FAQ

The majority of my soap is made using the cold process method, although a few are hot processed.  A couple are fully made with melt and pour soap, and many of the embeds (extra stuff on or in soap) are also made with melt and pour soap.

It’s totally safe! Many of the embeds are made with a glycerin-based soap.  This type of soap attracts moisture which can bead on the embed and is adorably called glycerin dew. I choose not to wrap my soap in plastic to avoid the problem, because I don’t want to use plastic and because the remainder of the soap should not be wrapped.  The beading is purely cosmetic and can be wiped off with a cloth if you’d like.

Yep!  Those are just air bubbles that are exposed and filled when the cold process soap is wire cut.

Some of my soap is made with glycerin-based embeds that melt when exposed to about 120 degrees.  Summertime mailboxes and shipping trucks can easily reach such temperatures, meaning part of your soap could arrive melted off.  You’ll be sad, I’ll be sad, and the whole thing will just be a mess.  A couple of my soaps are also somewhat fragile, and difficult to easily wrap for shipping (e.g. Desert Trek).

If you know us, tell us while placing your order (place a comment in the Order Notes during checkout).  If we know you from a place we frequent, we can bring it to you, or make another arrangement for pick up.  If we don’t personally know you, we are happy to meet you in a public parking lot in the Manassas/Woodbridge, VA area.  Please feel free to contact us prior to purchasing to arrange a spot.

Many store-bought soaps are made with petroleum-based products, have additives that qualify them as a detergent, have phthalates, and/or have the glycerin that is formed during the soap-making process entirely removed.  These processes are done to harden soap, make it last longer while in use, and to increase the shelf stability of the product.  While homemade soap may not last as long, some people find it less irritating and drying than store-bought soap.  Keeping your soap on a draining dish or wire shower rack can increase the life of your soap.

I recommend using homemade soap within a year.  While I have soap that I made years ago that is still good, it’s better to be cautious!  The glycerin soap may last for an indefinite amount of time but will eventually lose moisture and may become a little brittle.  Cold and hot process soap is made using extra oils/fats (like cocoa butter) for moisturizing purposes. That means that not all the fat is turned into soap and is hanging around in there.  Fats can go rancid over time which can cause orange spots on your soap or an unpleasant smell.  If that happens, please do not use the soap.  Store your soap unwrapped and away from water until you’re ready to use it.

These items are all made with oils and/or butters and have no preservatives.  They should be used within a year to ensure the quality of the oil does not degrade.

I suggest using the lotion within a year, although it can certainly last for longer.  The lotion contains a preservative, but dipping unclean or wet hands can introduce bacteria or water that can diminish its effectiveness over time.

I use ingredients from reputable sources, most of which I’ve used for a decade.  They test their essential oils for purity, their fragrance oils are phthalate free, and they are animal cruelty free.  There is an international regulatory body that provides guidance on the safe usage of essential and fragrance oils in soap and cosmetics, and the scent quantities I use are always within the recommended parameters.  I follow proper soap-making techniques and sanitize my workspace and instruments.  Although I do my best to make sure my products are safe to use, not all skin is the same!  If you’re allergic to a product that is listed as an ingredient, you may have an adverse reaction.  If you’re using a product for the first time, it is always a good idea to test it on a small patch of skin to ensure that your skin will not be irritated.  None of my products are meant for consumption or internal use.  If you have any problems, please let us know by contacting us.

The palm oil I use is sourced from farmers that are a part of the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).  RSPO certified means the cultivating farmers use responsible methods of growing, harvesting, and processing.

“Specialty soaps” are soaps that take me quite a bit more time and preparation to make.  It may have taken me a long time to mold the pieces that are part of the soap, some are individually hand-sculpted, some are individually poured, and some are just more expensive for me to make.  I hope the final product reflects the extra time and work that I put into them.

Contact us!  We are happy to make you happy, so let us know about any problems you have with the product, the shipping, or anything else.