For thousands of years soap has been made from goats’ milk and the special properties of this handmade product have gained in popularity in recent decades. With many people seeking healthier alternatives both for themselves
For thousands of years soap has been made from goats’ milk and the special properties of this handmade product have gained in popularity in recent decades. With many people seeking healthier alternatives both for themselves and the environment, traditional artisan cleansers provide a natural option. Rich in nutrients and gentle exfoliants soap made from goat’s milk has benefits for those with allergies, skin conditions and dryness. Proven positive effects make these a fantastic choice for sufferers of eczema, acne, psoriasis and other skin problems. Usually handmade and sold by small suppliers, goats milk soap often utilises local materials and are sustainably produced.
Cyril’s Soap Shed is a New Forest-based artisan producer of goat’s milk soap and uses no palm oil, parabens, artificial fragrance, or synthetic colours in its soaps. Using the traditional cold process method this company takes the natural oils and butters of the goat’s milk together with essential oils, herbs, and root powders as well as locally sourced honey and lavender. These ingredients are mixed with the alkaline lye from the milk and set in moulds for 24 hours, after which the bars are cut and left for 4 weeks to “cure”. A member of New Forest Marque, Hampshire Fare and the Guild of Soap makers, they supply farm and gift shops, garden centres and health food shops across the New Forest area. Based in Plaitford, the company is run by Catherine and her family, with the soap production shed located on the site of her Grandad Cyril’s old shed – hence the name! Self-sufficient for some years, Catherine started with just 2 goats, Penny and Florence, and found that, even after feeding their kids, there were about 8 pints of milk per day left over – initially this as made into cheese, yoghurt, ice-cream and butter, but there was still plenty to spare and so the family started to make soap and the company grew from that small start. One bar costs about £4.50 , but the various products and more information about the goats and family behind this artisan product, look at their website https://cyrilssoapshed.co.uk or their social media.
Another New Forest artisan using goats milk sells her products in New Milton and is based at Jaundrell’s studio. Jacqui hand makes vegan soaps as well as hair and bath products and a balm for dogs’ paws. More details can be found at https://puresoapiness .co.uk.
Natural essential oils have always been used to create fragrances without using synthetic materials and can bring additional healing properties both for the body and soul. Great for those with allergies and asthma, perfumes made without any toxic ingredients are safer for all and the environment. Plant materials including roots, stems, leaves, seeds, flowers, resins, wood, and barks provide natural eco-friendly scents and have an unexpected benefit – wearing a naturally made fragrance can keep insects at bay!
After working as an aromatherapist for 25 years, perfumier Debbie Mulkern, established her New Forest Aromatics company in 2011 and is based at the Setley Ridge Vineyard. Passionate about being carbon negative and plants 12 trees locally each year, Debbie sources as much as she can locally, and designs bespoke and New Forest inspired perfumes and a variety of gifts such as candles, bath and shower products, diffusers, and room fragrances. Debbie’s fragrances are free from parabens, GMO ingredients or synthetic fragrances and there is no animal testing involved. She runs workshops and can be contacted via her website https://newforestaromatics.co.uk. This company’s commitment to sustainability is impressive – Debbie uses glass, tin, PET plastic and recyclable packaging, having reduced her plastic usage by 60% in the last 3 years and offers refills (her products are available from New Milton’s Naked Pantry, which has a refill system) and plans deliveries carefully to reduce mileage.
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Her environmental credentials and continuing work in this field helped New Forest Aromatics win the New Forest Brilliance in Business Award 2019 for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the National Park’.
