Getting clean has never been so chic

Who knew a plain bar of soap could be so beautiful looking and smelling? Linda Felton, owner of Linda’s Soap Box in downtown Leesburg, Fla., had an inkling bars of soap could be much more than a drab necessity everyone uses every day.

Being a nurse at a local hospital, Felton knows soap is important in keeping clean; however, she also realizes commercial soaps can be harsh causing irritated and dry skin. Store-bought soaps often contain synthetic ingredients and detergents that, in some cases, can cause allergic reactions. Homemade soaps, like those found at Linda’s Soap Box, contain vegetable oils, milks, botanicals and pure plant essential oils, which can help to maintain the proper skin balance.

“My grandmother made homemade soap, but in the olden days it was made with lard,” she said.

Linda’s Soap Box features a variety of soaps that are made from an assortment of natural ingredients. The shop’s natural classic soaps are based upon herbs, essential oils and a base blend of vegetable oil. The essential oils and herbs used not only give the bars a great aroma, but many are natural remedies or have medicinal properties. For example, a bar of soap with crushed rosemary and essential rosemary oil can help as an antiseptic and astringent.

“We’re getting a lot of repeat customers because they like the way their skin feels using our soap and they enjoy the aromas our soaps have,” Felton said.

Olive oil soaps are also popular with customers at Linda’s Soap Box. Some are scented with fresh flowers and fruits, such as the Cran-Vanilla Peach bar or the Pear Berry bar.

“A lot of people use these soaps, not just women,” Felton said. “The unscented olive oil is great for babies as it has no fragrances. It is also helpful in providing relief for dermatitis and other skin problems.”

In addition to the essential oil bars of soap, Linda’s Soap Box offers soaps made with glycerin. Glycerin is a natural, non-oily ingredient that attracts moisture and retards evaporation. Soaps made from glycerin are generally bright colored and in fun shapes.