Welcome! This is where you’ll find the questions I’ve been asked, the answers I’ve discovered, and the research I've done along the way. As I experiment with soap recipes and creative designs, I’m also learning what it takes to run a business and sell online. Join me as I figure things out and share real experiences. This page is always being updated with new tips, insights, and solutions as I continue to learn and grow.
Have a question? The answer might be here!
What do you use to colour your soaps?
I use mica powder to create the colours in my soaps. Mica is a natural mineral known for its sparkling, pearlescent effect and comes in a wide range of colours, allowing creative and custom soap designs. It blends easily into soap bases and remains stable without bleeding or fading over time. Cosmetic-grade mica is non-toxic and safe for skin contact, making it a popular and trusted choice for colouring soap without harsh chemicals.
What do you use to add fragrance to the soaps?
I use both essential oils as well as fragrance oils. Essential oils are natural oils extracted from plants, flowers, and herbs through processes like steam distillation, offering a pure and often therapeutic scent. I use essential oils when I want my soaps to have natural fragrances and a holistic experience. On the other hand, fragrance oils are synthetic or blended scents created in labs to provide a wider variety of fragrances, including scents not found in nature. I choose fragrance oils when I want longer-lasting, more consistent scents or unique aromas that essential oils can’t offer. Both types are skin-safe and cosmetic-grade. Essential oils are usually preferred for their natural origin, while fragrance oils offer more creativity and stability.
Are your soaps made with completely all natural ingredients?
Because I make them by hand in small batches, my soaps are definitely more natural than typical store-bought ones. I carefully select quality oils and ingredients and use essential oils wherever I can to provide natural fragrance. However, some soaps may contain gentle colorants and fragrance oils that aren’t strictly all natural but are chosen with safety and skin-friendliness in mind. My goal is to balance beautiful, effective soaps with thoughtful ingredient choices, giving you something special that’s closer to nature than mass-produced alternatives.
Are your soaps good for certain types of skin like oily or dry skin?
My soaps are handcrafted for everyday personal use and enjoyment, but they’re not intended to diagnose, treat, or address specific skin conditions. Because they’re considered cosmetic products, we can’t make medical or therapeutic claims about their effects. Everyone’s skin is unique, so we recommend patch testing any new product to see how it feels for you.
Are handmade soaps better for the environment?
Many people find that handmade soaps tend to be more eco-friendly compared to commercial soaps. They often use natural, biodegradable ingredients and minimal or plastic-free packaging, which can reduce environmental impact. Handmade soaps are usually crafted with sustainable practices in small batches, often supporting local artisans and reducing carbon footprint. However, it’s important to note that while these factors can make a difference, every soap maker’s process varies, and this isn’t a guaranteed claim. Our soaps are made for your personal enjoyment and self-care, rather than as an environmental solution, though choosing handmade may align with your values around sustainability.
Do your soaps cure acne or help with skin conditions?
No. As stated above, my soaps are not meant to cure, prevent, or treat acne or any skin condition. They’re made for cosmetic use and gentle cleansing only. Products that make medical or therapeutic claims would fall under a different regulatory category, so we keep ours focused on being a joy to use.
Can I buy the same soap again, or one I saw before?
Each batch of soap I create is truly one-of-a-kind! If you’re looking for a soap you purchased before, or one you’ve heard others rave about but can’t find right now, it’s because I usually don’t make the exact same soap twice. While I do offer styles and fragrances that many have loved before, my passion lies in experimenting with new scents and designs all the time. This means each batch brings something fresh and unique for you to discover and enjoy!
Can you make me a specific soap that can be ready tomorrow or next week?
Many people are surprised to learn that making cold process soap doesn't end in an instant product. Once the soap is poured and cut, it needs to rest and cure for at least 4 to 6 weeks before it’s ready to use. This curing time allows excess water to evaporate, which makes the bar harder, longer-lasting, and milder on the skin. It also ensures that the saponification process is fully complete, so the soap is safe and gentle.
Why didn't my soap last as long as my store bought soap?
Handmade soaps often do not last as long as regular store-bought soaps because of key differences in formulation, ingredients, and manufacturing processes.
Composition Differences
Handmade cold process soaps use more natural oils and butters, which allow for higher glycerin content. Glycerin is a natural humectant that attracts moisture, resulting in a more moisturizing bar but also a softer bar that dissolves more quickly in water.
Most commercial soaps have glycerin removed during processing or add synthetic hardeners and detergents, making the bar harder and less likely to dissolve quickly.
Water Content and Curing
Handmade soaps usually contain more water and cure for about 4-6 weeks to harden, but they rarely reach the rock-hard consistency of store-bought soaps, which may be pressed, milled, or processed to remove most water content. This makes store-bought bars harder and longer-lasting.
Absence of Fillers and Synthetic Additives
Many commercial soap bars add sodium chloride (table salt), talc, or other fillers, along with synthetic preservatives and surfactants, all of which contribute to durability. Handmade soaps stick mostly to natural base oils, lye, and sometimes botanicals, without the use of such additives.
Use and Storage Practices
Handmade soap bars last longer if kept as dry as possible between uses. Store-bought soaps are often formulated to withstand wetter conditions, further improving their longevity.
In summary, handmade soaps are generally softer, contain more natural glycerin, and lack hardening additives—leading to a shorter lifespan than typical store-bought soaps.
Why doesn’t my soap look exactly like the photo on the website?
Every bar I make is completely unique! When I pour, layer and/or swirl the soap batter, the colours and patterns form naturally, making each one a little different. The recipe, scent, and quality are always the same within the same batch, but the design is one-of-a-kind. Depending on when the product photo was taken, colours may also shift slightly over time or after the soap has fully cured and dried, so your bar might look a bit different once finished.
Can you deliver my soaps to me?
Yes! I’m happy to deliver locally within the Centre Wellington Township area for a flat fee of $5, making it a convenient option if that works best for you. If your postal code starts with NOB or N1M, I can deliver to your door.
Can you ship my soaps to me?
Due to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers moving to rotating strikes as of October 2025, shipping services may be delayed or temporarily unavailable until normal operations resume.
For shipping, I’m keeping things simple and efficient to start. I am anticipating that most of my initial orders will be coming from local friends and family, but I’m happy to ship anywhere in Canada using Canada Post flat rate boxes. These boxes allow me to fit approximately 12-15 soaps in them for one low, fixed shipping rate, making it easy and affordable to send your order. This approach helps me manage logistics smoothly while ensuring your soaps arrive safely and effiently.
Do you accept refunds, exchanges and/or returns?
My ultimate goal is for every customer to be totally satisfied with their purchase. But if for some reason something isn’t quite right, I’m happy to help. While I don’t offer refunds, I’ll gladly find you a replacement that feels like the perfect match.
Can I keep my soap just for decoration or like an air freshiner?
I’m flattered that you love my soap enough to put it on display! While it’s a lovely compliment, keep in mind that over time, the colours can fade and the scent will naturally lose its strength as the soap is exposed to air and light. I always recommend enjoying it as it’s meant to be used. You can always come back for another beautiful bar!
What base ingredients do you use in your soap?
My main recipe includes water, coconut oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, and castor oil. I often add fragrance, which can be an essential oil or a manufactured fragrance made specifically for soap making. I also add a mica powder to create the colours. Every batch uses lye (sodium hydroxide) to trigger the reaction that turns oils and fats into soap. I also like to sometimes add natural extras such as spices, salts, coffee grounds, or poppy seeds for exfoliation. All specific ingredients are always listed on each product description.
What is the scientific reaction that makes soap?
The process that turns oils and fats into soap is called saponification. When lye (sodium hydroxide) is mixed with oils, a chemical reaction occurs that transforms the mixture into soap and glycerin. By the time the soap cures, all the lye has reacted, leaving behind a gentle, skin‑safe bar. It’s science and art working together to create something beautiful and useful.
Do you take special orders?
Yes, I do! If you have a special event like a bridal shower, baby shower, or family gathering and want soaps made with specific colors, designs, and fragrances, I’d be happy to discuss your idea. Reach out with your request, and I can let you know what I can create for you.
What is "Shop" by Shopifiy?
"Shop" on Shopify refers to the Shop app, a customer-facing app that serves as a shopping assistant for customers and a sales channel for merchants. Customers use it to track orders, discover new brands, and make purchases using Shop Pay. For businesses, it provides a way to be more visible on customers' phones and can lead to increased traffic and sales by streamlining the shopping experience.