Glossary — New Dawn Hand Made Soap.co.uk

This is a list of terms/words used in the making of Organic & Natural Skincare products such as Natural and Organic Soaps and other Aromatherapy Products. This glossary includes ~

Ingredients used in the products made by us. I have made a note alongside the ingredients that we use in our products.

Ingredients that you might find in other handmade soaps and organic skincare products.

Ingredients made commercially and available in your local shops.

This glossary also includes other terms you may come across in our website or others about soaps, soapmaking and natural skincare products or in other publications.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

~ A ~

Aloe Vera ~ (Aloe barbadensis): ~ A Caribbean aloe yielding a gelatinous substance. Used in cosmetics in creams, moisturizers, sun screens, refreshing lotions and tonics. It is emollient, demulcent, sunscreen and also a food.

FOLK MEDICINE: Used as a stimulant and an anti-spasmodic. In Chinese medicine it is used to treat headaches. It's been called "burn first aid" or "medicine plant" for centuries. When fresh gel is squeezed from the leaves it relieves burns and sunburn and promotes healing. Used directly on the skin as a moisturizer.

~ C ~

Coconut Fatty Acid: ~ Coconuts are the source of important physiologically functional components which are found in the fat part of whole coconut, the fat part of the desiccated coconut and in the extracted coconut oil. Distilled Coconut Fatty Acid is commonly used in soaps as a super fattening agent. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soaps.
Coconut Oil ~ (Cocos nucifera): ~ Oil obtained from the fruit of the coconut palm, one of the most important tropical crops. The tree has a slender trunk, up to 25 m high, which bears a crown of giant feather-like leaves. The coconuts, 30-45 cm long and 15-20 cm in diameter, take a year to ripen and have a thick fibrous husk surrounding a single-seeded nut. The hollow core contains coconut milk; the white kernel is eaten raw or dried to yield copra. Copra is produced from the white, oil-rich (60-65 per cent) kernel of the coconut palm. Cup copra is produced when freshly harvested nuts are split open and either sun-dried or kiln-dried. It is then pressed to yield the coconut oil. The major producers are the Philippines and Indonesia; lesser amounts come from India, Sri Lanka, and Mexico. Coconut oil is used in the manufacture of soaps, cooking fats, and margarine. It is a preferred oil in soaps because it helps produce a hard bar which has a quick, foaming lather, even in cold or salt water. Coconut oil is an emollient and is moisturizing, conditioning and protecting to the skin. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soap.
Colorants: ~ Natural or synthetic dyes and pigments. Ingredients that can be used to safely alter the color of a product. A dye. Colorants are either a dye or a pigment. Can sometimes produce an allergic reaction. NOT used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ There is NO colorant in our Soaps.

~ D ~

Dyes: ~ A colorant that transfers color by dissolving into a solution. There are natural dyes, from plants such as beetroot and synthetic dyes. Colorants with names like "FD&C Red" are dyes that are approved for use in Foods, Drugs and Skincare products. There are a limited number of dyes approved for use in skincare products; some are natural, although most are synthetic. NOT used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ There is NO dye in our Organic Recipe Soaps.

~ E ~

Essential Oils: ~ Pure natural plant extracts and distillates taken from the berries, flowers, leaves, stems, rinds, resins, or roots of plants. These oils make the plant smell the way it does. Essential oils have long been used in folk medicine and aromatherapy for their many healing qualities. Used in many good quality natural skincare products. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soaps, Fragrancers, Essential Oils
Eucalyptus Essential Oil ~ Eucalyptus globulus/radiate: ~ Cools the body in summer, protects and heals in winter, energetically stimulating and balancing, and a potent natural force.

Eucalyptus Oil possesses many qualities, including being a powerful antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral and anti-fungal agent. Especially useful for pulmonary and urinary concerns, it is notably effective for respiratory problems, especially flu and tuberculosis, as it increases the oxygen supply by activating red blood cells and regenerates lung tissue.

Eucalyptus lowers blood sugar levels and aids diabetes, plus it may help dissolve gallstones. Also soothing for aches and pains, including migraines, neuralgia and rheumatism, this oil reduces fevers and helps with diabetes as it lowers blood sugar levels.

It calms sunburn by aiding the construction of new tissue, and is beneficial for acne, facial blemishes, skin ulcers and dandruff. It is also apparently helpful for insect and snake bites. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Eucalyptus Essential Oil

~ F ~

Fatty Acids: ~ A natural compound. Animal and vegetable fats are made up of various combinations of fatty acids (in sets of three) connected to a glycerol molecule, making them triglycerides. Vegetable Fatty Acids are used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soaps.
Fragrance Oil/Parfum: ~ A blend of usually synthetic ingredients creating a specific fragrance. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk

~ G ~

Geranium Essential Oil ~ Pelargonium graveolens/roseum/odorantissimum/capitatum: ~ Deliciously sweet-scented yet capable of naturally purifying the body, profound emotional healing and sensual arousal.

Hard to believe that something so fragrant could possess such potency. As one of the few oils with the ability to both uplift and sedate, trust geranium to come to the rescue for all your emotional concerns. On a physical level this oil balances, regulates, decongests and detoxifies, while boosting your immune system. It is also a marvelous skin treatment, especially for eczema and psoriasis.

The scent is delightfully fresh, yet strong and heavy, this distinctive scent is flowery, almost rose-like with subtle minty overtones. Often described as a 'green' scent, it can almost be too overpowering when pure, but is just heavenly when diluted.

Geranium Oil is renowned for being special 'women's oil' and works profoundly on the emotions. Acting as a nerve tonic for the whole nervous system it balances and uplifts, helping you to cope with fear and depression, while its sedative effects calm anxiety and nervous tension - including pre-menstrual and menopausal symptoms - putting your mind back into balance. (Few oils are both sedative and uplifting, another example is bergamot.)
This evocative oil calms stress through its action on the adrenal cortex - useful for pain which is of a nervous rather than physical origin. Its aromatic influence might help you release negative memories and stimulate sensual feelings.

Interestingly, experimental clinics in Azbajian found geranium successful in treatment for emotional stability and balancing blood pressure. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soap, Geranium Essential Oil.
Glycerine: ~ Also called glycerol. A natural colorless sweet viscous liquid derived from vegetable fats. It is a by-product of the soap-making process, which separates the glycerine from the fatty acids in the whole oil. The naturally-occurring glycerine stays in handmade soaps, but is usually removed from commercial soaps as it is more valuable sold separately. This makes the resulting soap more drying on the skin. Glycerine is used in foods, skincare products and pharmaceuticals. It is also used in cryoprotectants and other industrial products. In natural skincare products, it is valued because of its natural emollient and humectant qualities. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soaps.

~ H ~

Herbs: ~ Any of various, often aromatic and medicinal, plants used often in natural skincare products, medicine or as seasoning in food. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soaps.

~ L ~

Lavender/Lavender Essential Oil ~ Lavandula officinalis/angustifolia: ~ Lavender is the most versatile of all the essential oils, reacting in accord with the system's particular needs at any given time. It is therefore an essential addition to your natural medicine cabinet. Calming, soothing, normalizing and balancing - restores unbalanced states of mind or body to a state of balance where healing can take place.
Lavender has an aroma like clean, fresh, tangy mountain air. Classically pleasing and instantly recognizable, this soothing fragrance is sweet and flowery with a woody undertone.

This incomparable oil is calming, soothing, relaxing and balancing, physically, emotionally and spiritually. An ideal choice if you are suffering from depression, stress, anxiety, melancholy, fear, extreme mood swings or irritability. It can also help if you have volatile or intense emotions and want more stability, reducing negative self-talk and aiding balanced decision-making and clear thinking. The fragrance imparts a feeling of inner freedom that allows you to let go of compulsive behaviour and anger.

This oil has a tonifying and soothing effect on the nervous system, which may be beneficial if you are suffering from nervous exhaustion. It is particularly helpful for insomnia, reducing mental ramblings, resulting in a calm, peaceful state conducive to sleep.

The aromatic influences of lavender are peace, love, health and higher consciousness. It is said to have an appeasing effect on an over-active astral body, bringing back under control the vital centres. It is also recommended for people with intense psychic abilities, such as healers and mediums, to prevent the depletion of their energy and vitality. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soap, Lavender Bags, Lavender Fragrancers, Lavender Essential Oil.
Lemongrass Essential Oil ~ Cymbopogon citratus/flexuosus: ~ Surprisingly intense radiant energy, which has an uplifting, invigorating and revitalizing effect on your whole being. To breathe in this scent is like a cool, energizing shower - a secret aid if you have trouble getting started in the morning. The perfect air freshener and a real pick-me-up, lemongrass is amazingly diverse, combating anything from headaches and digestive upsets to sports injuries and jetlag.

This is a sweet, fresh, green citrus scent, pleasantly sharp and lemony with a slightly rosy fragrance. Generally considered finer than citronella.

This oil is the ideal remedy to combat drowsiness, irritability and morning grumpiness, and may help you overcome tiredness on a long trip. Reviving and energizing, it is particularly useful if you are mentally exhausted or having trouble concentrating. Its ability to stimulate the left brain helps in the logical thinking process which can bring about fresh thoughts and ideas if you are feeling blocked. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soap, Lemongrass Fragrancers, Lemongrass Essential Oil.

~ P ~

Patchouli Essential Oil ~ pogostemon cablin/patchouly: ~ Mysterious, exotic and oriental. Regenerative, earthy and balancing - evocative of freedom and non-conformity. Patchouli is clarifying and grounding - helpful if you are feeling anxious and need to see things more clearly. A wonderful skin rejuvenation and renewal treatment, this oil may ease a headache, lower a fever, fight a virus - and it is considered sensually arousing.
The scent is strong, earthy, smoky and woody. This sweetly musty, spicy and rather heavy scent is very distinctive, and somewhat persistent. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soap, Patchouli Essential Oil.
Pigments: ~ An ingredient that does not dissolve in liquid, but is tiny particles of color that is suspended in it. Usually mineral and is used to impart color to something else. NOT used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~

~ S ~

Sodium cocoate: ~ A generic name for the mixture of fatty acid salts (acid salts) of coconut oil that is used in soap making. Sodium cocoate is produced by hydrolysis of the ester linkages in coconut oil with sodium hydroxide, a strong base. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soaps.
Sodium Palmate: ~ This Palm Oil derivative is formulated through the saponficiation process, which involves the hydrolyzation of Palm Oil in the presence of sodium in order to create natural soap. It serves as a gentle skin cleanser. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soaps.
Sorbitol: ~ Often used in modern natural skincare products as a humectant and thickener. Some transparent gels can only be made with sorbitol as it has a refractive index sufficiently high for transparent formulations. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soaps.
Spices: ~ Of vegetable origin. Examples are cardamon, cinnamon, allspice, pepper, etc., used to season food: spices are normally dried for use, sometimes ground and have distinctive flavors and aromas.

~ T ~

Tea Tree Essential Oil ~ Melaleuca alternifolia: ~ Antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal plus refreshing & revitalizing. Natures First Aid in a bottle!

A definite must-have among your natural first aid supplies. This potently powerful germicide will meet all your body's antiseptic needs - inside and out - while stimulating your immune system to prevent, fight, and heal infections, leaving you full of vim and vigor!

It’s aroma is strong, sharp, fresh, clean and medicinal, this robust, camphorous, spicy scent is slightly reminiscent of eucalyptus.

Although generally used more for its powerful effects on the physical body, tea tree is, however, refreshing and revitalizing, especially after shock or hysteria. Used with general emotional debility, it can be particularly helpful if you are suffering from nervous exhaustion.

The antiseptic action of this oil is believed to be one hundred times more powerful than carbolic acid, without being poisonous to humans. Tea tree is frequently used in dental and surgical procedures, as well as added to soaps, deodorants, skin and hair care products, disinfectants and air fresheners.

Probably the most important function of tea tree is to help the immune system to fight off infectious diseases. It activates the white corpuscles to defend against invading bacteria and organisms, helps shorten the duration of an illness and restore vitality during convalescence.

All this, plus the fact it is antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal, make it extremely useful in a wide range of conditions too numerous to mention, but including childhood infectious diseases, respiratory and genito-urinary tract infections, herpes, ringworm, toothache and spider and scorpion bites. It is believed to reduce post-operative shock, and to offer protection against X-ray therapy in breast cancer treatment. It may be helpful in treating glandular fever, and is being tested for possible uses with AIDS patients.

Tea tree is very cleansing to the skin, making it useful for spots, blemishes, acne, boils, and other skin diseases like athletes foot and warts. Also try it for dry scalp, dandruff, burns, sores, and the lesions caused by chicken pox and shingles. For nappy rash add a few drops of tea tree to your baby's protective skin cream. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soap, Tea Tree Essential Oil.
Triglycerides: ~ Made up of three fatty acid molecule chains connected to one glycerine molecule. The molecular structure found in animal and vegetable oils.

~ W ~

Wheat Germ Oil ~ (Triticum vulgari): ~ Oil from the embryo of the wheat grain of the cereal species. The germ is extracted from the wheat as a source of vitamins and is a known source of pure Vitamin E. Wheat germ oil is emollient, anti-oxidant and rich in natural vitamin E. It also serves as a natural preservative. Vitamin E is known for its healing effects and is proven to help prevent scarring and speed healing.
Wheat ~ (Triticum spp.): ~ A grass that is cultivated worldwide. Globally, it is an important human food grain ranking second in total production as a cereal crop behind maize; the third being rice. Wheat grain is a staple food used to make flour for leavened, flat and steamed breads; cookies, cakes, pasta, noodles and couscous; and for fermentation to make beer, alcohol, vodka or biofuel. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Lavender Bags.

~ Y ~

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil ~ Ylang ylang, Canananga odoratum / unona odorantissimum: ~ Supremely exotic, reminiscent of the luxurious laziness of tropical islands with the power to awaken your sensuality.

This delectably hypnotic scent has the power to awaken our masculine and feminine sides, create erotic moods, enhance relationships and activate feelings of enthusiasm, joy and peacefulness. An exceedingly valuable oil for skin and hair care, it can help with reproductive concerns and relax over-active body systems.

The scent is very sweet, soft and flowery, yet radiantly exotic with a definite lascivious quality, this voluptuous perfume conjures images of orchids, almonds and jasmine.

Ylang ylang has long been renowned for creating euphoric and erotic moods, and has quite a reputation as an aphrodisiac. Its aromatic influences are sexual energy and enhancing relationships, and this, along with its soothing, calming action, may be helpful for impotence and frigidity. It is also said to activate enthusiasm.

This oil can help reconcile feelings of frustration, anxiety, rage, anger, fear, panic and shock, and replace them with peacefulness, joy, inner trust and sensuality. It relaxes the body while raising the spirits, especially helpful with nervous depression accompanied by severe tension, and also low self-confidence. It can both relax and stimulate the brain waves, depending on your individual needs, and may be useful for nervous and tension headaches.

Relaxing and strengthening to the inner being, ylang ylang may be able to bring out a man's feminine side, awakening his intuition and understanding. Its sedative qualities can benefit excitable conditions, as it regulates adrenaline flow and relaxes the nervous system, which may also help if you suffer from insomnia. Used by New Dawn Handmade Soap.co.uk ~ Organic Recipe Soap, Ylang Ylang Essential Oil.