Moonhaven blog

Persimmon Soap Isn’t the Answer to “Old People Smell” (Nonenal Odour) Here's what actually works Hi, it’s Laura here... Moon Haven’s soap maker and formulator. I’ve been asked quite a few times about persimmon soap lately, especially around what people call 'old people smell' or nonenal. So I wanted to explain it simply and share what I’ve seen actually work. In a Nutshell Nonenal odour ('old people smell') comes from oils on the skin breaking down over time Persimmon soap may reduce odour temporarily, but it doesn’t remove the build-up causing it, so the smell keeps coming back. The real solution is removing build-up from the skin, not masking it Exfoliating soaps help lift away oxidised oils See the Do this / Avoid this guide at the end for a simple routine that works Best soaps for nonenal  odour: We recommend using these soaps to stop nonenal odour build up in its tracks: Lemon & Poppyseed soap  - gently removes the oily build up on the skin , antibacterial Tea Tree-T soap , strongly anti bacterial with a great but gentle skin cleansing action Seagrass soap (with Rosemary oil), a fantastic anti-oxidant bar that leaves skin smelling fresh while removing build up Lemongrass soap (with Lemongrass and Cedarwood oils)  our best nonenal beating bar for sensitive skin with strong antioxidant essential oils while still being gentle on the skin What is nonenal (and why does it happen)? Nonenal is something that forms naturally on the skin when certain skin oils start to oxidise. As we get older, the skin produces more of these types of oils. If they sit on the skin, they break down and create that slightly stale, lingering smell. That’s why: It can stick around even after a shower It comes back quickly Some soaps don’t seem to make much difference It’s not about being unclean, it’s about what’s left behind on the skin. Does persimmon soap actually work? Persimmon contains natural tannins, which can bind to odour compounds like nonenal. So when you use it: It can help reduce the smell on the surface You often feel fresher straight away And for some people, that’s helpful. But  persimmon soap may not be the best solution Where persimmon soap falls short From a soap-making point of view, this is the important part: It’s helping with the smell… but not necessarily what’s causing it If oils and residue are still sitting on the skin: They keep oxidising The smell forms again You end up in the same cycle So it becomes a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution What Works Best What I’ve found works best is actually quite simple: avoid build-up of nonenal compounds on the skin What matters most: Cleanse the skin daily to prevent build-up forming over time Avoid products that leave residue or build up on the skin Keep the skin clean and fresh with a consistent, balanced routine When the build-up isn’t there, there’s nothing there to turn into odour Why your soap matters more than you think Not all soaps are created equal Some leave a coating on the skin Others strip the skin too much What we aim for when we make our soaps is: A proper clean that rinses away fully No residue left sitting on the skin Something that supports the skin without overdoing it That balance makes a big difference over time Do this: Use a soap that rinses cleanly and doesn’t leave a coating (see our best anti 'old person smell' soaps below) Shower daily to prevent build-up sitting on the skin Use an exfoliating soap at least 2 times a week to help remove oxidised oils Wash bedsheets, towels, and clothing regularly to avoid nonenal build-up Avoid this: Relying only on antibacterial or deodorising products Using soaps that leave a film on the skin Over-scrubbing or trying to “strip” the skin Letting build-up sit on the skin day after day A simple rhythm to follow - Shower daily and exfoliate 2 times a week The Best Soaps to combat 'old person smell' If you’re looking for a simple place to begin, these are the nonenal effective soaps  I’d usually recommend: Lemon & Poppyseed soap - really helpful for removing 'nonenal build-up' with gentle exfoliation Tea Tree-T soap - a good everyday option to keep the skin clean and fresh Seagrass soap (with Rosemary oil) - great for supporting the skin with antioxidant properties while helping keep things balanced Lemongrass soap (with Lemongrass and Cedarwood oils) - a fresh, clean option with antioxidant support that helps reduce the processes that leads to odour forming They all work toward the same goal, keeping the skin balanced and oil free so the nonenal odour doesn’t have a chance to form Recommended  Nonenal Beating Bars Add to Cart Add to Cart Add to Cart Add to Cart This article was written by Laura, Moon Haven’s soapmaker and as such represents her personal opinion on the given subject. Subscribe to the Moon Haven Newsletter where each month Leonie we share articles just like this one plus fill you in on all the happenings at the Moon Haven Cottage. Subscribe to the Moon Haven  newsletter at moonhaven.com.au We love to receive your emails, questions and requests for information. Just email her at family@moonhaven.com.au Leonie Gully- Moon Haven's Aromatherapist While any advice provided is general in nature, it is not intended to replace medical diagnosis or treatment.  If you are at all concerned about your condition, it is important that you do consult your medical practitioner of choice for an individual consultation and treatment plan. CHECK OUT OUR MOST POPULAR CONTENT What is your Skin Type? Take Our Skin-Type Test Get a Good Night's Sleep - Naturally 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Your Face Essential Oil Dilutions - How to Use Oils Safely on Your Skin 10 Top Essential Oils for Women Dealing with Arthritis & Body Pain - Naturally Universal Herbal Ointment - Our First Aid Kit in a Jar The Moon Haven Story Do you have a question? ... Want to know more? Just click the "Chat with us" button in the right hand corner of this page to ask a question or get more information - if we're logged in you may even get an answer straight away...otherwise we'll get back to you as soon as we are back online..

Soothing Body Pain - Boost the effectiveness of our muscle rub SOOTHE YOUR BODY PAIN Boost the effectiveness of your St John's Wort & Calendula Rub (SJWAC) by adding a few drops of our powerful Achy Breaky Essential Oil Blend when you use our rub. We offer these two wonderful products in our Achy Breaky Duo: St John's Wort & Calendula Rub 65ml Achy Breaky Essential Oil Blend 10ml SJWAC Booster fact sheet You can use these products to help temporarily help with: muscle recovery sports injuries arthritis inflammation period cramps and pain The Achy Breaky Duo Story Moon Haven was born when our founder Leonie, formulated our St John's Wort & Calendula Rub (SJWAC) to help her deal with her debilitating, chronic pain. You see, Leonie had suffered for many years from the debilitating muscle pain of fibromyalgia.  After searching for solutions and discussing her plight with aromatherapists and herbalists around the world - she settled on the formula for this jar of wonder. St John's Wort & Calendula Rub "SJWAC has been amazing. My fibromyalgia improved from the moment I applied it to my pain areas " Leonie SJWAC's formulator. Our moonies love SJWAC: Immediate relief.  Absolutely love this product for my rheumatoid Arthritis pains. Immediate relief. -Linda K WA I am so rapt This product not only smells beautiful but really really helps my knee and toe joint pain - I am so rapt to have found this awesome product! -Kate Edland (Perth, AU) Healing This rub is so good for aches and pains, I rub it on joints at bedtime and wake up with no pain - Lisa Tracy (Brisbane) St John's Wort & Calendula Rub is wonderful as a body soother but for difficult acute pain events it may need a little assistance. Our moonies love SJWAC: Immediate relief.  Absolutely love this product for my rheumatoid Arthritis pains. Immediate relief. -Linda K WA I am so rapt This product not only smells beautiful but really really helps my knee and toe joint pain - I am so rapt to have found this awesome product! -Kate Edland (Perth, AU) Healing This rub is so good for aches and pains, I rub it on joints at bedtime and wake up with no pain - Lisa Tracy (Brisbane) St John's Wort & Calendula Rub is wonderful as a body soother but for difficult acute pain events it may need a little assistance. Need for a booster I love SJWAC and so do our moonies. Yet there were times I found that SJWAC was not enough - pain sometimes broke through.   So after discussing it with our family and our wonderful moonies we decided that on occasion,  we could add an extra drop or two of the essential oil blend we use in our body rub     (Achy Breaky Essential Oil Blend) on top of the SJWAC for even greater impact... and it works! The addition of an essential oil booster can help improve the sense of relaxation and comfort in the body when used with our already effective St John's Wort & Calendula Rub. Save with Achy Breaky Duo For your convenience and to help you save - we've bundled these two super effective products together. We've called it our Achy Breaky Duo.  For Your Aches and Pains This article was written by Moon Haven’s aromatherapist and founder Leonie Gully and as such represents her personal opinion on the given subject. Subscribe to the Moon Haven Newsletter where each month Leonie and the Moon Haven Team share articles just like this one plus fill you in on all the happenings at the Moon Haven Cottage. Subscribe to the Moon Haven  newsletter at moonhaven.com.au Leonie loves to receive your emails, questions and requests for information. Just email her at family@moonhaven.com.au Leonie Gully- Moon Haven's Aromatherapist While any advice provided is general in nature, it is not intended to replace medical diagnosis or treatment.  If you are at all concerned about your condition, it is important that you do consult your medical practitioner of choice for an individual consultation and treatment plan. CHECK OUT OUR MOST POPULAR CONTENT What is your Skin Type? Take Our Skin-Type Test Get a Good Night's Sleep - Naturally 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Your Face Essential Oil Dilutions - How to Use Oils Safely on Your Skin 10 Top Essential Oils for Women Dealing with Arthritis & Body Pain - Naturally Universal Herbal Ointment - Our First Aid Kit in a Jar The Moon Haven Story Do you have a question? ... Want to know more? Just click the "Chat with us" button in the right hand corner of this page to ask a question or get more information - if we're logged in you may even get an answer straight away...otherwise we'll get back to you as soon as we are back online..