Definition: a surfactant compound used for cleaning.In its most essential form, soap is composed of sodium hydroxide(lye),oils, and distilled water.

Saponification:The chemical reaction that takes place when oil, lye and water mix, turning this lovely concoction into soap.

All soap is made with lye, literally! In fact, you cannot legally call it "soap" if it does not contain these 3 simple ingredients. Stroll the aisle of your favorite store, and you'll notice on most commercial body wash you will see titles like “beauty bar” or body bar. Commercial soaps are more closely categorized as "detergent" as they contain hardners and salts to make a harder, longer lasting bar.

After the soap is poured, it must firm up, get sliced, and cure for 4 to 6 weeks. At the end of that process there is no lye remaining in the finished soap.

Commercial soaps or “popular store bought soaps” are about quantity, not quality. I'm not here to knock your favorite brand, (rhymes with love etc) I just want to educate you about what is legally soap and that what you put on your skin matters. Most commercial soaps contain ingredients that are lab created chemicals and although they may cleanse well, smell strongly etc, they are not categorized as "soap". Read the labels! Commercial brands add chemicals, lathering agents, and hardners that can be irritating or drying on the skin.

Artisan soaps maintain natural glycerin and then I add extra oil in the soaps to maintain is natural form and quality.Artisan or cold process soap is made from scratch with quality ingredients butters and oils like shea butter, coconut oil, mango butter etc. Depending on the quality of materials, the rate for a handcrafted soap ranges from $5 to $12. You truly get what you pay for, so pay attention to ingredients in anything that will be going on your body and absorbed into your pores.

While I don't make any "guarantees" and results will vary on a personal level based on skin types and water conditions, my family, friends and customers agree I make a luxurious bar of soap! Feel clean on the outside and indulgent on the inside days knowing you are using all natural, quality ingredients. I list all of my soap ingredients, so you can do your own research on the properties of the essential oils, salts and butters used.

People have been using all-natural soaps like these on children for hundreds of years! So in theory, yes! But baby's skin is very sensitive so consider unscented options.

I care about quality ingredients and I'm aware of the controversy regarding palm oil. The supplier for Sweet Soul Soaps works with the RSPO (Roundtable for Sustainable Sourced Palm Oil) to provide sustainably grown palm oil. We care about you and the environment and shop for every ingredient with you in mind.

Cosmetic grade fragrance oils are synthetically made in a lab. "But Linda, I thought you said your soaps were natural." The International Fragrance Association who represents fragrance manufacturers, takes data, generates reports and publishes recommendations for usage. Fragrance oils do not have full ingredient disclosure under the trade secret status for the FDA, but most are derived from essential oils. And while some are made synthetically, those that I select contain NO PARABENS and NO PTHALATES. If you are looking for a 100% natural option go for one of the "no fragrance" or "essential oils only" soap options.