the ingredients

We believe strongly that quality products can only be made with quality ingredients, and we have put a lot of care into choosing the ingredients for our soaps (you can read more about how the soaps are actually made here). All of our soaps are vegetarian, and the oils and other ingredients are chosen for their excellent skin-care, aromatherapy or magical properties. We also believe that the most healthy and vibrant products are those made with natural ingredients and so, with a few exceptions, all of the soaps we craft are 100% natural, including scenting with pure essential oils.

Even with our strong commitment to natural ingredients, however, we do sell a few bars in which we have decided to include synthetic fragrance oils (all of our main ingredients are always all natural). In these cases, the decision was not made in order to cut costs, but because the natural oils are problematic. Specifically, we avoid oils that have environmental concerns (sandalwood and many floral oils), are derived from the killing of animals (musk), behave temperamentally in the soapmaking process (such as amber), or are cost prohibitive in the extreme. For example, even disregarding their environmental concerns, many floral oils cost $100's per ounce. In our recipes, this would result in bars of soap that cost between $20 and $40 each! In a few of our bars we decided the property of the specific scent was important enough to the intent of the bar to justify using a small amount of synthetic oil. In our soap descriptions, we have clearly indicated with an asterisk which bars have synthetic ingredients for those of you who may be chemically sensitive or simply averse to such products.

In our soap descriptions we have tried to outline the purpose of the scents that were used, but if you would like to read more about the benefits of the main soapmaking oils and ingredients, we have listed them below:

Sweet Almond Oil ~ Protein-rich, emollient, and skin-soothing oil

Apricot Kernel Oil ~ Moisturizing oil that softens fine lines and wrinkles

Avocado Oil ~ Rich, moisturizing and healing oil that helps regenerate cells, soften tissue, and heal scaly skin. Contains protein, amino acids, and Vitamins A, D, and E. Good for dry or sensitive skin.

Castor Oil ~ Humectant oil that attracts moisture to the skin and helps retain it. Contributes to a creamy, stable soap lather.

Cocoa Butter ~ Moisturizes by laying down a protective layer, holding moisture to the skin, making it a good skin softener. Good for dry skin.

Coconut Oil ~ Moisturizing oil that creates a wonderful, fluffy lather and that contributes to the hardness of the bar.

Honey ~ Humectant, antibacterial, and an excellent moisturizer

Jojoba Oil ~ Nourishing, easily absorbed, lubricating oil high in essential fatty acids. Good for dry skin and for softening fine lines and wrinkles.

Lye (sodium hydroxide) ~ Alakali, needed as a chemical reagant to saponify the oils to make soap. All natural soaps that are handmade from scratch use lye, but it is converted into soap during the saponification process (read more here.) There is no lye or any other caustic materials in any of our finished products!

Oats ~ Exfoliant, skin-softening, and emollient.

Olive Oil ~ Excellent moisturizer. Attracts and holds moisture to the skin, forming a breathable film that prevents the internal moisture from escaping without inhibiting the skin's natural functions. Mild. Good for sensitive skin.

Palm Oil ~ The vegetable soap's substitute for tallow. Provides a mild, cleansing, and hard bar.

Rose Water ~ Skin softener.

Shea Butter ~ Superior moisturizer and skin conditioner, long used for foot and body care. Emollient and contains natural sunscreen properties.

Sunflower Oil ~ Sunny, light, moisturizing oil containing Vitamin E.

Wheat Germ Oil ~ Nutritious oil high in Vitamin E and many other vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent antioxidant oil for aging or injured skin.