WHAT’S NOT IN OUR SOAP – No petroleum products or derivatives. No Triclosan, sorbitol or derivatives. No commercially purchased soap base. No Phthalates.
SOAP DEFINED ~ Did you know that most “soap” purchased in grocery stores is not really soap~!? Many commercial soaps available today are actually bars of detergent. They are made with synthetic ingredients. A true handcrafted soap retains all the natural glycerin which is produced when fats (natural oils, tallow, lard, butters) and sodium hydroxide (lye) are mixed together in precise ratios and temperatures. This process is called ‘saponification’ and occurs within the first 48 hours. Saponification literally means “turning into soap”. No lye remains in the soap after saponification occurs. Glycerin is a natural by-product of the saponification process. Glycerin is a natural moisturizer and cleanser that increases lather and produces a milder soap for the skin. In a lot of commercial soaps, the valuable glycerin is extracted and sold. It is replaced with cheaper synthetic alternatives which can be a lot harsher and irritating to the skin. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “some of these detergent products are actually marketed as ‘soap’ but are not true soap in the common and legal definition of the word”.
HANDCRAFTED NATURAL BEAUTY VARIATIONS ~ Whether made in individual molds or in loaf molds, no two soaps are exactly alike. There will also be variations in color and weight. All stated weights are approximate. Please remember that products are handcrafted and slight variations can and will occur.
PATCH TEST ~ We suggest you test the soap on a small area of the skin to make sure irritation does not occur.
SOAP DECKS ~ Use a good soap deck for best results and a longer lasting soap. Place on a soap deck which does not allow the soap to sit in water. This allows the soap to dry between uses and not melt as quickly. A soap deck with slats or drain holes works best. We hand make our Eastern Red Cedar soap dishes in various designs and sizes.
LONGEVITY ~ Most handcrafted soaps need a minimum of four weeks to ‘cure’. Curing allows time for the water to evaporate and the soap to harden. A harder bar of soap will last longer, lather better, and just be an overall better soap. If you’d like your soap to last longer, please allow it to cure for a longer period of time.
COLORS ~ We color our soaps with botanicals, mineral-rich clays, oil infusions, and ethically sourced premium mica:
Ebony – Black Icelandic Sand, Activated Charcoal, Black Brazilian Clay. mica.
White/Ecru/Sand – Multani Mitti, Rhassoul Clay, Irish Moss, Aloe Vera Powder, Bentonite Clay, White Kaolin Clay, Colloidal Oatmeal, Oatmeal Powder, Titanium Dioxide, Pearl Powder, Pumice Stone Powder, Walnut Hull Powder, Fuller’s Earth.
Green – French Green Clay, Chlorella Powder, Spirulina Powder, Indigo Leaves Powder, Alfalfa Powder, Nettle Leaf Powder, Mica.
Red/Terra Cotta/Orange – Moroccan Red Clay, Turmeric Powder, Madder Root Powder, Paprika Powder, Pumpkin Powder, Manjistha Powder, Orange Peel Powder, Alkanet Powder, Red Brazilian Clay, Mica.
Pink/Rose – Rose Kaolin Clay, Madder Root, Brazilian Pink Clay, Mica.
Yellow – Sunflower Petal and Calendula Petal infused oils; Calendula Powder; Lemon Peel Powder, Brazilian Gold Clay, Mica.
Lilac/Purple/Blue – Purple Brazilian Clay, Indigo Powder, Mica.
BASE OILS, FATS, AND BUTTERS WE USE ~ Apricot Kernal, Sweet Almond, Avocado, Babassu, Castor Seed, Cocoa Butter, Coconut, Hemp Seed, Jojoba, Refined Lard, Mango Seed Butter; Neem Seed, Olive Oil, Organic Sustainably Sourced Palm, Rice Bran, Shea Butter, Sunflower, Tallow, and Tamanu.
OTHER ADDITIVES ~ By incorporating various soap making additives, we create soap that cleanses gently and is rich with creamy lather. Our soaps are not only wonderful to look at, but feel great to use: Distilled Water that is free from impurities; Tussah Silk that’s cruelty free as the fibers are collected from cocoons after the silk worms have emerged; Sodium Lactate produced by the fermentation of sugar from a natural source, such as corn or beets, and used to create a harder, longer lasting soap. The natural sugars in Goat Milk, Beer, and Wine provide gentle cleaning and pack a big punch when it comes to providing lots of bubbles and creamy lather. Poppy Seeds are wonderful for exfoliation. Titanium Dioxide is a mineral used to transform soap from cream to white, or to lighten other colors. A natural white opaque pigment, this mineral is processed to remove impurities. Lightly scented with Essential Oils, and skin safe synthetic Fragrace Oils.
Thank you for your interest in our soaps. Please contact us if you have a special request such as vegan soap, nut free soap, or scent free soap. Four weeks notice required.
Damselfly Soap & Sundries 