FAQS

“Walla” means master or maker in Hindi. When our founder was living in India and studying with an Ayurvedic doctor, a friend to whom she gifted some cleansing bars nicknamed her the “soap walla.” She loved that title and knew it was the perfect name for the company.

Soapwalla was born out of necessity. Our founder, Rachel Winard, has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune illness that can manifest itself in a number of ways. Like others who suffer from lupus, she gets terrible skin rashes, hives and irritated skin patches. At times, Rachel could barely use water on her skin without irritation. After months of hunting for face and body products that wouldn’t aggravate her ultra-sensitive skin, she gathered ingredients from her kitchen cabinets that she knew were gentle and started experimenting. The product line grew from there. Rachel spent seven years perfecting the product line before premiering Soapwalla in December 2009.

Soapwalla’s products are proudly produced by hand in small batches in Brooklyn, New York. We partner with local farmers whenever possible to enhance freshness and minimize the distances ingredients must travel.

All Soapwalla’s products are certified vegan and the ingredients in Soapwalla products are from sustainable and renewable resources. We only purchase from growers who practice proven responsible farming practices. Our products are packaged in glass. Our labels and cartons are post-consumer recycled and FSC-certified, and we use soy inks for our package printing. Our shipping materials are recyclable and biodegradable. Our soon-to-launch bulk refill program will eliminate even more excess packaging.

While all of Soapwalla’s products are 100% natural, we cannot say that they are 100% certified organic simply because the process of obtaining USDA organic certification is an expensive and onerous one—for us and for the small farms with whom we partner. Soapwalla has a stringent system in place for vetting all of our suppliers to ensure they practice sustainable, environmentally responsible agriculture and do not use pesticides or herbicides. We often confirm this by paying onsite farm visits. We diligently source the highest quality ingredients we can obtain and purchase from local growers whenever possible.

All Soapwalla products are certified as vegan and cruelty-free by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics' Leaping Bunny Program and the Caring Consumer Program. Soapwalla does not use any animal-derived byproducts and we never, ever test on animals. We only purchase raw ingredients from producers who have themselves been proven to be cruelty-free by independent parties.

We’re proud of our MADE SAFE® certified products. The MADE SAFE (Made with Safe Ingredients) seal means that a product is made with independently verified ingredients that are not known or suspected to harm human health or ecosystems. The MADE SAFE process is revolutionary. In short, it means that you can finally trust that products are made without toxic ingredients known to harm our health. Soapwalla is THRILLED to announce that the following products are MADE SAFE certified:

Concentrated Repair Balm

Citrus Almond Luxurious Body Oil

Lavender Vanilla Mint Luxurious Body Oil

Restorative Face Serum

Citrus, Ginger & Lemongrass Luxurious Body Oil

Absolutely not! We don’t ever use questionable additives in any of our formulas. That means no sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate (SLS and SLES), parabens, phthalates, petrochemical byproducts, harsh preservatives or synthetic ingredients. Soapwalla is proud to be MADE SAFE® certified, which means our formulations, manufacturing process and suppliers have been thoroughly vetted to ensure there is no contamination or laxity along the supply chain.

All Soapwalla products are gluten-free.

Soapwalla does not use any synthetic fragrances. The delicious scents that Soapwalla products are known for are created from their ingredients: pure essential and seed oils, butters, powdered herbs and spices.

We use only food-grade, kosher, vegan glycerin. Glycerin is a natural humectant that enables the outer layers of the skin to retain moisture.

No. Soapwalla does not use ingredients that have been derived from GMOs (genetically modified organisms) or GE (genetically engineered) components.

Food-grade ingredients have been processed and packaged in such a way that they are deemed safe enough for consumption. In order to provide the purest, most effective products possible, Soapwalla uses ingredients such as freshly ground oats, pure almonds, sea salts, organic raw sugar, and freshly ground spices in my formulations.

Please note: even though Soapwalla products smell good enough to eat, essential oils should not be consumed. Soapwalla products are meant only for external use.

Soapwalla uses small-batch, cold- and expeller-pressed oils in our products. Cold-press processing means that only the most minimal processing was used in the entire production chain which includes only mechanical pressure and low temperatures, gently extracting the oils over time. Unlike conventional extraction methods, chemical additives are not used in cold- and expeller-pressing. Since cold-pressed oils are not exposed to heat and have gone through less processing, they retain more of their beneficial phytonutrients, including antioxidants and phytosterols, that naturally protect against oxidation and free-radical formation.

Don't fret! Soapwalla does not use any unnecessary waxes or hardeners, so temperature fluctuations can alter the solidity of your deodorant but in no way compromises the effectiveness of the product. Should your Deodorant Cream arrive liquefied, simply mix thoroughly with a finger or chopstick, then pop the container in your freezer for about 30 minutes or until the Deodorant Cream has resolidified. It should be as good as new!

Soapwalla products contain high concentrations of natural active ingredients and are packaged in Miron Violet glass to preserve their integrity. Miron glass has been proven to block the complete spectrum of visible light with the exception of the violet portion. It also allows for some permeability, which naturally extends the durability and potency of our products. Because our formulations utilize natural, food-grade preservative systems, they are most potent within the first six months after opening. Our Cleansing Bars are best used within 18 months. It’s best to purchase what you will consume within a six-month period.

All Soapwalla’s products are formulated for even the most sensitive skin, utilizing pure food-grade and organic ingredients.

The following products were created specifically for rosacea:
Restorative Face Serum
Concentrated Repair Balm
Hydrating Toning Mist
Lavender Vanilla Mint Luxurious Body Oil
Resilience Body Oil
Bergamot & Cinnamon Cleansing Bar
Cardamom & Ginger Cleansing Bar
Lavender & French Clay Cleansing Bar

The following products were created for damaged and highly irritated skin (psoriasis, eczema, dry skin patches, Reynaud’s syndrome):
Restorative Face Serum
Concentrated Repair Balm
Hydrating Toning Mist
Resilience Body Oil
Lavender & Eucalyptus Soaking Salts
Cedarwood & Grapefruit Soaking Salts
Bergamot & Cinnamon Cleansing Bar
Cardamom & Ginger Cleansing Bar

Soapwalla products are unisex and meant for all humans. If you have a specific skincare need that you would like to address, please reach out to us and we would love to help you find products that suit your particular needs.

Our products are specifically formulated for those with sensitive skin. However, if you have a history of sensitive skin or allergic reactions, please test any skincare product you purchase, including ours, on a small area inside your wrist for 2-3 days prior to using on your face or the rest of your body. Soapwalla cannot guarantee that customers will not experience skin reactions and cannot be held responsible should any occur.

Most of Soapwalla’s products are safe for 2nd and 3rd trimester use. For a full listing of pregnancy-safe essential oils, please visit the IFPA pregnancy guidelines: https://naha.org/assets/uploads/PregnancyGuidelines-Oct11.pdf

Soapwalla products are formulated for even the most sensitive skin, utilizing pure food-grade and organic ingredients. Soapwalla products are often suggested for use by oncologists to support the skin during chemotherapy and after radiation treatments. If you are currently undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or other therapy, please reach out to us about your specific needs or questions, and, of course, always check with your doctor or healthcare provider about what skincare products are safe during treatment.

We ship via the U.S. Postal Service and UPS with tracking, as we've found that to be the most economical for our customers. If you prefer that we ship via Fed Ex or DHL, please email us at hello@soapwalla.com for a shipping estimate. International orders may be subject to VAT where applicable.

Because of the nature of our products, we cannot accept returns or exchanges on used or opened items. We highly recommend purchasing travel sizes as an economical way to test our products. If you have a history of sensitive skin or allergic reactions, please test any skincare product you purchase on a small area inside your wrist for 2-3 days prior to using on your face or the rest of your body. If you have a question or concern after testing, please contact us directly, and we can work together to create a successful outcome.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Chase Quickpay and Venmo.

Your privacy is important to us. The information you give us is used only for services you opt to receive, such as newsletters and information related to the orders you place with us. Soapwalla will never share your information with anyone else and we will not sell or trade your information. Credit cards are removed from our records as soon as your payment is completed.

We do! We would love to speak with you about your specific skincare needs. Bespoke services  are provided on an individual case basis. If you have questions about our bespoke services, please email us at orders@soapwalla.com.

Thank you! We love to spread the word on Soapwalla’s products. Please contact us at hello@soapwalla.com for a full press kit.

Of course! We love receiving product suggestions! Please email us at orders@soapwalla.com.

Everything we do is about sustainability, responsibility and taking care of our earth and all its inhabitants. We are committed to using only safe, effective, natural, organic, food-grade ingredients that are sustainably grown, harvested and processed. We are equally committed to responsibly produced packaging and thoughtful distribution, always working to shrink our footprint as we expand our outreach.

Yes! Believing passionately that it’s possible to run a business that does well and does good at the same time, Soapwalla has a robust program of philanthropy and contributes to a number of charitable foundations. A list of our past donations is here. We encourage our customers to join us in supporting these worthy organizations.