Modern life has a way of piling on pressure with deadlines, family responsibilities, constant notifications, and the quiet expectation to “keep up.” While stress is a normal part of being human, chronic stress can leave us feeling drained, disconnected, and overwhelmed. The good news is that nature offers gentle, effective ways to restore balance, here are some ideas on how to reduce stress naturally.

Below are natural, accessible practices that support a calmer mind and a more resilient body.

1. Create Small Rituals of Stillness
   You don’t need an hour-long meditation session to feel grounded. Even two minutes of intentional stillness can reset your nervous system.

Try:

• Sitting quietly with your eyes closed
• Taking five slow, deep breaths
• Placing a hand on your chest and noticing your heartbeat

These micro‑moments signal to your body that it’s safe to relax.

2. Use Aromatherapy to Shift Your Mood
   Essential oils have been used for centuries to support emotional wellbeing. Scents travel directly to the brain’s emotional centre, making them powerful tools for calming the mind.

Soothing oils include:

• Lavender for relaxation
• Bergamot for lifting low moods
• Eucalyptus for clearing mental fog

Add a few drops to a warm bath or use them in natural self‑care products, such as our Aromatherapy product range.

3. Spend Time Outdoors
   Nature is one of the most reliable stress relievers. Even a short walk can lower cortisol levels and improve mental clarity.

Try:

• A slow stroll in a local park
• Sitting under a tree with a cup of tea
• Gardening or tending to houseplants

The combination of fresh air, natural light, and gentle movement works wonders.

4. Move Your Body in Ways That Feel Good
   Movement doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. Gentle exercise helps release endorphins — your body’s natural mood boosters.

Consider:

• Yoga or stretching
• A calming evening walk
• Dancing around the kitchen
• Light strength exercises

The key is consistency, not intensity.

5. Nourish Yourself with Calming Foods
   What we eat can influence how we feel. Certain foods support a steadier mood and calmer nervous system.

Helpful choices include:

• Herbal teas like chamomile, lemon balm, or peppermint
• Magnesium-rich foods (almonds, leafy greens, dark chocolate)
• Oats and whole grains for sustained energy
• Warm, comforting meals that feel grounding

Small dietary shifts can make a noticeable difference.

6. Set Gentle Boundaries with Technology
   Constant notifications keep your brain in a state of alertness. Creating small boundaries helps you reclaim mental space.

Try:

• Turning off non-essential notifications
• Keeping your phone in another room while you sleep
• Setting “screen-free” pockets of time each day

Your mind will thank you for the quiet.

7. Prioritise Rest and Sleep
   Stress feels heavier when you’re tired. Creating a soothing bedtime routine can help you unwind more easily.

Ideas include:

• A warm bath
• Soft lighting
• A calming scent
• Reading instead of scrolling

Think of it as preparing your body for deep, restorative rest.

Final Thoughts
How to Reduce Stress Naturally isn’t about overhauling your life — it’s about weaving small, nurturing habits into your day. When you give yourself permission to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with simple pleasures, you create space for calm to return.

The post How to Reduce Stress Naturally: Simple Practices for a Calmer Life appeared first on La Zouch Soaps.

At La Zouch Soaps, we craft handmade, vegan soap in the heart of the National Forest using nourishing ingredients that support healthy, balanced skin. Here’s why our natural soap is a game-changer for teenage skincare.

At La Zouch Soaps, we believe skincare should be kind, clean, and crafted with care. Here’s why our handmade, vegan soaps are perfect for teenage skin:

Gentle on Sensitive, Changing Skin

Teen skin is still developing, which means it’s more prone to irritation. Natural soaps, especially those made with nourishing oils like shea butter and olive oil, cleanse without stripping the skin’s protective barrier. No harsh detergents, no artificial fragrances, just pure, plant-based goodness.

Fewer Breakouts, More Balance

Many commercial soaps contain synthetic ingredients that clog pores and disrupt the skin’s natural balance. Our soaps use essential oils like pink grapefruit and bergamot, known for their antibacterial and balancing properties. These help regulate oil production and reduce the risk of acne without drying out the skin.

Hydration Without the Heaviness

Teen skin needs moisture, but not the greasy kind. Natural soaps hydrate with ingredients like coconut oil and mango butter, which absorb easily and leave skin soft, not shiny. Plus, they help soothe inflammation and redness, common in acne-prone areas.

No Nasties, Just Nature

We believe skincare should be clean and ethical. That’s why our soaps are:

• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Free from parabens, sulfates, and palm oil
• Handmade in small batches with food-grade ingredients

This means fewer irritants and more peace of mind for teens and their parents.

A Simple Routine That Works

Teenagers don’t need a 10-step skincare routine. A gentle cleanse with natural soap morning and night can make a big difference. Add a light moisturiser with SPF and you’ve got a routine that’s effective, affordable, and easy to stick to.

Final Thoughts

Teenage skin deserves kindness. By choosing natural soap, teens can enjoy clearer, calmer skin without compromising on ethics or quality. Whether it’s our exfoliating oatmeal bar or our active charcoal / citrus soaps for oily skin, La Zouch Soaps offers a range that’s perfect for every teen.

Ready to help your teen glow naturally? Explore our Teenage/Oily/Combination Skin collection here.

The post Clear Skin, Naturally: Why Teens Should Switch to Natural Soap appeared first on La Zouch Soaps.

What Is Cold Process Soap?

Cold process soap is made by combining oils or fats with a lye solution (sodium hydroxide mixed with water), triggering a chemical reaction called saponification. This method preserves the integrity of delicate ingredients like essential oils and plant-based butters, making it ideal for nourishing, vegan-friendly skincare.

Ingredients We Love

At La Zouch Soaps, we choose ingredients that are kind to your skin and the planet:

• Olive oil, deeply moisturizing and gentle
• Coconut oil, adds cleansing power and a rich lather
• Shea butter, highly moisturising with skin-soothing properties
• Essential oils, like pink grapefruit or bergamot for natural fragrance
• Mica for colour

Tools of the Trade

Making cold process soap requires a few essentials:

• Heat-resistant mixing bowls
• Accurate digital scales
• Hand blender
• Silicone moulds
• Safety gear: gloves, goggles, and long sleeves

Step-by-Step: The Cold Process Method

Here’s how we turn raw ingredients into beautiful bars:

1. Prepare the lye solution
   Carefully mix sodium hydroxide with cold distilled water. Always add lye to water, not the other way around, to avoid a volcanic reaction. Let it cool to around 40°C.
2. Melt and blend the oils
   Combine your chosen oils and butters, gently heating until fully melted. Allow them to cool to close to the lye temperature.
3. Combine and emulsify
   Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils. Use a blender to mix until you reach “trace”, when the liquid begins to thicken, that means saponification has begun.
4. Add fragrance, colour and extras
   Stir in essential oils, mica or exfoliants. This is where artistry meets chemistry.
5. Pour and insulate
   Pour the mixture into moulds, tap to release air bubbles, and if the weather is cold then insulate with a towel to encourage gel phase (which enhances colour and texture) and avoid an “ashy top”.
6. Unmould and cure
   After 48 hours unmould the soap and cut into bars. Then, the magic of patience: cure for 4 weeks to allow water to evaporate and the soap to harden.

Why We Love It

Cold process soap isn’t just a product, it’s magic. It allows us to:

• Customise different batches for different skin types (sensitive, dry skin, oily skin)
• Avoid synthetic detergents and preservatives
• Celebrate the beauty of natural ingredients

Whether you’re a seasoned soap enthusiast or just dipping your toes into the world of artisan skincare, cold process soap offers a luxurious, eco-conscious alternative to commercial bars. And at La Zouch Soaps, every bar is made with intention, integrity, and a splash of creativity.

Want to learn more about our ingredients or explore our latest creations? Visit our shop or follow us on Instagram for more!

The post How Cold Process Soap Is Made: A Peek Behind the Bubbles appeared first on La Zouch Soaps.

1. Glycerin: The Skin-Loving Ingredient That Stays

One of the key differences between handmade and commercial soap is glycerin. Glycerin is a natural byproduct of the soap-making process (saponification), where oils or fats react with lye to form soap. It’s a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air to your skin, helping to keep it hydrated.

In many commercial soaps, glycerin is removed and sold separately for use in more expensive lotions or creams. This leaves behind a bar of soap that can clean the skin but often strips it of moisture.

In contrast, handmade soap retains its natural glycerin, making it much gentler and more moisturizing. This is one of the biggest reasons handmade soap doesn’t dry out your skin. (BTW, La Zouch Soap contains so much glycerin it sets the security scanners off at airports!)

2. Better Ingredients: Oils That Nourish, Not Strip

Most handmade soaps are made with plant-based oils and butters like olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, and more. These ingredients don’t just cleanse the skin, they also nourish it.

Each oil used in handmade soap has different skin benefits. For example:

• Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and has a mild, soothing effect.
• Coconut oil offers cleansing power but is often balanced with more moisturising oils.
• Shea butter is deeply moisturising and helps soothe dry or irritated skin.
• Mango butter is loaded with rich fatty acids and is highly moisturising.

Because handmade soap recipes are carefully formulated, the oil-to-lye ratio is designed to leave a bit of extra oil in the final bar — a technique known as “superfatting.” This means there’s a slight excess of nourishing oils that remain after the saponification process, which helps moisturise and protect your skin.

3. No Harsh Detergents or Synthetic Additives

Many commercial soaps are technically not soaps at all — they’re classified as “syndet bars” (short for synthetic detergent bars). These bars often include harsh detergents, foaming agents (like SLS or SLES), preservatives, and artificial fragrances that can strip the skin’s natural oils and lead to dryness or irritation.

Handmade soaps typically avoid these harsh ingredients. They may include natural essential oils, botanicals, clays, and herbal infusions, offering a gentler, more skin-friendly cleansing experience. With fewer irritants and no synthetic detergents, handmade soap is much less likely to leave your skin feeling dry or stripped.

4. Customisable for Skin Needs

Another benefit of handmade soap is that it can be tailored to different skin types. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, there’s likely a handmade soap formula suited for you. Soap makers often create specialty bars with oatmeal for soothing, charcoal for detoxifying, or coconut milk for gentle exfoliation and added creaminess.

This level of customisation ensures that the soap not only cleans but also supports your skin’s specific needs, helping it stay hydrated and healthy.

5. Handmade Soap Supports Skin Barrier Health

Your skin’s natural barrier, the outermost layer that holds in moisture and keeps irritants out , can be disrupted by harsh soaps. Handmade soap, rich in natural fats and glycerin, supports this barrier rather than damaging it.

Over time, switching to handmade soap can actually improve your skin’s texture, hydration, and resilience, especially if you’ve been using drying commercial soaps for years.

Conclusion

Handmade soap isn’t just a luxury, it’s a return to how soap was originally intended to be: simple, natural, and beneficial for the skin. With nourishing oils, retained glycerin, and none of the harsh additives found in many commercial products, handmade soap helps cleanse without drying, making it a smart choice for anyone who wants to treat their skin more gently.

Whether you’re battling dryness or simply looking for a more natural skincare option, give handmade soap a try, your skin will thank you.

Take a look at our natural soaps here and start helping your skin today!

The post Why Handmade Soap Doesn’t Dry Your Skin: The Science Behind the Suds appeared first on La Zouch Soaps.

When it comes to skincare, the products you choose can make all the difference. Soap is one of the most fundamental parts of any routine, yet many people unknowingly use commercial brands packed with synthetic ingredients that can strip and irritate the skin.

Handmade soap, on the other hand, offers a natural, nourishing alternative. Here’s why switching to handmade soap could be the best thing you do for your skin.

1. No Harsh Chemicals
   Commercial soaps often contain detergents, sulfates, and artificial fragrances that can dry out and irritate your skin. Handmade soap, crafted with natural oils and butters, avoids these harmful additives, making it gentler and safer for all skin types.
   
2. Rich in Natural Moisturisers
   Unlike mass-produced soaps that remove glycerin, which is a vital moisturising agent, handmade soaps retain this beneficial ingredient. Glycerin helps to keep skin hydrated, leaving it soft and supple rather than dry and tight.
   
3. Customisable for Different Skin Types
   One of the best things about handmade soap is its versatility. Artisans often create formulas tailored to specific skin needs, whether you need extra hydration, acne-fighting ingredients, or calming botanicals for sensitive skin.
   
4. Essential Oils vs. Artificial Fragrances
   Many commercial soaps use synthetic fragrances that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. Handmade soap is typically scented with essential oils, which not only smell amazing but also provide therapeutic benefits for the skin and mind.
   
5. Environmentally Friendly
   Handmade soap is often produced using sustainable methods and biodegradable ingredients, reducing the environmental footprint. Plus, many soap makers use minimal or plastic-free packaging, making it an eco-conscious choice.
   
6. Gentle and Effective Cleansing
   While commercial soaps can be overly harsh, handmade soaps cleanse the skin effectively without stripping away natural oils. This balance keeps skin healthy, preventing irritation and promoting a radiant complexion.

Choosing handmade soap over commercial brands isn’t just a skincare upgrade, it’s an investment in your overall well-being. With natural ingredients, skin-loving benefits, and sustainable production, handmade soap provides everything your skin needs without the unnecessary additives.

Looking to make the switch? Treat your skin to the luxury of handmade soap, and experience the difference first hand with a bundle of our natural , handmade soaps.

The post Why Handmade Soap Is Better for Your Skin Than Commercial Brands appeared first on La Zouch Soaps.

Keeping your skin glowing and healthy is something we all desire, but sometimes, despite our best efforts, our skin can look dull and tired. One simple way to reveal your skin’s beauty is through exfoliation. And the best way to do this is to use an exfoliating soap.

Forget harsh scrubs and complicated routines. An exfoliating soap is an easy way to buff away dead skin cells, unclog pores, and leave your skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth. Here are some reasons to use an exfoliating soap:

1. Improve your complexion:
   – Because our skin is constantly renewing itself it sheds dead skin cells to make way for fresh, new ones. However, sometimes this process needs a little help. Exfoliating soaps gently remove these dead skin cells, revealing brighter skin underneath. So say goodbye to dullness and hello to a radiant glow!
   
   – The gentle massage action of exfoliating while you cleanse can help to stimulate blood circulation to the skin’s surface. This increased blood flow brings vital nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells, promoting a healthy, youthful appearance.
   
   
2. Remove dead skin cells in order to:
   – Unclog pores and prevent spots: pores can easily become clogged with dead skin cells, dirt and oil, which leads to spots and acne. Using an exfoliating soap helps to keep pores clear, reducing the likelihood of breakouts and leading to clearer, healthier skin.

– Develop smoother, softer skin: The build-up of dead skin cells can also lead to rough and bumpy skin. By using an exfoliating soap you can remove the dead cells to create a more even surface, leaving your skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth.

– Improve the absorbtion of skincare products: If your skin is covered in a layer of dead skin cells it’s harder for your moisturiser to sink in to your skin effectively. Using an exfoliating soap removes the dead-skin barrier, thereby allowing your skincare products to sink in and deliver the results you’re looking for.

3. Convenient and Time-Saving:
   An exfoliating soap is a 2-4-1 option – there’s no need for a separate face scrub or daily treatment, which saves you time and money in your skincare routine.

How to choose the right exfoliating soap

Select an exfoliating soap dependant on your skin type and sensitivity. For example, common exfoliating options are oatmeal, poppy seeds, coffee grounds and powders. If you have sensitive skin choose a gentle scrub such as coffee grounds or a soap made with a natural powder. If your skin is dry then oatmeal is an emollient and excellent for improving dry skin texture.

Exfoliating soaps are a simple yet effective way to transform your skin. By incorporating them into your routine, you can unveil a brighter, smoother, and healthier complexion. So, ditch the dullness and embrace the glow!

If you’d like to explore our range of exfoliating soaps, then take a look at our exfoliating soap page.

The post Help Your Skin to Glow: The Benefits of Exfoliating Soaps appeared first on La Zouch Soaps.

Here at La Zouch Soaps we create useful products with a bit of luxury – our soaps are so moisturising you’ll barely use hand or body cream anymore; our bathroom products all use essential oils for a truly uplifting, natural aroma; our wax products have a lovely strong scent throw and last for ages. We believe that “luxury/treats” should be part of everyday life and they can also be value for money too.

Why buy a soap which strips your hands of natural oils, which then means you then spend more money buying a moisturiser? Why buy a candle which only has scent at the top, not all the way down? Why have a functional shower or bath when you could bask in the scent of essential oils which help with your wellbeing? As we all know, sometimes a saving isn’t actually a saving at all!

We think you deserve better, so we’ve created a selection of subscription boxes so you can receive quality products, which are truly useful, at a decent price – starting from only £9.50 per month, with free postage.

Best of all, if you subscribe then the price of each box is less than buying the products individually. So you’re getting a little bit of useful luxury each month, while actually saving money!

Take a look at our Subscription box page for monthly payment options, or, if you’d like to give a six month or one year subscription as a gift, take a look at our gift subscriptions page. If you’d like a bespoke subscription instead, just email us and we’ll create one just for you. Happy subscribing!

The post Subscription Boxes – Useful or Treat? appeared first on La Zouch Soaps.

1. Use bar soap instead of liquid soap

Yes, we make soap, so we’re biased……but swapping to use bar soap instead of using bottles of liquid soap really does make a difference. On average a bar of our soap lasts around 3 months, whereas a large bottle of liquid soap goes down much faster, so you’re using even more plastic than you think.

We know that recycling plastic bottles is a good start, but if you avoid using plastic altogether then you also reduce the energy used to recycle plastics which have only been used once. Most bar soap is wrapped in eco-friendly packaging, and it looks nicer too!

Did you also know that bar soap usually contains fewer chemicals than liquid soap and is much kinder on your skin? So swapping to a bar benefits both you and the planet.

2. Swap your plastic air fresheners for wax ones

Most regular air fresheners are packaged in a plastic case or a plastic plug in container. However, there is a plastic-free alternative. Wax air fresheners act like any fragranced product and release scent into the air. As they have minimal (card) packaging, they’re much more eco-friendly than an air freshener in a plastic case.

These air fresheners are excellent to keep a small space fragrant. They also contain fewer chemicals than a commercial air freshener, which can only be good for the air we breathe.

Wax air fresheners can also be used in a wax melt burner once the scent begins to fade – so you get a 2 in 1 product.

3. Buy products in glass bottles rather than plastic

Back in the last century we were much better at reusing jars and bottles – just think of the milkman bringing your milk bottles every morning. Or taking beer bottles to the recycling and getting 5p per bottle (this may be quite a while ago!).

These days we often buy our milk in plastic bottles, but there is currently a resurgence in delivery-to-your-door groceries and many of them also use glass milk bottles. This is an easy swap as it also saves you time at the grocery store.

Another simple swap is to use products packaged in glass instead of plastic. Some cosmetics are in glass jars and can be reused. Some foods in the supermarket are also in glass pots (I’m thinking of a certain pudding brand) and those pots can be reused for all kinds of things.

One other good change that’s happened lately is that many supermarkets are moving away from plastic ring holders. They’re now simply sticking bulk tins or cans together with glue. This is a really good thing – for the planet as well as the wildlife which gets stuck in the rings.

4. Buy from local farmers’ markets

Farmers’ markets have had a resurgence in the past decade and are a great place to buy fresh produce. Take your own bags and pick the amount of fruit/veg you actually want, rather than buying a plastic-covered set amount.

Most produce at a local market isn’t covered in plastic so you can be sure you’re helping the environment (and a local small business) while shopping.

5. Swap your face wipes to reuseable ones

Using disposable face wipes to remove make up is an easy way to clean your face. Unfortunately it’s not so great for the environment as the wipes often contain micro plastic. A popular and easy swap is to use washable face wipes instead and buy a cleanser (in a glass bottle).

Reuseable wipes are easy to wash in your machine and are soft and gentle on your skin. You can even buy them in packs of 5 or 7 so you’ve got one for every day of the (work) week.

So those are our suggested 5 ways to reduce plastic use in your home. We hope they’ve been handy for you!

The post 5 Ways to Reduce Plastic Use in Your Home appeared first on La Zouch Soaps.