FAQs

What is the difference between natural bar soap and industrial soap?

Moisturising. The soap-making reaction produces soap and glycerine. In industrial soaps glycerine is often removed and sold on, to be used in other products such as creams and conditioners. Natural soaps are not processed so the glycerine is not removed, which makes them highly moisturising.

Great for sensitive skin. In natural soap the ingredients are not refined and do not strip away too much oil from your skin. Our oils are cold-pressed, so the ingredients are as close to they are in nature as possible. Essential oils, when used in safe amounts, provide many topical and aromatherapy benefits. Some sensitive skin types could have mild reactions to essential oils, therefore two of our soaps are formulated completely without essential oils - our sheabutter natural soap and our nettle natural soap - for those with especially sensitive skin.

Environmentally friendly. Natural soaps do not contain any harsh chemicals and are completely biodegradable. When using our soap in nature, although it will easily biodegrade, it will change the pH and the surface tension of the water where it lands, which will temporarily destabilise that area. Be sure to use natural soap only in small amounts when out in nature. 

 

 

How is washing my hair with natural soap different?

Shampoo and Conditioner in one! When washing your hair with natural soap, you are cleaning and moisturising at the same time. All hair types are different - we recommend soaps containing shea butter for dryer hair, and with coconut oil for fine hair.

No Silicone. Natural soap does not contain silicone. Silicone can initially make hair feel smooth and look shiny, but it can build up over time. This build-up produces a barrier around the hair and can affect hair health over time, making it dry and brittle. Using natural soap to wash your hair can help break this build-up cycle. 

Foam. You can create soap lather in your hands and transfer it to your hair and scalp, or rub the wet soap bar directly onto your head, creating foam. 

Scalp. To promote a healthy scalp, be sure to rub the foam gently into your scalp using your fingers (but not your nails!). We recommend the method of concentrating on cleaning the scalp but not rubbing the rest of the hair. Oil is concentrated at the roots and scalp of the hair, which keeps the hair moisturised, but this oil can build up and become excessive. The oil does not always reach hair ends very easily, which can create dry and split ends. The ends of hair do not need to be cleaned as intensively. It is recommended to just concentrate on gently cleaning the scalp, and the foam that is washed away will gently clean the hair ends, without removing too much oil.

Optional hair rinse. After the soap has been thoroughly rinsed out, an optional hair rinse of one tablespoon of vinegar combined with half a litre of water can be used - this does not need to be rinsed out. This can be combined in a bottle before showering, to have it ready at the end of your shower routine. Just pour over your head and hair ends and massage it gently into you scalp, without using your nails. This vinegar rinse reduces the pH of the hair, which can help to smooth the hair cuticle, reducing hair frizz. Not all hair types will need this - you can experiment with what works best for your hair.

 

 

 

If you have any questions that are not here, please contact us via the contact page, and we will get back to you, and update this FAQ page.