Why name a soap Faustine Clay?

Perhaps folks wonder why I would name an all natural handmade soap faustine clay.  I’ll tell you!  The real story is that I’ve a dear friend with that nickname and she expressly asked for a handmade clay soap.  My choice of clay was bentonite as it pulls dirt and oils from the skin.  Those of us with oily skin can celebrate with this help! Bentonite clay actually forms from volcanic ash. (post on bentonite clay coming soon!)  So how many folks immediately think of Roman times and culture that have been preserved in the ash of long since volcanic erupted Pompeii?  Ok well we all can’t be geeks I realize, it’s the first thing that comes to my mind.

Upon researching the name a little bit, there is a German book by the name of Faust.  The main character of this book ends up selling his soul to the devil for increase in power.  nah…that doesn’t fit.  Upon further research, the female version, faustina does fit! See if you think so too!

Faustina is the name of several prominent women in history. Two notable women of the Roman Empire, a mother and daughter, both wives of emperors, were named Annia Galeria Faustina, and are normally distinguished as “elder” and “younger”:

* Faustina the Elder, wife of Antoninus Pius
* Faustina the Younger, the Elder’s daughter, wife of Marcus Aurelius
* Annia Faustina, a great-granddaughter twice over of Marcus Aurelius, third wife of Elagabalus
* Faustina, wife of Constantius II

o Faustina Constantia, daughter of Faustina and Constantius
* Faustina Bordoni, Baroque-era soprano nicknamed “Faustina”.
* Saint Faustina, name of two Catholic saints

o Faustina (Como), 6th century Christian
o Saint Faustina Kowalska, Apostle of The Divine Mercy, Nun of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland
* Faustina (film), the Polish drama on the life of Blessed Sister Faustina Kowalska based upon her experiences recorded in her spiritual diary

* Faustina (genus) – Faustina is a genus of gastropods in the family Helicidae. For example Faustina faustina.

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Did you know that Juniper berries are also in Faustine Clay? Yep! Click here.

Happy Washing!

~Regina