We donāt usually blog about cosmetics companies, but when we do, we blog about ones that use natural ingredients from local food producers!
Honey has been used for skin care since ancient times, because it has natural anti-bacterial and soothing properties for the skin. To top it all off, it also smells fantastic!
Natural products with no hidden ānastiesā!ā
Thereās nothing quite like using soaps and moisturisers that are made with natural ingredients and no nasty additives. Fortunately, we have a talented local lady whoās putting her knowledge of skincare to good use.
The story behind Mitcheldean Soapā¦
Sarah Gates started Mitcheldean Soap back in 2007. She was looking to start a business she enjoyed, whilst fitting it around her young children.
The product is cruelty free and doesnāt contain additives and harsh chemicals such as parabens, which can enter the body through the skin, where they mimic estrogen and can also cause migraines and allergies. The other benefit is the natural fragrance ā artificial fragrances can never beat their natural counterparts! Having smelled the soaps myself, I can safely say that theyāre absolutely gorgeous.
The business started off being a low-key affair until recently, and what started off as work-at-home business is now housed inside its own unit.
Sarah makes more than just soapā¦
One of the secrets of Sarahās success is the quality of her soap and the fact that it hand made. Itās not just soap either, you can buy moisturisers, scented candles and more.
We love Sarah for using and sourcing local ingredients!
Sheās now looking to start a range that combines her traditional processes with locally sourced ingredients. This started off with honey, and Sarah is now looking out for goatās, or even sheepās milk. So, if you know of anywhere she can get hold of these items ā please get in touch with her!
So far, her honey suppliers include Harts Hill Honey* (produced in a smallholding in the Forest of Dean).
Sarahās delicious rangeā¦
Sarah has a good range already, with chocolate orange, the popular rosemary and lavender and the smallholderās peppermint soap which has scrubby bits to clean mucky hands.
Exciting new product with local cider coming soon!
So, what else can we expect from Sarah? Well, a soap with local cider will soon be making its debut. This is a really unusual ingredient to use in soap and Iām intrigued to see how the finished product turns out.
Soaps made with local beers?
Even more curious is the fact that Sarah plans to use local beers as an ingredient, again, I donāt think Iāve ever seen or heard of beer soap either.
So, itās lovely to have a local company making soap without all the nasties and thatās using products from other businesses. Itās also fab to see people fully utilising our local resources and supporting other local businesses.
*M & J Topp, Hartshill Cottage, Hewelfield, Glos, GL15 6TZ.