Everything has a history even things you wouldn’t think about! Soap, which we use every day, is one of those things that we don’t think of but has a fascinating history that dates back thousands of years.
Let’s dive into the origins of soap and focus specifically on goat milk soap—a legendary type of soap that has been cherished for countless years for the various benefits of using goat milk soap, including its ability to soothe dry and sensitive skin, its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and its eco-friendliness.
The Ancient Art of Soap Making
The history of soap making can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The earliest evidence of soap-like substances can be found in ancient Mesopotamia (that’s Iraq on today’s maps) around 2800 BCE.
However, the soaps they were making aren’t like soap as we know it today. They would mix fats and ashes to create a thick product for cleaning. It doesn’t sound very cleansing to us, but nonetheless, their creation spread to Egypt where they embraced it and expanded on the discovery.
The Egyptians found that if they used animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts, that it cleaned a lot better, and thus begins the true evolution of soap as we know it today.
The Birth of Goat Milk Soap
Goat milk soap has a unique place in the history of soap making. The use of goat milk as a soap ingredient can be traced back to ancient Greece. The Greeks valued the moisturizing and healing properties of goat milk and incorporated it into their soap-making practices. They recognized that goat milk's natural fats and lactic acid helped nourish and soften the skin. It makes sense that goat milk soap began in Greece since they had a huge population of goats. Over time, their healing soap spread to other cultures, including the Romans.
Medieval Europe: The Rise of Goat Milk Soap
During the Middle Ages, goat milk soap gained prominence in Europe. Monks and nuns took the lead on soap making and typically used goat milk as the primary ingredient, making goat milk soap widely available. The monks and nuns appreciated the soothing and gentle nature of goat milk soap and others began to take note from there. The tradition of goat milk soap making continued throughout the Renaissance and into the modern era even as other types of soap began to emerge.
Modern Revival and Advantages
Though goat milk soap got pushed to the back burner for a while as fancy soaps with newly discovered techniques grew in popularity, in recent years, there has been a shift back to goat milk soap as skin conditions began to run rampant. This is because goat milk soap has tons of skin-loving benefits. Goat milk is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that nourish and moisturize the skin. Its pH level closely resembles that of human skin, making it gentle and suitable for people with sensitive skin. Goat milk soap is also known for its ability to soothe skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. As we all try to take care of our bodies better, it’s inevitable that more and more people will go back to our roots and use goat milk soap rather than the less natural options available now.
Conclusion
The history of soap making is a testament to human ingenuity and our quest for cleanliness and self-care. Within this history, goat milk soap has carved a special place, cherished for its nurturing properties. From ancient civilizations to the present day, goat milk soap continues to captivate us with its rich heritage and beneficial qualities. It has always been and continues to be the “GOAT” of soaps!