Frequently Asked Questions

Cold process soap is made by heating oils and mixing with sodium hydroxide (lye) - this causes saponification to occur, by which the oils are turned into soap.  Cold process gets its name because once the oils are heated and added to the lye, there is no additional heat added to the mixture, keeping added essential oils and other natural inclusions in their most original form.  Cold process soap requires 4-6 weeks to "cure", or finish saponifying.

We get it - we were raised on those simple white bars in the store too.  But in recent years, more research has been done on many of the additives to household products, including personal hygiene items.  In particular, the artificial scents and ingredients such as titanium dioxide, fragrance oils, and sodium palmitate, which are commonly found in big name soap brands, come with some concerns.  Titanium dioxide is used to give soap a white color, but can be absorbed into the skin and potentially cause DNA damage.  Fragrance oils often contain phthalates, parabens (both endocrine disruptors) and formaldehyde (carcinogenic).  These strong fragrance oils may cause irritation to those with sensitive skin, and migraines in those sensitive to heavy smells.  Lastly, sodium palmitate is a common thickening agent in commercial soaps and actually dries out your skin.​

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Our soap?  Well, for starters, NO FRAGRANCE OILS!  This was a big one for us - the long term effects of parabens and phthalates are still being studied, but endocrine disruption and hormonal interference affects us all, and we don't want it on our skin or in our water.  Our soap still contains glycerin, a byproduct of saponification, which moisturizes the skin.  We typically "superfat" our soap, meaning there is still oil/butter leftover from saponification for even more moisturizing capability.  And natural additives, like chamomile, coconut milk, goat milk, activated charcoal, and other natural clays and root powders provide various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in their most natural form.  Lastly, any handmade soap is an overall more eco-friendly option relative to commercial soap production

No, we're not suggesting you rub Crisco all over your face too.  Tallow and lard have gotten a bad rap in the last couple of decades, but thankfully, we're coming around to the benefits of fat, both in our diets and on our skin.  Both are non-comedogenic, meaning they don't clog your pores; they are also rich in vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, and fatty acids.  You know retinol, the skin-regenerating, time-machine stuff you pay a premium for?  It typically uses a synthetic form of vitamin A - tallow in particular is a natural, more bio-available form of this power player.  Tallow and lard have been used for centuries in soap and skincare, and they help produce hard, long-lasting bars that lather well.  We promise there is no meaty smell!  If you're not into animal products (no judgement here) we offer vegan bars and shea butter body balm.

Yes to all of the above - with all natural, gentle ingredients, our soaps are friendly to all.  If you're looking for a particularly gentle soap, check out our Gentle & Unscented Soap.  

Essential oils will generally be milder than fragrance oils, a result of avoiding phthlates, which are used as fragrance carriers and are known as endocrine disruptors.  That being said, when your soap arrives dried and cured, the scent may be "dormant".  Once you wet the soap and start lathering, the scent will bloom!

We sure do.  For those in the Colorado Springs area, please reach out if you'd prefer a pickup option!

Absolutely!  Please contact us with some basic information and we can set up a time for a phone call to discuss your idea, scent/size/color options, and pricing.  Please allow 6-8 weeks for making, curing, and shipping your soaps.

We would be so happy to work with you to find an oil/butter blend, scent blend (or unscented) and other additives that cater to your skin's particular needs.  We have already tailored some of our soaps to family members and friends to be friendly to the sensitive skin, the dry skin, and migraine-prone.  Reach out and we'll make it happen!

We all want a good thing to last - make sure you have a well-draining soap dish to allow your soap to dry as much as possible between uses.  

You better believe it.