Blog

  • IN THIS TOGETHER...HOW DO WE STAY SAFE?

    It is important that we stay informed about how to avoid getting the Corona virus. The best thing that we can do is stay at home, but it is also good when we know exactly what is causing this pandemic and what we can do to make sure we don’t get infected with it. This information was gathered from an infectious specialist at John Hopkins University.

    The COVID-19 virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA). It is covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat) which when absorbed by cells in your eyes, nose and throat mutate and multiply and become aggressive cells. As a protein molecule it does not actually die, but decays on its own. The length of time that disintegration takes place depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

    The virus is very fragile with only a thin layer of fat to protect it. Soap is the best remedy because it CUTS the FAT! Rubbing your hands together with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds makes a lot of foam which dissolves the fat layer and the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own critically weakening the virus. Rinsing your hands with water then removes it from your skin completely.

    The virus stays on your skin for about 5-10 minutes so frequent handwashing is recommended to keep you from transferring it to your face. It stays on fabric for up to 3 hours, 24 hrs. on cardboard, 42 hrs. on metal and 72 hrs.on plastic. Alcohol of at least 65% or hand sanitizer will also destroy the virus and a mixture of 1 part bleach and 5 parts water will work for disinfecting hard surfaces as it dissolves the protein and breaks it down from the inside.

    All this hand washing will dry out your hands and it is important that you moisturize to prevent the protein molecules from hiding in the micro cracks on your skin. The thicker the moisturizer the better, i.e. Shea butter which forms a thick layer on your skin. Last of all, keep your nails short so that the virus doesn’t hide there.

    In closing, I would to thank all of you who have used our soaps and Shea Butters for years. If this is your first time looking at our products, we guarantee that we will do our best to give you products that are safe for your family free of chemicals, artificial preservatives and synthetic fragrances! We will continue to run sales so that you can keep your family germ free.

    STAY HOME...SAVE LIVES...WASH YOUR HANDS...DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE!!!

  • Palm Oil, Sustainability, and Somewhat Organic Soap

    Soapmaking is an ancient craft. Through the years, soapmakers have used many different fats and oils to combine with lye and create cleansing bars or liquids. In fact, it wasn’t until World War I made fats and oil scarce that synthetic oils became the norm. Up until then, the oils used in soap were derived from organic sources, such as plants and animals. The oils were sourced well, not because of any crusade for sustainability, but because soap was made in small batches and for local communities.

    Why Palm Oil Is Great for Soap

    Palm oil became popular in soapmaking because it is an excellent vegetarian alternative to animal products. While animal fat tends to be stable and hard, plant oils are softer and don’t lend the same qualities to a soap. Using plant materials makes organic soap far more sustainable, but not many plant-based oils were up to the job. After palm oil was discovered to be a suitable substitute, it became a favored ingredient in both industrial and organic soap.

    The Problem of Deforestation

    In 2014, Greenpeace released a report disclosing the results of a year-long investigation into Proctor & Gamble’s palm oil supply chain. The report revealed massive deforestation, destruction of orangutan and Sumatran tiger habitats, and uncontrolled forest fires. While there had long been concerns about the sourcing of palm oil in such massive quantities (in 2013, P&G alone bought about 462,000 tons of it), the Greenpeace report tipped the scales in favor of sustainability. In April 2014, P&G committed to new sustainability goals including no deforestation for palm oil.

    Why We Need to Keep Talking About It

    While it is excellent that P&G has chosen to set the bar higher, it is still sadly common for many companies to source palm oil in destructive ways. A sustainable, traceable source requires more legwork and a higher cost. Many conventional companies aren’t willing to make that sacrifice. In places where palm oil is being harvested with little consideration for the environment, unfair labor and trade practices are also common.

    The Palm Oil in Somewhat Organic Soap

    The palm oil used in Somewhat Organic soap is certified and traceable. We only purchase our supply from South American countries using high levels of sustainability. We do not source any palm oil out of Southeast Asia or Indonesia where palm plantations have been rapidly taking over forests and disrupting habitats. We are choosing to be part of the solution to the forest destruction problem.

    Palm oil is an excellent option for soapmaking. It is vegetarian, abundant, and easily sourced. Unfortunately, many large companies have taken advantage of the lack of regulations in other countries and have wreaked havoc on the environment. When you purchase Somewhat Organic Soap, you make a statement that you think we can do better! By insisting on better practices, we can make sustainability the norm for every company. 

  • Perfect Gifts for Dad from Somewhat Organic Soap Company

    June brings us a great opportunity to celebrate our dads, husbands, and the other men who have helped us grow. It isn’t unusual for Father’s Day gifts to stump us. Does Dad really want another tie or coffee mug? This year, think outside the box and get dad or grandpa a gift he can really use and is sure to love: handcrafted organic soap. Here are some great gift ideas for those important men in your life.

    Soap of the Month Club

    Everyone needs soap! And by gifting your husband, father, or another celebrated man our soap of the month club, you are giving him the gift that keeps on giving. Available in 3, 6, or 12-month packages, the club delivers handmade soap to your loved one’s door each month. You can include a note with each month’s gift if you would like, and each bar delivered is carefully chosen to be a seasonal fragrance. Why just say I love and appreciate you in the month of June when you can say it all year round?

    Special Interest Gifts

    If your father or husband has special interests or needs, we may have a soap that will compliment him nicely! For the man who loves to camp and be outdoors, try our specially formulated camping soap. Made with essential oils like eucalyptus and citronella to keep the bugs away, this soap will moisturize, clean, and protect him while he’s out on grand adventures.

    If your Father’s Day honoree enjoys spending time in the garden, consider getting him our gardener’s scrub soap. A must for every gardener, this soap is made with finely group apricot kernels and coffee beans to exfoliate all the dirt away. A lemon-fresh scent washes away any odor while jojoba oil restores moisture and helps to heal any cuts or abrasions. A purchase of 3 or more bars earns a discount, so get him one for every sink!

    Finally, if the men in your life have particular health concerns that require especially gentle soap, they would love our special needs soap which is formulated just for them! Originally developed for customers who were undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, this soap is made with Shea butter and aloe to soothe the skin. Additionally, this is an excellent choice for those who suffer from psoriasis, eczema, allergies, or autoimmune conditions.

    "Doubly Delicious" Organic Gift Basket

    To really spoil the men in your life, look no further than the "Doubly Delicious" Organic Gift Basket. A combination of all the products our customers love, this is the perfect gift when you just can’t choose one thing! The basket includes hand soaps, lip balm, Shea butter, bar soaps, and even a soap lift, all wrapped up beautifully for gifting. You can specify your choice of fragrance in your order, or just leave it up to us.

    When you love someone, you wish them the very best. This year, instead of choosing one more tool or dress shirt, give Dad a useful and delightful gift from Somewhat Organic Soap Company. Find all of these gifts and more in our online shop, or find out more about how we make our handcrafted soaps here.

  • Reasons to Get Rid of Conventional Soap

    It feels good to be clean! Unfortunately, if you use conventional soap, you could actually be doing yourself more harm than good. Here are a few reasons to ditch the typical soap and opt for organic soap instead.

    Vague Labeling

    Have you ever wondered what is in your bar or bottle of soap? What makes it lather with so many bubbles or smell like spring flowers? The labeling requirements for soap products are fairly lax, allowing companies to include a myriad of questionable chemicals in their products. On the other hand, homemade and organic soaps typically follow clear labeling policies, with no hidden or mystery ingredients. You can be sure that what you see is what you get.

    Parabens, Triclosan, and Other Scary Words

    Parabens are synthetic chemicals used in many soaps for their antifungal properties. Unfortunately, they have also been linked to hormone disruption and cancer. Triclosan is the active ingredient in most antibacterial soaps. The FDA has cited concern that triclosan could lead to problems such as infertility, obesity, and cancer. Additionally, Methylisothiazolinone is used in numerous cosmetic and soap products, even though it is known to be toxic to humans. Simply put, conventional soap is not made with the health of its users in mind. Alternatively, organic soap is made mostly from oils and glycerin, which clean, nourish, and moisturize the skin without toxic effects.

    Sulfates and Your Skin

    Conventional soaps are made with detergents (sulfates) that strip the skin of its natural oils. As a result, these soaps leave you with “clean” skin that is actually dried out and starved for moisture. Glycerin is a natural derivative of the soapmaking process. Instead of drying skin like sulfates, glycerin softens and moisturizes skin. Unfortunately, most commercial soap companies remove the glycerin from their soap. After you use a quality organic soap, however, the glycerin remains on your skin, keeping it moist and soft without the use of other moisturizers.

    Sustainability and Social Ethics

    Unlike smaller organic soap companies, conventional body care companies do not have a direct connection to their customers. For this reason, their actions do not show the same concern for the well-being of their customers. Do you know if your soap was made by child laborers? Or if the ingredients used were responsibly sourced? Soapmakers who use their own products and sell them to friends and family have a high accountability for the conditions of their production and the ingredients they use. This results in products that are better for customers and for the environment.

    More and more people are rejecting chemical-laden conventional soap. Instead of accepting the claims in commercials, consumers are opting for organic soap made with sustainable ingredients. The good news is, giving up your current soap doesn’t mean you have to give up being clean. If you are interested in replacing your conventional soap with products that are better for you and for the world, check out our full selection of organic soap here.

  • Four Gifts Anyone Will Love from Somewhat Organic Soap Company

    Spring is finally here, and with it comes a myriad of gifting opportunities. While no gift could completely express your love and gratitude, it’s always wonderful to show a friend, family member, or colleague how much they mean to you. As you choose how to honor your loved ones, Somewhat Organic Soap Company can help! Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular gifts we sell, with the perfect options for an anniversary, graduation, birthday, or other celebration on your calendar.

    Soap-of-the-Month Club

    This is the gift that keeps on giving! Send your loved one 3, 6, or 12 months of soap deliveries. Each month he or she will receive a bar of soap with a special fragrance that aligns with the season. The bars will be gift-wrapped and can include personalized messages from you. The soap-of-the-month club is a great way to help your loved ones discover a favorite scent while reminding them of your love throughout the year. Also, if you choose 12 months of soap, we’ll send you your own surprise bar as a thank you!

    Six Bar Sampler

    If you aren’t sure what the people on your list will love, why not give them a selection? Maybe they’ll even find a new favorite! This gift features some of our bestselling organic bar soaps. Let us choose the fragrances, or select some yourself at checkout. The sampler comes packed in a lovely basket, making it truly gift-worthy.

    Luxury Gift Box

    What person doesn't need a little more luxury in his or her life? Give your loved one the gift of pampering, including a 4 oz. bar of organic soap, a 4 oz. jar of our whipped organic shea butter, and a 2 oz. organic butter stick. Rounding out the box are a boucle cotton bath soap saver and a vinyl High and Dry soap lift. This is a gift that welcomes customization. Choose from products scented with lavender, citrus, almond, patchouli, or unscented, in any combination!

    Whether buying for your next door neighbor or a long-distance relative, Somewhat Organic Soap Company products will make any celebration a little brighter. Family, teachers, friends, graduates, and anyone else on your list will love them too! It’s a lovely, sustainable way to show your gratitude to the people you love most. You can check out more gift options here! 

  • The Benefits of Choosing Organic Soap

    We spend a lot of time thinking about ways to keep ourselves healthy and away from harmful chemicals. We filter our water and our air. We read food labels and ask about sourcing. However, while we look for ways to minimize our exposure to toxins that go into our bodies, we frequently forget to consider what goes on our bodies. Body care products can be a source of a heavy toxic load. On the other hand, organic soap and other body care products provide nourishment and protection for our skin.

    Natural Ingredients

    Most readily available soaps are made with questionable chemicals, fragrances, and dyes. One of the wisest choices you can make for your health (and the planet!) is to treat skincare products like you would food: always read the label. If the ingredients in your soap aren’t things you’ve heard of before, it’s worth doing your research and finding out where they actually come from. Making the switch to organic soap is a great way to ensure that the products you use on your skin are helping you thrive.

    Better for Your Skin

    It’s easy to forget that our skin is our largest organ. In fact, it functions as our first line of defense against disease and harmful chemicals. Synthetic chemical ingredients found in commercial soaps, like parabens, sulfates, and manufactured fragrances, are irritating and drying. It is not unusual for them to cause negative reactions. The longer and more frequent the exposure to an irritant, the more likely it will become a problem. Switching to organic soap, which is typically free of harsh chemicals and contains many natural moisturizers, can soothe your skin and reduce or prevent problems with dryness and irritation.

    Better for the Environment

    Organic soaps use cruelty-free ingredients, meaning they were not tested on animals. Also, the ingredients are grown without pesticides or herbicides, which add toxins to the soil, air, and water supply. Due to its natural ingredients, organic soap is far more biodegradable and won’t leave traces of synthetic chemicals behind- not on your skin, not in your home, and not in the water you use to rinse it away.

    At Somewhat Organic Soap Co, we purchase our sunflower and safflower oils from certified organic growers in the USA. These farmers are dedicated to sustainability in accordance with USDA Organic standards. We only purchase our certified palm oil from South American farms with high levels of sustainability. We make a point to not purchase any palm oil out of Southeast Asia or Indonesia where palm plantations have been expanded too rapidly, at the expense of the environment.

    Choosing to purchase and use organic soap and other body products is not only the wise choice for your skin. It is also the responsible, mindful choice for the earth. If you would like to learn about the soapmaking process we use at Somewhat Organic, you can read more here.

  • Patchouli Benefits -- It's not just for Hippies!

    You may have associated the patchouli fragrance with the 1960's, free love, hippies and "Deadheads", but surprisingly it's known for much, much more! Patchouli essential oil has a rich, earthy, woody aroma with a nearly hidden fruity note. In fragrance applications it is used as a base that acts as a fixative and "grounds" an aromatic blend.

    There are many health benefits to utilizing products made with the essential oil of the patchouli leaf--which is also known by the botanical name Pogostemon cablin. In fact, it is now one of the most popular ingredients in hygiene and beauty products such as lotions, soaps, shampoos, bath and massage oils, and perfumes. Surprised? 


    Take a look at a few of the benefits of Patchouli Essential Oil:

    • Aids in Reducing Stress and Fatigue
    • Soothes Inflammation
    • Protects Wounds from Infection
    • Boosts Energy & Immune System
    • Eliminates Body Odor
    • Removes Toxins from Body
    • Reduces Body Temperature
    • Inhibits Fungal Growth
    • Helps with Acne, Eczema Dermatitis & Psoriasis 
    • Works as a great bug repellant!

    Even though we don't sell the pure essential oil, we use it in all of our patchouli products. Try our bar soap, foaming hand lotion, and shea butter products here: http://www.somewhatorganic.com/search.php?search_query=patchouli! Some say patchouli is even an aphrodisiac...hmmmmm... that's a good enough reason to try it right there! :)

    Hey -- while we have your attention, how about visiting our Facebook page and giving us a like? You'll be the first to know about any specials, sales or new products we roll out. You'll also stay up to date on where you can see us in person and try our products LIVE. 

    In fact, we'll be at the French Market Wheaton, Illinois this Saturday and French Market Geneva, Illinois this Sunday! Come say HI! 

    Until next week, get your patchouli on! 

  • INDEPENDENCE! And the FREEDOM to be healthy and educated.

    Independence. Freedom. Education. 

    This coming weekend we will celebrate America's independence from Great Britain, and our freedom as Americans. We'll have parties with family and friends. Backyard BBQs, fireworks, hot dogs and hamburgers will be a plenty and we'll dress ourselves and our kids in red, white & blue. We'll proudly fly and wave our flags, and maybe even drink a little too much. 

    When you think of all the freedoms we have as Americans, it can be quite enlightening in comparison to other countries in our world. I know...this isn't anything you don't already know.

    Now, we're not professing to be accurate historians by any means, but just look at some of the freedoms ratified and granted by the  Bill of Rights AFTER the Constitution was signed. We've got freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a free press, and free assembly; the right to keep and bear arms; freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, security in personal effects, and freedom from warrants issued without probable cause; indictment by a grand jury for any capital or "infamous crime"; guarantee of a speedy, public trial with an impartial jury; and prohibition of double jeopardy.

    Is our country perfect? Not by any means. 

    Are our government officials always honest and upworthy citizens? No. 

    Are we healthier than some other nations? Yes. 

    Should we radically guard our freedoms? Yes.

    Should we do whatever we can to defend our country and the liberties that were so bravely fought for? YES!

    This is not meant to be a political tirade, or a debating blog post...and how in the world will I tie this all in to our organic products?!

    Well, among the many privileges we have as Americans is also the freedom to make our own informed decisions about the food, products, media and other matters of opinion that we partake of. THAT is another BIG reason to celebrate.

    The Internet can be a dangerous place. But it can also be a wealth of differing opinions and facts and lies that we need to juggle through. Thankfully, at least for now, our Internet is not censored to only include what our government officials want us to see. 

    So, get educated. 

    Read all you can. 

    Make informed decisions. 

    Pursue health. 

    Stay safe.

    And if that includes using our organic products, then so be it! That's what we're here for. To educate and provide. So...shop away! 

    And ... Happy Independence Day! 

  • Find our products at The Little Traveler in Geneva, Illinois!

    neon-free-smells-mgd-.jpg

    I imagine it's quite hard to make a decision on an organic, essential oil-scented soap or lotion online, right? I mean you can't SMELL through the Internet...at least not yet!

    Besides catching us every other weekend at the French Markets in Wheaton and Geneva, Illinois, you can now test and purchase our products at The Little Traveler on Third Street in Geneva! We've had our soaps and lotions there for quite a while, but pretty soon you'll have access to everything!

    And by everything, we mean our:

    We've had a great partnership with The Little Traveler and are honored to be featured in this amazing store. We're located in "The Linen Room", so next time you're in the area come on in and give us a smell!

  • TREAT. YO. SELF. FLASH SALE! 25% off entire store PLUS...keep reading!


    Parks and Recreation TV show fan? No? 

    Take a look at this video and you'll get it. :)


    25% OFF our ENTIRE store!

    FREE shipping on all orders over $50!

    Why yes, you DID read that right! 

    Keep reading for your COUPON CODE and ok, yeah yeah...some super de-duper GIFT ideas. 

    But first...guuuurls and booooooys --> TREAT. YO. SELF.

    Well, and also...

    • Parents' Day is July 26th so any one of our gift baskets would totally make up for all the bad things you did growing up. 
    • National Grandparent's Day is Sept 13th and our soap-of-the-month club will let them know how sweet and special they are every month and ALL YEAR LONG. 
    • Boss' Day is Oct 16th and THIS just might get you a raise.
    • Veteran's Day is Nov 11th and ...well anything is just a small token of thanks, but you also need to HONOR and TELL them! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! 
    • and... duh! Christmas is the entire month of December! So anything and everything is needed! It's NEVER too early to start shopping.

    With all THAT said, GO! Get busy shopping! www.SomewhatOrganic.com

    Use COUPON CODE --> JUNEFLASH2015 <-- for 25% off!

    Not so fine print --> THIS SALE ENDS AT 11:59PM TODAY! <--

    Oh, and did you catch this? FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50?!

    Helllloooooooooo! But remember -- TREAT. YO. SELF.

    End of infomercial. :)