FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why specify that SA BEAUTÉ soaps are made palm oil-free? What is wrong with palm oil?
The palm oil industry's extensive global presence has had severe environmental consequences, including large-scale deforestation in regions like Latin America, West Africa, and Asia, where the majority of palm oil production occurs. This deforestation has resulted in the loss of crucial habitats for wildlife, putting numerous plant and animal species at risk and disturbing the delicate ecological balance.
The impact of palm oil processing and production goes beyond deforestation. It also leads to air, soil, and water pollution, contributing to environmental degradation on multiple fronts. Soil erosion, sedimentation, and flooding are some of the additional consequences of this industry's practices.
Why is SA BEAUTÉ soap better than body wash and shower gel?
- No Harsh Chemicals: Unlike many body washes and shower gels, SA BEAUTÉ soap does not contain chemicals. These chemicals may have adverse effects on your skin, such as drying it out and causing irritation.
- No Moisture Stripping: While some body washes and shower gels may claim to moisturize your skin, they use emollients that are chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, PEGs, and parabens. They work by pulling out existing moisture from beneath your skin's surface, and remoisturizing it which can be damaging over time. Our natural, cold-processed bar soap aims to cleanse and hydrate your skin without such negative effects.
- Natural Ingredients: SA BEAUTÉ soap uses natural ingredients like Coconut oil, Olive Oil, and Flaxseed oil, Goat’s milk and Shea Butter which act as emollients to cleanse, soothe, and hydrate your skin without the need for harsh chemicals.
- Gentle Exfoliation: SA BEAUTÉ soap incorporates natural exfoliants like Rhassoul Clay. These ingredients can help to gently exfoliate your skin by removing dirt and dead skin cells without stripping away your skin's natural oil.
What does curing a soap mean? Why does that take 4-6 weeks?
Curing soap is a crucial step in the soap-making process, and it involves slicing the soap into bars and placing them on a rack with good airflow. The soaps are turned occasionally during this curing period. The typical curing time for most soaps is 4-6 weeks.
The reason for this extended curing time is:
- Evaporation of Water: During the curing process, the water content within the soap bars gradually evaporates. This results in the bars becoming harder and more long-lasting, making them less likely to dissolve quickly when used.
- Increased Gentleness: As the soap cures over time, it undergoes a transformation that leads to increased gentleness. Each week of curing adds a new level of mildness to the soap, making it more suitable for delicate or sensitive skin.
By allowing the soap to cure properly, we ensure that you get the best possible experience when using our soap, with enhanced durability and a gentle cleansing experience.
Considering that our soap is made with natural ingredients, it's important to use it within 32 months of purchase to ensure optimal freshness and effectiveness.
How is SA BEAUTÉ soap different from commercial soap bars?
SA BEAUTÉ soap stands out from commercial soap bars in several significant ways:
- Glycerin Content: SA BEAUTÉ handmade soaps retain the natural glycerin produced during the saponification process. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture from the air to your skin, providing superior hydration and leaving your skin moisturized and soft. In contrast, commercial soaps often remove glycerin to be sold separately or used in other profitable products, depriving your skin of its beneficial effects.
- No Detergents: Unlike commercial soap bars that may contain synthetic, petroleum-based detergents, SA BEAUTÉ soap is made solely from a combination of oils and butter saponified with lye. Detergents can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated, while handmade soap effectively cleanses without causing this dryness.
- Absence of Toxic Preservatives: Commercial soap manufacturers often use preservatives in their detergent-based soaps to prevent bacterial growth due to the soap's acidic nature. These preservatives can be harmful and contribute to skin dryness. On the other hand, SA BEAUTÉ handmade soaps, being free from detergents, do not require such toxic preservatives, promoting a more natural and gentle cleansing experience.
- Superfat Percentage: SA BEAUTÉ soaps are carefully formulated with a superfat percentage of about 5%. This means that approximately 5% of the oils or butters used in the soap-making process do not fully saponify with the lye, remaining in their original form. These extra oils and butters serve to nourish and moisturize your skin, providing a luxurious and soothing bathing experience.
If you are new to our handmade soaps, you are in for a delightful treat as they offer a distinct and superior cleansing experience compared to commercial soaps. Your skin will feel noticeably different, with enhanced moisture and a gentle, nourishing touch.
What is the shelf life for SA BEAUTÉ bars of soap?
The shelf life of SA BEAUTÉ bars of soap is 32 months. However, for the best fragrance and quality, we recommend using it before that period elapses. Proper storage is essential to maintain its longevity and fragrance. Therefore, we advise keeping the soap in a dry and cool place when not in use. By following these recommendations, you can ensure a delightful and effective experience with our soap products.
Can children and teenagers use Sa Beauté soap?
Of course! With our cold-processed soap's natural, nourishing ingredients, even kids and teens can benefit from an upgraded shower experience.
Why do you use Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)?
Sodium Hydroxide, commonly known as Lye, is an essential ingredient in the creation of all handmade, cold-processed soaps. Acting as a catalyst, it transforms the liquid vegetable oils, such as olive and coconut oils, into a solid, hardened product during the soap-making process. It's important to note that at the end of this process, there is no lye left in the final soap product due to the chemical reaction that occurs.
We believe in complete transparency in our soap crafting, which is why we include lye in the ingredient’s glossary section. Some soaps claim to be lye-free, but this often means they use alternative chemicals or simply do not mention lye, even though it is not present in the final product.
Where is SA BEAUTÉ soaps made?
SA BEAUTÉ soaps are proudly crafted in the United States of America. We are committed to keeping their production within our borders to ensure the highest quality products.
Is SA BEAUTÉ soap anti-bacterial?
SA BEAUTÉ soap is not formulated to be anti-bacterial. However, research has shown that ordinary soap, like our cold-processed, all-natural soap, is just as effective as anti-bacterial soap in preventing infectious illnesses and maintaining good hygiene.
Unlike many anti-bacterial soaps that contain triclosan, a common ingredient found in body soaps, cleaning products, and toothpaste, our natural soap does not include such harmful chemicals. Triclosan is known to be a likely contributor to the development of anti-bacterial and antibiotic resistance, and it also poses a threat to the environment. By choosing our natural soap, you can stay clean without the negative effects associated with anti-bacterial products.
We believe that nature provides all the necessary elements to keep our skin healthy and clean, and our soap is carefully crafted with natural ingredients to ensure a gentle and effective cleansing experience.
So, if you're seeking a soap that promotes cleanliness and hygiene without the use of harmful chemicals, our all-natural soap is the perfect choice for you. Embrace the beauty of nature with SA BEAUTÉ soap!
Is there lye left in my soap?
There is no lye left in the finished soap product. However, it's essential to understand that lye is a fundamental component in the soap-making process. Without lye, soap cannot be made.
During the soap-making process, lye reacts with oils through a chemical reaction called saponification. This reaction transforms the combination of lye and oils into pure soap, and as a result of the saponification process, there is no lye remaining in the final soap product.
To ensure transparency and accuracy in our soap crafting, we want to emphasize that while lye is used to create soap, it is entirely consumed during the saponification process, leaving behind a safe and effective soap product without any lye residue.
SHIPPING & DELIVERY
What should I do if my package is lost or damaged during transit?
If you believe your order has been lost or significantly delayed, please allow 15 business days from the shipping date for U.S. orders before contacting us. While most orders arrive well before this timeframe, we cannot dispatch a replacement until this period has elapsed.
What should I do if I provided the wrong address?
Please ensure that you provide us with the correct and complete shipping address at checkout. We cannot be held responsible for orders lost due to incorrect or incomplete addresses. If your package is returned to us, you will be responsible for all delivery costs to have it re-delivered to the correct address.
How long will it take to get my order?
Orders placed through our website typically ship within 3-5 business days.
Do you offer international shipping?
At this time, we regret to inform you that we do not offer international shipping. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Do you offer customization options for your products?
We appreciate your interest in customization options for our products. At this time, we do not offer customization services.
Thank you for considering SA BEAUTÉ NATURELLE for your skin needs, and we look forward to serving you.
Can I return my product?
Currently, we do not accept returns. However, if you have any unused products you are unsatisfied with, we encourage you to gift them to friends or family who want to join the SA BEAUTÉ movement.
We stand by our products with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.! If our products don't meet your expectations, feel free to reach out to us.
OTHER
Any question?
You can contact us through our contact page! We will be happy to assist you.