Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by “All Natural Soap”?

All natural soap means a soap whose ingredients are plant based, and contain NO synthetic fragrances, colorants, or preservatives. Our soaps DO NOT contain any artificial substances such as synthetic fragrances, dyes, or preservatives – and where possible, we use organically grown products. Sapo Company soap is scented with only essential oils and colored with organic herbs and plant extracts only. The soap base recipe is made from 100% certified organic oils. Our products contain no parabens and no endocrine disruptors. 

 

Are your products organic?

Every bar is made with a minimum of 85% organic ingredients. Due to the chemistry of soap, it is almost impossible to go much higher than that. We commit to making soap using ONLY organic base oils and keeping our soap's ingredients above 85% organic. A soap's raw ingredients are either organic or they're not, regardless of the definitions, and Sapo Company commits to using certified organic oils

 

 What are Essential Oils & Fragrance Oils?

Essential oils are pure plant extracts used for scenting or aromatherapy. Fragrance oils are synthetically made substitutes for essential oils. Fragrance oils are problematic because, as synthetic compounds, they dry out your skin and irritate sensitive skin.

All Sapo Company Soaps contain only true, plant-extract essential oils. As always, read a product's label. If the ingredients includes the word "fragrance," "perfume," or "parfum," then it's synthetic and not-natural, even though its packaging may say it is a natural soap.

 

Can it be used on sensitive skin?

Although we cannot guarantee it, chances are, yes. Most skin sensitivities are aggravated by the synthetic ingredients in lotions, creams, make-up, and soaps. Without these ingredients, however, there is nothing left to irritate your skin. Many people who have had trouble with dermatologist recommended soap or "sensitive skin" soap have found success with Sapos Soaps. Again, always read the list of ingredients in your soap. Many people with sensitive skin enjoy using our scented herbal soap varieties, we recommend our Unscented Soap for people with extreme sensitivities or our Shea Honey Oatmeal Soap.

 

Do Sapo Company soaps contain glycerin?

Yes. Glycerin is a natural part of the vegetable oils we use to make our soaps, so it is a natural part of all Sapo Company soaps. Our soaps qualify as "glycerin soaps," because glycerin accounts for 9-10% of the final product. Unlike most commercial soap companies, we retain all glycerin produced during the saponification process. Our soaps differ from clear "glycerin soaps" because our bars are not transparent. To produce their transparency, "glycerin soaps" contain a sugar-alcohol compound that can dry your skin.

 

How does Sapo Company get all its soap colors?

All the colors of Sapo Company soaps come from plant ingredients. In many cases, the herbs provide the color, though some essential oils also contribute color. Because the herbs we use may vary from batch to batch based on our suppliers, our soap bars often exhibit slight variations in color. This is completely normal. This slight variation is one of the reasons many people choose to use synthetic pigments. We do not use any synthetic or artificial colors.

  

Do you use a superfatting process?

Yes, All Sapo Company soaps have superfatted recipes.  Superfatting is a process by which soapmakers maintain extra skin-nourishing oils in their soaps. This does not make your skin oily. Rather, it allows your skin to maintain its natural moisture levels.

 

Do your soaps contain lye?

All soap, including Sapo Company, is made using lye (NaOH, "sodium hydroxide"). Even transparent "glycerin" soap and "melt and pour" soaps are made using lye (transparent glycerin soaps are made from oil and lye, like opaque soaps, except that a sugar-alcohol compound is added to maintain transparency). In a properly produced soap, lye is a raw ingredient, but there is no lye that remains in the final product. All lye is consumed in the saponification process and presents no danger to you. Superfatting further assures that all lye is consumed. Any company that claims their soap is not made with lye is either promoting false information or doesn't understand the chemistry behind soap.

 

Do Sapo Company soaps contain SLS (sodium laurel sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate)?

No, our soaps do not contain SLS. Surfactants are often added to soaps to increase lather quality. They are commonly found in soaps, including many marketed as natural soaps, as well as glycerin soaps, liquid soaps, and shampoos.

 

Have further questions?

Please feel free to contact us using the contact form.