Going Japanese

Why not add a Japanese touch to your products? 'Memoirs of a Geisha' proved to be a big hit, with its portrayal of Japanese Beauty and a number of the big Cosmetics Companies are incorporating traditional Japanese Beauty products in their ranges.

At The Soapmakers Store we carry a number of products to lend a touch of 'Geisha' to your soaps, shampoos, creams....Below are links to some of the traditional Japanese ingredients we carry and some information on how these were used. We hope this will inspire you to create your own range with a Japanese feel.

Camellia Oil

Camellia Oil has been used for centuries in Japan as a moisturiser and conditioner for skin, hair and nails. On its own Camellia Oil makes an excellent facial cleanser, just gently massage a spoonful onto your face and wipe off with a cotton pad or soft tissue and it will remove even the most stubborn make-up. Camellia Oil can also be used as a body moisturising oil after a bath or shower, as it quickly penetrates the skin.

Geishas and Samurai Warriors used the Camellia oil to keep their hair in great shape. Why not add a bit of Camellia Oil to your shampoos. It is said that Camellia Oil will help relieve dry scalp and dandruff. Camellia Oil is a great oil to add to toiletries and soaps due to its high oleic acid contents. It can also be used in Aromatherapy massages either on its own or as part of a blend.

Safflower Petals

In Japan Geishas historically wore make-up made from crushed Safflower Petals. This make-up was used to colour their deep red lips and for the delicate shadowing around their eyes.

Our Safflower Petals are the most gorgeous reddish/orange colour. Infuse Safflower Petals in vegetable oil and as colouring for your soaps and toiletries. This will give you an authentic, delicate red, perfect for products with an Eastern feel.

Your can also use our Safflower Petals as they are to add a splash of colour to Pot Pourri, Bath Salts and Soaps.

Irish Moss

Seaweed is widely used in Japanese Beauty Care both for facial care and in the bath. Seaweed cleanses, stimulates, detoxifies, revives and tones the skin. We have chosen to promote Irish Moss in our Japanese Theme particularly for its delicate golden reddish colour and excellent skin conditioning proporties.

Irish Moss can be used as a traditional Japanese Skin Scrub. Soak the dried Seaweed in tepid water for 20 minutes to soften it. Place in a small drawstring bags, as used for centuries by Japanese Beauties to gently wash and stimulate the delicate skin of the face. Moisten the bag filled with the Irish Moss and gently massage the face. Follow by splashing cold water onto the face.

Irish Moss can be added to your bath water as it is or you can add it to Bath Salts, where it will add colour. Irish Moss can also be ground and added to soaps.

Green Tea

Can it get any more Japanese! Green Tea has been drunk in Japan for nearly 2000 years for its health benefits. The West has now cottoned on and Green Tea Extract is used extensively in toiletries. Green Tea has skin soothing properties, it tightens and calms the skin. It is full of anti-oxidants and is widely used in anti-aging creams, as it seems to promotes elasticity in the skin. More recently research is being done to find out whether Green Tea can help prevent skin cancer if added to sun screen products.

The Soapmakers Store offers Green Tea Leaves. Grounded these can be added to soap as an exfoliant, with the added benefit of the typical delicate scent of Green Tea. We can also recommened this recipe for a skin toner:

120ml distilled/spring water
2 teaspoons Green Tea Leaves

Boil the water and pour over the Green Tea Leaves. Leave for 2-3 minutes, sieve and cool. Apply with cotton pad/ball. Leave to dry and apply moisturiser.

Delicate Fragrances

Traditionally the Japanese used incense to perfume their clothes and hair. The preferred scent would be subtle and interesting, rarely sweet and never over-powering. It would be only a hint, almost a whisper, mysterious.

Drawstring sachets with fragrant woods and bark, chopped aromatic grasses or crushed leaves would be placed in closets or trunks to gently perfume clothing.

Japanese Ladies of old scented their hair while they slept, their head resting on a high porcelain or laquered wood pillow, through which smoke from the incense drifted.

The Soapmakers Store carries a number of Essential Oils, which on their own or blended will bring a scent of Japan to your products. The trick is to remember the scent must be delicate, almost imperceptible.