I’m always experimenting with new soaps for our family. The more successful ones eventually find their way into my online Ellie’s Farm shop. It’s quite a process though – to comply with UK regulations, each soap formula must be sent to a registered cosmetic chemist for testing to ensure it is safe to use. It is an expensive and lengthy process, but worth it!

I use only natural ingredients in our soaps, and it’s always fun to see what I can find to add colour, texture and health-giving properties to the soap. I’d read that activated charcoal is good for your skin, so, spurred on by my husband who asked for a more ‘blokey soap’, I tested a few ingredients and came up with our new Spearmint + Charcoal soap.

Activated charcoal is reputed to draw impurities out of your skin, and also gives a very gentle exfoliation. It works best on normal or greasy skin. I’ve scented it with spearmint essential oil for a light, refreshing fragrance.

The soap bar is made from coconut oil, olive oil and sunflower oil. They provide a lovely bubbly moisturising wash.

If you’d like to buy a bar, click here