Yes, I know this blog is entitled "Balmbastic," but I want to state, if you haven't read the description yet, this isn't all about lip balm.
No Sweat Scottish Lye Soap is a product I discovered at the Erie County Fair a few years ago. In the back yard of the Historical center display this woman actually makes lye soap. She demonstrates how it is made, and has soap for sale. (Last year when I went she had such good sales I got newer soap so I had to actually let it set and dry for about 2 weeks...but it was well worth it!) The recipe has been in this woman's family for 200 years. It's crazy good. It is all made by hand and a lot of care and love goes into it.
As someone who has terrible skin and suffers the effects of acne and a super dry T-zone, I need a good soap. Not to mention the fact my skin is EXTREMELY sensitive to just about every product sold at any store. At first I was hesitant to try this soap but my grandmother bought some anyways just to try. I loved it. It actually does help with acne, but it doesn't dry out the skin. I can use it on my face and get results similar to that of Pro-Active (I know this because I wasted hundreds of dollars on Pro-Active sets when I could have been using this) and it doesn't make my T-zone drier (like Pro-Active). According to the website it is also suppose to help with a vast variety of other skin conditions, yet is gentle enough for a baby. I cannot comment on the other skin conditions, but I can say that it is gentle enough for a baby because I have used it on my little cousin.
There is no scent to this soap. Some people really like their scented soaps, but this is quality right here. You don't have to worry about your perfume mixing with the scent or anything. It's pretty much colorless too, however when you get your bar you can lay flowers and other natural flora on it and as it dries it will absorb the color and leave a cool imprint.
As far as longevity, one bar (which there is no standard size. They are cut by hand and range in size but are all relatively similar.) lasts a few months. It depends on how much you use it. I use it was a total body soap as well as my facial soap. I sometimes also use it in my hair. It sounds crazy but it works as a clarifying agent, so I'll wash with my Giovanni 50:50 shampoo then use the Scottish Lye Soap, then put in conditioner. This is really an ideal multi-purpose soap.
My only complaint about this soap is its storage. I buy in bulk because the fair is only once a year. First you have to let it set out for a bit, to completely dry out. Putting it on a cutting board is recommended, or any piece of word as to draw out the dampness faster. After that, if you have a pantry or vanity in your bathroom (or where ever you keep your products) you can place bars in there but you have to wrap them. I've found that if you just leave them out in the open, even in the closed cupboard, they seem to shrivel. They don't lose their potency or anything, they just don't look appealing. But if you wrap it in a brown paper bag, wax paper, or keep the original packaging that you receive it in and store it closed in that, it does not get all shrively looking.
Overall, this soap has become a staple in my life. It is so practical and reasonable in price you can't go wrong. You really must try it.
Rating: 6 out of 5 (yes...that's right, a 6, because it is just that amazing)
How and Where to Get it:
No Sweat Factory Scottish Lye Soap
$3 a bar (+ S&H)
Ordering Information
