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.....once threw steel at the island. Therefore, it could never return to its underwater state, and the land of elves became one among many islands.  But on beautiful summer evenings, when walking close to the sea or along the foot of the mountain, you can easily notice that Andøya turned out to be something out of the ordinary.  The elves cannot quite let go of it. It is as if they are playing among cloudberry flowers and cottongrass, as if they are singing in the fireweed and among bluebells.
 
According to old beliefs, the elves had great knowledge about most things. If humans show consideration towards nature, the elves will reward us with rich gifts. The land of elves has given name to a series of homemade natural soaps made from the best ingredients nature has to offer.
 
I became interested in natural soaps through my work as a seller of "Natur For Alle" (Nature for All) products. For nearly two years I have learnt the craft of soap making. I have almost daily received help and advice from one of Scandinavia´s  leading experts on natural soap, Allison Sindborg at Olea Natursåpe. The text in this folder is partly based on information from Allison Sindborg, who also supplies many of the soaps´ raw materials.
 
Rita King, Dverberg
 

What is natural soap?

Soap is the chemical reaction that is produced by mixing a base (lye) with an acid (oil).
 
But is it not dangerous using a soap made from lye, some might ask. The answer is that all soap is made with lye, and no, it is not dangerous. Lye is one of the ingredients, but is not present in the finished product.
 
Our homemade soap is made with quality oils such as olive, palm and coconut. In addition, extra nurturing oils such as shea butter and cocoa butter are added to our soaps. The soaps are also super-fatted, which menas that they contain ten per cent more oil than is chemically necessary to make soap.
 
Because of the use of natural raw materials, the Alveland soap does not have unlimited durability.  We recommend that you use the soap within a year after production. Each piece of soap has a tag which states the date of production.
 

What cleanses and what nurtures?

Glyserine is a natural product of the soap making process. When natrium hydroxide (lye) is mixed with oils, a chemical reaction takes place, which produces soap and glyserine.  Soap cleanses whereas the glyserine has a nurturing and moisturising effect on the skin.
 
There are three types of glyserine; natural glyserine that comes from  vegetable oils, synthetic glyserine, and glyserine  which comes from petroleum (propylene glycol) and which is normally found in all commercial soap and glyserine soap bases.
 
In other words, the fact that a soap contains glyserine does not guarantee that a soap is vegetable, natural and nurturing. Natural glyserine in homemade soap constitutes about twenty per cent of the content of the soap.
 

What about the pH value?

The pH value in our soaps is ca 7.5. Today, the pH value is unfortunately a misused  marketing device.  It is correct that the pH value of the skin is about 5.5, but the skin can actually take pH values up to 10 without serious problems. The fact is that the skin adjusts more easily to a higher pH value compared to a lower one combined with synthetic additives.
 

Our natural soaps

Soaps from Alveland contain only natural vegetable oils, etheric oils, and herbs. The quality of a soap depends on good raw materials.  Natural raw materials reduce the the risk of irritations and allergic reactions.  Therefore, we are proud to say that we only use vegetable oils in accurately composed quantities. We think it is important to describe the content so that the customer immediately will know what the soap contains. We donot need overly complicated words to describe a combination that cleanses and at the same time moisturises the skin.
 

Why should I avoud mineral oils?

Note that in the soaps from Alveland, only organic oils are used.  Mineral oils, which are often found in other skin-care products and in cosmetics, may have negative effects. This becomes evident if you compare the qualities of vegetable oils and mineral oils.
 

Vegetable oils

• Are extracted from plant parts, mostly from seeds.

• The oils are easily absorbed by the skin, assists the skin in its functions, and makes it soft and flexible.

• They contain fat acids necessary for the elasticity and make-up of the cell walls.

• Help the skin to preserve its natural moisture.

• Contain the fat-dissolvable vitamins A, D and E as well as lecitin.

Mineral oils

• Are petroleum products.

• Form a layer over the skin and prevent nourishment and active substances from being absorbed by the skin.

• Prevent the skin from breathing properly, and reduce its ability to excrete waste materials.

• With regular use , the skin´s  natural functions are reduced.

• Donot contain vitamins, fat acids or nourishing substances.

The  craft

The soaps are cast and cut by hand. Therefore, none of the pieces look exactly alike.  Some of them may be a bit uneven and crooked. There will also be variation in colour and texture from one piece to another.  That is the way it is with homemade things.  We hope that you will not miss the mass production, but that you will enjoy each unique piece of soap.