About
Welcome to Ktima Thrinax!
While growing up in Athens, farming was not the first thing that came to mind as I contemplated my future. It took me some time to start putting the pieces of the puzzle together: the trips to my village in the Peloponnese, near Kalamata (the cradle of extra virgin olive oil), the green pepper-scented walks with my grandfather, the farming tools in our village home, the memory of everyday provincial life populated with images of my family returning from the field in their truck loaded with sacks of olives.
Fast forwarding down the windy road of my twenties, the puzzle started to make sense. A brief period of work in South Africa revealed new possibilities of working with the land. It inspired me to view my heritage in a different light; to return back to basics and to employ the traditional and sustainable farming methods of my forefathers; to contribute to the quality of life. I suddenly felt fulfilled by the prospect of harvesting Mother Nature’s generous gifts, turning them into precious everyday products for everyday use.
Today, Thrinax is built on a tradition of pure, handmade soaps, following the exact same processes and recipes used by my ancestors. The base ingredient common to all of my handmade soaps is one of earth’s finest raw ingredients – the olive. The traditional cultivation of olive trees underlines the soap’s purity. Saponification is achieved through the use of the cold process method which is gentler on the skin and maintains the beneficial properties of olive oil contrary to industrially-manufactured products. I also infuse my soap with a range of natural herbal and botanical additives, some dating back to the Greek classical period, to enrich the nutritional and aromatic properties of the soap and make them suitable for specific purposes.
All of my products are 100% natural. They are free of chemicals, parabens, petroleum, sulfates and GMO. All soaps are handmade from start to finish, left to cure, hand cut and packaged for delivery to you. It is my mission to envelope the purity and beauty of Mother Nature in my products, to bring you in contact with nature and offer you a luxurious experience, an authentic sensation of skin cleanliness and care.
This was my past, it is my present and my future which I look forward to sharing with you.
While growing up in Athens, farming was not the first thing that came to mind as I contemplated my future. It took me some time to start putting the pieces of the puzzle together: the trips to my village in the Peloponnese, near Kalamata (the cradle of extra virgin olive oil), the green pepper-scented walks with my grandfather, the farming tools in our village home, the memory of everyday provincial life populated with images of my family returning from the field in their truck loaded with sacks of olives.
Fast forwarding down the windy road of my twenties, the puzzle started to make sense. A brief period of work in South Africa revealed new possibilities of working with the land. It inspired me to view my heritage in a different light; to return back to basics and to employ the traditional and sustainable farming methods of my forefathers; to contribute to the quality of life. I suddenly felt fulfilled by the prospect of harvesting Mother Nature’s generous gifts, turning them into precious everyday products for everyday use.
Today, Thrinax is built on a tradition of pure, handmade soaps, following the exact same processes and recipes used by my ancestors. The base ingredient common to all of my handmade soaps is one of earth’s finest raw ingredients – the olive. The traditional cultivation of olive trees underlines the soap’s purity. Saponification is achieved through the use of the cold process method which is gentler on the skin and maintains the beneficial properties of olive oil contrary to industrially-manufactured products. I also infuse my soap with a range of natural herbal and botanical additives, some dating back to the Greek classical period, to enrich the nutritional and aromatic properties of the soap and make them suitable for specific purposes.
All of my products are 100% natural. They are free of chemicals, parabens, petroleum, sulfates and GMO. All soaps are handmade from start to finish, left to cure, hand cut and packaged for delivery to you. It is my mission to envelope the purity and beauty of Mother Nature in my products, to bring you in contact with nature and offer you a luxurious experience, an authentic sensation of skin cleanliness and care.
This was my past, it is my present and my future which I look forward to sharing with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is olive oil the base ingredient for all of your soaps?
Yes, olive oil is the base ingredient for all Ktima Thrinax soaps and body products. We make everything by hand using the traditional cold process method passed down by our forefathers. Organic extra virgin olive oil from the regions of Kalamata and Keratea in Greece is the base ingredient for all our products. We then enrich our products with a range of herbal, botanical, natural additives which differentiate them.
How do you make your soaps?
Saponification is achieved using the cold process method unlike the industrial process which utilizes the hot method thereby significantly reducing the therapeutic and nutritional properties of soap. By contrast, the cold process method ensures that all ingredients are mixed in a natural temperature safeguarding the integrity of the ingredients’ natural properties and glycerol produced entirely within the soap. The maturation of the soap takes place in a naturally-aired area over an 8 week period during which time the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) completely evaporates, leaving a natural product ready for use.
All stages of production from manufacture through to packaging are completely handmade.
What are the main natural additives in your soap?
The basic soap is Castille soap which is cold processed olive oil soap.
We provide a range of soaps enhanced by the addition of natural additives. Currently we use 9 main additives:
Green Clay
Cinnamon
Rosemary & Chamomile
Vanilla & Black Tea
Goat's Milk & Honey
Citrus Mix
Kiwi & Poppy Seeds
Nettle
Beer
However, we are always working on additional recipes to offer our customers an array of soaps with a wide range of properties that respond to their needs.
What are the benefits of pure olive oil soap?
Pure olive oil is the basic ingredient in all Ktima Thrinax handmade soaps. Oleic acid is one of the most important ingredients in olive oil. This gives olive oil its regenerative and hydrating properties, keeping the skin soft and supple. Olive oil also contains squalene which helps to nourish and retain the skin’s moisture. It is not oily which means that it does not restrict or block the pores and due to its high levels of Vitamin E, olive oil also has healing properties.
When the olive oil soap comes into contact with the skin, it’s properties result in the natural hydration of skin tissue as well as skin revitalization, leaving a cool and fresh sensation.
Are your products completely natural?
Yes. I produce my soap following the exact practices and production methods used by my forefathers: cauldron, wooden spoon, carefully and patiently hand threshing the soap mixture until it is ready to place in molds. As a result of the natural production technique I use to make my soaps, all by- products are 100% biodegradable.
In addition, all products are free of parabens, mineral oil, Propylen Glycol, Ethanolamine and Triethanolamine.
What are the benefits of the additives you put in your soap?
Firstly there are no chemical additives in our soap. All additives are completely natural and enrich the beneficial effects of pure olive soap. Generally, each additive combined with a pure olive oil base helps to cleanse, nurture, protect and repair the skin giving it a fresh, healthy glow.
How long do your soaps, body butters and salves last for?
Products will last 4 - 6 weeks depending on use.
Wholesale availability
Please contact me via email if you are interested in purchasing my products for wholesale.
Yes, olive oil is the base ingredient for all Ktima Thrinax soaps and body products. We make everything by hand using the traditional cold process method passed down by our forefathers. Organic extra virgin olive oil from the regions of Kalamata and Keratea in Greece is the base ingredient for all our products. We then enrich our products with a range of herbal, botanical, natural additives which differentiate them.
How do you make your soaps?
Saponification is achieved using the cold process method unlike the industrial process which utilizes the hot method thereby significantly reducing the therapeutic and nutritional properties of soap. By contrast, the cold process method ensures that all ingredients are mixed in a natural temperature safeguarding the integrity of the ingredients’ natural properties and glycerol produced entirely within the soap. The maturation of the soap takes place in a naturally-aired area over an 8 week period during which time the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) completely evaporates, leaving a natural product ready for use.
All stages of production from manufacture through to packaging are completely handmade.
What are the main natural additives in your soap?
The basic soap is Castille soap which is cold processed olive oil soap.
We provide a range of soaps enhanced by the addition of natural additives. Currently we use 9 main additives:
Green Clay
Cinnamon
Rosemary & Chamomile
Vanilla & Black Tea
Goat's Milk & Honey
Citrus Mix
Kiwi & Poppy Seeds
Nettle
Beer
However, we are always working on additional recipes to offer our customers an array of soaps with a wide range of properties that respond to their needs.
What are the benefits of pure olive oil soap?
Pure olive oil is the basic ingredient in all Ktima Thrinax handmade soaps. Oleic acid is one of the most important ingredients in olive oil. This gives olive oil its regenerative and hydrating properties, keeping the skin soft and supple. Olive oil also contains squalene which helps to nourish and retain the skin’s moisture. It is not oily which means that it does not restrict or block the pores and due to its high levels of Vitamin E, olive oil also has healing properties.
When the olive oil soap comes into contact with the skin, it’s properties result in the natural hydration of skin tissue as well as skin revitalization, leaving a cool and fresh sensation.
Are your products completely natural?
Yes. I produce my soap following the exact practices and production methods used by my forefathers: cauldron, wooden spoon, carefully and patiently hand threshing the soap mixture until it is ready to place in molds. As a result of the natural production technique I use to make my soaps, all by- products are 100% biodegradable.
In addition, all products are free of parabens, mineral oil, Propylen Glycol, Ethanolamine and Triethanolamine.
What are the benefits of the additives you put in your soap?
Firstly there are no chemical additives in our soap. All additives are completely natural and enrich the beneficial effects of pure olive soap. Generally, each additive combined with a pure olive oil base helps to cleanse, nurture, protect and repair the skin giving it a fresh, healthy glow.
How long do your soaps, body butters and salves last for?
Products will last 4 - 6 weeks depending on use.
Wholesale availability
Please contact me via email if you are interested in purchasing my products for wholesale.