Frequently Asked Questions

How many bottles of soap does one soap concentrate make?

1 concentrate = 1 bottle of soap.

Just pour the refill into your reusable 8 ounce foaming soap bottle and fill the rest up with purified water. No measuring needed! The solution will be very watery - this is needed for a good foaming hand soap.

Do I have to use purified water when refilling the soap?

We recommend purified water, such as distilled or bottled water, for best results. This will prolong the life of your pump and help ensure the soap and water mixes properly.

Do the reusable soap dispensers come with soap inside?

No, the reusable dispensers come empty. You'll want to pick a few soap concentrates to use with your dispenser.

Where is your soap made?

Our soap is artisan crafted in Oregon, USA. It is then scented here in California in small batches with essential oils sourced from around the world.

What is the difference between your soap and other natural hand soaps?

Our soap is a true soap made the old-fashioned way, whereas most hand soaps available today are synthetic detergents. Although the ingredients in detergents may be naturally derived, they are still heavily processed. You can recognize these products if the product is labeled "hand wash" or "cleanser" instead of "hand soap" or the ingredients contain a confusing list of chemicals.

Some detergents are generally effective and safe to use on skin, but for handwashing, we believe that true soap is more natural, more biodegradable, and better for your hands!

Why is there potassium hydroxide in the ingredient list?

Potassium hydroxide, also known as lye, is essential to the process of making soap. Soap is made with lye, it does not contain lye.

Soap is created by a chemical reaction called saponification that occurs between lye and fat or oil. Both substances are chemically transformed, creating soap and natural glycerin. All of the lye is consumed in the reaction.

How strong are the scents?

Our soaps are not crafted to be overpowering to the senses. Our scents are pleasantly noticeable during hand washing and typically fade within 10-20 minutes of washing your hands.

How long will one 8 ounce bottle last?

Despite their compact shape, our bottles hold the same amount of soap as the average foaming hand soap bottle. How fast you go through a bottle will of course depend on your usage, but if you use 2 pumps every time you wash your hands, you can wash your hands approximately 150 times with one 8 ounce bottle! When you do run out of soap, don't throw away your bottle - we have easy refills available to save money and waste!

Is Ambrosia soap antibacterial?

No, our soap is not antibacterial. It contains no triclosan, which is the active ingredient in most antibacterial soaps. The FDA has found that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soap and water. Remember, the point of hand washing is not to kill germs and bacteria, but to wash them away.

Is your soap safe for sensitive skin?

Yes! Our soap is a true soap, not a detergent. Synthetic detergents rely on cleaning agents that irritate the skin, and then add additional chemicals to help mask the problem. Our natural formula contains absolutely no synthetic ingredients, chemicals, or toxins, and will gently clean and lather without stripping the skin.

If you wash your hands very frequently and are experiencing drying, be sure to use warm water but not hot water, as hot water will strip too much oil from your skin.

Are your lotion bars travel friendly?

Yes! They contain no water and can easily be carried in your purse or carry-on bag. The beeswax keeps the bar from getting melty, so you never have to worry about it making a mess.

I have very dry or easily irritated skin. Can I use your lotion bars?

Our lotion bars provide intense moisture for dry skin of all types. The bars contain no synthetic ingredients - just organic mango butter, beeswax, sunflower oil, and sweet almond oil. These are generally safe for even easily irritated skin. Read the ingredients and avoid use if you have any allergies or sensitivities to certain scents or ingredients.

How long does one lotion bar last?

It depends on your usage, but usually one 2 oz bar will last at least 4-6 weeks when applied to your whole body. Remember that you do not need to use too much, and applying to warm, wet skin will help it last the longest.

Can I use the scrub on my feet or body?

Yes! You can use the scrub all over, but just not on your face. It has been formulated specifically to be an effective hand scrub, but you'll find it works great as an all-over body scrub too! A little tip - if using in the shower, be careful for a slippery floor!

How often should I use the scrub?

To keep up on exfoliation, we recommend using it just once or twice a week.

How long does the scrub last?

If used only on your hands, there's about 50 uses per jar. If used all over, of course it will be used a little faster! We recommend using the jar within 6 months of purchasing for optimal freshness.

Should my hands be wet or dry when I use the scrub?

You can try it both ways and see what you prefer! Used on dry hands, you will get a lot of scrubbing power. Used on wet or slightly damp hands, the scrub will be more gentle.

Do you accept returns?

Orders may be canceled or modified prior to shipping. Please contact us as soon as possible if there if an issue so we may be of assistance.

Since our products are hand-crafted in small batches, we cannot accept returns or exchanges. However, if you are unhappy with an item, please contact us between 30-60 days of your purchase. We love our customers and your satisfaction is very important to us! We will do our best to assist you and make it right, including offering a full refund.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.

How long after ordering will I receive my order?

Orders are processed within 1 business day and shipping via USPS usually takes an additional 1-3 business days. We will send you an email with tracking information as soon as your order ships so you can know when to expect it!