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Nature Nurture

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Handmade Herbal & Aromatherapy Products


- Handmade natural soaps

- Chemical-free shampoo bars

- Plant butter lotion bars

- Aromatherapy roll-on oils

- Face mask clays

- Massage balms

Nature Nurture products are specially scented with pure essential oils;
they contain quality ingredients as well as aromatherapy benefits.

Please scroll down to look at the products.
Payment is by bank to bank transfer.


Handmade by Sharon

Aromatherapy Benefits

Natural soaps work by gently cleansing skin without harsh detergent action and moisturise due to the superfat content. 100% pure and complete essential oils provide their benefits to skin and also as you inhale the scent released as you shower or bathe. To get the best of the essential oils, use within a year. Other products contain so-called natural derivatives of essential oils (limonene, citral, linalool, eugenol etc) which do not have much therapeutic value and may irritate skin.

Big Brand Soaps

In contrast, commercial industrial soap is made in large batches at high temperatures which destroys any nutrients. Often they are tallow or palm formulations (sodium tallowate or palmate) which have very little skin benefits. The moisturising glycerin is removed and additives, usually synthetic, such as fragrance, colour, and water softeners are added. Some add synthetic detergents such as laurel sulphates or betaines. These soaps may leave a residue on the skin whereas real soap rinses clean.

Natural Colours

Many handmade soaps step away from "natural" claims with bright laboratory colours, micas and fruity synthetic aroma compounds. Be wary of claims, as most natural soaps are beige and the majority of herbs turn brown in soap. My research means I can bring more colour to my soaps, however natural colours may fade in the sun or stain porous bathroom surfaces. Thus I recommend using a soap drainer or dish out of the light. The colours are derived from a variety of plant materials and shades may vary per batch. Some CocoShea soaps take on a tint from the essential oils, but no white zinc or titanium dioxide is added.

Soaperior

Each type of soap is an individual formula with specific benefits for skin. They have a rustic appearance due to the hot process used to make them. This makes for a moisturising superfat with quality oils, better natural colours and essential oil aroma. Handmade soap has a natural glycerin content which acts as a humectant for the skin. Due to the glycerin natural soaps tend to be softer and ideally need to dry between uses. A soap drainer or dish will reduce mush and help your soap last longer. Pure soap biodegrades faster than soap containing synthetics and takes less of a toll on our waterways.

1000+

Bars of Soap Sold

1000+

Clean Customers

Products

These handmade soaps are vegetable based, using coconut, olive & other oils per batch, fair trade shea and cocoa butter, and organic sustainably harvested palm oil which helps the soap last longer. Some soaps are palm free, this is mentioned in the description. Many people find soap with quality essential oils be be gentler on skin. When well formulated, handmade soap foams gently and feels gentler on your skin.

Hand Soaps
These little hand soaps are harder than body soap, which means they stand up to multiple washings. They are designed to be used in a bathroom, en suite or kitchen, and make nice small gifts for children or adults. I offer these at a low price for a handmade soap, bear in mind that the soaps are approximately 35-40 grams, meaning they can fit within the palm of the hand.

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Blue Star

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These cute little soaps smell good with their refreshing blend of mint and eucalyptus essential oils, and have an extra sparkle with some silver bioglitter. Approx 35 grams, these have a marbled blue plant based colour.

$ 2.75 each
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Vanilla Rose

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My first and most popular hand soap at the markets, vanilla rose hand soap is a side swept heart shape, with a gentle natural vanilla-scented resin, and a rose-scented essential oil blend.

$ 2.75 each
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Sweet Marigold

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Coloured with marigold extract, these soaps have a complex sweet creamy blend of essential oils including petitgrain, palmarosa and ylang ylang, and a floral print on the top surface.

$ 2.75 each
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Sweet Tulip

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Inspired by the uncommon scented tulip, these mauve soaps are naturally coloured and contain a complex blend of essential oils including elegant rosewood and sweet ylang ylang. This is the largest of the hand soaps at 45 grams, making it good value.

$ 2.75 each
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Pink Rose

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Pink rose hand soap is printed with a stylised rose motif, and scented with my special rose blend which includes traditional rose geranium and palmarosa essential oils.

$ 2.75 each
Luxury Soaps
Luxury soaps contain quality oils and many are boosted with plant butters which make for cleansing that is conditioning and not stripping to the skin. The aromatherapy combinations are natural scents that are also a little more classy. The luxury factor is what sets these handmade soaps apart from industrially produced soaps, with creamy skin feel, bubbles and aromatherapy fragrance during bathing.

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Taranaki Art Gallery Soap

– Black Clay Concept Soap –

A hard soap due to being coloured with black clay, & some silver mica sparkle, inspired by the film Free Radicals by Len Lye. This soap has a dominant bitter coffee masculine scent of birch tar - be warned! - and a cold floral background of rosemary, sea breeze, juniper and old celluloid (camphor).

$ 9.95 each
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Clove and Peppermint

– Invigorating with green clay –

This soap contains a refreshing mint notes and earthy clove essential oil. Coloured with green clay and a sprinkling of cloves which makes it mildly exfoliating, this palm-free formulation contains kokum butter and cocoa butter for skin conditioning.

$ 9.95 each
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Orange and Aniseed

– Spicy and sweet –

This soap leads with a spicy anise-licorice note and follows with the uplifting orange essential oil. A gently foaming soap that contains kokum butter, conditioning olive and almond oils, this is a palm free formulation, with natural plant colour.

$ 9.95 each
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Vanilla Cherry Spice

– Vanilla with extras –

A sweet vanilla scent in the natural sense (not the artificial syrup fragrance) more muted, with chopped cherries which appear as dark flecks in the soap, highlighted with the spiciness of anise, fennel and celery seed essential oils as well as natural almond extract. Rich cocoa butter conditioning

$ 9.95 each
Unscented Soap
When I started selling unscented soaps at the markets, I discovered that many people with allergies prefer natural soaps without a scent. Reactions to synthetic scents are common, but less so for pure and natural essential oils. Some people buy these for craft projects where a plain soap (sometimes called Castile in recipes) is called for.

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Beeswax Organic Unscented

– From Taranaki Bees –

All the ingredients are organic, including olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, & local uncertified milk. Taranaki uncertified organic beeswax contributes to a harder, longer lasting bar. Has a slight vanilla-honey scent from the cocoa butter and beeswax. Palm oil free.

$ 9.95 each
Shampoo Bars
These shampoo bars are not just plain soap packaged as shampoo, and nor are they the so-called "natural" synthetic detergent bars. The bars are a special herbal recipe made with soapwort, superfatted with argan oil, and the pH is modified so it is less harsh on hair. If you are looking to ditch commercial shampoos, cleaning with a shampoo bar could be an option for you. Natural Shampoo Bars are a great option for people who are looking to reduce plastics or to move away from synthetic detergents, which can be harsh on hair.

TO RINSE: For most people using a vinegar rinse (1 tablespoon to 500 ml water) to remove any traces of soap and minerals is all that is needed to keep hair in good condition, However, for people with long hair or treated hair that is porous or crunchy, a rinse containing vinegar and about 2 tbsp coconut milk, 1 tsp honey or 1 tsp epsom salts can help condition and improve the texture of your hair. A hot oil treatment once a month is also a very good treatment for dry hair.

SILICONES: For some people silicone buildup in the hair from commercial hair products means a shampoo bar may cause tackiness. Please persist with 4-6 washes to help remove it. Alternatively a silicone clarifying treatment with a Bentonite clay hair mask may help.

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Victorian egg yolk treatment

– For dry and damaged hair –

The Victorians cleansed their hair with egg yolk, which produces a fine foam and is a natural source of lecithin, adding conditioning power to this shampoo formulation. Rosemary essential oil stimulates circulation and conditions the hair and geranium balances. Palm oil free

$ 9.95 each
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Swedish lemon & cedarwood

– For oily hair –

Contains free range egg whites, traditionally included in Swedish soaps for oily hair, soapwort herb, as well as lemon essential oil and cedarwood to dissolve grease and tone the scalp. Keep lather out of eyes as soapwort stings, rinse with 1 tbsp vinegar in 500 ml water in a bowl or spray bottle.

$ 9.95 each
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Lavender & Ylang Ylang

– For normal hair –

Lavender is good for the scalp and ylang ylang promotes healthy hair, these essential oils make a sweet combination. Contains the hair cleansing herb soapwort, superfatted with argan oil as well as being pH adjusted for gentleness to the hair. A vinegar rinse is recommended. Palm oil free.

$ 9.95 each
Roll On Oils
These 10 ml roll ons are made with almond oil macerated with lavender or lemon verbena and then enhanced with an appropriate aromatherapy dose of essential oils. Safe and natural, apply smaller amounts to children (as their bodies are smaller). Apply to pulse points so the essential oils reach the blood stream sooner, rub in gently.

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Calming

– Aromatherapy Roll On Oil –

A blend designed to help calm and ease anxiety, this 10 ml roll-on contains lemon verbena-macerated almond oil with hazelnut and wheatgerm oils, and essential oils that include sweet herbal marjoram, lavender, sweet herbal clary sage and grounding patchouli.

$ 8.00 each
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Cold & Flu

– Aromatherapy Roll On Oil –

A useful roll-on for when you feel a cold coming on, or to help ease discomfort during colds and flu. Made with lavender-macerated sweet almond oil, NZ hazelnut oil and wheatgerm oil, this 10ml roll on includes essential oils of lime, lavender, lemony litsea cubeba, and woody virginian cedarwood.

$ 8.00 each
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Concentration

– Aromatherapy Roll On Oil –

Designed to help with study or work projects, and a useful gift at exam time. Contains lemon verbena-macerated sweet almond oil, NZ hazelnut oil & wheatgerm oil, this 10ml roll-on includes essential oils of focusing rosemary, woody elemi and refreshing petitgrain.

$ 8.00 each
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Headache Soothe

– Aromatherapy Roll On Oil –

A useful roll-on containing essential oils known to reduce headache pain and tension. Good to keep in a drawer at work or in your bag. Contains lavender-macerated sweet almond oil, NZ hazelnut and wheatgerm oil, includes essential oils of balancing lavender, bright lemon & soothing palmarosa.

$ 8.00 each
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Lift the Spirits

– Aromatherapy Roll On Oil –

Uplifting and cheering for the spirit, this 10 ml roll-on contains lavender-macerated sweet almond oil, NZ hazelnut and wheatgerm oil, and includes essential oils of spicy aniseed, balancing rosewood, sweet clary sage and grounding frankincense.

$ 8.00 each
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Recovery & Support

– Aromatherapy Roll On Oil –

Responding to a customer request, this is designed for people who are undergoing radiotherapy, chemotherapy or similar treatments. Contains low allergy jojoba oil & meadowfoam oil, & essential oils of geranium, palmarosa, lemon and carbreuva which support without affecting treatment.

$ 8.00 each
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Sleepy Time

– Aromatherapy Roll On Oil –

Helpful to apply before going to sleep or on too-early morning waking to assist with temporary sleep issues. Contains lavender-macerated almond oil, NZ hazelnut oil, wheatgerm oil, and essential oils that include calming chamomile, soothing lavender, balancing rosewood and grounding frankincense.

$ 8.00 each
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Stress Support

– Aromatherapy Roll On Oil –

A good roll-on to keep in a drawer at work, this contains lemon verbena-macerated sweet almond oil, NZ hazelnut & wheatgerm oils, and includes essential oils of Pacific Blue lavender, uplifting lemon, balancing rosewood, sweet palmarosa and refreshing geranium.

$ 8.00 each
Balance Balm
These have been developed in consultation with a qualified massage therapist in two consistencies depending on the type of massage required. The formulations have no wheatgerm oil, which means they are suitable for people with wheat or gluten intolerances. If being used occasionally I recommend it be kept refrigerated to preserve the balm.

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Glide 1 kg

– Professional Massage Balm –

A softer balm suited to massaging legs and relaxation massage. Top quality Taranaki beeswax, coconut oil and sunflower oil with rosemary antioxidant. Made fresh to order.

$ 40.00 each
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Grip 250g

– Professional Massage Balm –

Grip has a thicker texture designed for deep tissue work. Contains sunflower oil, coconut oil, top quality beeswax, and rosemary antioxidant. Suitable for people with wheat allergies. Refrigerate if used occasionally, allow to return to room temperature before use.

$ 15.00 each
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Glide 250 g

– Professional Massage Balm –

A softer balm suited to massaging legs and relaxation massage. Per tablespoon, add 5-6 drops essential oil for aromatherapy massage. Contains sunflower oil, coconut oil, top quality beeswax, and rosemary antioxidant. Refrigerate if used occasionally, return to room temperature before use.

$ 15.00 each
Clays
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French Green Clay & Backhousia essential oil

– For face masks –

Suitable for stressed, devitalised & dry skin, green clay is generally regarded as the gentlest of the French clays. It draws out impurities so may bring out pimples. The convention is to mix with non-metal tools and dish, as it is thought to preserve the healing, negative charge of the clay.

$ 2.25 each
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French Red Clay & Palmarosa essential oil

– For face masks –

Suitable for dry, grey or sallow skin, French red clay is very gentle and regarded as having an oily texture. Remember to use an old facecloth as red clay will stain. Supportive and uplifting, with healing and soothing palmarosa essential oil. All clay packs 3 teaspoons approx, enough for 2-3 masks

$ 2.25 each
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French Yellow Clay & Lemon essential oil

– For face masks –

For all skin types including inflamed and rosacea. French yellow clay is the least drawing and can be used as a maintenance formula for skin. Lemon essential oil is refreshing and clarifying.

$ 2.25 each
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NZ Bentonite Clay & teatree essential oil

– For face masks –

Cleansing and absorbent, useful for acne, oily skin & inflammation, & may ease the pain of scars. Mix with oats or arrowroot for dry skin. Bentonite clay gels on contact with water, giving a thicker mask than the other clays. Bentonite is also used for drawing out splinters as it has amazing pull.

$ 2.25 each
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NZ Kaolin Clay & NZ lavender essential oil

– For face masks –

Suitable for all skin types except very dry. Kaolin is the all-rounder clay, being fine and very gentle and has skin balancing properties. Enhanced with calming Pacific Blue Lavender essential oil.

$ 2.25 each

Sharon the Soapmaker

Nature Nurture is a handmade range of soap & therapeutic products enhanced with essential oils.

My name is Sharon and I have passion, knowledge and experience in making products utilizing essential oils, and herbal ingredients, without synthetic perfumes, colours or preservatives.

- Early training with Aromatherapist Dorothy Bell, 2001, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Certificate in Aromatherapy, Aromaflex Academy, Nelson, New Zealand
- Perfume blending training at Fragrifert Parfumeur in Wellington, New Zealand
- Five seasons selling at local markets in New Plymouth, New Zealand

Located in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
naturenurturesharon@gmail.com