Frequently Asked Questions
Q. My skin is so sensitive. Why would I want to use lye soap?
A. All soaps (even commercial ones) are made using lye. It is the chemical reaction between lye and fat that creates soap. Many people have a negative notion of lye soaps because the lye soap our great-great-grandmothers made was often hard on the skin. In those days, most people made lye by dripping water through the wood ashes from their fireplace or wood stove. When an egg would float in the resulting solution, it was deemed strong enough to make soap. Lard was then added, and the product of the resulting chemical reaction was soap. There was no way to maintain consistent strength or to measure precise amounts of the ingredients, so the soap’s quality varied greatly and sometimes burned the skin.
In today’s world, soaps are still made by combining lye with fat (whether animal or vegetable). Predictable strength and accurate measurement are the keys to producing consistent results. At Silver Wolf Acres, our ingredients are digitally measured, assuring high-quality, consistent products.
Q. Does handmade soap last very long?
A. Most soaps are made with lard or vegetable oils as the fat component, causing them to melt rather quickly. At Silver Wolf Acres, our soaps are made with tallow, a very hard fat. Our soaps are harder and longer lasting than most.
Q. Does your handmade soap lather like commercial soap?
A. No. Commercial soap makers add detergents to their soaps in order to make them produce more lather. Detergents are harsh and drying to the skin. Lather is not what cleans. Our soaps leave you feeling clean without the lather.
Q. Why do your soaps contain glycerin?
A. Glycerin is a natural humectant (meaning that it draws and holds moisture). It is present in all fats, so it is naturally present in all soap. However, commercial soap manufacturers remove the glycerin in order to add it to lotions, which sell for a higher price than soap.
Our handmade soaps contain all the natural glycerin, and no detergents, alcohol, or preservatives, so they leave you feeling clean and fresh, without drying or harshness.
Q. How are your lip balms made?
A. Our lip balms are made using a precise mixture of olive oil, and three types of wax (carnauba, candelilla, beeswax), and they contain no petroleum products. Each tube is carefully filled (with an eyedropper) by hand.
Have a question not answered here? Feel free to call or e-mail us!
Fun Soaps!