FAQ

Do you accept returns?
We do not accept returns because of the nature of the product. We take great care to ensure your package arrives safely but if the contents of your package arrived damaged please contact us within 3 days using the contact form, so we can arrange a replacement or refund.

What types of payment do you take?
StoreEnvy requires the use of Paypal. Through Paypal we accept debit cards, credit cards and checks. If paying by check please note that we will wait for a check to clear before shipping items.

I live in __________, how much will it cost to ship my items there?
We charge a flat base shipping fee based on the United States Postal Service's Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box and I charge what they charge.

What service do you use?
All shipping is done via the United States Postal Service using their Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes.

I live in _______, do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship globally.

What is the difference between your soap & soap from Walmart / Target / Grocery Store?
Well, the soap you buy from a huge retailer is not actually soap. It is a mass produced harsh detergent filled with chemicals and synthetics. Handmade soap is created in two ways: Melting Glycerin base with fragrance oils and FDA approved colorants or natural colorants or by a method called the Cold Process.

Soaps made by the cold process are made by mixing sodium hydroxide (most often lye) with oils and butters warmed to a certain temperature. When these two substances mix together a process called saponification takes place, this is the sodium hydroxide turning the oils and butters into soap. During this process a substance called glycerin is created.

Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin and keeps it moisturized and supple. Handmade soap retains all this natural glycerin and deposits it on your skin as you use the soap, along with scrubbing away the dirt and germs, of course. This leaves your skin moisturized afterwards, and moisturized skin looks and feels younger, retards fine line and wrinkles, and is less irritable.

Commercial soap starts out the same way. But instead of using vegetable oils, manufacturers use animal tallow and lard (these come from the fatty areas of butchered livestock). I'm a vegetarian and this does not sit well with me. I am not vegan as I still use milk because when done correctly milking a cow does not harm the cow. I don't believe in sacrificing an animal for my nutrition and thus, I refuse to use those products in the making of my soap.  After the sodium hydroxide is mixed with the tallow or lard, all the natural glycerin is removed and sold for use in other high-end products. Then the soap goes through a milling process, where it is first shredded and then chemicals and preservatives are added to make it smell good and to retard mold growth. Then it is re-melted down into the typical bar shape you find in the stores.

Is you skin dry, flaky and cracking? The “soap”  has removed all the natural oils that keep your skin moisturized. Would you eat rancid food because it was cheaper? Your skin is an organ, the largest one human beings have and it needs to be protected and nourished as much as any other organ.

What is Handcrafted Soap Made With?
Our handcrafted soaps a made in small batches using either the melt & pour method or the cold process method that many individual soap makers use. We select the highest quality glycerin bases, colorants and fragrance oils for our melt & pour soaps. For our cold process soap we use the highest quality pure skin-loving oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, hemp oil, palm kernel oil, and jojoba oil. We also use rich butters and other rich oils to enhance the moisturizing capabilities of the soap, butters and oils like cocoa butter, shea butter, mango butter, aloe vera, castor oil, lanolin, and wheat germ oil. Essential oils, natural herbs, and specially formulated body safe fragrance oils give the soap a special fragrance; cosmetic-grade colorants and natural herb powders add color to our soap; and botanical, spices, and other natural ingredients add texture and are excellent exfoliates. It is not unusual to find handcrafted soap made with such things as oatmeal, sliced almonds, corn meal, rosemary leaves, lavender leaves and buds, and other goodies that provide light, gentle exfoliation for your skin.

How do I take Care of my Handcrafted Soap?
Since handcrafted soap has no synthetic chemical preservatives but has natural preservatives such as carrot root oil, grapeseed oil extract or Vitamin E, your bar of handcrafted soap needs more care and diligence to insure a long life. Even with natural preservatives, if kept cool and dry, natural handcrafted soaps generally have a shelf life of 3 years. Some may have less depending on the composition of the specific soap. To ensure the longest life of your handmade soap, keep it dry and cool as much as possible. Do not allow it to sit in a puddle of water. The best way we’ve found to keep soap fresh is using a slotted wooden soap dish, which allows the water to drip off after each use. If you will not be using your soap right away, it’s best to store in a dry, semi-airtight container to preserve the fragrance as much as possible. It is natural for some fragrance to dissipate over time.

What if I have sensitive skin? What if I am allergic to dyes or scents? Do your soaps come unscented?
Yes! Numerous people who have sensitive skin or dermatological ailments have found relief with handmade soap because they contain no chemicals or irritants. My grandmother is allergic to perfumes. For her I make a special natural unscented goats milk and oatmeal soap that she absolutely loves that I named after her called "Doreva." I highly recommend it.

I am constantly updating this page. All other questions please use the contact form!