Q: I'm a vegan. Can I use your products?

A: Most of them you can. Some of my products contain milk, beeswax, and honey. Be sure to check the ingredients page for that particular product to be sure. My products are not tested on animals at any stage of the manufacturing process, and all the beeswax and honey that I use comes from local, natural beekeepers, if that makes a difference to you (it does to me).

Q: Are your products all-natural?

A: In a word, no. Except for the essential oil flavored lip balms and some of the cold-process soap that I offer occasionally. Why do I use preservatives? I value the stability and ability of the product to resist bacterial growth. All kinds of nasty beasts can grow in personal care products, some of which can cause skin irritation, illness, and in some cases, fatality. I agree that simple and natural are both good things to strive for, but will never demonize synthetic preservatives, colorants, or detergents because I know through working with them that they are neither evil or harmful to most individuals when used in the correct way and in the correct amount. Bacteria may be "natural", but I do not want them growing in my bath products!

The discussion about "natural" versus "synthetic" ingredients is often a heated one. I have a somewhat middle of the road approach. I feel that just because a substance is natural, that does not mean it is superior, or more healthful. Often natural substances are far more hazardous than manmade chemicals. The FDA consider's "soap" to be what I sell as "lye soaps" - basically they are fats (animal or vegetable) that have undergone the chemical reaction of saponification with an alkaline substance (sodium hydroxide). Your usual grocery-store soaps, like Dove and Irish Spring, are a combination of "true soap" and manmade chemicals. My glycerin soaps are not true soap at all, but stabilized bars of cleansers and moisturizers. They clean the skin while protecting it from losing moisture. The one advantage that these types of soaps have, even though they cannot claim they are "natural" in any way, is that they are a much more neutral pH than lye soaps. Lye soaps have a pH from 9 to 10, while the synthetic glycerin soaps have a pH much closer to that of the human body. If you are sensitive to pH, you might want to chose from the glycerin soaps (the glycerin soaps also have the benefit of not creating soap scum!). If you are sensitive to synthetic detergents, maybe you could try a lye soap. If you don't really care about all this rambling chemistry and like all soaps just fine, just pick one that smells nice!

I do agree that natural is often better than synthetic, but this is not always the case. Science has given us many new ingredients that protect and benefit the skin just as nature has. To ignore these discoveries and contributions can be foolish.

Q: I have sensitive skin. Can I use your products?

A: Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to that question. Substances that are inert to most people can cause serious irritation in those who are sensitive to them. I will say that many people tell me that they cannot use "commercial" products but use mine just fine. Just be sure to read the ingredients listing if you know you are allergic or sensitive to an ingredient. Feel free to email me and check!

Q: Your soaps look nice, but will they really get me clean?

A: Yes, they will. It's surprising how often I get asked this question! My soaps will lather up and rinse the dirt away, just like any other soap. They might look decorative, but they are fine soaps by their own right. I use them all the time and nobody has ever complained that I was not clean :)

Q: Will the scent of the soap stay on my skin? I don't know if I want to smell like black licorice all day!

A: My soaps are designed to provide an "in shower" sensory experience. Most of them will rinse clean, leaving no fragrance behind. A handful of them will leave a trace of scent - those that include heavy sandalwood or patchouli base notes, like Alchemy and Sanguis, may leave behind a soft scent, but it will be faint and won't interfere with the scents of your other cosmetic products.

Q: Do you have any antibacterial soaps?

A: Not specifically. For the most part, just washing thoroughly with soap and water will be sufficient to keep yourself clean and free of bacteria. Some soaps are advertised as "antibacterial", which means they have added ingredients to kill the bacteria. These ingredients, along with the claim that they are "antibacterial" make them considered "drugs" by the FDA, and I am not licensed to sell drug products.

Besides, I'm not very keen on antibacterial products outside of the food service or healthcare industries. Bacteria and grime can be washed away by washing properly with simple soap and water. The human body does not need to be sterilized, and some scientists have warned of ill effects from continued antibacterial usage.

Q: Do your soaps contain SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)?

A: No. My soaps contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which is abbreviated SLES. There is a lot of negative attention on SLS recently, and many people find that it irritates their skin. I cannot use toothpaste that contains SLS, for example. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a similar surfactant (cleansing agent), but is far milder than SLS and many folks who cannot use SLS are fine with SLES.