紫草马赛皂 Gromwell Marseille Soap

马赛皂是适合全家人用的全方位皂， 特别是皮肤干燥缺水又常常发痒的人，更能通过使用马赛皂而感受到手工皂的优点。

橄榄油是马赛皂的主要材料，需达到72% 的比例。 橄榄油含有丰富的维他命， 矿物质和蛋白质， 是天然的保湿剂，主要功效是柔润及修护肌肤。另外28%的油脂可以灵活调配， 一般都是用椰子油和棕榈油来加强硬度，起泡度和清洁力。 我是比较喜欢用椰子油和棕榈核油或可可脂， 这样不但提高起泡度， 而且比较硬（耐洗）。若是用可可脂的话， 更可以增加保护皮肤的功能。

据说传统的马赛皂是不添加任何东西的， 不过现在的皂人都喜欢添加一些天然花草和纯精油， 提升功效与色彩， 只要是天然的材料都可以。 今天做的这款马赛皂， 我特别用紫根草浸泡的橄榄油， 特为呵护老年皮肤或损伤的皮肤而制的。 紫根草的功效包括 抗菌， 消炎， 平衡油脂， 减少表面油光，促进皮肤细胞再生， 除痘疤等等。

另外， 我也加了纯精油 : 迷迭香， 薰衣草， 香茅， 山鸡椒。 (抗菌， 平衡油脂，去粉刺， 抗头皮屑)

Marseille soap is total care soap suitable for family use. It’s especially good for people whose skin is dry, dehydrated and always suffer from skin irritation. You can feel the extra-ordinary benefit of handmade soap through Marseille soap.

Olive oil is the major ingredient of Marseille soap, the ratio must be 72% of oil content. Olive oil is rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, make it natural hydrating agent. Its main function is to soften, moisturizes and repairs skin. The other 28% of oil content can be flexibly mixed according to taste and needs. Normally coconut oil and palm oil would be used to increase foaming and soap hardness. I prefer to use coconut oil combine with palm kernel oil/cocoa butter to further enhance the effect. If cocoa butter is used, then it could provide additional protection to skin.

It is said that traditionally Marseille soap does not carry any additives. However, today’s soap makers like to add natural herbs and pure essential oil to upgrade the benefit and pattern of the soap. No harm doing that as long as it is natural material. For this particular Marseille soap, I specially use olive oil infused with dry gromwell, mainly to cater for aged skin and damaged skin. Gromwell is known to be effective in anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, reduce excess surface oil, helps regenerate skin cells and fight pimples.

Besides, I have also added various essential oils i.e rosemary, lavender, citronella and litsea cubeba. This combination aims to fight bacterial, oil balancing, eliminate acne and fight dandruff.