Shesha Beauty x Ashtapathy Products | my new favourites + Some Ingredient Checklist

Tired after a long day at work????? While long stressful hours at work are part of our common schedule, I am totally against taking that stress home. I like to pamper myself with products that restore the freshness feel after I get back home. I got recently introduced to Ashtapathy products that are natural, chemical free and #MadeInKerala

Ashtapathy Ayurvedic products are prepared with pure and potent coconut oil as the base and several medicinal herbs through a 100% natural process. In today’s post I am introducing to you my new favorite soap and shampoos

Ashtapathy Olive Herbal Bathing Bar

Packaging – This soap is 100 gms. Packaging is beautiful with a duochrome matte finish outer box that has all details about soap, ingredients, shelf life etc.

Olive Oil, the beauty secret of beautiful women across the globe.It is one of the most natural ways to rejuvenate skin health. Ashtapathy Olive soap is enriched with Olive and Coconut milk for smooth skin.

The first thing that I noticed about this soap is its natural fragrance. It feels really fresh and this soap takes away all dryness from your body making your body soft and hydrated all day long.

It lathers well and I use it for my face as well. This is my favorite product from the brand Ashtapathy. Ever since I started using Olive soap, I am addicted to this.

Key Ingredients include
1) Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi) which has antiseptic and purifying qualities that prevent acne, lighten scars, thwart blackheads, add glow to the face, heal inflammation, tighten pores and treat skin diseases, wounds, cuts and burns.
2) Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin Seeds) which cure skin conditions such as allergies, eczema, acne, psoriasis and boils etc.
3) Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) has high levels of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Pomegranate extracts exert their positive effects by extending the life of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin, helps in skin regeneration and hyper-pigmentation control.
4) Azadirachta indica (Neem) which hasanti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antioxidant properties that contribute to its supreme healing abilities of nearly any skin issue.
5) Jasminum Officinale (Jasmin) well-known for its strong, exotic scented white flowers. While the leaves work like magic on skin diseases like psoriasis, swelling and corns on the feet, the flowers are used to treat skin dryness and promote glowing skin.
6) Cassia fistula (Amaltas) contains catechins/polyphenols that work deeply into the skin layers to address hyper pigmentation and reverse the damage caused by UVA and UVB exposure. Cassia fistula extracts help decrease the melanin in heavily blemished skin. Effective treatment for acne-prone and blemish-prone skin.
7) Aloe Vera – Regular application of Aloe Vera reduces signs of aging, fights acne, lightens blemishes, reduces stretch marks, calms sunburns and reduces tan. It is also used to treat external wounds and insect bites. The gel that is found on the inside of this plant is cooling and soothing effect.
8) Cedrus deadara (Devatharam) helps reduce inflammation and treats skin disorders associated with pain and itching. It also helps in cleansing infected wounds.
9) Olive Oil rich in vitamins, minerals and natural fatty acids. Prevents skin aging, the onset of wrinkles and fine lines; it also nourishes, rejuvenates and guards the skin.

All of the ingredients are very effective in treating skin conditions such as eczema, dryness etc.

Also, in the ingredient list of all 3 soaps you might notice ‘Sodium Hydroxide’ listed ;

Now, some of you might have a question popping on your head – Is a bar of soap that has Lye/Sodium Hydroxide highly irritating/dangerous ?

Before I go detail about this ingredient, Let me tell you what’s a soap or what the most simple definition of soaps – Soap is an alkali (like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) combined with fats. Together they go through a reaction called “saponification”, and in the end you are left with soap. So, by the very definition of “soap”, you cannot make soap without lye.

How does lye work in soap?

Lye mixes with oil and saponifies, or becomes soap. At first, you have lye, water, and oil. Then the curing process begins and after a few days the lye, water, and oil is transformed into soap. At the end of the curing process, perhaps 3-4 weeks (Ashtapathy soaps are kept for 2-3 months for curing), there is no lye left in the soap.

Can a Soap be made without Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)?

The answer is NO. All soap is made with lye. Either sodium hydroxide is used for hard bar soap or potassium hydroxide is used for liquid soaps. There is no substitute for lye. Nothing else will make oil become soap.

Now, what about products from companies that claim to be organic but no Ingredient like ‘Sodium Hydroxide’ or ‘Lye’ is listed. How is this possible if all soap is made with ‘Lye’?

These day’s every other brand is coming with their versions of natural products and nobody is quite sure of what the ingredients are except for those who make it. Companies are getting really good at hiding the ingredient list in full so that ‘lye’ is not apparent on the label. It has to be in there in some form, so you might see words like sodium cocoate  which is a consumer-friendly was of saying lye mixed with coconut oil. Other words you might see are saponified coconut oil or saponified palm oil. Same thing – these oils are mixed with lye. Remember, there is no lye in the end product.

What about ‘glycerin soap’ because there is no lye used to make it.

Again, This is another most common term used by companies that choose to hide the facts. Glycerin soap is made in the same exact way that hard bar soap is, it’s just taken a step further. When the soap gets to the trace stage, instead of pouring into moulds, it is cooked with alcohol and sugar and made into what we know as clear glycerin soap. The lye was there in the beginning, but by the time it’s done there is no lye left in the soap.

Next product I want to talk about is Ashtapathy Shampoos. There are 2 variants – Mud Shampoo & Deva Thali Shampoo.

Ashtapathy Mud Shampoo Deva Thali Shampoo

“Natural Hair Cleanser – Sulphate and Paraben Free”

Deva Thali Shampoo – A gentle herbal Cleanser enriched with the natural goodness of Hibiscus, Shikakai and Henna.Adding volume to your hair, it effectively tackles problems like premature greying, split ends, dandruff, dryness and hair damage.It is also an excellent conditioner that protects hair from daily damage.

This shampoo is best suited for oily hair. It helps clean and condition the hair roots thereby promoting hair growth, control hair damage etc. It smells natural that is absolutely amazing. It’s very gentle that you can use it every other day. You might notice that your hair feels dry immediately after washing using this shampoo. But, this is quite normal. Once the hair is dried, it will make your hair soft and smooth.

KEY BENEFITS

● Prevents Premature Greying

● Treats split ends

● Protects against dandruff

● Removes dryness

In the shampoo ingredients, There is Base listed – Base for Ashtapathy products are coco-glucoside, natural base. Coco Glucoside may leave you wondering a bit. However, there is no need for concern. Coco Glucoside is a common ingredient in all-natural shampoos. It is used in place of the toxic surfactants in traditional shampoos, which is to say that it can provide the desired foaming lather that we seek in hair washing mixtures, without causing the negative side effects of scalp irritation. Additionally, it has a unique set of properties that encourage oil and water to mix. While these two do not generally play nicely, Coco Glucoside will encourage the oil residue on your hair and skin to combine with the water and soap, so it can be rinsed away, leaving you with a brilliant clean. This ingredient is naturally occurring, and can be derived from coconut oil (another common ingredient in all-natural cosmetics). It shares many of the favourable properties of raw coconut oil, including non-oily moisture. Therefore, it does not dry the scalp like many of the commercial shampoos can. That means that the skin is soothed, while the hair receives the desired cleaning. Furthermore, Coco Glucoside is a very gentle ingredient, which makes it a favoured component of organic baby shampoos. It doesn’t irritate the eyes like many surfactants would, so even babies are not as disturbed by bathing.

Please also note, Brand Ashtapathy Herbals is very transparent – They could have hidden this information from our customers- But, They have listed it in the ingredients for the customers to know. Ashtapathy have not claimed our products to be organic. They say it’s a natural soap, made of naturally sourced ayurvedic herbs and essential oils as ingredients. The perfume/fragrance is are essential oils / therapeutic oils. The olive oil used in olive soap is sourced from Spain. Coconut Oil is made in Kerala, Land of coconuts through natural process.

Ashtapathy shampoos are free from all chemicals including parabens, sulfates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfates, Siloxanes, Derivatives of Lauryl Alcohol ,Ammonium ,Lauryl Sulfate, Mureth Sulfate, Propylene ,Glycol Olefin, Sulfonate etc.

Key Ingredients include

1) Betel leaves – Can work effectively to treat any type of skin infections caused due to bacteria or fungus. Using the extract of these leaves on acne regularly is sure to make it subside with time.

2) Hibiscus – antioxidants in hibiscus slow down ageing of cells thus deem it as the secret to eternal youth. Its oil benefits hair, strengthening roots and preventing breakage. The essence is used to darken hair colour and is touted as a natural remedy against graying hair.

3) Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) -Tulsi makes the most organic solution for skin problems. It is endowed with antiseptic and purifying qualities that prevent acne, lighten scars, thwart blackheads, add glow to the face, heal inflammation, tighten pores and treat skin diseases, wounds, cuts and burns.

4) Eclipta Alba (Bringaraj) – Bringaraj prevents hair fall, premature greying, strengthens the hair roots, conditions the hair well, prevents split ends, stimulates hair growth, prevents baldness, premature greying and alopecia – in short everything that is needed for healthy hair. Its juice is very effective for treating cracked heels and minor skin allergies.

5) Terminalia chebula (Haritaki) – A fruit commonly called Haritaki, Harad (Hindi), Kadukkai (Malayalam,Tamil), Karakkaya (Telugu) , Ink Nut( English). The mother of herbs, as it called,treats a wide variety of diseases. It is one of the three ingredients of the famous triphala which signifies its importance in ayurveda. Haritaki can be used for different hair problems, maintaining healthy hair and to control hair loss.

6) Terminalia bellirica – known as “Bibhitaki” or bastard myrobalan: Vibhitaka (Sanskrit) Behada (Marati), Thannikka (Malayalam). Bibhitaki means the fruit that takes away the fear of disease. It is one of the three ingredients that make up the triphala in ayurveda. Bibhitaki is a very useful remedy for hair fall, also prevents Dandruff and Lice infection. It also fights skin allergies.

7) Aloe Vera – nourishing, hydrating properties.

8) Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) – powerful antioxidant agent that protects the body from free radicals, reduces cells damage, controls ageing, cancer and other diseases. Amla is known to strengthen roots and thereby act as an excellent remedy for hair loss, dandruff, irritation of scalp and premature graying.

9) Nigella sativa (Black Cumin seeds) – used to cure skin conditions such as allergies, eczema, acne, psoriasis and boils.

10) Acacia concinna (Shikaki) – also known as hair fruit, grows mostly in central India. It has been used for centuries, for maintaining the health of both scalp and hair. It is high in vitamins A, C, K, and D, along with other antioxidants that are important for hair growth. Boosts Hair Growth too.

11) Henna which is packed with hair repairing and strengthening properties. It helps give volume to the hair shaft and improves the hair texture making it look beautiful, silky and strong. Henna is a soothing conditioner for hair and scalp. It helps add shine and volume to it. It has properties that help repair hair cuticles, making hair strands thick and strong.

12) Coconut oil – Coconut oil is famous throughout the world not only as an edible oil and hair tonic, but also as an excellent massage oil for the skin

Mud Shampoo – A unique shampoo created with the tried and tested goodness of ‘Multani Mitti’ (Fullers Earth).Making it a natural cleanser that strengthens hair and enhances growth.Bringing about a natural shine along with lustre.Instilled with natural anti septic elements, here is an effective remedy for dandruff and split ends.It also tackles and removes excessive oil as well as toxins from scalp.Regular use makes hair radiant and beautiful. An ideal shampoo for everyday use.

Mud shampoo is my favorite. It suits all hair type.

KEY BENEFITS

●  Protects against dandruff

●  Treats split ends

●  Absorbs and Removes Toxins

Key Ingredients include

1) Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) – natural clay mineral extracted from the earth, has been trusted for care of oily skin and hair.

2) Aloe Vera

3) Curcuma longa (Turmeric) Turmeric contains more than 300 antioxidants, which makes it a powerful healer.

4) Nigella sativa (Black Cumin seeds) are used to cure skin conditions such as allergies, eczema, acne, psoriasis and boils.

5) Punica granatum (Pomegranate) – high levels of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Pomegranate extracts exert their positive effects by extending the life of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin, the components that give strength and support to the skin. It’s also been shown to provide UVA- and UVB-induced damage control, skin regeneration and hyper-pigmentation control.

6) Betel leaves – work effectively to treat any type of skin infections caused due to bacteria or fungus. Using the extract of these leaves on acne regularly is sure to make it subside with time. The mild anti-septic property of these leaves also helps in preventing skin breakouts and allergies, treating skin ulceration and body odour.

7) Coconut oil – Coconut oil is famous throughout the world not only as an edible oil and hair tonic, but also as an excellent massage oil for the skin