As the business grew I had to start limiting the types of products offered. Because I absolutely love making natural soaps and custom soap creations, it only seemed natural. Each day is a new day to do something we love and to try to make someone else happy. The same philosophy of only using the best and purest ingredients in our products will never change.

To be pure is to contain nothing inappropriate or extraneous. We started this product line with the goal of having every ingredient provide something nourishing and beneficial for the skin and body and nothing detrimental. We've been blessed to have the ability to be able to research and develop these formulas for ourselves, and you, so that we are not forced to apply potentially harmful ingredients to our skin - the largest organ in our body. This is so important that the EPA has guidance on calculating the dermally absorbed doses of chemicals from water (think water based lotions): Dermally Absorbed Dose Rate = Concentration x Surface Area Exposed x Exposure Time x Permeability Coefficient x Conversion Factors. The physical condition of our skin affects absorbtion which is why every ingredient we use is aimed at improving and maintaining healthy skin.

Coming from a medical background and our combined Biology and Microbiology degrees we understand the crucial role nutrition and our skin play in total health and well-being. A close family member has terrible allergies and used to have "unhappy skin" prior to using Dr. Leslie's products so "Necessity being the Mother of Invention" led to the development of these soaps and lotions. Because we could see the huge difference they made in our skin, we were confident others would enjoy them as well. Besides, it's a lot of fun to make a great product to share with others!

All of our ingredients are purchased from U.S. companies. While many of the ingredients originate outside of the United States (for example, Argan oil comes from Morocco and the Argan Forest), these companies certify that the ingredients we've purchased are actually what they claim to be. None of our ingredients come from China. We do our best to prioritize high standards in all of our practices. We believe in products that produce beautiful results without harming the environment. We research thoroughly and always choose safe, responsibly-sourced ingredients. They are Pharmaceutical or Food Grade and are sourced from Environmentally-Friendly Non-GMO Sustainably grown farms. All of the oils are extracted by steam-distillation or cold-pressed which ensures, to the best of our ability, that they are not potentially tainted with chemical residue.

Yes, there are differences between facial and body skin as well as differences in the skin in different parts of the body. One significant difference is that facial skin tends to be more sensitive and reactive to environmental, chemical and hormonal influences. New Day Soap lotions are formulated especially for sensitive skin using only natural ingredients. Both types of skin need surface protection in the form of emollients to prevent dehydration and allow the barrier function to repair itself. Both types of skin need water-loving humectants to attract water and bind moisture to the cells and between the epidermal cells. New Day Soap provides this plus lipids to "patch" and supplement the barrier, antioxidents to interrupt inflammation and vitamins so that the skin has many of the necessary components to repair itself. For example, collagen must be formed by the skin itself as collagen present in creams simply binds water to the skin surface. The molecules of collagen are too large to penetrate through the skin. New Day Soap lotions provide many natural necessary soothing components for both face and body skin.

Sodium benzoate is a synthetic chemical produced when benzoic acid, which is found naturally in some fruits and spices, is combined with sodium hydroxide. The FDA has granted GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. It is used as a preservative. A large concern over the use of sodium benzoate is its ability to convert to benzene, a known carcinogen, when combined with Vitamin C. Other factors, including exposure to heat and light, as well as longer storage periods, can increase benzene levels. Other Potential Health Concerns: Preliminary studies have evaluated other possible risks of sodium benzoate, which include: Inflammation: Animal studies suggest that sodium benzoate can activate inflammatory pathways in the body in direct proportion to the amount of exposure. This includes inflammation promoting cancer development . Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A study of college students linked ADHD with higher intake of sodium benzoate in beverages. The additive has also been linked to ADHD in children in some studies . Appetite control: In a test-tube study of mouse fat cells, exposure to sodium benzoate decreased the release of leptin, an appetite-suppressing hormone. The decrease was 49–70%, in direct proportion to the exposure . Oxidative stress: Test-tube studies suggest that the higher the concentration of sodium benzoate, the more free radicals are created. Free radicals can damage your cells and increase chronic disease risk . Allergies: A small percentage of people may experience allergic reactions — such as itching and swelling — after consuming foods or using personal care products that contain sodium benzoate. More research, particularly in people, is needed to confirm these initial findings but there's enough evidence that we choose not to use it.

We love Glycerin (AKA Glycerol)! Be assured that we do not use glycerin which is a byproduct of diesel fuel production. Here are the facts: Glycerin is an organic naturally occurring compound found in animals and plants. It was discovered in 1779 by Swedish chemist Karl Wilhelm Scheele and has been studied extensively since. It is found in our skin as part of the Natural Moisturizing Factor which is involved in the transport and activity of transporting hydrating substances to the skin's uppermost layers. It is classified as a Humectant - it attracts water and slows it from evaporating thereby keeping the skin hydrated. Dr. Wendy Bollag and Dr. Xiangjian Zheng (The Journal of Investigative Dermatology) found that glycerol makes skin look and function better by helping skin cells mature properly. The NIH supports these findings. Because Glycerin is a fatty alcohol there have been a few false allogations that it acts like the drying alcohols ethanol or denatured alcohol which can cause chemical sensitivities or fatty liver disease. These 2 types of alcohols function totally differently. In 2015 the Personal Care Product Council studied scientific literature and stated that "Data on dermal absorbtion, distribution, metabolism and excretion of glycerin were not found in the published literature nor were unpublished data provided". This means that in both acute and long-term studies the following were shown: there were no reproductive or developmental effects observed. This ingredient was not a dermal or ocular irritant and was non-sensitizing. It was shown to be noncarcinogenic and furthermore, when present, is critical in normal development of cells. Fatty alcohols help preserve and restore healthy skin function. Glycerol is a physiological alcohol which helps make up the plasma membrane lipid bylayer that encases each cell and helps maintain a healthy barrier to damaging factors. It plays a very important role in biosynthesis and studies have shown that when applied topically many skin problems are resolved. Glycerin is a natural by-product of the soap making process. This results in a mild, pure soap that gently cleanses your skin without being irritating or drying.

It temporarily absorbs water but prolonged use can dry out the skin making it look dull and increasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. According to the Material Safety Data Sheet on propylene glycol, the chemical is a strong skin irritant, and had been implicated in contact dermatitis. The sheet goes on to warn that it can inhibit skin cell growth and damage cell membranes, causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage. It can dissolve any fat or oil on the skin's surface reducing the natural protecting mechanism of the skin. It has some allergic properties. One of the components that's released when it's metabolized by the body is propionaldehyde - a potentially hazardous sunstance.

Petrolatum and mineral oil work as a moisture locking agent in creams. They seal off the skin from air and water. This occlusive property can create a warm, moist environment for yeast and fungus to grow. (Candidiasis) They don't provide any nutritional properties for the skin and are very slowly metabolized. This disrupts normal skin function, causing it to age prematurely. Petrolatum based products are classified as xenoestrogens that can produce estrogenic effects.Petroleum and Mineral Oil might be carcinogenic. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a whopping 80 percent of all beauty products may be contaminated with one or more of the two dozen recognized cosmetic impurities that are linked to cancer and other health concerns. And petroleum- and mineral oil-based products are no exception. The EWG report goes on to say:"These trace contaminants in petroleum-based ingredients often readily penetrate the skin according to government and industry studies, and their presence in products is not restricted by government safety standards — they are legal at any level." The scariest of these possible contaminants is called 1,4 dioxane, an impurity found in 22 percent of all petroleum-based cosmetics that is a known carcinogen.

Much like Petroleum products, silicones form a barrier on your skin like plastic-wrap which can trap sweat, dirt, bacteria and other debris in your pores (think acne). Besides providing nothing nutritional, they slow down the production of new cells, keeping dead cells stuck longer. The chemical has come under scrutiny by the EU which has ultimately lead to it being banned in many products. Like most harmful chemicals of this nature, siloxane doesn’t entirely break up or dissolve when we wash it down the drain and this has lead to an increase in toxicity in our wastewater. What may be only slightly harmful to us, is often drastically dangerous to smaller creatures and the environment as a whole.

It is a surfactant which causes soap, toothpaste and shampoos to foam and bubble. SLS has small molecules which can penetrate through the membranes of body cells. According to research, it has corrosive properties that affect fats and proteins in skin and muscles. It causes the chain of amino acids in proteins to lose its shape (denature) thereby losing its structure. SLS increases the skin-penetration of water soluble substances, increasing the skin permeability of contaminants. Sulfates are often derived from petroleum and are not sustainable for the environment.

They are synthetic colors believed to be potentially carcinogenic, a skin irritant and linked to Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A few examples include Green#3 which can cause bladder and testes tumor and Yellow#5 which may trigger hyperactivity in children

Parabens are chemicals that act as preservatives to help prevent the growth of fungus, bacteria, and yeast in water based products. Parabens are able to penetrate the skin and remain within tissue. They act like a very weak estrogen in the body - potentially turning on the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. Parabens have been found present in breast tumors.

The Environmental Protection Agency says it, "is concerned about phthalates because of their toxicity and the evidence of pervasive human and environmental exposure to these chemicals." In a report on phthalates, the EPA outlines a number of scientific studies that have linked phthalates to negative effects on human health. Phthalates can cause endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity and cancer. It is also linked to breast cancer and early breast development in girls. Most vulnerable of the population are pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. They've been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in children and are thought to contribute to asthma and allergies.

Yes! I am at The Palm Valley Market every Tuesday 10am-1pm. 148 Canal Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. 32082