Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It protects your body against pollutants, UV rays, and harmful microbes. When the moisture level drops, you will notice that your skin will feel itchy and appear dry and flaky. In some cases, it can crack, which can be quite painful. 

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to get there, because all you need is a bottle of lotion. Despite having so many varieties available on the market, all lotions have one purpose — to moisturize your dry skin. In this article, we will help you learn more about lotion uses, including some of the most common reasons to use lotion.

What Is Lotion, and How Does It Work?

Lotions contain moisturizers that replenish the lost water in the skin by attracting moisture in the uppermost layer — the epidermis, or restoring moisture in the outer layer that has already been lost. Moisturizing lotions come in different varieties produced with special ingredients for unique purposes and benefits. Moisturizers can be classified into three groups:

  • Occlusive: They form a barrier on the skin’s surface, locking the water molecules already in it to help keep the skin hydrated.
  • Emollients: The molecules in emollients fill the tiny spaces between the skin cells to make them feel smoother. They can penetrate the skin and fill gaps that lack fatty layers to prevent the skin from drying or cracking.
  • Humectants: They help draw water to your skin to keep it hydrated. Humectant molecules attract moisture from the atmosphere and retain it inside the skin.

Reasons To Use Lotion

Lotions have many benefits, and that’s why they’re widely used. They provide a cost-effective way of keeping your skin moisturized. Here are some of the common lotion uses.

Improve Skin Rehydration

If you work in harsh climatic conditions every day, your skin is at risk of getting chapped or dried from the cold, wind, or heat. You also want to lock as much moisture in your skin if you have sensitive skin. A bottle of lotion can help seal or trap the moisture to keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Smooth Calluses

Calluses occur when you stand for too long or use your hands to do certain hard work. Discolored or swollen calluses can be painful and unsightly. Lotion can help make them supple and ease the removal of dead, dry skin.

Replenish Rough or Dry Skin Spots

Whether your skin is oily or normal, you will still have areas in your body that need lotion application. Your elbows and knees can benefit from lotion after bedtime or bath time. You might want to use the lotion regularly on these parts to ease roughness and restore silky smooth skin like the rest of the body.

Enhance Confidence

A healthy glowing skin improves your self-confidence and self-esteem. You’re likely to feel good about your soft, scented skin regardless of whether you’re going to bed or work or school.

Aid Skin Relaxation

For many people, routine lotion application is therapeutic. You can try a body massage with scented lotion or try lotions that heat up and provide sensory warmth to other parts of the body.

Are you looking for the perfect lotion for all your everyday needs? Soaps & Scents may be the right place to get your skin glowing and healthy. 

What do you get the person who seems to have it all? If you ask the team at Soaps & Scents, there’s only one answer: soap! Soap is a great Christmas or holiday gift for anyone. After all, we all need to stay clean—and that’s much more pleasant when you have high-quality, handmade soaps to get the job done.

Whether you need a stocking stuffer for a close family member or an easy gift for that person who’s impossible to buy for, consider gifting Christmas soaps this holiday season. Here’s why you should make handmade soaps your go-to holiday gift:

  • A small luxury: The best gifts are things a person would enjoy, but not necessarily buy for themselves. Handmade soap definitely fits the bill. While commercially available hand and bath soap might get the job done, using artisanal soap in a scent you love is much more pleasant. This small luxury is a great way to make everyday handwashing or bathing a little more enjoyable.
  • Consumable: We all have people on our gift lists that either have everything they could possibly need, or who are trying to cut down on the sheer amount of “stuff” they have. Handmade soap is a great solution to this problem. Since it’s consumable, it won’t take up permanent residence in their homes, but it will still offer plenty of enjoyment while they’re using it. Best of all, you can repeat the gift for the next holiday season.
  • Good for every budget: Whether you want to spend $7 or $70, handmade soaps can fit every budget. Get a single bar as a stocking stuffer, or get a whole set for a spa day gift. You’re sure to find a thoughtful present for everyone on your list, no matter how much you want to spend.
  • Protect against illness: If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that everyone can use another reason to wash their hands more often. Encourage your loved ones to protect their own health by giving them a soap that’s truly enjoyable to use. Better still, Soaps & Scents’ handmade soaps won’t leave their hands dry, like many mass-produced soaps do.
  • Sustainable: Finally, handmade soaps are a sustainable holiday gift. They use eco-friendly packaging, unlike liquid soaps, and are made from plant-based ingredients. Why not save yourself some stress and help save the planet at the same time?

As you can see, handmade soaps make great Christmas and holiday gifts. There are plenty of varieties and scents to choose from, so you’re sure to find something suitable for everyone on your list. For something extra fun, try our “cupcake” soaps or one of our holiday scents. When you buy handmade Christmas soaps as a gift, your only problem will be deciding exactly which kinds to give to everyone on your list.

Soaps & Scents also offers a variety of other soap and spa products. Mix and match scents to create the perfect gift basket for the stressed-out recipient on your list—or reward yourself. Shop online, or reach out to us with any questions you may have.

During this time of year, lots of people purchase candles to make their homes feel cozy and to add a pleasant aroma. While a lot of people select candles based only on how they smell, it’s also important to consider what candles are made of when deciding which candles are right for you.

If you’re wondering what wax is best for candles, keep reading to learn about different candle wax options.

Types of wax used in candle making

There are lots of different types of waxes that are used for candle making. Some of the most common types of waxes used for candles are paraffin wax, soy wax, palm wax and granulated wax. Some of the waxes used for candle making, including paraffin wax, are derived from crude oil purification. Unlike paraffin wax, soy wax is made from soybean oil which is extracted from soybeans after they are harvested.

Why soy wax is the best option for candles

For people who are serious about finding the best candles, the general consensus is that soy wax candles are the best choice. One of the reasons why soy wax candles are so popular is that they are made from sustainable crops—soybeans—that are easy to grow quickly. Other waxes, like paraffin wax, are derived from unsustainable sources like fossil fuel refinement. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option for candles, soy wax is the best way to go.

Another reason why so many people choose soy wax candles is that soy wax burns more slowly than paraffin wax. This slower burning means that soy wax candles will last longer than other types of candles. Even though soy candles are often more expensive than paraffin wax candles, they offer greater value because they last longer. In addition, other types of candles produce more black soot when they’re burned, unlike soy wax candles which don’t produce nearly as much soot.

Despite the fact that soy wax candles are eco-friendly and burn more cleanly than other candles, they still smell wonderful. Soy wax is an excellent carrier for candle fragrances which allows candlemakers to create candles that smell great without the use of chemical additives to enhance aroma. Because soy wax candles can be made without chemical fragrance amplifiers, they don’t have the risk of toxicity that other candles do.

If you’ve never purchased a soy wax candle before, it’s worth it to give it a try. There are so many benefits of using soy wax candles, and there are so many options out there to choose from when it comes to size, style and fragrance. Go to a candle store to check out your options and find out what all the hype is about when it comes to soy wax candles.

What wax is best for candles

Find high-quality soy wax candles with great aromas that will make your home smell amazing this season by stopping by Soaps & Scents. We have been making beautiful handmade soaps for over 20 years, and we are passionate about creating products that our customers will love. Stop by today to check out our extensive line of products for yourself and pick out some beautiful, new handmade candles for your home.