Avoid Eyes

Care should be taken to keep soap out of your eyes. It can cause stinging and irritation. Use a washcloth if needed to control lather flow.

Rinse Well

After cleansing your skin, be sure to rinse thoroughly with warm water. This removes all soap residue that could clog pores or cause dryness.

Pat Dry

Gently pat your skin with a clean towel after rinsing. Rubbing could remove your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Moisturize

While elderberry soap contains moisturizing oils, you may still need to apply a separate moisturizer after drying. This helps counteract any drying effects from the lye.

DIY Elderberry Soap Recipe

Want to experience the skin benefits of elderberry soap? Try making it at home!

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped elderberries
• 1 cup distilled water
• 3⁄4 cup + 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1⁄2 cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup + 2 Tbsp castor oil
• 2.8 ounces lye

Instructions

1. Simmer elderberries in water for 30 minutes until softened. Strain out elderberries, reserving liquid.
2. Allow lye and elderberry liquid to cool separately to 90-100°F.
3. Slowly add lye solution to oils, blending together until emulsified.
4. Add in elderberries, stirring to incorporate.
5. Pour into molds, allow to set 24-48 hours.
6. Unmold, slice, and cure 3-6 weeks.

Be sure to take all safety precautions when making lye soap. Once cured, you’ll have nourishing handmade elderberry soap!

Discover the Benefits of Elderberry Soap

Give your skin an antioxidant boost with elderberry soap. Seek out small batch handmade bars using real elderberries. Harness the vitamins, minerals and nurturing oils as you gently cleanse. Then watch your complexion transform into a clearer, smoother, and more radiant version of itself. Your skin will reap the benefits of this small but mighty soap.

FAQs

Is elderberry soap safe?

Yes, properly handcrafted elderberry soap made from high quality natural ingredients is gentle, nourishing and suitable for all skin types.

Can elderberry soap be drying?

Bar soaps containing lye have the potential to be drying. Make sure to thoroughly rinse then moisturizer as needed after using. Elderberry soap’s nourishing oils help counteract dryness.

How long does elderberry soap last?

When properly stored, handmade elderberry soap can last 3-6 months or longer. Commercial soap may last only a few weeks due to preservatives and stabilizers. Store in a cool, dry place between uses.

Does elderberry soap stain skin?

The deep purple color derived from the elderberries can potentially stain. However, quality handcrafted soaps producing a rich lather shouldn’t leave significant staining. If any color remains, simply lather and rinse again.