Soaps are the only product that require lye and all soaps are cured and pH tested before selling. 

Lye comes in two forms: Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) for making bar soap and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) for making liquid soap.  In some products, these may be used together to make a light and fluffy cream type soap, such as shaving bars.  

Oils and butters are the base for all products we make. There are many ways to combine them to make soaps, lotions, specialty products and more. 

Argan (Argania spinosa) oil: Argan oil is high in antioxidants vitamins A&E and is valued for its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, however it is one of the more expensive oils used. It creates a rich lather in soaps and helps moisturize and condition skin and hair. It is a commonly used ingredient in our beard care line. 

Avocado (Persea gratissima) oil: Avacodo oil is high in vitamins A, B, D and E, oleic acid and palmitoleic acids. Highly conditioning and moisturizing, it creates a creamy lather. 

Babassu (Orbignya oleifera) oil: Babassu oil is rich in vitamin E, phytosterols, lauric acid and antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties and is highly cleansing. It makes a great substitute for people with coconut oil sensitivities.  

Black Seed (Nigella sativa) oil: Black seed oil contains many useful ingredients and is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It helps skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and wound healing. 

Castor (Ricinoleic acid triglyceride) oil: Castor oil, high in ricinoleic acid, has traditionally been used to treat skin rashes and infections. Added to soap and shampoo bar recipes, it creates a creamy lather with large bubbles, while conditioning and moisturizing skin and hair. 

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil: Coconut oil is found in most soap recipes and is used to make a bar with a high lather and lots of bubbles. It is high in lauric acid. For people with coconut allergies or dry, irritated or sensitive skin, another oil may be more appropriate, as coconut oil is highly cleansing but can be drying when used in large amounts. 

Grapeseed (Vitis vinifera) oil: Grapeseed oil is highly conditioning and creates a rich, creamy lather. It is high in linoleic acid, omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants and is great for acne.  

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) oil: Hazelnut oil another oil that is high in fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It is often used for dry skin as it is highly hydrating and moisturizing.  

Hemp Seed (Cannabis indica) oil: Hemp seed oil makes a luxurious, silky-feeling bar. High in vitamins A and E, with highly conditioning properties, it helps to heal and soothe damaged skin. 

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinenis) oil: Jojoba oil is great for oily and acne prone skin, as well as conditioning hair. Because it is so highly conditioning and great for skin, jojoba oil is one of the main oils used in our beard care products.  

Macadamia Nut (Macadamia integrifolia) oil: Macadamia nut oil is very nourishing and great for all skin types, as it is high in antioxidants, oleic acid, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. When included in soap recipes, it creates a hard bar with a creamy lather. 

Neem (Azadirachta indica) oil: Neem oil is great for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Calming to the skin, it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.  Neem oil is used in soaps to make a long-lasting, hard bar with a rich, creamy lather.  

Olive (Olea europaea) oil: Olive oil is high in antioxidants, vitamin E and polyphenols. It is used in many soap recipes and makes a very conditioning, yet gentle soap. Its gentle cleansing properties make it a great soap for every skin type, from babies to elderly, and for anyone with skin conditions. Soaps high in olive oil make for softer bars.  

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil: Sunflower oil has high conditioning and moisturizing properties. It is high in lecithin and vitamins A, D and E.  

Sweet Almond (Prunus Amygdalus dulcis) oil: Sweet Almond oil is great for sensitive or dry skin, as it creates a mild soap with moisturizing properties and a medium lather. It is high in oleic acid, vitamins A and E and linoleic acid. 

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) butter: Cocoa butter is high in vitamin E, numerous fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. It is highly moisturizing and can improve skin elasticity. Because it is solid at room temp, it adds hardness to soap bars. 

Mango (Mangifera indica) butter: Mango butter adds a creamy feel and lather to soaps. It is high in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, Mango butter is highly moisturizing and helps repair and nourish dry or damaged skin.  

Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) butter: Shea butter is high in vitamins A and E, fatty acids and minerals. It is highly moisturizing and gives a luxurious, silky feel to products. 

Lard: Lard is made of fat rendered from pigs. Lard has excellent skin conditioning properties. It makes a long lasting, hard bar of soap with a creamy, rich lather. It is also used as one of the main ingredient in our whipped face and body balms.  For those who avoid pork products, beef tallow can be used in place of lard.  

Tallow: Tallow is the main traditional ingredient historically used in soapmaking. It is usually made from fat rendered from beef. It makes a hard bar of soap with a bubbly, creamy lather. It is also used as one of the main ingredients in our whipped face and body balms. Tallow can be used in place of lard for those who avoid pork products.  

Goat Milk: Goat milk used in all Sweet Face Farms products comes directly from our goats. I personally hand milk our goats to ensure strict consistency in the collection, handling, storage and usage of our goats milk.  Our goats diets consist of high quality feed and hay, minerals and plenty of forage to keep them in the best health and condition. These strict guidelines help our goats produce high quality milk. Our girls come from great milking lines, have been milk tested and are registered with the ADGA.  

Lanolin: Lanolin is a natural waxy substance that is collected from sheep’s wool when it is washed. It has historically been used by pharmacists who used it for healing salves. Lanolin is excellent at locking in moisture, due to its scientifically proven emollient properties. 

Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E is an antioxidant, very soothing and nourishing to all skin and hair. 

Beeswax (Cera alba): Beeswax is used in many types of products to add hardness, such as products in the beard care line and lip balms. Beeswax naturally moisturizes skin and hair, making it an excellent addition in our beard care products, and can provide styling hold for beards and mustaches. It also helps retain moisture for dry, itchy or sensitive skin and makes a great base for lip balms.  

Vegetable Glycerin: Vegetable glycerin is an outstanding moisturizer and cleanser, used in many products. 

Emulsifying wax: Emulsifying wax is a necessary medium for creams and lotions, to blend the oils and water together and prevent them from separating. This improves the consistency and texture of the final product. Emulsifying wax is sourced from naturally occurring fats and esters from ethically sourced palm oil.  

Optiphen: Optiphen is a paraben-free and formaldehyde-free preservative, required in extremely small amounts (0.75-1.5% of the formulation) to prevent growth of bacteria, yeast and mold in lotions. Lotions are made using distilled water and fresh, raw goat milk, where the possibility of contamination is always present, despite our strict collecting and handling. This is the only preservative used and it is a necessity for all lotions. Our goat milk lotion is the only product that contains Optiphen. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns about Optiphen.  

Laundry Washing Powder bases are made using borax, washing powder and baking soda.  

Other additives to laundry powders can be finely grated soaps to enhance cleaning abilities of the base powders, however, they are not necessary. Fels-Naptha and Zote Soap are the main two bar soaps I grate to add to soaps. Both provide more cleaning power, depending on your needs. Laundry Bar Scrubs and Stain Paste can also be made for scrubbing stains as a pre-treatment.