Planet Soap

I first mentioned Planet Soap here.

Jill makes all the soaps herself in her workshop at home in the Lothians.

I first came across the soaps in a local gift shop.  You can also order online and a number of shops in Scotland stock Jill's soaps (you can see the list here).  Jill also sells her soaps at craft fairs and markets and you can see the calendar here for upcoming ones.

The soaps contain no animal products, parabens, detergents, surfactants, artificial colours or fragrance.  They are traditionally made Cold Process soaps.

"The soap is made by combining a particular proportion of fatty acids (in oils, nut butters or fat) with sodium hydroxide (lye).  This forms a chemical reaction called saponification.  The oils and lye react and become gentle soap".  Fascinating!  I'd love to watch the hand making process - Jill will do talks to groups about the soap, her love of essential oils, the joys and challenges of setting up a small craft business.  During the talk Jill will make a loaf of soap and can sell the soap afterwards to the audience (no charge for the talk & demonstration if everyone buys some soap!).

Essential oils are used to scent the soaps and plant roots, seeds and leaves are also used.  The cold process leaves glycerine in the bar making them moisturising on the skin.  The oils used are olive, ethically sourced palm and coconut oils.

I asked Jill a while ago if she could create a mint & fennel soap - Minted Fennel with Nettle Leaf.  It's gorgeous, with fennel essential oil and spearmint, the nettle leaves creates a nice scrubby soap.  Other favourites include: Lavender & Geranium and Lavender.  I want to try Spiced Orange, Peppermint & Lavender and Rosy Geranium.  You can see the whole range of soaps available here.

The soaps are wrapped in coloured paper and tied with raffia.  Ingredients are clear listed.  They cost cost £3.50 per bar and postage in the UK is £1.90 per bar and 70p for each additional bar.  If you want to order in bulk please use the contact form to arrange the shipping rate.

A little jute bag (see photo) is great for packaging gifts and retails at £1.50.

Check out the website here. (I'll be stocking up again soon!) x

A cake of soap

Here are my current favourite bars of soap:-

I know bar soap is quite old fashioned now but I've got a healthy addiction!

My current favourite L-R:- Sedbergh, Arran Aromatics, Temple Spa, another Sedbergh soap and Planet Soap.

I came across the brilliant Sedbergh soap last year in the Yorkshire Dales, its a family business based at a sheep and cattle farm in Sedbergh.  The soaps all smell divine and its hard to choose.  The first little bundle is 5 assorted mini soaps - a good try before you buy or present.  My favourites are Lemongrass, Geranium and Sweet Orange.  You can also buy online and your order is delivered next day.

Arran Aromatics Exfoliating Bath Soap 200g - scented with After the Rain.  Nice gritty bits of oatmeal make this a great exfoliating soap.

Temple Spa Keep Calm Bar 50g - with essential oils.  Mr BB and I stayed one night at Northcote for a gourmet break, which was amazing and I'd highly recommend.  The products in the bathroom were Temple Spa.

Planet Soap - Minted Fennel & Nettle Soap 100g - Planet Soap is a small business based in Winchburgh, Scotland.  The soaps are handmade by Jill in her home workshop.  Other favourites include Lavender & Geranium and Lavender.