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Can I get a free sample before I
place an order?
Simply put: NO. I receive too many requests from people just looking
for "free stuff", and being a small business I just can't afford to
send out free samples. If you have a specific question about a product,
please contact me so we can discuss it.
Retailers with a valid sales permit ID or resale number, interested in
sampling products for wholesale purchases, may order up to 3 full size
products at wholesale price (plus shipping) on request. Please email for
further information, terms and conditions.
Why
are your handmade soap cakes so different from the soap I buy in the
grocery store?
Did you know that the majority of the mass-produced commercial soap
that you find at your local grocer is not really "true" soap but
man-made detergents and synthetics? Unlike those rock hard bars that
dry out your skin, my handmade soaps are created from basic formulas
that include (but are not limited to) coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil,
sunflower oil, and cocoa, shea or avocado butters. Each oil and butter
has it's own properties, and their use in my formulas is determined by
what their qualities lend to the final product. |
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I use fine essential oils and cosmetic grade
fragrance oils, as well as natural and cosmetic grade coloring. Special
additives may include hemp seed oil, emu and/or ostrich oil, avocado
oil, aloe vera, honey, goat's milk, herbs, teas, and dried botanicals.
Unlike store-bought soap, these cakes retain their natural glycerin.
The glycerin in commercial soap is often stripped during manufacture
(to be sold separately for use in other applications), and replaced
with harsh additives and detergents. Those additives can include
petroleum products, alcohols, synthetics and preservatives,
and are usually to blame for the dry, itchy feeling we get after
bathing with one of those bars.
If real soap is made with lye, is there lye
in your soap cakes?
No lye = no soap. What the FDA defines as "soap" is the result of
mixing an acid with a caustic alkali. Most methods of soapmaking use
vegetable and/or animal fats, oils and/or butters (the acids), and
sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye) as the alkali. When the alkali is
diluted with water, goat milk or other liquid, and added to the
acid(s), a reaction called saponification
occurs. When properly made and cured, finished soap contains no lye,
only soap and glycerin.
Contrary to popular belief, all soaps are
lye-based, even glycerine soaps. If a salesperson or website tells you
that there has been "no lye" used in the manufacture of their
product, you can be assured that you are likely purchasing a
detergent bar they produced by simply melting down and crafting a
pre-made synthetic commercial base.
Further related reading from the FDA/CFSAN: All That Lathers Is Not Soap
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How
should I store my soap?
Hand made soaps will continue to lose a little of their moisture over
time, and need air to stay firm and keep their shape. Do not store your
soap in plastic bags or containers, or let your soap sit in a dish that
collects water. It will last longer if it is allowed to dry between
uses. |
Will
my favorite soap scent last after my bath or shower?
Soap is not a perfume, it is a wash-off product
made for cleansing. It's fragrance is included mainly for it's pure
aromatic enjoyment during use. Some scents will linger a bit, but most
will not "perfume" the skin. I suggest ordering a bottle of matching
Suds by Sarah lotion (a little goes a long way!) in order to "layer"
your favorite scent(s) and help them last. A light re-application from
time to time may be necessary to prolong the scent throughout your day.
Why do you choose to use animal
products in some of your soap cakes?
For many years, tallow, lard, and other animal oils
have had
bad publicity in the soaping world. Rumors circulated over internet
sites and email lists that these oils were known to clog pores and even
cause acne. Reputable studies have shown that these statements are
untrue.
Lard was the oil of choice for Monks extracting the essential oils from
roses for use in perfumes. I have old cosmetic formula books that use
lard as the base for cold creams and other skin care preparations. The
truth is, animal oils are absorbed easily by our skin and provide
protection and moisture to help combat damage from the wind and weather.
Since everyone has their own personal and/or lifestyle preference, I
try to offer a wide variety of soap cakes that are formulated
using only vegetable oils for those who prefer all-vegetable or vegan
products, as well as soap cakes that utilize a blend of vegetable and
animal oils for those without a preference. All ingredients used are
listed on the site, so my customers will always be able to make an
educated and
well informed decision.
Soap
Cakes 1 | Soap Cakes 2
| Soap Cakes 3 | Castile Soap Cakes
Limited Edition Soap Cakes
| Lotions & Potions
| Accessories
Confetti Soap Cakes
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| NOTE:
Although some of my products look good enough to eat, please don't.
They don't taste as great as they look or smell. These products are
made for external use only. If any irritation occurs, discontinue use.
Please use your discretion when purchasing something for yourself or
another person. All products are tested on willing family members and
friends. No claims are made or implied. If you are prone to contact
dermatitis or other skin allergies, please consult your physician
before using these products for the first time. I want you to have a
safe and enjoyable experience with my products, but Suds by Sarah
assumes no liability if a reaction should occur. |
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