FAQ
For how long have you been making soap?
I started making soap in 2014. I started experimenting with different techniques and ingredients and sold under Johanna’s soap for 2 years. I halted the selling but continued to make soaps for home use, taking a more natural and cruelty free-approach.
What's in your handmade soap?
We use a base recipe of four oils: Olive, Castor, Coconut and Palm Oils. We even make 100% Olive Oil Castile soap. This one takes about 6 months to cure but is gentle and perfect for sensitive skin, specially for babies since it has no scent. Also essential oils, skin safe fragrances, and botanicals.
Why does it take 30 days for the soaps to be ready for sale?
Soaps are created by a process call saponification. This is the combination of oils with alkali substance (lye). The curing time is needed for the soap to be safe for your skin, to harden and be able to cleanse, lather and moisturize.
Do you test on animals?
No, we never test our products on animals. We've always tested them on family, friends, and customers. Their reviews have been the key to the success of our soaps.
Are your soaps "cruelty free"?
We do not use animal products that result in the death of that animal for the primary use in making our product. All our soaps are vegetable oil based.
Do you use any animal products in your soaps?
No, we don’t. I used to make goat milk soaps but not anymore.
What is the "white powder" on top of some of your bars?
Occasionally, you may see some white stuff on top of our soaps. This is called 'soda ash' and is a harmless substance that forms when air reaches a batch of soap in its first 24 hours of life. It will rinse off the first time you use the soap.
What is the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?
Essential oils come from plants, herbs, and flowers. They are natural and made by mother Earth! Some scents cannot be produced by nature and that is why fragrance oils exist. They are man-made in a lab. Essential oils are more expensive than fragrances and the selection is limited when comparing with fragrances. We use only skin safe fragrances, to offset the price of the essential oils and to boost the scent since during curing the essential oils tend to fade away. The ingredients listed on the back of each soap bar will list if fragrance, essential oil or both has been used. Some soaps have no scent or essential oil like the Castile one.
What are the sizes of your soaps?
The soaps are 3.5” x 3.25” and are squared in shape, weighting between 5.8oz to 6.5oz approximately. Other soaps sold around are smaller is size and weight but more expensive.
Our Castile soap is 2” x 3” and weights 5oz approximately.
How long do the soaps last?
It depends on the use! The more you use it the less it will last, but on average (1-2 showers a day per person), the soap can last between 2-3 weeks. We recommend for the soap to be allowed to dry between uses. Keep it in a soap dish or soap holder away from water to promote soap longevity.
How long does your Soap stay Fresh?
Our soaps usually stay 'good' for years. In fact, the older a soap gets, the longer it will last when you finally combine it with water in your shower. However, time does affect the intensity of a soap's fragrance. For best fragrance, we recommend that you enjoy your soaps within six months of purchase. I have old soaps for my personal use that are about 2 years old and still lather beautifully but the scent is gone.
Are your soaps safe for children and pregnant women?
Absolutely! Nothing but Soaps are good and safe for the entire family. My son actually started using my oatmeal soap when he was 8 years old and it helped with his dry skin and eczema to the point that he is now 18 and no longer has dry skin. I have customers telling me the young ones in their family love my soaps. For babies, as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding women, please consult the ingredients with your doctor before use.
What is your return policy?
As part of our COVID-19 response, and to keep every customer safe, we will not allow returns on our products. We do not accept the return of products because a customer doesn't care for the scent of the product they ordered, and this includes our unscented soaps that have the natural odor of the vegetable oils from which they are made. Shipping costs are always non-refundable.
Do you guarantee your products?
We want you to be 100% satisfied with our soaps. If for any reason, you are not satisfied, let us know. We'll do our best to make it right for you. Please keep in mind the nature of natural, personal care products, and understand that we cannot accept for exchange items that you have opened, handled, cut or used. Our soaps are made with natural ingredients, skin safe fragrances and essential oils, with no colorants, chemicals or preservatives. Just natural, better, and simple!