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 oils, 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.