The beginning~

In 2014, I started making soap out of my kitchen because I couldn't find a soap option without chemicals, perfumes and artificial color or the use of ingredients that destroy habitats. Before long, my friends were asking for soaps and scrubs and lotions that they could feel good about using. Soon, my friends started talking and gifting my products to their friends. And now, my customers are people just like me who want an affordable, healthy soap option that they can trust.

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Why is this important?

The skin being the largest organ, functions as a protector from extreme temperatures, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals, it helps protect from infection and it manufactures vitamin D for our bones. Your skin absorbs whatever you put on It, so it only makes sense, if you are concerned about what goes into your body, you would be concerned about what goes on your body. 

Is Black Goatee soap organic?

No, and the reason is, that all bar soap must be made with Sodium Hydroxide Lye which can never be organic and by US law no soap made with it can be called organic. However, I use the very best oils possible that can still make a healthy, affordable bar of soap. Transparency is very important to me. If I find a healthier way to make a bar of soap, I will do it.

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Black Goatee soap ingredients and why we use them~

Goats Milk: A natural exfoliant, gentle cleanser, moisturizer, may help improve symptoms of psoriasis and eczema, can possibly control or prevent acne because it supports healthy bacteria on the face, less allergenic than chemical soaps, reduces inflammation, can reduce wrinkles and signs of aging. The goats milk currently comes from happy goats on a small farm in Otsego, Michigan. I've met the goats and their children. They are all so incredibly cute and well loved.

Olive Oil: Moisturizing and antioxidant

Coconut Oil: Anti-inflammatory, skin tightening and cleansing

Shea Butter: Moisturizes without clogging pores, mild, makes a harder bar of soap and stabilizes lather

Grape Seed Oil: Anti-inflammatory, soothes acne, promotes moisture retention in hair and skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Hemp Oil: Anti-aging, anti-inflammatory

Castor Oil: Creamy lather, moisturizes, is easily absorbed by the skin

Sodium Hydroxide Lye: A natural ingredient, a disinfectant and antibacterial used in the production of soap. There is a chemical reaction between oil and lye which turns oil into soap. By the time the soap gets to you from Black Goatee the lye in your soap has completely dissipated and is gone. Curing time for bar soap is 4 to 6 weeks. Black Goatee soaps are cured for a minimum of 8 weeks to give you a harder, longer lasting bar of soap.

Plant based additives might include: Charcoal, green tea, jasmine, oats, salt, coffee, chia seeds, mustard seeds, naturally colorful clays

Essential Oils: Studies have shown that essential oils may help boost mood, reduce stress and increase attentiveness etc. ect. ect.

Stuff you won't find in Black Goatee soap~

Palm Oil: Palm oil is not bad stuff, but large portions of rain forest are being cleared to make room for monoculture palm oil plantations destroying habitats for many endangered species. Nobody should lose their home or their life for a bar of soap. My earlier recipes used sustainable palm oil, but I have come to not trust that "sustainable" protects all habitats, so, better safe than sorry.

Sulphates: Chemically produced cleansing agents, possible skin irritant

Parabens: Chemicals used to increase shelf life of a product

Phthalates: Chemicals used to soften plastics, can damage liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive systems

Sodium Laurel Sulfate: A foaming agent that can effect the kidneys and respiratory system

Triclosan: Antibacterial, antifungal agent sometimes used in soap that can interfere with the thyroid hormone metabolism and may be an endocrine disrupter.