Makes a useful base for homemade soaps. Tap water and rainwater contain too many impurities. Its absorbent properties and mineral richness make it an excellent face mask. A colorless, odorless, tasteless glue and a rich source of water-soluble protein, obtained by boiling animal bones. Used in eye ointments and nail-hardening lotions.
Agar agar is a vegetable substitute.
A thick, colorless, odorless syrup and byproduct of soap manufacture. It mixes with water, is soluble in alcohol and has softening properties. A thick, sticky fat obtained from sheep's wool. softens and nourishes the skin. A mineral oil that is not absorbed by the skin, making it useful in barrier creams. Almond, avocado, wheatgerm, carrot, coconut and nut kernel oils are particularly skin-enriching.