It was encouraging to read recent media reports that sales of soap bars increased in 2018 as consumers try to cut down on plastic waste.

If you are trying to reduce your use of plastic, then you will more than likely have considered using a shampoo bar. With plastic free living firmly on the agenda using bars rather than liquid shampoo in plastic bottles is a great way to reduce the plastic waste in your life.

The plastic pollution problem is huge. It’s been receiving lots of media attention and this is in part thanks to the work of Sir David Attenborough. The global extent of plastic pollution was first highlighted to the world in his nature documentary series Blue Planet 2.

One of the pleasures of making your own soap is the freedom to choose the ingredients that you want to use, and many students attending my courses are very excited at the prospect of using flowers and herbs from their own gardens.

Yoga has many benefits for the body and mind but it also benefits skin in several ways that are perhaps less well known.

After the harsh winter weather, you might feel like your skin needs a boost for the new season. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend hours searching for the perfect bottle of serum or face cream.

Natural beauty has exploded in popularity in recent years and it continues to grow as consumers become more aware of the ingredients in their lotions and potions.

It’s that time of year when we think about resolutions, improvements and new challenges. The new year brings an opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings.

I am a firm believer in alternative therapies for mental wellbeing whether they are used alongside traditional therapies or not.

When I started making soap I realised that it is a great way to escape from the everyday stresses and strains of life.

How sustainable is your lather? The big question seems to be whether bar soap is more sustainable than liquid soap.

One of the benefits of making your own soap is having the option of adding the herbs that you grow in your garden or window box to your recipe to add that extra special touch.

I like to keep it simple in the summer and travel light for holidays and this includes my skincare too. If I can use multi-tasking products that will do three jobs in one then they are included in my kit.

Guest Blog by Sam Reynolds - Space to Breathe

One of the many things that I love about making soap is the abundance of natural colours that are available. And the beauty of the natural colour choice is that we already have many of them stashed away in our kitchen cupboards.

My interest in parabens came about after I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was only 32. I didn’t consider myself to be in a high-risk category given my age and I had no genetic history of breast cancer.

Once you have selected a suitable container to use as a soap mould you will then need to work out your recipe size. In other words, how much soap will fill your chosen mould?

Have you ever tried reading the labels on the cosmetics in your make-up bag or on the pampering products in your bathroom cabinet?

Did it leave you feeling dazed and confused?

I love all things natural and when it comes to fragrance for soap making essential oils are the obvious choice. Essential oils are very concentrated oils extracted from fragrant plants.

Soap moulds come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes and there are so many possibilities for your finished soap that choosing which moulds to use can be almost as exciting as making the soap.

Here is my simple palm oil free soap recipe that you can follow to make your own soap at home. This is a very gentle soap and low cleansing soap.