How did Soapeez start?

Ever since I was a little girl, I hated the way soap felt on my skin. The best way to describe it was to say I felt like I was covered in wax and and my skin itched all the time - I never felt clean. When I was old enough to ride my bike, I would go to the local drug store and use my allowance to buy strawberry shampoo. This was long before body wash was a thing. In 2008, I became aware of ingredients and the impact they can have on our skin and health. At the time, it was hard to find natural products, and the ones that were available were usually scented with lavender.  I hated lavender!  Fortunately, I found "The Nova Studio," which was a local business that taught bath & body classes. I was obsessed and spent over a year taking and re-taking classes to learn everything I could. The rest is history as I have been designing, creating, experimenting, testing, and making soap ever since. I love that I can be creative and customize the ingredients and scents I want.  I have made other bath and body products along the way, but soap will always be my first love. 

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How did you come up with your name and logo?

My sister always adds "ies" to everything. Instead of saying socks, she would call them sockies. When I started making soap, she automatically started calling them Soapies. I thought it was a cute name, but the name "Soapies" was already trademarked. My husband was the one who came up with the spelling "Soapeez."  The domain was available and we went with it. My logo, color scheme (green, purple, and gold) and swirl was a work in progress until it felt right.  Everything has been designed from scratch by me. 

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What is the difference between your soap and the kind I can get in the store?

This is the question I get asked most often, and it is as simple as looking at the ingredients. Commercially-produced soap, or what we have come to think of as soap, is really just a mixture of chemicals and detergents. Those ingredients are hard to pronounce and cheap to produce, which may be the reason your skin feels tight, dry, or itchy after use. Soapeez soap is made with quality ingredients like vegetable oils and butter that are specifically chosen to nourish your skin while allowing it to breathe. When you know the difference and understand what your skin is capable of absorbing, it is a matter of personal preference. This holds true for all skincare as well. 

 

Your ingredients list sodium hydroxide.  Isn't that lye?

Yes it is. In order to be called real soap, lye is a required ingredient. But, there is no lye in the finished product. In simple terms, when the correct amount of oil, water, and lye are properly mixed together, a chemical reaction occurs where the ingredient molecules break apart and hook up with one another - kind of like a happy dance. This is called the saponification process. When the dance is over, pure soap and glycerin remain. Handmade soap, when made properly, is very mild.

 

What is glycerin?

Glycerin is a humectant that occurs naturally in the soapmaking process. When the recipe is created and happy dance starts, there is never enough lye to go around. Glycerin is formed when the broken-apart lye and oil molecules hook up with one another. Acting almost like a built-in lotion bar, glycerin pulls moisture from the air and puts it back into our skin where we want it to be. Commercial soap companies usually remove glycerin to be sold separately, however handmade soaps like Soapeez allow this precious glycerin to remain in the final product.     

 

How do you make soap?

Soapeez uses the cold process method of soapmaking. Other than melting the hard oils like Coconut Oil or Shea Butter to a liquid, no additional heat is introduced. After properly weighing and mixing the ingredients, the raw soap is poured into molds. When the soap is hard enough to be unmolded and/or cut into bars (anywhere from 24 to 48 hours later), individual bars are placed on a drying rack for a minimum of 5 weeks. In addition to allowing the soap to cure, excess moisture is allowed to evaporate, thus creating a harder bar that will last longer. To ensure quality standards, every bar is individually checked, cleaned, accurately weighed, and wrapped. Because 

Soapeez soaps are hand made, each bar will vary slightly.

 

Do you make vegan soap and are they biodegradable?

Soapeez makes soap for everyone and all Soapeez Soaps start with a base of pure vegetable oils and butters. These are safe for your skin as well as the environment. While some of our soaps contain goats milk, Soapeez does not and will not use animal fats like lard or tallow. With advanced notice, we will be happy to create a custom and special batch just for you.  

 

How do I care for Soapeez soaps?

After use, place on a well-draining soap dish and allow to dry between use. Your handmade soaps like to breathe, so store unused bars in a cool and dark place like the linen closet or lingerie drawer. Since Soapeez does not use artificial preservatives, it is recommended that you use your Soapeez soaps within one year of purchase.

 

I am planning an event and want a specific color, scent, or shape.  Is that possible?

Absolutely! I love to play and special orders are exactly that. Check out my "Designs" page to see a sample of some fun projects I have created in the past.  Please be aware that all soap special orders need a 6-8 week minimum advanced notice. 

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I see sewing and embroidery items on your Specialty Gifts Page.  Is that something you can customize for me?

Absolutely!  Sewing and Machine Embroidery are other hobbies I love to play with.  Whether it is a Memory Bear, a Bowl Cozy, a custom embroidery design, or simply a name added to a garment, contact us for additional details.

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What are Solid Lotion Bars?

Solid Lotion Bars are exactly that - lotion in a bar and without the water. To use, simply rub the bar between your palms. The heat from your body will melt them just enough to be able to rub into your skin.  I love to use them on my hands, knees, elbows, and feet - just about anywhere that needs a little extra TLC.

 

Do you have additional questions?  Simply contact us and we will be happy to discuss.  Thank You!