Natural additives lend their own special qualities by adding nature's own nutrients and providing a unique look, color, texture, and even aroma. – Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve

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Natural additives lend their own special qualities to skin care products

We individualize our handmade soaps, shampoos, and skincare products by including natural and organic additives.

Natural additives lend their own special qualities by adding nature's own nutrients and providing a unique look, color, texture, and even aroma.

We know that skincare products are only as good as the ingredients used to create them. We purchase only certified organic fruits, vegetables, juices, flowers, and grains when available.

Some ingredients, like salts and clays, are not agricultural items and cannot be certified organic.

But since we are a USDA certified organic company we are required to submit to our organic inspectors the documentation that even our salts, mud, and clays are naturally derived and organic compliant.

All of our sugars are organic and vegan (bone-char free).

Our descriptions of natural additives are for external use only.

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Organic Apples

Organic Applesauce

Our Applesauce is made from nothing but organic apples. Apples have been used as a beauty aid for decades. They are full of moisture which helps hydrate the skin. Apples contain vitamin C and other powerful antioxidants that may protect the skin against free radicals. Their anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe...

Organic Raw Apple Juice

Organic Apple Juice

Apple Juice helps with skin problems like dermatitis and psoriasis. A cup of apple juice added to your bath will cleanse and soften your skin. It also works wonders as a conditioner for the scalp and hair. Pure apple juice is a great natural skin toner. It tightens the skin, cleanses...

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has long been used as a natural hair care product to promote healthy hair and scalp. Vinegar removes scaly build-up and residue from hair shafts and closes the cuticles. Since residue coats the hair causing it to look dull, removing residue gives your hair more natural...

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Black Clay

Black Clay

Black Clay, also known as Terra Black Clay, is a soft absorbent clay Montmorillonite clay, (like bentonite) named after the western region of France known as Montmorillon. Montmorillonite clays usually include the sediment of volcanic ash that was naturally deposited in seawater. It has a very fine, silky texture and...

Baking Soda

Baking Soda

Baking Soda has been used for years to treat stomach ailments, eliminate odors, clean your home and create scrumptious food. But baking soda is also great for skin and hair care. It can be used as a dry shampoo, a clarifying rinse to remove residue and chlorine from hair, natural...

Bamboo Charcoal

Bamboo Charcoal

Bamboo Charcoal is made up of pieces of the fast-growing Moso bamboo. As the bamboo matures, millions of tiny holes or pores form in the stalks. These tiny holes increase the surface area of the bamboo. This means that it is able to adsorb (yes, adsorb) a large number of...

Beer

Beer

Throughout the world, beer may be one of the most popular alcoholic beverages, but used topically it can be highly beneficial for skin and hair as well. Beer is a humectant, which means it attracts and locks moisture to the skin. Adding beer to a bath is a practice that...

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite Clay is derived from naturally occurring volcanic ash sediments here in the US. When mixed with water, it becomes very slippery, almost gel-like. Good for all skin types, it is commonly used in shaving soaps to make the razor slippery to avoid cuts to the skin. It also makes...

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Organic Chocolate (Fair Trade)

Organic Chocolate*

Chocolate and Cocoa Powder add color, aroma, and skin soothing and softening properties. Cocoa beans, or cacoa beans, are fermented seeds of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, which is native to the the equatorial region of the world from Central and South America to Africa and Indonesia. Most people use the term...

Organic Carrot Juice

Organic Carrot Juice

Carrots and Carrot Juice were regarded by the ancient healers as the 'herbal healer' of skin. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and other antioxidants that help fight tissue damage caused by free radicals, help rejuvenate sun-exposed and mature skin and may help with wrinkles. The soothing properties of carrots have...

Organic Carrots

Organic Carrots

We use organic Carrots to make our own infused Organic Carrot Root Oil. We put loads of thinly sliced dehydrated organic carrots into a pot of organic sunflower oil. The oil is steeped using gentle heat for weeks until we get a rich, orange oil with the scent of carrots....

Organic Chocolate (Fair Trade)

Organic Chocolate*

Chocolate and Cocoa Powder add color, aroma, and skin soothing and softening properties. Cocoa beans, or cacoa beans, are fermented seeds of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, which is native to the the equatorial region of the world from Central and South America to Africa and Indonesia. Most people use the term...

Organic Cocao Powder (Fair Trade)

Organic Cocoa Powder*

We use cacao powder made by cold-pressing the raw cacao beans. This process removes the fat or cocoa butter but keeps the living enzymes from roasting away. Cacao powder has a higher antioxidant content than roasted cocoa powder, helps to renew skin cells, promote healthy skin tissues and promote healthy cell development. Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA.

Organic Coconut Milk

Organic Coconut Milk

Coconut milk, softening, soothing and moisturizing to the skin, adds a rich creaminess to handcrafted soap. Coconut milk, a liquid extracted from grated coconut, should not be confused with coconut water which is the liquid from inside the coconut shells. Coconut milk is packed with healthy skin oils and antioxidants....

Organic Coffee Beans (Fair Trade)

Organic Coffee Beans*

Organic Coffee is jam-packed with skin-friendly ingredients like antioxidants, Vitamin E, and other essential nutrients that help soothe and moisturize skin. Brewed coffee contains caffeine which offers fabulous toning, firming, and cellulite-fighting properties when applied topically. The topical application of caffeine can help remove excess water from the tissues which...

Organic Cornstarch

Organic Cornstarch

Cornstarch gives skin a fresh, dry and sleek feeling. It adds the silkiness of silk fibers to soap, without using animal products. Cornstarch also helps to cut a bit of the oiliness and adds a velvet texture to natural body butters.

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Organic Dark Brown Sugar

Organic Dark Brown Sugar*

Brown Sugar, high in natural molasses, is a natural humectant. It absorbs moisture from your environment and deposits it into your skin. Hydrating and conditioning, brown sugar helps to keep the moisture locked in. Brown sugar which removes dead cells is often used for exfoliating skin. It is a natural...

Dead Sea Mud

Dead Sea Mud

Dead Sea Mud: Legendary for its rich concentration of salt and rare minerals, the Dead Sea has long been praised for its healing qualities and therapeutic properties. At 1,290 feet below sea level, it is one of the most saline lakes in the world with a mineral concentration of 33%,...

Dead Sea Salt

Dead Sea Salt

Dead Sea Salt: Legendary for its rich concentration of salt and rare minerals, the Dead Sea has long been praised for its healing qualities and therapeutic properties. At 1,290 feet below sea level it is one of the most saline lakes in the world with a mineral concentration of 33%,...

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Organic Eggs

Organic Eggs

Eggs are one of nature's most perfectly balanced foods, containing all the protein, vitamins (except vitamin C), and minerals essential for good health. Eggs are considered a complete protein because they contain all of the essential amino acids, which are the "building blocks" of protein. In addition, eggs contain thirteen...

Epsom Salt Organic Bath Salt

Epsom Salt

Epsom Salt, named for a saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, is not actually salt. It is a naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium sulfate that looks like salt. The wonders of adding Epsom salt to a warm bath have been well-known for hundreds of years.Since some studies have...

Organic Cane Ethanol (Fair Trade)

Organic Cane Ethanol*

Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is the same stuff that is in beer, wine, and spirits. We use Organic alcohol made from Certified Organic and Certified Fair Trade Sugar Cane. Organic Alcohols are typically used in natural hand sanitizers and body and room fragrances.

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French Green Clay

French Green Clay

French Green Clay is mined from bedrock quarries in France. It has great absorbent powers and literally "drinks" oils and impurities from your skin. Its toning action stimulates the skin bringing fresh blood to damaged skin cells, and revitalizes the complexion while tightening pores. This clay is great for oily...

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Organic Vegetable Glycerin

Organic Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable Glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a clear, colorless, and odorless liquid made from organic vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, flaxseed, coconut, or palm oil with the consistency of a thick syrup. Glycerin, soluble in water and alcohol, is used in skincare because of its hydrating...

Goat Milk

Goat Milk

Goat Milk is one of nature's finest moisturizers and skin softeners due to its high butterfat content. People with very sensitive skin often find that goat milk soaps are very mild and non-irritating. It draws moisture to the skin, softens and nourishes skin, and soothes irritated skin conditions. Rich in...

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Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink Salt: Millions of years ago, a great ocean separated India from Asia in the region that would become the Himalayan Mountain range. The pristine salt deposits from this ocean are over 250 million years old. Because the salt beds were covered by lava, ice, and snow for millions...

Organic Honey

Organic Honey

Honey is nature's ultimate beauty product. Throughout the centuries, beautiful women have used honey as part of their skin and hair care treatments. Cleopatra was famous for her milk and honey baths, and Poppea, the wife of Roman Emperor Nero, used a honey and milk lotion on her face to...

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Kaolin Clay

Kaolin Clay

Kaolin is one of the mildest and purest of all natural clays. It can be used on dry or sensitive skin and is often used in fine face powders. The colors of Kaolin clays can vary and are due to the mineral content of the rock areas from which they are mined. In hair care,...

Kaolin Clay, French Pink

Kaolin Clay (French Pink)

Pink Kaolin, French Pink Clay, or Rose Kaolin is a naturally occurring soft kaolin clay. Pink Kaolin can be a naturally occurring pink-colored clay or a mixture of white and red kaolin clays. The two clays together provide a great balance for sensitive skin that needs a bit of oil...

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Organic Lemon Peel

Organic Lemon Peel

Lemon peel contains vitamin C, a host of antioxidants and is an excellent source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin A. Lemon peel provides a mild cleansing action and gentle exfoliation that is great for oily skin and reducing pimples in acne-prone skin. Lemon peel acts as an astringent for the...

Organic Lime Juice

Organic Lime Juice

Limes are powerhouses of vitamins and nutrients and can help improve the health of your skin when applied topically. Limes help . . . Close Pores: Lime oil has astringent properties when applied topically. It will help tighten pores and balance oil production for a clearer, brighter complexion. Exfoliate: Like...

Lime Peel

Organic Lime Peel

Lime Peel, like other citrus peels, contains vitamin C, a host of antioxidants and is an excellent source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin A. The peel contains citric acid that works to cleanse and brighten the skin. Lime peel provides a mild cleansing action and gentle exfoliation that is great for oily skin...

Loofah

Loofah

Loofah, a plant in the pumpkin or gourd family, is a fast-growing annual vine that grows much like the cucumber. It produces strange-looking fruit that is edible when immature and used as sponges when fully mature. Loofah, one of the best exfoliants, is a sponge made from the fibrous skeleton...

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Magnesium Hydroxide Natural Deodorant

Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide is one of many naturally occurring salts of magnesium and is a common compound found in antacids and laxatives. You may have heard of milk of magnesia which is a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and water that has been used for years to relieve occasional heartburn due to excess...

Mediterranean Sea Salt

Mediterranean Sea Salt

Mediterranean Sea Salt is harvested from the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Naturally evaporated by the sun and ocean air, our sea salt is unrefined with zero additives. High-quality sea salts contain a lot of trace minerals. Since the human body has the same concentration of minerals and...

Organic Menthol Crystals

Organic Menthol Crystals

Menthol Crystals, Mentha arvensis, are the solid portion of the natural oil of mint. As the mint essential oil is subjected to very low temperatures, the menthol crystallizes. Menthol crystals stimulate cold receptors in the skin and are excellent for use in products made to provide cooling and soothing relief...

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Noirmoutier French Grey Sea Salt

Noirmoutier French Grey Sea Salt

Noirmoutier Sea Salt, also known as Celtic Sea Salt or French Grey Sea Salt, has been harvested by hand for over 1500 years from the island of Noirmoutier near Brittany. Also known as “fleur de sel” (flower of salt), it is processed only by the sea, sun and human hands...

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Organic Oat Flour

Organic Oat Flour

Oat flour is finely ground oatmeal. We use oat flour in place of oatmeal when we are looking for the benefits of oats with a gentler texture. Oatmeal has long been used to soften and soothe sensitive or irritated skin. Ground oats have been used in beauty bars for centuries...

Organic Oatmeal

Organic Oatmeal

Oatmeal has long been used to soften and soothe sensitive or irritated skin. Ground oats have been used in beauty bars for centuries as a gentle exfoliant that removes dead cells and stimulates circulation to maintain healthy, beautiful skin. Oatmeal is a soothing, anti-inflammatory grain that helps calm dry, inflamed,...

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Pumice

Pumice

Pumice stone is the end product of an amazing force of mother nature, the volcano. It is a light-colored, very porous, aerated, frothy-like igneous rock that forms during explosive volcanic eruptions. Pumice can be ground into an abrasive powder and used in soaps and scrubs as a natural exfoliant to...

Organic Pumpkin

Organic Pumpkin

From the seeds to the pulp, pumpkins are loaded with nutrients that are helpful for the skin. Some of the beneficial enzymes and vitamins in pumpkin include: Alpha hydroxy acids Omega-3 Fatty Acids Beta-carotene Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin E Magnesium Zinc Pumpkin, high in vitamin A and beta carotene,...

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Rhassoul Clay

Rhassoul Clay

Rhassoul Clay, also known as Moroccan Lava Clay, is an ancient clay formed deep beneath the Atlas mountains in eastern Morocco. Due to its ability to absorb oil and impurities from both skin and hair, rhassoul clay leaves the hair and skin unbelievably clean, smooth, moisturized, clear, and feeling fresh....

Organic Rosemary Oil Extract (ROE)

Organic Rosemary Oil Extract (ROE)

Rosemary Oil Extract, (ROE) often called nature's best antioxidant, contains natural antioxidant compounds. ROE has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial characteristics. We very small amounts of this plant-based antioxidant to stabilizing the shelf life of our natural oils and butters. It adds no scent to the finished product.

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Sodium Hydroxide^

Sodium Hydroxide^

When we make our cold-processed handmade sodium hydroxide (lye) is mixed with water or another water-based liquid. This lye water reacts with fats (the plant oils and butters) to create soap in a natural chemical reaction called saponification. When saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined...

Organic Cane Sugar (Fair Trade)

Organic Cane Sugar*

Cane Sugar, like other natural sugars, exfoliates in two ways: the actual "scrubbiness" of the sugar plus the sugar's natural AHAs (Alpha hydroxy acids). The gentle abrasion removes dry, dead skin cells and clears up clogged pores. A scrub made of sugar cleans and removes dead/damaged skin and helps to...

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Organic Tapioca Powder

Organic Tapioca Flour

Tapioca Flour is a starch extracted from the root of the cassava plant (Manihot esculenta). Native to Brazil, it is now cultivated worldwide. The cassava root is a gluten-free product. It is often used in cooking as a replacement for cornstarch in thickening puddings and sauces. In herbal medicine, the...

Organic Tomato Juice

Organic Tomato Juice

Tomatoes, and other pure tomato products are rich in vitamins and minerals and have earned their place in the cosmetic industry due to their antioxidant and revitalizing properties. Tomatoes help refine enlarged pores, tone the skin, and provide soothing relief for troubled complexions. Tomatoes are naturally high in the antioxidant lycopene,...

Organic Tomato Puree

Organic Tomato Puree

Tomato purée is made from tomatoes that have been cooked briefly and strained to produce a thick, liquid. It is thinner than tomato paste and thicker than sauce. Tomatoes, and other pure tomato products are rich in vitamins and minerals and have earned their place in the cosmetic industry due to...

Organic Turbinado Sugar

Organic Turbinado Sugar*

Turbinado sugar is made from the initial pressings of the sugar cane. After pressing the freshly cut sugar cane to squeeze out the juice, the juice is naturally evaporated and spun in a turbine to produce and large molasses-colored crystals. Often called “sugar in the raw” or “raw sugar,” turbinado...

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Organic Vanilla Beans

Organic Vanilla Beans*

Vanilla Beans, Vanilla planifolia, are the dried unripe fruit pods of a climbing orchid vine. Although its sensual aroma helps soothe your soul, relax nerves, ease tension, lift your mood, and act as an aphrodisiac. But vanilla doesn't just smell amazing, it is also fabulous for your skin! The Totonac...