FAQs (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) ABOUT
OUR
ARTISAN HANDMADE SOAP
- What's the white stuff on my soap?
While commonly referred to as 'ash' by many soapmakers, in reality, it is nothing more than powdered soap. It will
not harm you or the soap in any way, and is more a cosmetic problem than anything else.
There is no way for me to tell which soap will end up with 'ash'. For the most part, I have managed to keep it from
occurring in the majority of my soaps with my soapmaking method. However, it can (and probably will) happen upon
occasion.
The 'ash' will wash off the first time or two you use the soap. Once washed off, it will not reoccur.
- Help! My soap is turning to mush!
Because my soaps are made by hand, and do not contain the chemical hardeners many mass manufactured soaps do,
they tend to be a bit more tempermental in the care they require.
First, do not let the soap sit in the stream of water from the shower or leave it in the water while you bathe.
Second, use a soap dish that allows for complete draining of the water. I recommend the type with raised 'nubs'
and holes that both lift the soap away from the dish and allow the water to drain.
Leaving your soap in the shower stream (or tub of water), and/or allowing it to sit in a puddle of water
afterwards will cause it to start dissolving, and eventually result in a gooey mess.
- I'm using my first bar of your soap, and my skin seems drier.
Unfortunately, this can happen, and is usually a result of one or more of
the following.
The first possibility is that your skin is going through an adjustment phase. Sometimes when a person switches
from store-bought soap to handcrafted soap, their skin requires a period of time to adjust to the new soap.
Your skin has gotten used to all the chemical additives in mass produced soaps, and just needs some time to get
used to a different type. This adjustment period can be anywhere between 1 and 6 weeks.
The second possibility is that you are sensitive to something in the soap. This could be any one or more of the
ingredients. There is no way for me to be able to tell which ingredient(s) may be causing the problem for you. If
you have been using a fragranced soap, I suggest trying one of my all natural, unscented soaps and see if the
problem continues. I also ask that you Contact me
so I can work with you about this, and help you as much as I can.
A final possibility is one or more of the variables of how your skin reacts to different things. One variable
is the weather. Hot, dry weather with low humidity can dry skin out. Cold winter weather also takes a toll on
skin, as can your heating system. Hot showers can cause dryness also.
Using other products with a high glycerin content can cause dryness, especially when combined with low humidity.
Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it pulls in moisture from other sources. If the air is dry, then it will pull
in moisture from your skin. It is for this reason I have changed the formulations of a number of my products
containing glycerin.
Finally, things such as illness, stress, diet, and the amount of fluids you drink can all affect your skin.
- Are your soaps Vegan?
Some of them are, and some are not. I use vegetable oils and butters as my primary ingredients, but I also use
some animal ingredients in some soaps. The product descriptions will note if a soap contains one of these ingredients.
Special Note: We have two Oatmeal, Milk & Honey soaps.
- My All Natural Oatmeal, Milk & Honey
soap contains milk, honey and oatmeal. It does not contain any added fragrance. This soap is not Vegan.
- My Oatmeal, Milk & Honey
soap does not contain either milk or honey. It is the name of
the fragrance oil. It may contain oatmeal. This soap is Vegan.
- Are your soaps all natural?
Some of them are, and some are not. My soaps can be separated into three categories:
All Natural - These soaps are completely natural, and contain no synthetic color or fragrance, and
no chemical ingredients.
Nearly Natural - These soaps may contain cosmetic grade colorants and/or fragrance.
Glycerin - These soaps are made from the most natural glycerin soap base available. They are made
with cosmetic grade colorant and/or fragrance. Also known as Melt & Pour or M&P soap.
- I don't see the soap I'm looking for.
I'm allergic to the (ingredient) in your soap.
As this is a small business, I cannot possibly make every type of soap there is to make. There are many, many
base ingredients, additives and fragrances I could use to make soap.
If you are allergic to certain ingredients, or are looking for, or need a particular type of soap, please visit the
Custom Formulation page. I will be more than happy to discuss your needs
with you.
Have a question not answered by this FAQ, or would like to see added? Please
Contact me.
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