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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Find answers to some of the most common questions you may have wondered about JNSC products.
You can also find out about Store Policies, here.
UNCOMMON INGREDIENT BREAKDOWN
- You Use Lard In Your Soap!? Isn't That Like Rubbing a Cheeseburger on Yourself?
Yes, in some JNSC soaps you will see lard as an ingredient and no, actually it's really not like rubbing a cheeseburger on yourself.
Lard, is the refined fat derived from pork, not the pork itself. Lard soap is made during the chemical reaction that takes place when you mix lye with any type of fat, in this case lard.
If you've ever used handmade soap, then you know for a certainty that simply mixing together the oils stated on the label and then rubbing that on yourself wouldn't feel or be the same as washing with soap made from those oils. The same goes for oils derived from animal sources.
Whether it's animal fat or vegetable fat, the mixture will still undergo the exact same process (saponification) when mixed with lye, and produce the exact same product... soap! Each type of fat, whether animal or vegetable, will lend different properties to the soap but at the end of the day, it's ALL converted into soap.
Still don't believe me? Go ahead, order a sample bar and see for yourself.
- What Is Stearic Acid?
Stearic acid is fatty acid with a waxy, solid texture. (This won't affect texture of the soap.) When used in soap, it helps to create a more firm bar of soap and to stabilize lather so that the bubbles stick around longer.
- How Does Your Deodorizer Complex Work?
This ingredient consists of a yeast enzyme that uses ammonia (which is what makes sweat stink) to make amino acids. While we all know that you can’t smell amino acids, fungal organisms can use them to grow. To keep fungi from growing, two key food preservatives are also used to inhibit bacterial growth but won’t alter the enzyme function.
In laymen's terms, you'll still sweat but it will take just a wee bit longer for your ambiance to start turning heads.
- Our Palm Oil Is Sustainably Sourced.
The Rainforest and all the creatures it houses are important to me, therefore it is important to JNSC. Which is why I have searched high and low until I could find a trustworthy supplier that sold sustainably sourced palm oil to use in some of my products. If not, I would have figured something else out. No settling here.
- What Is Sodium Lactate?
Despite the deceptive name, sodium lactate is not derived from any kind of dairy source. Instead, it's produced through the fermentation of a sugar source such as beets, corn, etc... It's a skin-safe ingredient that when used in soapmaking, will help the soap to harden, thereby improving the quality of bar itself.
"ARE YOUR PRODUCTS NATURAL OR ORGANIC?"
Well, according to the U.S. FDA:
"The laws and regulations that [the] FDA enforces do not have definitions for “natural” or “organic.” The same requirements apply to your product no matter whether the ingredients are plant, animal, mineral, or synthetic. It’s important not to assume that using only ingredients from plants will make your products safe."
So, to answer the question point blank, no. I won't make those claims about my products since the FDA does not offer any legal definitions or regulations for products marketed under the terms "natural" or "organic". Due to this fact, consumers have no real guidelines to compare those statements or claims to, which could easily become misleading since the terms "natural" and "organic" mean different things to different people.
Please rest assured, that I make sure the ingredients used in my products are safe, non-drying, sulfate-free and that I keep the amount of necessary mild chemicals used to a bare minimum! Along with full ingredient disclosure and proper sensitivity warnings on product pages.
DETAILS ABOUT PRODUCTION
- Are Your Products Vegan and/or Gluten-Free?
Some JNSC products are vegan and/or gluten-free and some are not. Be sure to check the ingredient list and the item notes on each product listing you plan to buy, beforehand.
- Will You Create a Custom Bar of Soap for Me?
Yes! The minimum for custom orders starts at 2lbs, which will yield about 6-10 bars of soap depending on the thickness and shape you prefer. If you would like to request a custom soap order please contact me. Keep in mind that no custom soap order will be shipped until a minimum of 4-6 weeks after its creation has passed, to allow for a proper cure. Sorry, no exceptions.
No special shapes, themes, or colors are available. You may choose from the current product scents, pre-set color patterns, and soap shapes (oval, hand-cut rectangle, or rounded-square) already for sale here for the features of your custom order.
If your custom order is for resale, please reference this detail in your email. Thanks!
- What Kind Of Environment Are Your Products Made In?
All of my products are made, stored, and packed in a smoke-free, pet-free, and critter-free environment.
- Do You Test On Animals?
Nope. Only unsuspecting friends and family.
- Does Your Soap Contain Lye?
Well, yes and no. JNSC soaps are handmade, which means an alkali (aka lye/sodium or potassium hydroxide) must be used or it isn't "true soap," according to the FDA. So, yes, lye is a vital part of the recipe. Once the soaps have cured for an adequate amount of time and completely finished the saponification process, it will be free of any RAW lye. So, no, it will not be harmful or irritating to your skin.