FAQ

What Are Saponified Oils?

The process of making soap dates back centuries when, traditionally, animal fat would be mixed with fire ash (also known as potato or lye). The true definition of soap is “a substance used with water for washing and cleaning, made of natural oils or fats combined with an “alkali”. Saponified oils means oils that have fully reacted (through the saponification) with lye (alkali) and become soap (with no lye left in the mixture).

Why Is Handmade Soap Better Than Commercial Soap?

Most “soaps” available on the market are not soaps at all, but detergents. Many soaps contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Though generally safe, it is a much harsher cleanser than real handmade soap. You will notice that many products are labeled as “beauty bars” or “cleansing bars”. Many of these products are not true soap products, or may contain a small amount of true soap. Also, the natural glycerin which occurs during soap making is never extracted from the final product as it is in other soaps. We have no artificial coloring or fragrance, which is very common cause of skin allergies and contact dermatitis. Our soap is made from vegetable and plant oils only. You will notice in many bars a product called sodium tallowate. While this is made in a traditional way (adding fats to an alkali), the fat is tallow which is most often derived from slaughterhouse waste and fat. We strive to keep our products animal friendly, and do not encourage the use of soaps containing this product.

But Shouldn’t We Be Using Antibacterial Soap?

According to the CDC website, germ resistance caused by antibacterial products is becoming a global health crisis. Through mutation, some germs emerge with resistance to the antibacterial agent aimed at it, and possibly to other antimicrobial agents as well.

….antibacterial agents…are now being added to products used in healthy households, even though an added health benefit has not been demonstrated. Scientists are concerned that the antibacterial agents will select bacteria resistant them and become cross-resistant to antibiotics. Moreover, if the alter a person’s microfloria, they may negatively affect the normal maturation of the T helper cell response of the immune system to commensal floral antigens.” (Levy SB. The Antibiotic Paradox. How Miracle Drugs Are Destroying The Miracle. New York: Plenum; 1992)

The CDC reports that there are no added benefits of using antibacterial products. We do, however use grapefruit seed (gse) in our products, which is an all-natural, broad spectrum antimicrobial agent. To date, there is no evidence that any type of pathogenic microorganism has ever built up a resistance to gse’s active ingredients. It is believed resistance is impossible because it disrupts that organisms cytoplasmic membrane, thereby preventing the uptake of amino acids, and stopping the cell from reproducing.

Are Your Products Hypo-Allergenic?

Beware of companies that make this claim because no product is truly hypoallergenic. According to the FDA, “hypoallergenic cosmetics are products that manufacturers claim produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products. Consumers with hypersensitive skin, and even those with ‘normal’ skin, may be lead to believe these products will be gentler to their skin than non-hypoallergenic cosmetics. There are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term ‘hypoallergenic’. The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean.”

So, while we do believe that the ingredients we choose are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, it is still possible to have sensitivity to them. Please use sensibility with all products you use on your skin. If you have a known allergy, use discretion. If you notice any symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop use immediately and contact your physician. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend an allergy patch test.

What Is The Shelf Life Of Your Products

Due to the fact we primarily use natural preservatives, the shelf life of our products is slightly shorter than most commercial brands. Most natural soaps contain unreacted fat/oil (vegetable glycerin etc) while these add beneficial qualities, they can spoil or go rancid over time. We recommend you use our products within 10-12 months. This is significantly shorter than products containing alcohol or preservatives, which can have a shelf life of up to 6 years. Because our products are handmade in small batches, you can be assured of receiving a fresh product.

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.

Why Are There Preservatives In Your Lotion?

Because our lotion is a water based lotion and it contains natural oils, it has a very specific need for an effective preservation system. We use a minute (1%) amount of synthetic preservatives, as well as natural antioxidants and antibacterials. We find this formula to be the safest and most effective preservative for this application.

The preservatives we use is called optiphen plus. It is paraben and formaldehyde free, has an excellent safety and toxicological profile, and is globally approved for use in lotions and other cosmetics. We believe the use of this product is the safest way to maintain the integrity of our product, increase shelf life, and still be effective and gentle. It guards against impurities and supports the healthful actions of our natural ingredients, while protecting our customers. Diazolidinyl urea is a common preservative and is a formaldehyde donor. Common parabens (propylparaben, methyparaben etc.) also found as preservatives in most cosmetics, have recently been implicated in an increase in breast cancer. Our lotion does not contain there products. For more information on optiphen plus visit www.ispcorp.com.