faq

There is not a standardized definition or regulation that governs what natural means in soaps and cosmetics. However, it is important that you, as our valued customers, know how we define natural. We strive at EssenceEarth Skincare to, where it is safe to do so, include only raw ingredients that are sourced from nature and derived from nature, such as plants and minerals. We also are conscious about the effects of the cosmetic industry on our environment and strive for ingredients from sustainable sources that are respectful of the earth and its inhabitants. EssenceEarth does offer a few products that are not 100% natural by this definition. When we use an ingredient that is not sourced from nature the product will be clearly identified. Be sure to read the information related to that product to learn why the ingredient was used. The decision to use a non-natural sourced ingredient is done after extensive research and only when it contributes to the health and safety of the product, such as preservatives to prevent mold, yeast, bacteria, and fungus.

Unfortunately we do not ship internationally from online purchases at this time. If you live outside the continental United States and are interested in EssenceEarth products, please e-mail us at info@EssenceEarth.com. We are happy to discuss how we can best meet our international clients' needs.

Have you ever gotten out of the shower after washing with a common bar of soap and your skin felt tight and dry? Your skin is responding to the detergents in that commerically produced bar. Handmade soaps contain higher amounts of oils and therefore provide more benefits for your skin. They don't contain detergents used in commerically produced bars which can be drying and irritating. As a matter of fact, the chemical reaction of saponification doesn't produce any detergents. Just glycerin and fatty acid salts (soap) is formed and you skin will love it, EssenceEarth soaps use only high quality oils and butters and are specially formulated to be extra gentle. Botanical additives are often used to increase the skin loving properties of our soaps. For example our exfoliating bars contain poppy seeds, cranberry seeds, or ground botanicals. We even use aloe vera juice or milk instead of water in some of our soaps. We don't just produce pretty soaps. We produce pretty soaps with a puprose, to care for your skin.

For soap to be true soap, whether solid or liquid, it must contain lye. The lye, in the form of sodium hydroxide for bar soap or potassium hydroxide in liquid soap, is necessary for the chemical reaction of saponification to occur. Saponification is the process of turning oils (fats) into soap and glycerol. This is what makes natural, handcrafted soaps so wonderful for your skin. But what about the lye? Can it hurt my skin? We know the thought of putting lye on your skin is scary. However, there is nothing to worry about as there is no lye left in the final bar of soap. During the saponification process all the lye is converted to fatty acid salts better known as soap. Exact calculations are made when we formulate our soaps to ensure that there is no excess lye hanging around to harm your skin. In fact, we do what is called "super fatting" which means we leave about 7% of the original therapeutic oils in tact. This oil, along with the skin loving glycerin produced during saponification, is left behind to moisturize and cleanse your skin. We think once you try our handcrafted soaps, you will never go back to those chain brands.

Soap works by removing dirt and grime from the skin. Soap molecules have one end that is hydrophilic, which means water loving, and one end that is hydrophobic which means oil loving. When soap is applied the skin, the oil loving end attracts the dirt and oils that are on your skin. The water loving end bonds to the water and rinses away with the water. Rubbing your hands together creates friction which aids in lifting the dirt and grime from your hands so it can be rinsed away efficiently. Many people believe that lather is what cleans our skin but it is not. The lather tricks our brain into thinking it is cleaning so we often look for high lather products. It is the molecules themselves that attach to the dirt and grime and then get washed away. Even 100% oil based products can be cleansers.