Recommendations for Cold-Process Soap for Children's Skin Allergies

Regarding your question about adding ingredients like Chamomile and Calendula to cold-process soap to help reduce itching from skin allergies in children, it's important to consider how soap works.

Soap is a wash-off product, meaning it is applied to the skin and then rinsed off quickly. While ingredients like Chamomile and Calendula are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, their effectiveness in a wash-off product like soap is significantly limited because they don't stay on the skin long enough to provide substantial benefits.

As suggested in the previous reply, to get the full therapeutic benefits of these extracts for soothing skin allergies, it would be more effective to use them in leave-on products such as creams or lotions. These products remain on the skin, allowing the active compounds in the extracts to work over time.

For cold-process soap intended for sensitive skin or children with allergies, the primary focus should be on using gentle ingredients and avoiding harsh chemicals that can cause irritation. Using a mild, non-irritating soap base is crucial. Consider using a Sulfate-Free base or a Syndet bar base, which are typically gentler on the skin than traditional soap.

While you can still include small amounts of Chamomile or Calendula extract or oil in your cold-process soap for their potential mild benefits or for marketing purposes, do not expect them to significantly reduce itching from skin allergies due to the wash-off nature of the product. The percentage to use would depend on the specific extract or oil, but focusing on a gentle base is more important for this application.

If you wish to incorporate soothing ingredients, consider these options (though their primary benefit is in leave-on products):

• Chamomile Water
• Natural Bisabolol (derived from Chamomile)
• Calendula Extract (Water Soluble)
• Calendula Oil (Infused)

For gentle soap bases, consider options like:

• Sulfate Free No-Tear Shampoo Base
• Sulfate Free Shampoo Base
• Sulfate-Free No-Tear Foaming Base
• Sulfate-Free Foaming Base

In summary, while Chamomile and Calendula are beneficial for soothing skin, their impact in cold-process soap for allergy relief will be minimal. Prioritize using a gentle soap base and consider leave-on formulations for better results with these extracts.