Suds by Sarah - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Do you offer wholesale or bulk discounts?

I have discontinued my wholesale program and I am currently engaged in retail sales only. No bulk discounts for resellers are offered. Special orders from retail customers are welcome, please email for complete terms and conditions. Prices are subject to change at any time, without notice. Please do not ask me to share my supply sources or product formulas.

Are your soaps "all natural"?

As a soapmaker, I have no "official" definition of natural, because the FDA doesn't have one, either. When making my soap, I do not like to use 100% natural everything because it stifles me in color and fragrance. I think most Americans do not like the smell of most essential oils and prefer the more mellow fragrance oils or a blend of essential and fragrance oils. And until glitter, or the lab-derived sodium hydroxide (lye) we all use becomes 100% natural, I will have problems making 100% natural soaps.

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.

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

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.

How long can I expect my soap cake(s) to last?

Every person's bathing habits are as individual as they are, as well as how they care for their soap upon arrival and during use. It would not be possible for me to make any promises, guarantees, or even "guesstimates" as to how long a particular cake of my soap is going to last you specifically during it's lifetime.

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.

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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