Are there animal products in your soap?
We don't use animal fats or oils in our soap. We do use beeswax in most of our recipes since we like the feel that it contributes and some of our formulas contain goat milk and honey.

Is there lye in this soap?
Lye, or sodium hydroxide, is an alkali. When you mix an alkali with an acid (fats and oils-think fatty acids), a chemical reaction called saponification, occurs. This chemical reaction creates soap and glycerin. We mix and measure precisely so that at the end of the process, there is no alkali left, just pure, gentle soap and glycerin.

Do you test on animals?
We test our soaps on ourselves first, then on friends and relatives. After that, when we are sure of its gentleness, we may use it on our dogs.

My skin is very sensitive; can I use your soap?
Many people who have had problems using commercial soaps have had good luck using ours. If you are concerned about fragrance in your soaps, you can always choose our "Just Plain Soap" which contains no fragrance or color. If you try one of our soaps and find that it is not comfortable on your skin, feel free to return it for a refund. We always want you to be happy with our products.

Are your fragrances all natural?
We use both essential oils (plant essences) and fragrance oils in our soaps. There are many fragrances that our customers like (fruit fragrances for example) that are not available as essential oils. In these cases, we substitute high quality fragrance oils (which are created in the lab). The descriptions of our different formulas always indicate whether we have used fragrance oils or essential oils.

How long does this soap last?
We leave our soaps in the "drying room" for several weeks to evaporate the excess moisture. This hardens the bars so that they last longer. It is always best to keep your soap sitting out of wet areas at the sink or bath. When soap sits in water it softens which makes it melt away faster. Our wooden soap trays are an inexpensive way to keep your soap out of the water so that it last longer.

What ingredients are in your soaps?
Our basic formula starts with about 50% olive oil, which has long been used for skin preparations because of its gentleness. We add coconut oil to make a fluffy lather and palm oil for its gentleness and to help create hard, long lasting bars. Additional rich oils, butters, botanicals, clays and fragrances are then chosen to enrich the bars. Different formulas contain some of these different enhancements:

• Kukui oil - is high in the essential fatty acids, which are necessary for healthy skin.

• Castor oil - is a good humectant attracting moisture to the skin.

• Shea butter - is good for moisturizing the skin.

• Cocoa butter - puts a protective layer on the skin that holds in moisture and creates a hard bar of soap.

• Beeswax - has anti-oxidant properties and helps make a hard bar.

• Jojoba not an oil, but a wax. It is highly penetrating and closely resembles our sebum.

• Almond oil - has great softening and conditioning properties.

• Clay - we use several different types of clay. They help absorb oils, remove impurities, soften skin and add beautiful colors to the soap.

• Honey - acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.

• Grapeseed - rich in vitamins, minerals and linoleic acid.

• Calendula Petals - not only pretty, but long used as a healing herb for irritated or injured skin.
• Pumice - very find powder that helps remove ground in dirt

• Bamboo powder - a crystalline powder that is very rich in mineral salts and makes a mild exfoliant.

• Oatmeal - finely ground to gently polish your skin.

• Orange Peel- dried and finely ground to help clean working hands.

• Ground coffee - perfect for removing strong odors and ground in dirt.

In addition to these enhancements, we are continually searching for and experimenting with other goodies to find even better additions to our soaps.