We have decided to make most of our product question soap based as these are the most frequent questions we get in.
What is soap?
Not many people even know what soap really is. Several of the cleansing bars that you buy at the store, for example, are detergents and not soaps at all. They are called syndet bars, or synthetic detergent bars. They are made from synthesized chemicals and are usually much harsher than soap. Detergents contain petroleum distillates rather than oil. On the other hand, true soap is made from natural oils (such as olive, coconut and palm) and is a gentle cleansing product more appropriate for use on skin than detergent and much more mild than detergents.
Not many people even know what soap really is. Several of the cleansing bars that you buy at the store, for example, are detergents and not soaps at all. They are called syndet bars, or synthetic detergent bars. They are made from synthesized chemicals and are usually much harsher than soap. Detergents contain petroleum distillates rather than oil. On the other hand, true soap is made from natural oils (such as olive, coconut and palm) and is a gentle cleansing product more appropriate for use on skin than detergent and much more mild than detergents.
Is there lye in the soaps that I buy from West Indian
Skincare?
The fact is that all soap is made with lye. What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin. ALL soaps are made with lye, however, when made correctly, there is NO LYE remaining in the final bar of soap. Whether your soap is manufactured by large corporations, or smaller handcrafted soap makers, the above is true, regardless. Lye must be used to make the soap, but there should never be any remaining lye in the final bar to hurt the skin.
The fact is that all soap is made with lye. What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin. ALL soaps are made with lye, however, when made correctly, there is NO LYE remaining in the final bar of soap. Whether your soap is manufactured by large corporations, or smaller handcrafted soap makers, the above is true, regardless. Lye must be used to make the soap, but there should never be any remaining lye in the final bar to hurt the skin.
As a store owner how do I ensure I choose good quality handmade soaps to resell?
In Trinidad and Tobago, as there are no registered soap
makers association so choosing well made, SAFE handmade soaps is gonna be a bit tricky, however, there are many ways
an experienced, expert soapmaker can know, that's why we at West Indian
Skincare will work along with you in ensuring the handmade soaps and beauty
products you may be interested in are safe for resale in your store.
How is soap made?
Soap is made by adding water, oil and butters together, along with an alkali to
form them into soap. The chemical reaction is called saponification.
What is saponification?
Saponification is a chemical reaction that takes place when oil is mixed with an alkali solution, such as sodium hydroxide, water & oils or butters. In other words, the oil and lye combine to make soap. When the proper amounts are used at the proper temperatures, all of the lye and oil are consumed by the reaction and only the soap remains. Generally, slightly more oil is used resulting in a soap that is more moisturizing for the skin and ensuring that all of the lye is used up in the curing process.
Saponification is a chemical reaction that takes place when oil is mixed with an alkali solution, such as sodium hydroxide, water & oils or butters. In other words, the oil and lye combine to make soap. When the proper amounts are used at the proper temperatures, all of the lye and oil are consumed by the reaction and only the soap remains. Generally, slightly more oil is used resulting in a soap that is more moisturizing for the skin and ensuring that all of the lye is used up in the curing process.
What is glycerin?
Handmade soap contains natural forming glycerin that is normally removed from other store bought soaps. In order to make the extremely hard french milled soaps, the glycerin must be removed or the soap would be too soft. Companies may extract the glycerin through a variety of methods and then add a percentage back to say it contains glycerin. We believe that ALL handmade cold process soap is "glycerin soap". Not simply the clear transparent soap with added glycerin. Transparency does not make a glycerin soap. On average - and it changes with the recipe, made from scratch, handmade soap contains around 10% naturally retained glycerin. Glycerin soap is especially good for sensitive and delicate skin, and for children. Because it is a high quality by-product in the soap making process, many mass commercial soap manufacturers often extract the glycerin and sell it as a by-product to be used in higher priced products like lotions and skin creams. Sometimes at a higher price than the soap itself.
Handmade soap contains natural forming glycerin that is normally removed from other store bought soaps. In order to make the extremely hard french milled soaps, the glycerin must be removed or the soap would be too soft. Companies may extract the glycerin through a variety of methods and then add a percentage back to say it contains glycerin. We believe that ALL handmade cold process soap is "glycerin soap". Not simply the clear transparent soap with added glycerin. Transparency does not make a glycerin soap. On average - and it changes with the recipe, made from scratch, handmade soap contains around 10% naturally retained glycerin. Glycerin soap is especially good for sensitive and delicate skin, and for children. Because it is a high quality by-product in the soap making process, many mass commercial soap manufacturers often extract the glycerin and sell it as a by-product to be used in higher priced products like lotions and skin creams. Sometimes at a higher price than the soap itself.
What about the 100% glycerin soaps that I see in the stores?
We're sorry to have to break the news to you, but there is no such thing. Not ONE in the market today. The manufacturer might have added 100% glycerin to the soap but you have no idea how much. What you can be sure of, is that the soap is not made of 100% glycerin. Read the ingredients! If there were such a thing, the soap bar would be very mushy and soft and wouldn't lather at all. Natural glycerin, is, after all, a liquid.
We're sorry to have to break the news to you, but there is no such thing. Not ONE in the market today. The manufacturer might have added 100% glycerin to the soap but you have no idea how much. What you can be sure of, is that the soap is not made of 100% glycerin. Read the ingredients! If there were such a thing, the soap bar would be very mushy and soft and wouldn't lather at all. Natural glycerin, is, after all, a liquid.
What are those clear soaps in the stores?
What makes soap clear most of the time? Alcohol! Obtained from corn grain alcohol to petroleum rubbing alcohols. Even though most consumers think of clear soap as "glycerin soap", they are made with a variety of foaming agents, wetting formulas (makes the water wet to lift dirt and oil) and alcohol along with the standard mix of oils, water and lye. The "feel" that many people get from this clear soap is from synthetic ingredients, detergents & foaming agents.
What makes soap clear most of the time? Alcohol! Obtained from corn grain alcohol to petroleum rubbing alcohols. Even though most consumers think of clear soap as "glycerin soap", they are made with a variety of foaming agents, wetting formulas (makes the water wet to lift dirt and oil) and alcohol along with the standard mix of oils, water and lye. The "feel" that many people get from this clear soap is from synthetic ingredients, detergents & foaming agents.
What is melt & pour soap, and is this the type of soap
that West Indian Skincare makes?
Melt and pour soap is basically just what the name implies. It's a soap base, made with alcohol, purchased in large blocks. The soapmaker then melts it down in a double boiler or microwave oven, adds fragrance and color and pours it into a mold. West Indian Skincare soap is NOT melt and pour. We make our soap the old fashioned way, from scratch, by hand. We use only the best skin-loving ingredients in every batch. Anyone can melt and pour a pre-manufactured soap block. Not everyone can produce a good bar of natural soap. At West Indian Skincare, you can be assured that we certainly can, and do!
Melt and pour soap is basically just what the name implies. It's a soap base, made with alcohol, purchased in large blocks. The soapmaker then melts it down in a double boiler or microwave oven, adds fragrance and color and pours it into a mold. West Indian Skincare soap is NOT melt and pour. We make our soap the old fashioned way, from scratch, by hand. We use only the best skin-loving ingredients in every batch. Anyone can melt and pour a pre-manufactured soap block. Not everyone can produce a good bar of natural soap. At West Indian Skincare, you can be assured that we certainly can, and do!
What are the benefits of using handmade soap?
Evidence abounds of the healing properties of a handmade bar of soap. Those who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as people that have sensitive skin or are hypoallergenic often find immediate relief by switching to handmade soap. Compared to store bought soap, handmade soap is very mild. They are often made from vegetable-based oils, such as olive, coconut, and palm and do not contain the potentially harmful chemicals found in conventional bar soap. One of the biggest differences between commercial soap and handmade soap is glycerin. Glycerin is a clear liquid that absorbs water from the air and is a key factor in keeping skin soft and healthy.
Evidence abounds of the healing properties of a handmade bar of soap. Those who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as people that have sensitive skin or are hypoallergenic often find immediate relief by switching to handmade soap. Compared to store bought soap, handmade soap is very mild. They are often made from vegetable-based oils, such as olive, coconut, and palm and do not contain the potentially harmful chemicals found in conventional bar soap. One of the biggest differences between commercial soap and handmade soap is glycerin. Glycerin is a clear liquid that absorbs water from the air and is a key factor in keeping skin soft and healthy.
Why do the bars vary in weight/size?
All of our soaps are made in batches by hand from start to finish. Making them all unique. We hand cut each and every batch and individual bar, and this is where they will vary a little in size. The average weight on all our bars is 4.5 oz.
Do you use tallow in your handmade soap at West Indian Skincare?
We don’t use tallow (animal fat) in our soap. We do however, make a "Fat Boy soap" that contains goat milk, so it not a vegan soap. This is the only one of our soaps that is not vegan. It was added to our soap menu by consumer demand. It is made in separate molds and cut with a separate soap cutter.
All of our soaps are made in batches by hand from start to finish. Making them all unique. We hand cut each and every batch and individual bar, and this is where they will vary a little in size. The average weight on all our bars is 4.5 oz.
Do you use tallow in your handmade soap at West Indian Skincare?
We don’t use tallow (animal fat) in our soap. We do however, make a "Fat Boy soap" that contains goat milk, so it not a vegan soap. This is the only one of our soaps that is not vegan. It was added to our soap menu by consumer demand. It is made in separate molds and cut with a separate soap cutter.
How long will your soaps last?
Our soaps will keep for up to a year but we recommend you use them within 6 months.
I have sensitive skin, can I use your handmade soap?
Yes, we highly recommend you try our handmade soap. All our soaps have natural beneficial oils as well as glycerin to help moisturize your skin. We do not use petroleum products in our soaps. Our process produces a very mild soap.
Yes, we highly recommend you try our handmade soap. All our soaps have natural beneficial oils as well as glycerin to help moisturize your skin. We do not use petroleum products in our soaps. Our process produces a very mild soap.
Why do you labels list essential oils or fragrance oils but
do not list them?
In a formula where there are five or more essential oils
blended together for a special signature scent, the labels say only 'essential
oils.' or 'fragrance oils'. This formula is proprietary, and is withheld
so that it cannot be copied.
Is your soap "Tearless"?
As in the case with all real soap, our soap is not “Tearless.” Care must be taken not to get in the eyes.
Do you test on animals?
No, we never test our products on animals. We've always tested them on friends, family, thousands of customers and other enthusiastic volunteers who were excited about trying out new products.
Are West Indian Skincare Soaps "cruelty free"?
We do not use animal products that result in the death of that animal for the primary use in making our product. All our soaps are vegetable oil based and yes they are cruelty free and most are vegan.
What's the size of your soap?
Our regular bath size soap bars are approximately 4.5oz. These bars are cut from our soap slabs. Shaving Soaps are 2.25 and 3 inches in diameter and are sold at a minimum weight of 2.5 ounces.
How long does a bar of your soap typically last?
Most of our customers say a bar of our soap lasts them around 2 weeks. This is based on normal use. If you're lathering up six different times because you're enjoying the scent and experience, obviously a bar isn't going to last that long! As the saying goes - your mileage may vary but you can incorporate a bath sponge and you will find the soap will last a lot longer.
How long does your Soap stay Fresh?
Our soaps usually stay 'good' for years. In fact, the older a soap gets, the longer it will last when you finally combine it with water in your shower. However, time does affect the intensity of a soap's fragrance. For best fragrance, we recommend that you enjoy your soaps within six months of purchase. But we have had customers tell us about soap forgotten for years in their linen drawer that they are able to identify by scent years later! Remember that we don't use any preservatives in our soaps, so protect them from humidity and extremes of heat and cold.
Can I use your soap to wash my hair?
Absolutely, YES! Our soaps are made with vegetable oils including Castor oil which provide wonderful conditioning for your hair and scalp. You'll find it rinses out fast! Just as different people's skin requires different levels of moisture, you'll need to test out which of our soaps gives your hair the look and feel you want. Our regular recipe soaps are generally used as shampoo bars by people with oilier scalp and hair, whereas if you have drier hair, you'll probably want to try a shea butter soap.
As in the case with all real soap, our soap is not “Tearless.” Care must be taken not to get in the eyes.
Do you test on animals?
No, we never test our products on animals. We've always tested them on friends, family, thousands of customers and other enthusiastic volunteers who were excited about trying out new products.
Are West Indian Skincare Soaps "cruelty free"?
We do not use animal products that result in the death of that animal for the primary use in making our product. All our soaps are vegetable oil based and yes they are cruelty free and most are vegan.
What's the size of your soap?
Our regular bath size soap bars are approximately 4.5oz. These bars are cut from our soap slabs. Shaving Soaps are 2.25 and 3 inches in diameter and are sold at a minimum weight of 2.5 ounces.
How long does a bar of your soap typically last?
Most of our customers say a bar of our soap lasts them around 2 weeks. This is based on normal use. If you're lathering up six different times because you're enjoying the scent and experience, obviously a bar isn't going to last that long! As the saying goes - your mileage may vary but you can incorporate a bath sponge and you will find the soap will last a lot longer.
How long does your Soap stay Fresh?
Our soaps usually stay 'good' for years. In fact, the older a soap gets, the longer it will last when you finally combine it with water in your shower. However, time does affect the intensity of a soap's fragrance. For best fragrance, we recommend that you enjoy your soaps within six months of purchase. But we have had customers tell us about soap forgotten for years in their linen drawer that they are able to identify by scent years later! Remember that we don't use any preservatives in our soaps, so protect them from humidity and extremes of heat and cold.
Can I use your soap to wash my hair?
Absolutely, YES! Our soaps are made with vegetable oils including Castor oil which provide wonderful conditioning for your hair and scalp. You'll find it rinses out fast! Just as different people's skin requires different levels of moisture, you'll need to test out which of our soaps gives your hair the look and feel you want. Our regular recipe soaps are generally used as shampoo bars by people with oilier scalp and hair, whereas if you have drier hair, you'll probably want to try a shea butter soap.
Ordering Our Products
Can I Order by Phone?
Yes, absolutely. Just call 1-(868) 640.5119
Can I Order Online?
Yes, but only via email at this time. Submit your order to info@WiscGroup.com only after stating the preferred payment method; COD (cash on delivery), Company’s cheque, Bank deposit.
What are your business hours?
Our shipping and receiving hours are Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM
Can I pay COD?
Yes, we accept cash on delivery
Do you take PayPal?
No we do not accept PayPal at this time.
Do you accept personal checks?
No. We prefer not to.
Do I need to create an account to buy wholesale from West Indian Skincare?
Yes, you do need to set up an account. We strongly encourage you to register. It will make serving you a snap.
Shipping and Return Policies
How is my order shipped?
We generally ship all orders by TTPost Postal Service Priority Mail. You may select UPS or FEDEX options. Other options are available upon request. Just give us a call.
What is your turn around time from order placement to
delivery?
On handmade soap ONLY, we ship within 2-5 business days, unless the item is out of stock. We keep a supply of all our handcrafted soap on hand and replenish as they are ordered so that they arrive to the consumer at the peak of freshness. Please note that our normal ship time on all orders is 7 business days (7-14) business days during the busy holiday seasons). If your order contains other items beside handmade soap and you would like just the soap portion shipped out within the 2 business days, please have us make a notation of that on your order sheet. We will ship out just your soap order and the remainder will be shipped in the normal time frame.
Will you ship to International Locations?
Absolutely, yes. Provide your international address, and we will calculate the various shipping options available to you, along with the associated charges. You can then decide how you want to proceed.
My order was damaged in shipping. What should I do?
Please contact us immediately to let us know what happened, and we'll arrange for you to return the damaged item(s) to us. We will replace the item(s) free of charge including shipping.
How do I file a claim if my order arrives damaged?
If a package is obviously damaged upon arrival, please refuse delivery and notify us immediately. If there's no visible damage on the outside of the box, but when you open it, the contents are damaged, please notify us within 48 hours of receipt of order to place a claim. The shipping carrier who delivered your package might need to come to your home to inspect the damaged order, so please keep all boxes, packaging materials, and product intact if you want to process a claim.
What is your return policy?
Please contact us for return authorization before you pack the item for shipment. If we've made a mistake in what we shipped to you, the cost of shipping the incorrect items back to us is our cost. Shipping costs are non refundable, as are customized product and gift wrapped products. Examples of customized products are custom cut products (soap favors as an example), custom scented lotions and salves in fragrances you selected, custom wrapped or seasonally wrapped soap, samplers or gift set orders. We do not accept the return of products because a customer doesn't care for the scent of the product they ordered, and this includes our unscented soaps that have the natural odor of the vegetable oils from which they are made.
I received your soap as a gift. Can I exchange it?
We want you to be 100% satisfied, so yes, you can. Return your items unopened, un-used and in re-sellable condition within three days from when you received your purchase and we will exchange it for another item of your choice less shipping costs. Contact us for return authorization before you pack up the item(s), and we'll guide you from there.
Do you guarantee your products?
We want you to be 100% satisfied with our soap. If for any reason, you are not satisfied, let us know. We'll do our best to make it right for you. Please keep in mind the nature of natural, personal care products, and understand that we cannot accept for exchange items that you have opened, handled, cut or used. We do not accept the return of products because a customer doesn't care for the scent of the product they ordered, and this includes our unscented soaps that have the natural odor of the vegetable oils from which they are made. Shipping costs are always non-refundable.
How Do You Keep In Touch?
The best way to stay up-to-speed about our upcoming projects or newest product introductions is to fan us on facebook , sign up for our blog feed, or subscribe via Email. Our company's blog is a wonderful resource, offering at-home spa recipes, profiles of amazing spas from around the world, detailed explanations of our products and ingredients, articles about skincare and taking care of yourself naturally, plus the dish on all the goodies we can’t live without! So ensure your connected.
Another reason to join us on our blog; You will automatically become a West Indian Skincare VIP. As an added benefit, we draw one name from our VIP list each month to win a special gift package valued at $200 or more.
On handmade soap ONLY, we ship within 2-5 business days, unless the item is out of stock. We keep a supply of all our handcrafted soap on hand and replenish as they are ordered so that they arrive to the consumer at the peak of freshness. Please note that our normal ship time on all orders is 7 business days (7-14) business days during the busy holiday seasons). If your order contains other items beside handmade soap and you would like just the soap portion shipped out within the 2 business days, please have us make a notation of that on your order sheet. We will ship out just your soap order and the remainder will be shipped in the normal time frame.
Will you ship to International Locations?
Absolutely, yes. Provide your international address, and we will calculate the various shipping options available to you, along with the associated charges. You can then decide how you want to proceed.
My order was damaged in shipping. What should I do?
Please contact us immediately to let us know what happened, and we'll arrange for you to return the damaged item(s) to us. We will replace the item(s) free of charge including shipping.
How do I file a claim if my order arrives damaged?
If a package is obviously damaged upon arrival, please refuse delivery and notify us immediately. If there's no visible damage on the outside of the box, but when you open it, the contents are damaged, please notify us within 48 hours of receipt of order to place a claim. The shipping carrier who delivered your package might need to come to your home to inspect the damaged order, so please keep all boxes, packaging materials, and product intact if you want to process a claim.
What is your return policy?
Please contact us for return authorization before you pack the item for shipment. If we've made a mistake in what we shipped to you, the cost of shipping the incorrect items back to us is our cost. Shipping costs are non refundable, as are customized product and gift wrapped products. Examples of customized products are custom cut products (soap favors as an example), custom scented lotions and salves in fragrances you selected, custom wrapped or seasonally wrapped soap, samplers or gift set orders. We do not accept the return of products because a customer doesn't care for the scent of the product they ordered, and this includes our unscented soaps that have the natural odor of the vegetable oils from which they are made.
I received your soap as a gift. Can I exchange it?
We want you to be 100% satisfied, so yes, you can. Return your items unopened, un-used and in re-sellable condition within three days from when you received your purchase and we will exchange it for another item of your choice less shipping costs. Contact us for return authorization before you pack up the item(s), and we'll guide you from there.
Do you guarantee your products?
We want you to be 100% satisfied with our soap. If for any reason, you are not satisfied, let us know. We'll do our best to make it right for you. Please keep in mind the nature of natural, personal care products, and understand that we cannot accept for exchange items that you have opened, handled, cut or used. We do not accept the return of products because a customer doesn't care for the scent of the product they ordered, and this includes our unscented soaps that have the natural odor of the vegetable oils from which they are made. Shipping costs are always non-refundable.
How Do You Keep In Touch?
The best way to stay up-to-speed about our upcoming projects or newest product introductions is to fan us on facebook , sign up for our blog feed, or subscribe via Email. Our company's blog is a wonderful resource, offering at-home spa recipes, profiles of amazing spas from around the world, detailed explanations of our products and ingredients, articles about skincare and taking care of yourself naturally, plus the dish on all the goodies we can’t live without! So ensure your connected.
Another reason to join us on our blog; You will automatically become a West Indian Skincare VIP. As an added benefit, we draw one name from our VIP list each month to win a special gift package valued at $200 or more.
Wholesale and Fundraising
Do you sell your soap wholesale to stores?
We sure do. Please contact us at wholesale@wiscgroup.com
Can our Non-Profit group use your soap as a fundraiser?
Absolutely. We have many groups who buy our soap for fundraisers! Contact us at wholesale@WiscGroup.com to explore what might be right for your group, considering your community and time of year your event will be held..
What makes West Indian Skincare soaps so great?
There are lots of things that make us the better choice;
❤ We know what we're doing - Our recipes have been formulated by a CosmeticScientist.
❤ We've been selling soaps for the past 4 years through craft shows, wholesale (resellers) and at our own retail shop.
❤ We have hundreds of loyal customers.
❤ All our products are "Made in the Trinidad & Tobago" using the highest quality standards.
❤ Our Soaps do not contain artificial hardeners, preservatives or latherers, or cheap filler oils like soybean or hydrogenated vegetable oils.
❤ Our fragrances were developed by an experienced perfumer.
❤ Our soaps have been designed to be mild and gentle enough for everyone to use, including people with allergies, sensitive skin and skin conditions.. We make unscented varieties, specifically for people with sensitivity to scent or those who just don't like fragrances.
❤ Our soaps are biodegradable and eco-friendly
We sure do. Please contact us at wholesale@wiscgroup.com
Can our Non-Profit group use your soap as a fundraiser?
Absolutely. We have many groups who buy our soap for fundraisers! Contact us at wholesale@WiscGroup.com to explore what might be right for your group, considering your community and time of year your event will be held..
What makes West Indian Skincare soaps so great?
There are lots of things that make us the better choice;
❤ We know what we're doing - Our recipes have been formulated by a CosmeticScientist.
❤ We've been selling soaps for the past 4 years through craft shows, wholesale (resellers) and at our own retail shop.
❤ We have hundreds of loyal customers.
❤ All our products are "Made in the Trinidad & Tobago" using the highest quality standards.
❤ Our Soaps do not contain artificial hardeners, preservatives or latherers, or cheap filler oils like soybean or hydrogenated vegetable oils.
❤ Our fragrances were developed by an experienced perfumer.
❤ Our soaps have been designed to be mild and gentle enough for everyone to use, including people with allergies, sensitive skin and skin conditions.. We make unscented varieties, specifically for people with sensitivity to scent or those who just don't like fragrances.
❤ Our soaps are biodegradable and eco-friendly
