![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spsnThis is a special post because I've promised to write this review. Basically it's a product review of the lovely handmade soaps. What has led me to handmade soaps and let alone ordered them from across the globe?
It's for the sole reason that my skin doesn't react well to Singapore's weather and water. Proof? I've spent tons of money on facial, seriously, the amount of money I've spent for the past couple of years is ridiculous that I shiver when I think about it. But if I don't do that, no matter what mask or skin care I used, breakouts, big huge pimples decorate my face. Facial somewhat helps to reduce scars on my face. BUT, how about my body??? I like liquid shower wash because it's convenient, but after so many trial and fail on different brands, my back is covered with tons of pimple scars. Not a pretty sight, and as you get older, those scars take longer to heal. Learning from this, I switched to the traditional bar soaps. With bar soaps, you have less brands to try, actually, and some soaps left my skin dry and the fragrance options are quite limited, not really what you want. It did reduce my back pimples, so at least I was on the right track.
It was until I stumbled on Facebook that I saw Silktree Soapery hand made soaps. 'Heee, there's such a thing?' I thought. In Singapore, handmade soap is not really well known because hydrogen peroxide is a controlled substance. So, there's no way you can concoct soaps in your own kitchen. Any soaps other than standard soaps brands available in our favorite drug store in Singapore (the varieties here can compete with Target), are pricey. So, when I saw Silktree's soaps, I was genuinely intrigued and tempted to just click order on all kinds. And the best, the soaps are really pretty, neatly cut and with soft nice colors.
So, I contacted the owner and find out more about her products. She's very friendly and full of advises. Apparently, for soaps without preservatives (eg. handmade soaps) requires different formula to survive in different countries. And the best thing is she can do customized order. You can order the soaps with your favorite flavors, and at best you know what goes to your soap to the point of what kinds of oils and active ingredients use for your soap and what your soap supposed to do for your body. That's informative & comforting.
It's for the sole reason that my skin doesn't react well to Singapore's weather and water. Proof? I've spent tons of money on facial, seriously, the amount of money I've spent for the past couple of years is ridiculous that I shiver when I think about it. But if I don't do that, no matter what mask or skin care I used, breakouts, big huge pimples decorate my face. Facial somewhat helps to reduce scars on my face. BUT, how about my body??? I like liquid shower wash because it's convenient, but after so many trial and fail on different brands, my back is covered with tons of pimple scars. Not a pretty sight, and as you get older, those scars take longer to heal. Learning from this, I switched to the traditional bar soaps. With bar soaps, you have less brands to try, actually, and some soaps left my skin dry and the fragrance options are quite limited, not really what you want. It did reduce my back pimples, so at least I was on the right track.
It was until I stumbled on Facebook that I saw Silktree Soapery hand made soaps. 'Heee, there's such a thing?' I thought. In Singapore, handmade soap is not really well known because hydrogen peroxide is a controlled substance. So, there's no way you can concoct soaps in your own kitchen. Any soaps other than standard soaps brands available in our favorite drug store in Singapore (the varieties here can compete with Target), are pricey. So, when I saw Silktree's soaps, I was genuinely intrigued and tempted to just click order on all kinds. And the best, the soaps are really pretty, neatly cut and with soft nice colors.
So, I contacted the owner and find out more about her products. She's very friendly and full of advises. Apparently, for soaps without preservatives (eg. handmade soaps) requires different formula to survive in different countries. And the best thing is she can do customized order. You can order the soaps with your favorite flavors, and at best you know what goes to your soap to the point of what kinds of oils and active ingredients use for your soap and what your soap supposed to do for your body. That's informative & comforting.
So yes, I ordered the customized soaps. Since it takes at least 2 weeks to make the soap and make it slightly cured so it's quite save to be carried around, and I want it faster, she offered me the current customized stocks that she made for folks in Indonesia for me to try. Hence you see variety of fragrances on the pic.
When I received the package, I was so surprised that the soap fragrance can be sniffed from outside the package, and it's heavenly! I couldn't stop sniffing the soaps because they smell so nice and not over powering. In shorts, below is what I got:
Ginger Mint - This is what I ordered for my friend actually, but the owner gave me sample for me to try too. Honestly mint is not my favorite scent, I mean, it's food LOL. But I changed my mind when this soap came. It's not really minty smell, but it's very refreshing and it's almost feel nostalgic, like those traditional bar soap from the past. Very lovely. It's slightly softer than the usual soap because, again, no preservatives, so I don't mind it that much. When I used it, it's not as frothy & bubbly as I thought, but it makes my skin easier for scrubbing. Plus the nice smell will surround you when you shower and slightly linger on your skin after shower. Overall, I like the shower experience with this soap. <3. Later I found out from the owner that the less bubble is due to less coconut oil content and coconut oil is one of those ingredients which makes you skin dry.
Apple & Rose - Again, another sample, because I like to try things out. I'm again intrigued with the smell. The rose is not the focus for this soap, it's more apple than rose and slightly sweet, which is better for me because rose is not my favorite fragrance either. This one has more bubbles but I still can scrub my skin easily. So now I have a sweet shower experience but come out with squeaky clean skin. I like this feeling.
After about 3 weeks using the soaps, my back is clean from pimples (greatly maintained! this is good!) and I feel body lotion is easier to be applied and cleaned too. Great feeling! Maybe now I can let go my skin worries.
Those I haven't tried and look forward to try (I'll cut these soaps up so that I can do rotation, haha!):
Lime & Basil - I like lime & basil kind of fragrance, thanks to Bath & Body Works. They used to have similar fragrance long time ago. So when I heard that she had this, I quickly raised my my hand to grab it. It has balance fragrance of lime & basil, no dominant fragrance
Lemon Verbana - This is similar to lime & basil but softer and more lemony. Normally I don't like lemon on soap because it reminds me of car freshener. But since it's softer, it eliminates that car freshener image, good stuff!
Bamboo & Aloe - So far, this is my favorite fragrance. To be honest, I was slightly skeptical when I ordered this, but when the actual product came, the fragrance was so refreshing, strong but not overpowering, and different. Not like those bamboo charcoal fragrance, this one is softer, though can be called unisex.
So, clearly I'm a satisfied customer. Since the owner is in the US, ordering from Singapore may come with the international shipping, but I'd think the price is still very reasonable because, no preservatives, the quality is satisfying and even with international shipping, the cost per soaps is still all right. Few methods that I can think of for my future orders is to do combined orders, or using V-post service.
If your skin is troublesome and especially difficult against humidity, I recommend you to give the shout out to Silktree Soapery and see what kind of soaps suit you. Good soap, good shower can relieve the fatigues, especially after a long day of work. This is small happiness, but precious when you count them XD.
More info on Silktree Soapery:
Etsy shop (check out those beautiful & pretty soaps): https://www.etsy.com/shop/silktreesoapery
Facebook (get the updates of the latest soaps): https://www.facebook.com/silktreesoapery
