>I had the pleasure of reviewing some of The Joy of Soap’s soap. I’ll be honest I am a huge fan of eco friendly items, so to find out that they are vegan as well was really a plus a plus. When the package arrived I was happy to find two scents- one being the lay me down lavender which I immediately fell in love with! I quickly put a bar in each bath room! Originally I was only going to put them in the main bathroom so our guest could enjoy them- but after my hubs smelled him he insisted that I put one in our bathroom too, and this comes from the man that only uses liquid soap.
What do I think?
Why essential oils, and not perfumes or fragrances?
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances (derived from flowers, leaves, seeds, roots and resins of plants) that contain chemical compounds with antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Perfumes and fragrances are synthetic chemicals that do not have any medicinal or aroma therapeutic value. Also, fragrances are known irritants and can cause allergic reactions. The Joy of Soap has stopped producing products made with fragrance oils.
Do all products need a preservative?
No. Products that contain water need a preservative. Dry or powdered items do not need a preservative. Products made with only oils do not need a preservative.
As you know water is vital to life which means that products made with water and with no preservative will begin to grow bacteria, yeasts, fungi and molds that flourish in a water-based environment. The presence of these contaminants renders the product unsafe and toxic. Unfortunately it is possible for an unpreserved water-based product to look and smell fine, and contain microorganisms that are dangerous.
It is worth noting that while water may not be listed as an ingredient, there are other ingredients that indicate the presence of water: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, distillates, and some extracts.
The Joy of Soap products containing water are preserved using a very small amount of a broad-spectrum preservative (less than two percent) along with other natural inhibitors and antioxidants to help with preservation.
Our bar soaps, while made with water, do not require a preservative as the chemical reaction that occurs in the soap making process uses up all of the water.
How long will a bar last?
Each natural soap from The Joy of Soap is made to be long-lasting, especially if you keep them dry using a soap dish to keep the bar from sitting in water, and let it dry out between uses. Also, if you store soaps in a cool and dry place they can last for several years, but we doubt that you’ll be able to keep them that long.
Is your soap organic?
Due to the chemistry of soap, it is almost impossible for any soap to be more than 85% organic. There is discussion in the natural products industry about whether soap can be defined as “organic” (soap is the result of a chemical reaction and most of the original organic materials are transformed). At The Joy of Soap we use organic ingredients as much as possible.
How long will the scent last?
Many essential oils can last quite a long time. Citrus essential oils are lighter scents and fade more quickly from the surface, usually in about a year. When you use the bar the scent within will come through.
How is The Joy of Soap different from soaps for sale in the supermarket?
The Joy of Soap is made from only food grade vegetable oils and sustainable plant materials. Commercially made soaps, contain animal fat, petroleum derivatives, synthetic colorings, and chemical preservatives. These are actually not bars of soap, but detergents. Also, The Joy of Soap is cruelty-free.
Are your soaps anti-bacterial?
Yes! Good, old fashioned hand made soap and water is an effective way to eliminate about 99.9% of all microbes (bacteria, fungi and viruses) from the skin. Unnatural antimicrobials found in most commercially made soaps are leading to rapid resistance of microbes in the environment. The Joy of Soap uses many essential oils known for their antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Our natural soaps help to maintain the delicate balance between the world and organisms.
>I would love the gingersnap soap. It sounds invigorating!
>I follow your blog on GFC
>I follow the joy of soap on twitter
>I fanned them on facebook!
>Manly Man for me.
>Following Melissa/Joy of Soap on twitter as ky2here1.
>Also following you on twitter as ky2here1.
>Following on google friend connect as kycouple2000.
>Ginger Snap is my favorite scent!LWons@HotMail.com
>lay me down lavendar mverno@roadrunner.com
>I like the Lay Me Down Lavendar.rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
>Follow Joy of Soap on Twitter: rhoneygeerhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
>Facebook Fan of Joy of Soap: Rebecca Honey Grahamrhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
>Follow you on Twitter: rhoneygeerhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
>Tweeted: http://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/13596252819rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
>I like peppermint passion.,
>Ginger Snap
>I like the feeling frisky scent.
>I want Two in the Shower Tea Tree
>I think Ginger Snap would smell great. That would probably be my favorite.eswright18 at gmail.com
>I Follow The Joy of Soap on TWITTER @eswright18eswright18 at gmail.com
>I follow your blog via GFC.eswright18 at gmail.com
>I follow you on Twitter @eswright18eswright18 at gmail.com
>Lay Me Down Lavender! ;)txgigggles@yahoo.com
>I like Two in the Shower Tea Tree soap
>I liked them on fb
>Mmm, the ginger snap! soap sounds like a good scent.Winterbreeze85 at yahoo dot com
>I Like The Joy of Soap on Facebook… screen name is FrozenSnow85Winterbreeze85 at yahoo dot com
>Their Two in the Shower Tea Tree sounds wonderful! Thank you!
>I'm following The Joy of Soap on twitter (Tina12312)
>I like The Joy of Soap on facebook (ChristineFidance)
>I'm following your blog.
>I'm following you on twitter (Tina12312)
>I'd love to win this and I tweeted http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/13677182275thank you and Happy Mother's Day!
>My favorite scent is the Manly Man because I love citrus!sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net
>sounds great
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/13731334126
>My favorite scent is Lay Me Down Lavender :]misswendythirteen at hotmail dot com
>I am a fan of The Joy of Soap on Facebook as Wendy Mendez :]misswendythirteen at hotmail dot com
>I am following you on Twitter as MissWendy13 :]misswendythirteen at hotmail dot com
>I am following your blog :]misswendythirteen at hotmail dot com
>miriam dot nussbaum at gmaili like the Sweet Morning Cuddles Mango
>miriam dot nussbaum at gmailfollow your blog!
>I think I would love Peppermint Passion!cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com
>follow your blogcathyhorner at embarqmail dot com
>Gardenia Goosebumps is my favorite scenttamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
>I Like The Joy of Soap on FACEBOOK(Tamara Bennington)tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
>I am a follower of your blog.tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/13800580638
>Lay me down lavender sounds awesome.Thanks for the chance.mogrill@comcast.net
>Manly Man Soap sounds like a perfect fit. I love orange and then the manly bit would please my husband. I am really intrigued.
>I would love to try the Peppermint Passion. Thanks for the great contest 🙂
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/13858696543
>i like ginger snap!
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/13925485607
>I want to try Jump Me Jasmine
>gfc follower
>tweethttp://twitter.com/KarenP_KarenP/status/13964626998
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/13980646074
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14051896291
>I like the LavenderDonnadwarrington1@gmail.com
>I follow your blogDonnadwarrington1@gmail.com
>I "like" The Joy of Soap on facebookDonna Hufman Warringtondwarrington1@gmail.com
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14109896955
>My favorite scent is Feeling Frisky
>Lay Me Down Lavender is my favorite.cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com
>Google friend followercgclynsg0 at gmail dot com
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14170690713
>The Peppermint Passion sounds wonderful.samsakara@twcny.rr.com
>My favorite scent is Ginger Snap.
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14233859530
>Feeling Frisky is my scent of choice.mrssquigg @ comcast.net
>Following The Joy of Soap on TWITTER@mrssquiggmrssquigg @ comcast.net
>Like The Joy of Soap on FACEBOOKBrandy Bmrssquigg @ comcast.net
>Following The Joy of Soap on their blogBrandy Bmrssquigg @ comcast.net
>Follow your blogBrandy Bmrssquigg @ comcast.net
>Twitter follower@mrssquiggmrssquigg @ comcast.net
>Tweet: http://twitter.com/mrssquigg/status/14236258410mrssquigg @ comcast.net
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14305476496
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14377222870
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14436296112
>i like the feeling friskyaddictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14501584926
>The Manly Man soap sounds great, perfect for gardener's hands. kcarlson1152[at]hotmail[dot]com
>Feeling frisky sounds fun
>Follow you
>Follow you on twitter
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14560439650
>I'd love to try the Gingersnap scent.
>gfc follower
>The Ginger Snap! scent is my favorite.
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14622605691
>I like to try the Ginger snap soap. Thanks for the chance.
>follow on GFC
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14709504189
>My favorite scent is Lay Me Down Lavendermatt4melis at hotmail dot com
>Follow The Joy of Soap on TWITTER @matt4melismatt4melis at hotmail dot com
>Like The Joy of Soap on FACEBOOK (matthew wood)matt4melis at hotmail dot com
>Follow The Joy of Soap on their BLOGmatt4melis at hotmail dot com
>follow your blogmatt4melis at hotmail dot com
>Follow you on TWITTER @matt4melismatt4melis at hotmail dot com
>http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/14738915132matt4melis at hotmail dot com
>The Rosy Cheeks Rosemary sounds wonderful!tderosa142(at)gmail(dot)com
>I follow The Joy of Soap on twitter.(terri142)tderosa142(at)gmail(dot)com
>I liked The Joy of Soap on facebook.tderosa142(at)gmail(dot)com
>I am now following your blog with google friend connect.tderosa142(at)gmail(dot)com
>I am now following you on twitter(terri142)tderosa142(at)gmail(dot)com
>tweet!http://twitter.com/terri142/status/14757660952tderosa142(at)gmail(dot)com
>I would love the gingersnap soap.
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14779543627
>http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/14784737042matt4melis at hotmail dot com
>My favorite would be Ginger Snap!yummyfaerie at hotmail dot com
>I Follow The Joy of Soap on TWITTER.yummyfaerie at hotmail dot com
>I Like The Joy of Soap on FACEBOOK.yummyfaerie at hotmail dot com
>I follow via GFC.yummyfaerie at hotmail dot com
>I would like to try the Lay Me Down Lavender soap.
>I follow on Google Friend Connect. (Christie)
>feelin frisky!
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14837012090
>I'd like the rosey cheeks rosemary. :)kirbycolby at gmail dot com
>I follow the joy of soap @Aeratedkirbycolby at gmail dot com
>I follow you on twitter @Aeratedkirbycolby at gmail dot com
>I follow your blog.kirbycolby at gmail dot com
>tweet! http://twitter.com/Aerated/status/14838889863kirbycolby at gmail dot com
>http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/14857886252matt4melis at hotmail dot com
>I would love to get the Feeling Frisky scent, thanks!Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
>Tweeted today: http://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/14892303191rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14924254717
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Aerated/status/14927437675kirbycolby at gmail dot com
>Christina – xristya@rock.com– Lay Me Down Lavendar is my favorite as I've found the scent of lavendar very soothing ever since I was a child!
>Favorite scent is lavender in the Lay Me Down Lavender.
>I would love to try the Ginger Snap! Soap!annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
>I liked The Joy of Soap on Facebook. Username:Annemarie Zitoannemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
>I follow your blog via Google.annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
>Ginger Snap sounds a great spunky soap for a morning wakeup!no19034770@ yahoo.com
>Peppermint Passion!!Jordan Boneadem@gmail.com
>Following on twitter! (gobronson)oneadem@gmail.comJordan B
>My favrote is the Two in the Shower Tea Tree.fatmeatloaf1 at gmail dot com
>Following The Joy of Soap on Twitter@fatmeatloaf1
>Following you on Twitter@fatmeatloaf1
>RT:http://twitter.com/fatmeatloaf1/status/14945951121
>I would really like peppermint passion. O_Leo_5(at)hotmail(dot)com
>I think the Feeling Frisky would be perfect for me. I love citrus.Elleneering99@hotmail.com
>My favorite scent is the Peppermint Passion. ThanksJesskaufman at hotmail dot com
>I follow joy of soap on facebook Jesskaufman at hotmail dot com
>Follow joy of soap on twitter @macmomof3jesskaufman@hotmail.com
>I follow joy of soaps on facebook. (@LeanS12)
>I follow your blogJesskaufman at hotmail dot com
>I follow you on twitter (@LeanS12) (I meant twitter on the previous one as well)
>I follow your blog on twitter @macmomof3Jesskaufman at hotmail dot com
>The Rosy Cheeks Rosemary sounds great!Thanks!fineinsanity at live dot com
>I follow The Joy of Soap on twitter (FineInsanity)fineinsanity at live dot com
>I'm a fan of The Joy of Soap on facebook as Sheila Newton.fineinsanity at live dot com
>I follow you on twitter (FineInsanity)fineinsanity at live dot com
>I like Gingersnapdigicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
>I follow Joy of Soap on Twitter @cezovskidigicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
>I like Joy of Soap on Facebook!Carol Anderson Ezovskidigicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
>I follow YOU publicly on Google Friends Connect (Carolsue) (I couldn't find the widget to follow Joy of Soap's blog)digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
>I follow you on Twitter @cezovskidigicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
>http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/14957572851matt4melis at hotmail dot com
>I absolutely love Lavender so it would have to be the Lay Me Down Lavender scent.couponsiwant(at)verizon(dot)net
>I would like to try Elizabeth's wild hair shaving soap–and the ginger snap soap.kakihararocks@gmail.com
>feeeling frisky ty.vivianbl@olg.com
>I would like the lay me down lavender.twoofakind12@Yhaoo.com
>I am a gfc follower.debbietwoofakind12@yahoo.com
>Lay Me Down Lavender
>follow you via twitter susan1215
>http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/14977040931
>I'm a fan of The Joy of Soap on facebook Susan Smith
>follow The Joy of Soap via twitter susan1215
>follow via GFC
>last tweet http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/14981787596thank you!
>I'd love Ginger Snap or the citrus scent of Feeling Frisky! Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
>Follower GFC (pamelashockley) Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
>Manly Man Soap
>Two in the Shower Tea Tree is a scent I'd like to try
>I follow you with friend connect
>I’m a JoS Facebook Fan Jennifer G.
>I follow you with twitter (DixieDisneyDiva)
>I follow JOS with twitter (DixieDisneyDiva)
>I am interested in "Feeling Frisky" soap. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
>Ginger snap sounds great.
>I follow The Joy of Soap on Twitter as willitara.
>I'm a fan of The Joy of Soap on Facebook.
>I follow with google friend connect.
>I follow you on Twitter as willitara.
>feeling friskysusansmoaks at gmail dot com
>daily tweet http://twitter.com/Aerated/status/15004157326kirbycolby at gmail dot com
>followersusansmoaks at gmail dot com
>fb fan tony l smoakssusansmoaks at gmail dot com
>Thanks for the giveaway…I like the " Two in the Shower Tea Tree" soap.senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
>Follow The Joy of Soap on TWITTER: @brianpierosenorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
>Following you via Twitter: @brianpierosenorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
>Tweeted: http://twitter.com/brianpiero/status/15009283366senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
>I love the Rosy Cheeks Rosemary soap!
>I'd love to try Ginger Snap! soap!
>I became a fan of The Joy of Soap on Facebook.
>I would like the lay me down lavendar.donna444444@yahoo.com
>I follow you on twitter.(donnak4)donna444444@yahoo.com
>I follow them on twitter.(donnak4)donna444444@yahoo.com
>I follow your blogdonna444444@yahoo.com
>http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/15024585944matt4melis at hotmail dot com