FAQs
Q. Why should I use handmade soap? My commercially made soap cleans my skin just fine.
A. Handmade soap will also clean your skin; don't worry about that. However, you might want to check the ingredient list on your commercially made “soap.” Most of these “soaps” are actually detergents, not soap. Handmade soap contains all of the naturally occurring glycerin, which helps to draw moisture into your skin. The big manufacturers remove the glycerin, and then sell it back to you in their lotion! You don't want to bathe in detergent, do you?
Q What ingredients ARE in your soap ?
A. The ingredients in Affordable Artisanal Soaps are all-natural. Some sample ingredients include: saponified oils of extra virgin olive, castor bean. coconut, palm kernal, palm fruit, rice bran oil, babassu, avocado, sweet almond, hemp, organic sunflower, macadamia nut, fractionated coconut, jojoba; shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe butter; essential oils for fragrance; organic oatmeal, raw honey, organic powdered lemon zest, organic powdered rose hip seed, beeswax, dead sea mud, flower petals; goats milk, witch hazel and natural clays. This is a quick list of most of the oils we use in our soaps, body butters and facial skin care. Some soaps and cosmetics may contain any or all of the oils or ingredients listed above, in different combinations. We list all the ingredients in our products on each indivdual product description in our web store as well as on the package. And you can rest assured that the ingredients we use are all natural REAL ingredients.
Q. What the heck does “saponified” mean?
A.“Saponified,” means “turned into soap.” This is done by combining the selected fats with lye.
Q. What is lye? And why does soap need it?
A. Lye is a chemical compound, otherwise known as Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). It combines with the fat on a molecular level, to change the actual composition of the fat and the lye. Just like you wouldn’t want to touch straight Sodium (Na), or straight Chlorine (Cl), you would sprinkle Sodium Chloride (NaCl, i.e. simple table salt) on your food, won’t you?. Soap is similar in that respect: it is not fat alone, and it is not lye. Those compounds have been combined and it turns into soap. The fats and lye have been transformed. True soap cannot be made without lye.
Q. So, what are some more benefits of using handmade soap?
A. Handmade soap is very moisturizing. When I use it, the water beads up on my skin while in the shower. Furthermore, No artificial fragrances are used in Affordable Artisanal Soaps', which means people with sensitive skin can relax, knowing that natural ingredients are used, and they shouldn’t irritate the your skin. Please make sure you read the ingredient list of the soap you are purchasing especially if you are allergic to nuts or vegan. If, you wish to only use vegan products, some of my our soaps contain honey, beeswax and/or goat milk. However, no animal fats are used; and lacto-ovo vegetarians should feel comfortable with all the soaps. Knowing the ingredients of your soap is another benefit of purchasing them here; you know exactly what you are putting on your skin.
Q. Why are your soaps all beige and brown? The only "colored" soaps seems to be the spa soap, carved soaps and a couple of face soaps.
A. Affordable Artisanal Soaps does not believe in putting chemicals or synthetic ingredients into their soaps! The soaps are meant to be used, so toward that end, Affordable Artisanal Soaps only uses additives for color when it makes sense for the soap. The colors come from natural additives only: honey, mud, clay, oats, goat milk, and essential oils are natural ingredients that cause variations in color.
Q. I can't wait to order my soap! What are the shipping charges?
A. Affordable Artisanal Soaps uses USPS Priority Mail envelopes and boxes and UPS. For up to 4 soaps, the shipping charge is $5.95. For 7 soaps or more, or for scrub purchases, the shipping charge is $11.35. Unless the soap is curing and is currently unavailable, your soap will be shipped out within 2-4 days, so you should receive it within 6-8 days. Usually, the soap will ship out the day after you order it.
Q.Great! Do you take credit cards?
A.Affordable Artisanal Soaps uses google checkout for payments. You will be able to use your credit card by paying through both google checkout's secure system.