- A Little Q & A -

 

What is so great about handmade soap?

It's really all about the process. Handcrafted Cold Process soap, like the kind that we make, retains the glycerin that is naturally produced in the process. Glycerin is a great thing to have in soap because it's a natural humectant, attracting moisture from the air to your skin, helping to keep it soft and supple.

Commercially manufactured "soaps" (which are often actually detergent bars) tend to be drying because the glycerin is removed and then sold as a by-product to companies that incorporate it into their lotions and skin creams. Most people find that by using handmade soap that still has its glycerin, they don't need to apply as much lotion anymore.

Also, chemicals added to commercial body bars to increase lathering and shelf-life can result in dry, itchy skin. Handmade soapmakers, instead, take the time to formulate soap that naturally lathers beautifully.

 

How is Cold Process soap made?

Soap is made by adding water, oil and butters together, along with something to form them into soap (an alkali). That ingredient is Sodium Hydroxide which is lye. For liquid soaps, it is Potassium Hydroxide. The chemical reaction is called saponification. The soap maker must calculate the correct amount of lye for the specific oils used in each recipe and in return, gives you a fabulous, old fashioned bath product that is more natural than anything else you can find in stores.

 

I have sensitive skin. Is your soap better for me?

I can't answer for everyone, because everyone's skin is different. But we can tell you that our soap is made with skin-loving oils and butters, and most people find very mild and soothing compaired to most commercially made products. Our products contain no detergents and is even available unscented. Be sure to check each bar's list of ingredients for any things that may be allergenic to you.

 

How should I take care of my handmade soap?

Handmade soap will last much longer in your bath or shower if dried in between uses on a drying rack or soap dish. 

Also, be sure to store unused bars in a cool dry place and away from sunlight.
Most handmade soaps get better with age, some even have a "cure" time of 6 months to a year!

 

What does curing a soap mean? Why does that take 4-6 weeks?

Curing the soaps simply means I slice it and place the slices on a rack that allows good air flow turning the soaps occasionally. Most soaps take 4-6 weeks to cure, although any soaps that are mostly olive oil or all olive oil take 6 months to cure.

The cure time allows two things to happen. First, the water in the bar slowly evaporates which causes the bar to become hard. A hard bar will last much longer than a soft bar that hasn’t cured long enough. Secondly, curing allows the bar to become more gentle. Like a fine wine, handmade soaps get better with age!

 

Why do you specify that some of your soaps are palm free? What is wrong with palm oil?

Palm oil is generally used in place of tallow or lard in vegetable based soaps for hardness. You can make a bar of hard soap without palm, but it will usually take longer than 4-6 weeks to cure. The issue with palm oil is that rain-forests are being destroyed and orangutans endangered by profit driven companies. Palm oil is used in many food products as well as soaps.

With the growing concerns over the sourcing of palm oil, I am committed to keeping our soaps Palm Free as our gift back to the earth and our beautiful animals. There are plenty of consumers who do not want to purchase items with palm oil at all which is why I create some soaps that have no palm oil.

 

Why do you specify that some of your soaps are vegan?

This is one I find interesting because there are many people who don’t ever really think about what is in their soap. Some soaps contain animal fats – lard, tallow… Personally, I have no issue with animal fats in soap I do however want to be sure that anyone who buys my soaps knows what they are getting and also opens doors to customers who are vegan concious. 

I do make milk soaps and honey soaps with vegetable oils and butters so those are vegetarian, but not vegan. I always list ingredients and specify Vegan or Vegetarian. Those will be clearly labeled. 

 

Can I use these soaps on my face?

I am formulating some bars that are specifically for washing your face, but many of the bars I currently have could be used on your face. Your face is more sensitive generally than your body, so the essential oils and butters/oils that may work well on your body, could be irritating on your face. Typically, a milk based soap helps to not feel dry or "tight" afterwards.

 

I can’t use store-bought bar soap because they irritate my skin. Can I use your homemade soaps?

Possibly, but I don’t know your skin issues nor do I try to diagnose skin problems. What I do know is that many people are allergic to the detergents in storebought soaps. Those detergents can leave your skin dry and irritated. Many people do find that their skin reacts very well to natural handmade soaps and I have MANY customers [including my very own family] who can vouge for this saying they can now finally use a bar soap without problems! If you're not sure if handmade soap is right for you, I would be happy to give you a sample to try out! : ]