At every market, fete, show, there would always be a question for us - do you have any kawakawa balm?  At every market, fete or show, we would point people in the direction to those that do have it. We finally decided to make our own.

Months of research and experimentation getting the right mix and blends of ingredients and we finally have our Kawakawa & Manuka Skin Soother.

Our Kawakawa leaves are picked from beautiful pristine bush in the Marlborough Sounds.  The Kawakawa plant is exceptional in that it actually heals itself.  When being eaten by bugs (you can see the tell-tale holes in the leaves) it creates a compound to repair itself. It is this unique compound – produced as part of the plants own healing process – that contains the most powerful healing properties. So we pick the leaves that have the most holes.  The leaves are then infused in the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil from sunny Marlborough and left in a dark cool place for at least 4 weeks, before being strained. It is then ready for use.

Kawakawa leaves contain a component called myristicin which helps trigger the release of nitric oxide from cells. The release of nitric oxide is an anti-inflammatory response which means kawakawa aids the body in responding to inflammation. This means Kawakawa soothes and helps with reduction of blemishes, rashes and skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

We've also added Manuka and Carrot Seed Oil - both which are also powerful healers and known anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial, which gives our Kawakawa Balm an advantageous boost when it comes to healing.

One of the main questions we get asked is "why is my soap brown?"

It is often caused by vanilla, which is a flavour derived from orchids. Vanilla pods start out very green and then darken to brown as they age and ripen. The darkening is caused by various reactions in some of the components. One of those is vanillin, which is the organic compound that gives vanilla its flavour.  Vanillin discoloration is a 100% natural process.

Depending on percentages used, the soap can discolor anywhere from off-white to dark brown. It usually takes a few days to appear, although certain scents may not discolor for a few weeks. It shows up first on the part of soap that’s exposed to air. That means the sides discolor, but once you cut into the bars the middle is still white. Eventually over time, the whole bar will darken.

We use vanilla in our Rose and Sandalwood soap/shampoo bars, so you will often see discolouration in those. It is perfectly normal. Other fragrances can also do the same, and we see the same process happen in our Lime Soap/Shampoo bars as well.

Many of us are set in our ways after a lifetime of reaching for the shampoo bottle or conditioner.  The question then becomes.... Are we clinging to bottles because it's a better product, or is it simply because that's what we've always done?

Here are some compelling reasons for making the change from using bottles, to bars.

1).  Oriwa Naturals Soap Shampoo Bars are Package/Plastic Free.
This is by far, the most important reason for making the change.  Here are some sobering statistics of drinking bottles alone. Just think that shampoo and conditioner bottles are in addition to these...

• A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and the number is projected to jump another 20% by 2021
• This equates to about 20,000 bottles being bought every second
• More than 480 billion plastic drinking bottles were sold in 2016 across the world, up from about 300 billion a decade ago. If placed end to end, these bottles would extend more than halfway to the sun. 
• By 2021 annual plastic bottles sold is projected to increase to 583.3 billion.
• Fewer than half of the bottles bought in 2016 were collected for recycling and just 7% of those collected were turned into new bottles. That means, approximately 93% of the 480 billion plastic water bottles sold in 2016 ended up in landfill or in the ocean.

When you start to think about it from the above perspective, the numbers are staggering. To Isobel Olives, it’s a no brainer that it’s better for the environment to make an effort to reduce packaging wherever possible.

While switching to shampoo bars may seem like it can barely make a dent in these numbers, as more people convert, more and more bottles will be diverted from landfills and our water ways. 

2. Oriwa Naturals Soap / Shampoo Bars are more Concentrated. 
The bars are more concentrated than traditional shampoos  so you can use less per application and they will last longer. This is especially true with proper care (don’t be letting your bars soak in water)!

Why do they last longer? Take a look at a bottle of shampoo in your shower or on the shelves in stores and the first ingredient you will see is water. This explains why you typically need a healthy dollop of product to get the performance you want. With our bars, it’s a lot more difficult to use too much, as all you need to do is place some lather in your hands then apply it to your hair. You will find it suds up right away, and leaves your hair lovely soft and clean.

3. Oriwa Naturals Soap / Shampoo Bars are great for travel.
Shampoo bars  are great to travel with as you don't have to worry about spillage or liquid restrictions. The bars are perfect for carry on baggage as they small and light-weight.  They are TSA approved, which means you don’t have to plan your packing around your hair care products. Best of all, they help prevent using the individual-sized shampoos and conditioners at your hotel, which goes back to point #1 about reducing packaging waste.

4. Oriwa Naturals Soap / Shampoo Bars are Space Savers.
Shampoo bars  are great for saving space. Being much smaller and more light-weight than their bottled counterparts relative to the number of washings you can get from the same amount of product, they help you save space. This comes in handy in a variety of situations, from keeping your bathroom cabinets decluttered, to packing for an upcoming trip. 

5.  Oriwa Naturals Shampoo Bars showcase minimalism at its finest.
The bars help create a minimalist aesthetic in your shower/bathroom by reducing the cluttered look of bottles. This significantly reduces the amount of clutter in the shower, and with less stuff, not only does it look better, it’s easier to clean; a win-win!

6. Oriwa Naturals Shampoo bars offer a low carbon footprint.
The overall carbon footprint is less with shampoo bars as these solid bars are more light-weight and compact than their bottled counterparts, so they require less space during transport relative to the same amount of washes with liquid shampoo. Roughly ten to fifteen transport trucks of liquid shampoo would be needed for one transport truck of solid shampoo bars to get the same number of washes.  We don't recommend you buying a truckload at once though - one or two for you, and some more for this years Christmas gifts. There - your Christmas shopping is complete already!

7. Oriwa Naturals Shampoo Bars are Multi-Purpose,
Shampoo bars can also be used for other purposes like washing your body, your pets in a pinch or your clothes while or camping or travelling. This means there's no need for bodywash either, so there's another plastic bottle saved from the landfill or ocean!

8. Oriwa Naturals Shampoo Bars leave hair feeling clean.
Our bars are a natural option, using 100% natural ingredients. They do not contain artificial fragrances that may cause skin irritation or allergies. They are also free of harmful chemicals  such as formaldehyde and propylene glycol.  These all natural ingredients are gentle of hair while still being effective. They naturally remove oil and grime to unveil shiny healthy hair .

Extra Virgin Olive Oil keeps it mild and gentle, Coconut Oil produces a creamy lather, and the Sweet Almond Oil conditions your hair. If you still need a conditioner, try 1/3 Apple Cider Vinegar with 2/3 water and spray your hair after your shower.

9. Oriwa Naturals Soap Shampoo Bars are Cost Effective.
Our bars are cost effective in  that they typically last  longer than shampoo in bottles. Standard sized shampoo bars can be used for approximately 80 washes which is more than standard shampoo bottle.  Since our bars contain nourishing ingredients you may also be able to skip the conditioner saving yourself even more money!

We have a Baby Balm, 100% natural, with some lovely ingredients.  I'm talking about it this month as October, November, December are the most popular months for babies, so many of us will know someone who is pregnant, or has just had a wonderful bundle of joy added to their household.

We've kept our Baby Balm very simple - just 4 ingredients. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
This we source from Isobel Olives, a lovely olive grove in Rarangi. The Olives are grown Biodynamically and are spray free. Oriwa Naturals even helps out in the harvest. The Oil we use in the Baby Balm is an award winning Silver Medal and is certified with Olives New Zealand. It's so good you can eat it. Extra Virgin Olive Oil has high polyphenols which benefit the skin and is reknowned for its emollient and moisturising properties.

Extra Virgin Olive Oils antioxidant properties protect skin cells from inflammation, which means proteciton from irritation and redness (e.g.Nappy Rash).  It's also rich in vitamins A, D, K and E, all great for the skin which aids in minimising skin damage. 

The anti-inflammatory ingredients found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, may aid wound healing.  It's full of Triterpenes which aid in many biological reaction, in particular for wound healing. They enhance wound repair by speeding up the healing process.

Shea Butter. i
The Shea Butter we use is Certified 100% Organic by Ecocert under the USDA National Organic program and EU Organic under the European regulation. No chemicals are used to extract or preserve the Shea butter. Traditional methods of processing ensure a very clean butter free from additives or chemicals.

The Shea Butter we use is also 100% Vegan with no animal derived ingredients is not tested on animals. It comes from the Gumo-Kumbugu district in Tamale and supports women in Ghana. Our unrefined Shea Butter comes from seeds of wild shea trees scattered throughout the fields and forest of the wooded savanna. The moisturising and healing properties of shea butter have recently been discovered by the western cosmetic industry, but shea butter has been a mainstay of African Pharmacology for centuries.

Shea butter has many useful properties and has been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory for sprains and arthritis, a healing salve and a lotion for hair. However, the protective and emollient properties of shea butter are most valued for skin care. It can be very useful in controlling eczema.

Moisturising & Healing Benefits of Unrefined Shea Butter
Unrefined shea butter contains an abundance of healing ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, proteins and a unique fatty acid profile, and is a superior active moisturiser. Unlike petroleum based moisturisers, shea butter actually restores the skin's natural elasticity. Shea butter enables your skin to absorb moisture from the air, and as a result, it becomes softer and stays moisturised for longer. In addition, shea butter has natural sunscreen properties and anti-inflammatory agents.  Shea butter has also been shown to help with skin conditions and ailments such as extreme dryness, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, skin allergies, fungal infections, blemishes, wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, scrapes, and more.

Beeswax
Beeswax can create a protective layer on the skin. It’s also a humectant, which means that it attracts water. Both of these qualities can help the skin stay hydrated.  

While there are many types of organic natural lotions on the market for nappy rash, the best should contain beeswax. This potent natural healing item has a variety of benefits that makes it a crucial healing tool for managing the painful situation of nappy rash.  Beeswax is a surprisingly useful healing tool that has been used for centuries. It provides your skin with a variety of incredible benefits, including anti-inflammatory, germicidal and antibacterial elements. Each of these benefits help fight against nappy rash by calming and soothing the skin in a comfortable and natural way.

Chamomile Essential Oil.
Traditionally, Roman chamomile has been used as an anti-inflammatory an healing agent to treat skin problems including skin irritations, wounds, burns, acne, rashes, bruises, and eczema. As such, it can be extremely beneficial in reducing the symptoms of skin irritations, soothing and helping the skin heal faster. You can even use it to relieve symptoms of skin overexposure to the sun such as redness and peeling. It's also calming, a stress reliever, and can aid sleep.  What's not to like?

So - there you have it, our wonderful, simple Baby Balm, that you can use to prevent and sooth Nappy Rash, use as a gentle baby belly massage, and in turn use it on yourself too to help with all manner of skin conditions or stretch marks.

It comes in a 100ml Tin and is priced very reasonably at $20.00.  A little goes a long way.  It makes a great gift for the Baby Shower too! You can pick yours up here:  https://bit.ly/3idLBxx
​

The history of Extra Virgin Olive Oil dates back to the ancient Greeks who used it as a medicine for treating various medical conditions, skin diseases and ailments. Being rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids; it is great for many health and cosmetic benefits. It is also one of the best oils that is used by professionals for massage.

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the the healthiest fats because it is a rich source of monounsaturated fats, oleic acid, omega 6 fatty acids, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E, A and K and antioxidants.

The benefits of Extra Virgin olive oil are numerous. A nourishing massage with Oriwa Naturals Massage Balm will help in relieving sore muscles and strained joints, and the powerful anti-inflammatory compounds present in the extra virgin olive oil may soothe arthritis pain, recover inflamed tissues and protect the skin against infection.

Relieve Pain and Inflammation
Excessive strain, sitting in front of the computer for a long time or exercise can often lead to strained or inflamed muscles and joints. A nourishing and intense body massage with Oriwa Naturals Manuka and Peppermint Massage Balm which is full of Extra Virgin Olive Oil will help relieve muscle pains and spasms.

Relieves Stress
Our modern lives are busy and sometimes stressful, with both work and home commitments. A revitalising massage with Oriwa Naturals Lime and Sandalwood massage balm will help relax and revitalise, calm the nerves, and increase blood circulation throughout the body.  For women, try our Nature’s Trio for Women or Rose & Vanilla.
 
Helps Relieve Stiff Necks, Shoulders and Back
The modern lifestyle is mostly sedentary, and the majority of our work is computer-centric that requires us to sit for long hours in front of the screen. This often puts strain on muscles of the neck and shoulder. Some easy shoulder and neck stretching exercises or a re-energizing warm massage with Oriwa Naturals Manuka & Peppermint Massage Balm will help in releasing the tension from the neck and shoulders by increasing blood circulation and energy flow. Research shows that the chemical compound “Oleocanthal” present in olive oil works like anti-inflammatory drugs and helps in preventing the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes CoX-1 and COX-2.

Hydrates Skin.
Oriwa Naturals Massage Balm full of Extra Virgin Olive Oil provides intense nourishment to the skin and penetrates into the inner layers to keep it moisturized and hydrated. Olive oil is rich in health benefiting antioxidants and fatty acids that help in moisturizing and nourishing the skin. The antioxidants help reduce dryness, chapped skin, itchy and cracked skin and soothes irritations and microbial skin infections. It creates a protective barrier over the skin surface that prevents further loss of moisture from the skin surface. In addition, the antioxidants also preserve skin elasticity and helps uneven skin tone and discoloration. The beauty benefits of olive oil also include providing glowing, supple and younger looking skin. 

Reduces Stretch Marks
Stretch marks may be caused by a sudden increase or decrease in weight or pregnancy. A massage with Oriwa Naturals Massage balm may improve blood circulation and hydrates, moisturizes and smoothes skin thereby making it soft and supple that helps reduces stretch marks.  Try Natures Trio for women which has a fragrance of Ylang Ylang, Mandarin & lavender.

Aids Better Sleep
Sleep is integral to human life because it provides rest to the mind and body and lets the brain reboot for the following day. A relaxing and de-stressing massage with Oriwa Naturals Massage Balm may help treat sleeping disorders and insomnia that is caused by excessive stress, muscle pain and headache. It  also helps in soothing and relaxing sore muscles, improves blood circulation throughout the body, helps lower blood pressure and heart rate and empowers the immune system- all these help in unwind the body and aids a more restful sleep.

Oriwa Naturals have 50ml tins for home use – if you have a partner or friend who will massage you. Alternatively, we do provide 500ml pots for massage therapists, so show them this blog and ask them to order some  wholesale for your next massage with them.
​
Our Massage Balm is packed full of Extra Virgin Olive Oil so you will be getting all the health benefits above.

​We launched our Oriwa Naturals Make-Up Remover last week.  So far it's been really popular, as it’s easy to apply, soft and light, and it really does take off your make-up quickly and easily. Before it was released, we had it out to a number of testers to try and every one of them loved it.  Several of them asked me – how do you dream up the recipe?

It’s not simple, and it does take time and research. But it started with a favourite product that I had been using for years, only to find that it was getting ridiculously expensive. I mused to myself that I could make it for cheaper so looked at the ingredient list. To my horror, when I googled the 'chemical looking' ingredients on the back of the product, it was mainly Palm Oil.

That was my real motivation to ditch it and make my own.  I already had oils from other products I make, and so I started experimenting.  The first one I made was too gluggy, the second too oily. Six months later, I hit the right balance and even better – there’s not a drop of Palm Oil!

Our main ingredient is Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which has been used in skin care for 2000 years and has known health benefits on the skin. It hydrates the skin by building the skin’s moisture barrier to prevent loss of moisture. Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a high antioxidant content helps prevent premature aging of the skin. It also contains the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E And K, which can also keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. The high proportion of vitamins K and E, and a multitude of polyphenols protect against free radicals which damage the skin, making extra virgin olive oil effective in aiding common skin disorders such as Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema, and Nappy Rash.  Our Baby Balm also has a high percentage of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, so it’s a wonderful product to be using on your baby’s skin, not only as a preventative, but also as a great healer.

Both  our Baby Balm and Make-up Remover is 100% Natural, Safe to use and can be purchased from our website.   Click here for Baby Balm.  Click here for Make-Up Remover.

Some of the potential benefits of Extra Virgin olive oil for the skin include:

Antioxidant content
Extra Virgin Olive oil acts as an antioxidant. Oxidation is a process that can produce free radicals, which are chemicals that can potentially damage cells and may contribute to to the development of cancer. When applied to the skin, antioxidants may prevent premature aging.

Vitamin content
Extra Virgin Olive oil contains the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Some of these vitamins are beneficial for the skin. E.g. people have used vitamin E oil topically to treat a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema. 

Antibacterial effects
Extra Virgin Olive oil  has been shown to have antibacterial properties. Research has fund that it may improve healing in people with foot ulcers caused by type 2 diabetes.

Moisturizing effects
Extra Virgin Olive oil is a popular natural moisturizer that is often used to soften both skin and hair
Given olive oil’s high fat content, it has a thicker, more viscous texture that doesn’t evaporate as
quickly as some other oils do.

How to use extra virgin olive oil on the skin

Extra Virgin Olive oil is an ingredient in many personal care products, including face wash, body wash, soap, moisturiser, after sun treatments, and lotions. 

Exfoliator
To exfoliate the face and body and treat areas of dry or scaly skin, you can mix extra virgin olive oil and sea salt to make a scrub. You should use fine-grained salt on the face and other sensitive areas,
and coarser grains on the rest of the body.

Face mask
People with dry skin may see benefits from using an olive oil-based face mask. Extra Virgin Olive oil mixed with ingredients such as egg white, honey, or ground oats can soften and hydrate the face.

Wrinkle treatment
Due to its antioxidant content, Extra Virgin olive oil may reduce aging skin and wrinkles.  Try Oriwa Naturals Rose and Vanilla Moisturising Balm, or use the Oriwa Naturals Makeup Remover, and leave some overnight to moisturise your face while you sleep.

Scar oil
The vitamins and other antioxidants in Extra Virgin olive oil may fade scars by helping skin cells to regenerate. Simply massage the Oriwa Naturals Moisturising Balm treat areas of hyperpigmentation, where the skin has darkened  due to scarring.

Stretch Marks
Extra Virgin Olive oil may also be used to prevent or treat stretch marks,  Oriwa Naturals moisturising Balm rubbed into areas where stretch marks may help existing stretch marks, however, to prevent them, use the balm in areas that are most likely to suffer.

 
Use the Best Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil you can find.
Oriwa Naturals uses Isobel Olives Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil in all their products. We know that their oil is grown using Biodynamic Practises and are organically grown. (No sprays).  Always look buy from a reputable brand and look for certication. In NZ look for the red Olive Mark from Olive New Zealand.

Overseas, look for certification from the International Olive Council.
​
 

​Extra Virgin Olive oil has a long history of being used in skincare. Egyptians used it alongside beeswax as a cleanser, moisturiser, and antibacterial agent since the times of the Pharaohs. Cleopatra was said to use olive oil as a skin treatment, along with her other renowned beauty
 treatments such as honey facials and milk baths.  Archaeological finds proving that the Minoans used olive oil in their daily lives are found everywhere in Crete. One particularly impressive
discovery is the untouched olives with the flesh preserved, found at the bottom of a cup sunk in a water cistern at the Minoan Palace of Kato Zakros. The Minoans used olive oil in their diet, as a cleanser instead of soap, as the base for scents and ointments, as a medicine, in tanning, for
 lighting and to protect delicate surfaces.

Writings of major ancient philosophers and physicians such as Hippocrates andAristotle, have been analysed as part of research into the use of olive oil by the Ancient Greeks. According to the results, the use of massage, together with olive oil rub, helped to reduce muscle fatigue, to remove lactic acid, and to prevent the occurrence of sports injuries through flexibility provided to the skin of athletes. Therapeutic use of oil in the ancient world was fully recognised; and as a result Athenian sponsors of sporting events provided free oil to all sport facilities where athletes could make free use of it (Nomikos et al., 2010).

Extra virgin olive oil, is one of the world's best beauty secrets. Extra virgin olive oil has the added advantage of containing strong antioxidants, making it a natural anti-ageing ingredient. These antioxidants help fight off free radicals which attack cells and speed up the ageing process. One of these antioxidants, hydroxytyrosol, is a very rare and extremely potent polyphenol compound found in the highest concentrations in the best olive oils. Hydroxytyrosol is believed to play a significant role in the many health benefits attributed to olive oil. Studies have shown very strong anti-inflammatory activity from this compound. However, this natural antioxidant is often destroyed during processing or refining of lower quality oils which is why it is important to buy the best cold pressed oils  (extra virgin) you can find.

Extra Virgin Olive oil is found in shampoos, soaps, face powders, salt scrubs, hair conditioners, lipsticks,  anti-wrinkle lotions, moisturisers, eye make-up remover, cuticle & nail treatments and even eyelash oils. Adding oil to your skin will not necessarily add lots of moisture, but it will however create a barrier effect which prevents moisture from being lost. The oil traps water beneath it and prevents the loss of water through evaporation thereby making your skin feel softer and smoother. 

Why does Soap work so well on the Corona Virus or Covid-19, and indeed most viruses?

Soap dissolves the fat membrane and the virus then falls apart like a house of cards and 'dies'.  Rather, it becomes inactive as viruses aren't really alive.  Viruses can be active outside the body for hours, even days.

Disinfectants, or liquids, wipes, gels and creams container alcohol (and soap) have a similar effect but are not quite as good as normal soap. Apart from the alcohol and soap, the antibacterial agents in these products don't affect the virus structure much at all.

Consequently, many antibacterial products are basically just an expensive version of soap in terms of how they act on viruses. Soap is the best, but alcohol wipes are good when soap is not practical or handy (eg office receptions).

Why is soap so good?
To explain that, Palli Thordarson takes us through a generic supramoecular journey encompassing chemistry, nanoscience and virology. He explains while he is an expert in supramolecular chemistry and the assembly of nanoparticles, he is not a virologist.  Most viruses consist of three key building blocks, RNA, Proteins and Lipids.  The RNA is the viral genetic material, similar to DNA. The proteins have several roles including breaking into the target cell, assist with virus replication and basically to be a key building block in the whole virus structure.  The lipids then form a coat around the virus, both for protection and to assist with its spread and cellular invasion. The RNA, proteins, and lips self assemble to form the the virus. Critically there are not strong 'covalent' bonds holding these units together. Instead the viral self-assembly is based on weak 'non-covalent' interactions between the proteins, RNA and lipids. Together these act together like a velcro so it is very hard to break up the self-assembled viral particle.  Still, we can do it - with soap!

Most viruses including the Coronavirus are between 50-200 nanometers, so they are truly nanoparticles. Nonoparticles have complex interactions with surfaces they are on. Same with viruses. Skin, steel, timber, fabric, paint, and porcelain  - all very different surfaces.

When a virus invades a cell, the RNA hijacks the cellular machinery like a computer virus and forces the cell to start to make a lot of fresh copies of it's own RNA and the various proteins that make up the virus. These new RNA and protein molecules self-assemble with lipids (usually readily present in the cell) to form new copies of the virus. That is, the virus doesn't not photocopy itself, it makes copies of the building blocks which then self-assembled into new viruses.

All those new viruses eventually overwhelm the cell and it dies/explodes releasing viruses when then go on to infect more cells. In the lungs, some of these viruses end up in the airways and the mucous membranes surrounding these. When you cough or sneeze, tiny droplets from the airways can fly up to 10 metres. The larger ones are thought to be the main coronavirus carriers and they can go at least 2 metres - thus - cover your coughs and sneezes!

These tiny droplets end up on surfaces and dry out very quickly, however they are still active. What happens next is all about supramolecular chemistry and how self-assembled nanoparticles (like the viruses) interact with their environment.  Wood, fabric and skin interact fairly strongly with viruses. Contrast this with steel, porcelain and some plastics (eg teflon). The surface structure also matter, the flatter the surface, the less the virus will stick to the surface. Rougher surfaces can actually pull the virus apart.

The virus is held together by a combination of hydrogen bonds and what we call hydrophilic or 'fat-like' interactions. The surface of fibres or wood for instance can form a lot of hydrogen bonds with the virus. In contrast steel, porcelain or teflon do not form a lot of hydrogen bonds with the virus so it is not strongly bound to these surfaces. The virus is quite stable on these surface areas, but doesn't stay as active on fabric or wood. Moisture, sunlight and heat all make the virus less stable.

The skin is an ideal surface for a virus. It's organic, and the proteins and fatty acids in the dead skin cells on the surface interact with the virus. So when you touch a steel surface with a virus particle on it, it will stick to your skin and hence transfer to your hands. But you are not yet infected. If you touch your face the virus is now dangerously close to your airways and the mucous type membranes in and around your mouth. If the virus gets in, voila, you are infected, unless your immune system can kill the virus.

If the virus is on your hands, you can pass it on by shaking someone's hand. Kisses, sneezing in someone's face - you're stuffed.

People touch their face every 2 to 5 minutes. so you are at high risk once the virus gets on your hands unless you wash the active virus off.  If you just wash it off with water, it is unlikely to work as the virus is sticky and may not budge, water is not enough.  Soapy water is totally different. Soap contains fat-like substances, some structurally very similar to the lipids in the virus membrane. The soap molecules compete with the lipids in the virus membrane.  The soap effectively dissolves the glue that holds the virus together, out competes the interactions between the virus and the skin surface, detaches it and makes it falls apart, and it disppears down the sink.

The skin is quite rough and wrinkly which is why you need to wash for at least 20 seconds and a fair amount of rubbing and soaking to ensure the soap reaches every nook and cranny on the skin surface that can be hiding active viruses.

Oriwa Naturals soap is packed full of fatty oils that will break through the viruses, but will leave your skin moisturised as well.  You can get yours here!

Palli Thordason is a professor at the School of Chemistry in Sydney New South Wales that specialises in Supramolecular Chemistry.

We love making the soap/shampoo bars. Packed full of 100% natural ingredients you will love how it makes your skin and hair feel.

Oriwa Natural soaps are made with almost all certified Organic ingredients and comes in a muslin cloth that you can hang in your shower to help keep the soap dry when not in use.

The benefits of using Oriwa Naturals Soap/Shampoo bar are many.

• They come wrapped in a muslin cloth which is totally biodegradable.
• There are no plastic bottles which is one of the most important benefits for us. We do not want to be adding to the plastic problem! 
• There are no preservatives or emulsifiers or chemicals that you would find in normal shampoo bottles.
• We use top quality oils in our soap/Shampoo Bar – Organic Coconut Oil, Biodynamic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Sweet Almond Oil.
• You’ll find you will need to wash your hair less often
• You need very little lather to get your hair clean
• You’ll find your hair is softer, less frizzy, more volume, faster hair growth, more curls.
• You’ll have a healthier scalp.
• We do not use Palm Oil.

Hard Water
If you have hard water, a shampoo bar may not be perfect, however if you are committed to being 100% natural, then investing in a shower filter for softening water could help.

There will be a transition period especially if you’ve been using shampoo with a lot of chemicals, which can strip the hair of all their natural oils. Oriwa Naturals Bars are gentle on your hair, for some it can take a few weeks, for others it’s perfect straight away. If you find it a bit oily, you can use an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse/spray using 3 parts water to 1 part Apple Cider Vinegar, and spray on after the shower. Use The Mother Apple Cider Vinegar for best results. This restores normal PH, adds shine and prevents tangles.

To Use Oriwa Naturals Soap/Shampoo bar, just wash yourself with it, then lather it up in your hands and apply the lather to your hair. Rinse.  Sometimes you may want to repeat. I wash my hair every day, so just do it once.  I personally don’t use the ACV rinse/spray and my hair is fine without it – just experiment and do what is best for you.

Hang your shampoo bar up from the string in the muslin bag, as if they sit in water, they will disappear.

Our soap/shampoo bars take a month before they are ready, so we may not always have some in stock ready to go. However we are happy for you to pre-order or make them in a scent you would like.
 
 We offer:

• Vanilla
• Rose and Vanilla
• Peppermint
• Black Raspberry and Vanilla
• Fig and Brown Sugar
• Lime
• Lime & Sandalwood
• Vanilla & Sandalwood

 
The last two are great for the men who don’t want to smell too flowery! The soap also gives a lovely smooth finish for those who want to shave with it.  We also do an old fashioned shaving bar in Vanilla & Sandalwood, at this stage these will need to be pre-ordered.
 
Soap/Shampoo Bars in stock at the moment are:
Rose and Vanilla
Peppermint
Vanilla and Sandalwood.