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How is 'soap' made? Soap is the product of a chemical reaction between fats and oils (an acid) and a solution of sodium hyrdroxide and water (a base). This reaction is called saponification. The reaction yields 3 parts soap and 1 part glycerin. The production of glycerin is one of the major benefits that handmade soap has over 'detergent bars'. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture from it's surrounding creating a hyrdrating affect. Traditionally, soap factories sold the glycerin from their soap production to cosmetic companies who would put it in facial products and makeup. Often times a soap company would make more money selling glycerin than they would selling their soap! So the idea that soap is too harsh and/or drying to use on the face probably came from using soap stripped of it's glycerin, or from a synthetic soap or detergent bar made from chemical foaming agents. Luckily, there is a labeling law that makes it easy to distinguish the two, any cleansing bar that is made of synthetic surfactant or foaming agents can't be called soap, instead it will be labeled as something else, like a 'beauty bar' or a 'moisturizing bar'.

What are your products made with? Nature provides the lucious ingredients, as well as some of the inspiration, for our products. We use emollient oils and butters from vegetables, fruits and nuts, organic and wild crafted herbs and botanicals, and theraputic grade essential oils, all which are either organic, certified organic, or wild crafted. We love to support small farms where we get to interact with people in overalls instead of company phone directories.

What is SLS? SLS or sodium laurel sulfate is a white powder used as a detergent, emulsifier, and surfactant in over a thousand cosmetic products, including shampoos, toothpastes, lotions, and creams. SLS is a strong degreaser that dries skin and hair. It is a primary irritant in high concentrations. SLS is used in many so-called "natural" cosmetics, but it is not natural. It is produced synthetically via the Zeigler process and not with coconut oil. SLS has produced skin and hair damage, including cracking of the horney layer of the skin and a severe inflamation of the dermaepidermal. The presence of natural ingredients make little difference in the irritating action of these synthetic detergents. Any cosmetic that conatains SLS can't be termed as natural, although many shampoos labeled as natural contain large amounts. Also SLS is frequently combined with triethanolamine (TEA) which may be contaminated with nitrosamines, a potent carcinogen. Sodium 'Laureth' sulphate is another synthetic detergent similar to sodium lauryl sulfate, except is is a yellow liquid and somewhat milder. Hampton,Aubrey- "Natural Organic Skin and Hair Care" Organica Press

What kinds of things do you purposely avoid putting into your products? We love this question, and is really the reason that Saltysiren exists! We desire pure, non GMO (genetically modified organisms), and pesticide free ingredients. We don't use fragrance oils and wish others wouldn't either. There's just no substitute for the real thing, and cost is no advantage when you're sacrificing the theraputic qualities of the real substance. We don't use any petroleum products, there's just no reason to, they are allergenic, in some case toxic, and just really aren't that effective for the things people generally use them for. We are going to put this on our bodies, which untimately means into our bodies! It doesn't bother us that our products have a lifetime, everything living does. Our products are meant to be used, not to decorate the bathroom counter, that's why we don't use synthetic preservatives. We actually think it's pretty cool that our products don't have a shelflife of 2 years. It means that you are always getting fresh, potent, and 'living' products!

Why are petroleum products so bad? Petroleum derivatives are not good for your skin. They are allergenic; they smother your skin and cause skin irritation and acne; they do not absorb well into the skin, so any potentially beneficial ingredient that may be contained in the product also cannot be absorbed. Petrochemicals pollute our water and destroy marine life. Avoiding petrochemicals is essential for humans, animals, fish, water, land, and air. Please don't use them. Hampton,Aubrey- "Natural Organic Skin and Hair Care" Organica Press