FAQs

Do you have a shop?

Why, yes! Our retail store is located in South Austin at 1801 South 1st St. Ste. A in 78704 at the corner of Annie St., catty-corner to the Greetings from Austin Postcard Mural. 512.440.SOAP Hours are Tuesday - Saturday noon - 6pm. Closed on Sunday & Monday. Parking is available right behind our building in the shared parking lot. There is also a lot of street parking available.
Do you sell wholesale?
But of course...how else would we fulfill our mission of "cleaning up the world, one bar at a time!". : ) Please e-mail me at annette at austinsoap dot com with your needs, business name and business tax ID & we will send you more information.
How soon will I receive my order?
After your order is placed, you can expect it to ship within 1-3 business (M-F) days. Usually, shipping takes 3-4 days for packages 5 pounds or less.
How much is shipping?
You pay what we pay....no extra handling here. We offer all USPS and UPS shipping options. The price is dynamically calculated at checkout by the weight of your order.
Why is Austin Natural Soap better for me than store brand soap?
Commercial soaps extract the moisturizing glycerin that is naturally produced when making soap. They sell the glycerin for a bigger profit for use in lotions and other high-end products. They also use lard (pork fat) or tallow (beef fat) as their oil base. We do not extract the glycerin and use no animal fat in our products. In addition, our ingredients are hand selected for quality and each batch is made by hand with the utmost care, not manufactured in a commercial plant.
I use body wash or shower gel. Why should I use Austin Natural Soap?
Plastic! Chemicals! Detergent! Unilever! Don't do it. We call hogwash on body wash. Have you looked at the ingredients? Who wants to put stuff you wash your dishes with on your body?! Body wash and shower gels are not natural - they are synthetic detergents formulated from petroleum. Yuck. Plus, they are watered down and overpriced - costing 4x as much as bar soap and only lasting half as long. The scent? It's overpowering fake fragrances. Don't pollute - ditch the plastic bottles. Give our moisturizing, luxurious bar soaps a try. If you are really adamant about your liquid gel in the shower, we make do liquid soap with organic olive and coconut oils and scented with therapeutic essential oils - a treat for your skin.
Will the soap melt in the heat or sun?
No! Our soap is formulated to stay solid. The only way to melt it is to cook it or put it in the microwave. Not recommended! It is best to keep it in a cool, dark, dry environment. But, don't worry, it won't melt in the sun or in your car on a hot day!
Can you wash your face with this?
YES! Please do. You will find that our soap is very mild and wonderful for your skin. Our personal favorites are our Calendula Renewal or Olive Oil Unscented Soap.
Does Austin Natural Soap have glycerin?
Yes, glycerin is formed during the saponification process and is melded into the plant-based oils, essential oils and herbs.
Will your soap melt away like other handmade soaps I have tried?
We use a perfect formulation of oils to keep the soap firm, yet very moisturizing. Since all handmade soap contains naturally forming glycerin, you shouldn't let it sit in a soap dish that doesn't drain well or let it sit in a tub of water....it may eventually turn to mush. We always say - "Keep it high and dry!"
What about those cool-looking see-thru glycerin soaps with inserts?
All "glycerin soaps" are made using melt & pour process - like making your own candles. You buy solid, bulk glycerin (often animal-based) that has added detergents to make lather and drying alcohol and/or propylene glycol to make it clear. You melt the glycerin and add fragrance, color or other additives. They may look cool and have some natural ingredients added, but they are synthetic-based and they aren't real soap. But, if you are looking for a fun, safe hobby and would like to experiment making your own bath products, melt and pour is a practical undertaking. We do sell bulk blocks at our retail store.
Why do you use essential oils?
Essential oils are natural organic substances which are produced in various glands and sacs within aromatic plants. They can occur in flowers, leaves, stems, seeds, barks, roots, fruits, herbs, grasses, needles, twigs, and resins. They are most often produced by steam distillation - a single drop of essential oil can be equal to one ounce of the plant. Most essential oils are antibacterial, plus they smell GREAT!
Why do you use fragrance oils?
Fragrance oils are man-made and often contain a blend of real essential oils in their basic makeup. We use fragrance oils in some products because the scent is not available from plant-derived sources. But the main reason we use a few fragrance oils is because our customers ask for them!
Are there any aromatherapy benefits from using Austin Natural Soap?
YES! Lavender is said to be calming and aid in stress-reduction -it is featured in our Lavender soap. All of our soap descriptions contain aromatherapy benefits where applicable.
I have really dry skin. What is a good soap for me?
All our soaps are good for dry skin! Most everyone that uses commercial soaps has dry skin. (I wonder why!) All of our soaps have one or more speciality oils (e.g. cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, castor oil, avocado oil, hemp oil, and/or shea butter) that produce extra moisturizing results for your skin. All of our soaps are formulated to combat dry skin.
I have really oily skin. What is a good soap for me?
All of our soaps are good for oily skin too! Some commercial soaps strip the skin of all natural oil, which can be very irritating and actually cause more problems. I personally have acne-prone, oily skin. My favorite face soaps are Calendula Renewal or Bamboo Charcoal Detox Soap or Tea Tree Oil. Tea Tree essential oil is a natural antiseptic and has many healing properties. You can use pure Tea Tree essential oil on any skin problems (acne, eczema, scratches, cuts) and witness its therapeutic qualities. Really good stuff! Lemongrass essential oil soap is also a great skin toner that refreshes and deep cleans oily skin. Also, Olive Oil is a wonderful face care bar - mild and unscented.
I have very sensitive skin. What is a good soap for me?
It's usually best to stay away from any fragrances if you have **very** sensitive skin. I would suggest unscented Calendula Renewal or Olive Oil Unscented.
What is your return policy ?
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Your purchase will be credited to you at your request.
What is your privacy policy ?
Your information entered in our site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of your order and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.