What is Natural Oil & Herbal

1. Sacred Feather Traders
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Last updated: October 2013 http://www.sacredfeathertraders.com
FAQs
What is Natural?
“Natural” and “Herbal” has become a major powerful marketing tool. The definition of “Natural” and “Herbal” is highly
controversial and subject to definition. Chemicals derived from a “natural” source can, by some individuals, be considered
a “natural” product. Products that are “herbal” containing a very small portion of herb can be considered a whole of
“herbal.“ FDA interpretations of natural and herbal are vague and allow for some products to be considered 100% natural
or herbal when in fact they are not even close. In fact we find it flat out deceitful.
Sacred Feather Traders defines “Natural” simply as: organic (plant) or inorganic (from the earth) gifts from nature. Our
natural organic materials include our oils, herbs, and essential oils. We believe, inorganicmaterials (meaning: clays, muds
and salts) from Mother Earth, obtained from reliable sources, are in fact natural. Some individuals do not consider clay,
mud or salt as natural. This is something you have to decide for yourself.
You will notice we have separated our “all natural unscented“, “all natural herbal” (made from 100% natural ingredients)
from soaps that are made with “fragrance oil.”
Some of our All Natural Herbal soaps are scented with essential oil or essential oil blends. Essential oils are plant oils
extracted from the plant using a distillation procedure. Not all essential oils are equal. Sacred Feather Traders has
searched to find the highest quality (the source is identified and essential oil tested) of therapeutic and beautifully
scented oils.
Our focus is all natural. However, some of our customers wanted old fashioned scents that can no longer be made by
natural sources. We do not consider our fragranced soap as 100% natural even though the percentage of fragrance oil
used is minimal. Perfume oils and fragrance oils are made from synthetic sources to replicate certain scents. We have
some high quality fragrance oils we chose that are a combination of natural and synthetic scent. We still consider this a
synthetic fragrance and they are not all natural. They smell beautiful and make a lovely enjoyable soap.

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What is the difference between an Essential Oil and Fragrance Oil?
Essential oils are oils distilled from a plant. They are quite powerful and should never be used “neat” or straight on your
skin. They must be diluted with some sort of carrier oil. Essential oils often carry certain medicinal and therapeutic values
from the original plant.
Fragrance oils are synthetically constructed to mimic scents.
Although most people are less likely to have allergic reactions to essential oils, allergic reactions can happen. Also too
much essential oil or fragrance oil in a product over a period of time can cause what is known as desensitization. Meaning
an individual can develop an allergic reaction due to overuse or being too powerful for too long.
Sacred Feather Traders uses essential oils and fragrance oils in moderation. We are firm believers that too much of a good
thing can turn bad. Our soaps are enjoyable, have great scent, and the essential oils are used in therapeutic amounts, but
they are not made to stay on your skin or be overpowering. Soap can form a “seal” on the outside. By simply scraping or
wetting the soap and using it, you will release the scent inside.
A quick note about how “smell” works in the human body. Our noses pick up a scent and then quickly adapts. You may
smell something right away, and that scent is still there, but our nose will adapt and tone it down. Just be aware that just
because you can’t smell it anymore doesn’t mean it “went away” or isn’t as strong. It is very easy to overdo essential oils,
fragrance oil, and perfume.

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Are your products hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic means little or no chance of causing an allergic reaction. We have no way of knowing what your specific
allergies are. Only you can know that. We are aware that an individual can be allergic to even natural products. With any
product, the wisest course of action is to do a test spot prior to use. So in light, we cannot say our products are, in fact,
hypoallergenic. We can say, our products, made carefully and with gentle ingredients, are less likely to produce an allergic
reaction. Many times a person with allergies to fragrance can use our scented herbal soaps because we use all natural
ingredients and essential oils. The essential oils have no artificial synthetic ingredients that most people are having the
allergy to. If you have allergies to scents, then try our unscented soaps. We made these specifically for individuals with
allergies to scents.

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What is all the hype about “handmade” soaps?
Ever tried a handmade soap? If not, usually upon first use you can tell the difference and you’ll never want to use
commercial soap again. Try our sample packet and you’ll see what we mean! Do a test challenge for fun!!
Soaps on the market today are not truly soap. They are detergents and contain a great deal of harsh chemicals. Even
“soaps” that claim to be gentle on the commercial market have a wide range of chemically enhanced ingredients added.
All you have to do to see this is true is read the label. They are detergents. Also, the glycerin, an important byproduct of
soap, is gleaned off from the commercial soap. Commercial soap companies replace this with a variety of other
chemicals. Commercial glycerin is sold to other companies who then add their chemicals for making toothpaste,
deodorant, and “Melt and Pour” or glycerin soaps. Please do not confuse “Melt and Pour” glycerin soaps with real
handmade soaps. They are NOT the same.
Handmade soap is a true soap. The cleaning properties are mild and wash off leaving no residues or scent. Soap makers
start from scratch using their preferred oils and combinations. The soap is carefully watched and fussed over. Everything
is made with a fine balance. No harsh chemicals are in the soaps. In fact, the sodium hydroxide (lye) used burns out within
about 24 hours. Once it heats with the oils, it changes the molecular structure of the oils binding them together and
solidifying them, thus saponification. The sodium hydroxide phases out and is no longer present. As soap sits on shelves
to “cure” moisture evaporates, the oils/soap harden, and the soap turns milder.

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Do you use Lye (Sodium/Potassium Hydroxide)?
The answer is yes. You cannot make soap without lye. However, is there lye in your soap?Absolutely NOT. The lye
combined with oils create the saponification process and then it is gone. If you purchase soap and you are told it is NOT
made with lye, then it is NOT soap. Melt and Pour or most glycerin soaps are a by-product of large commercial soap
processing companies. The glycerin is taken out of the soap and sent through more chemical changes to be sold for other
products. So, in fact, you have to produce soap (using lye) in order to have the by-product of glycerin.

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What is better Glycerin Soap or Handmade Soap?
Well to be honest we would like to say...“this is a no brainer!” But, we all have different skin types, wants, likes, and
preferences. So this question can only be answered by you. Try some of our soaps and then make a decision. We believe
you’ll be converted to using a true handmade soap!

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Do your soaps melt away like other handmade soaps I’ve used?
This is a fantastic question and thank-you for asking! Any soap will “melt” away if it is not properly taken care of. Each
soap maker has their way of creating the beautiful product they make. After all, making soap is a very old craft. In fact in
our past history soap makers were held in high esteem. Some who were very good at it were commissioned by Royalty.
To answer your question, our soaps will last as long as any other soap on the market if they are taken care of. If you leave
them in your tub exposed to water, they will melt away. Any soap will. Handmade soap is more susceptible to this
because they are a real soap and contain high quality oils.

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How do you take care of your soap?
Let your soap dry between use by putting it on a soap dish, taking it out of the shower or sink area after use, or setting it
in a place where water is not going to drip on it. Besides, allowing soap to sit in water can breed bacteria.
Our soaps can last a long time but we can’t give you an exact amount of time! Everyone washes differently! Some use a
lot of soap, and some use a bit of soap. Some people wash their faces more than three times a day!! An approximation
using our soap daily twice a day, one large bar can last up to three months.

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I don’t see the type of soap I want, can you make a special batch?
We are open to this type of soap making, yes!!! If you have special needs, you are an herbalist or doctor who has a client
with special skin care needs, or you enjoy soaps made with oils that you cannot find in our list, contact us and we’ll discuss
a batch of soap with you!