Our soaps are cold processed.  This method of soapmaking creates natural glycerin which remains in the soap, adding to it's moisturizing qualities.  For more information on the ingredients in our soaps, click here.

Our packaging is simple and designed to be earth friendly. All our packaging components can be recycled.  Close friends and family are our product testers. We do not use animal testing (except for our own pets, who always smell great and have beautiful coats).

Below is information on the ingredients used in our products and well as a word about preservatives and safety

Ingredients are listed for each product produced by Alaska Naturals. We employ many variations in our product formulations. This listing includes the base ingredients used in formulations and possible additions to the base formulation.

Soap:
Base ingredients:
All of our soaps employ the same base ingredients of Saponified oils of palm, palm kernel, olive, coconut. All formulations also include at least one of the following emollient oils: almond, jojoba, or avocado. "Saponified" means the changing of the physical property of the oils when mixed with the appropriate amount of Sodium Hydroxide (common name, lye). The resulting physical change is soap. Any soap (not detergent) is a result of saponification. A natural byproduct of the saponification of oils is glycerin. Commercial manufacturers of soap employ a process to remove the glycerin from their soap and sell it separately, due to it's value in other industries. The glycerin is not removed from handcrafted, cold processed soap, resulting in a more naturally moisturizing product as compared to commercial products.

Additional ingredients include grains, botanicals, and herbs added for their unique properties. Grains are generally added for their ability to exfoliate. Herbs and botanicals are used for their traditionally reputation of healing/therapeutic properties as well as adding color, scent, as well as their ability to exfoliate.

Fragrances/Flavoring: Essential oils and Fragrance oils come from reputable sources in the aromatherapy industry. All of our fragrances are cosmetic grade. Lip balms may contain food grade flavorings.Essential oils used are reputed to have healing/therapeutic properties.

Colorants: Many of the colors within our soaps come directly from the oils, herbs, grains, and botanicals used. Some colors are obtained by using pigments, minerals, and FD&C colorants. All colorants used are cosmetic grade, obtained from reputable suppliers in the aromatherapy industry.

Lotion:
Base ingredients: Purified water, oils of almond, avocado, and/or jojoba, emulsifying wax (vegetable derived), citric acid (natural preservative), and essential oil/fragrance oil.

Other ingredients: Vitamin E, Rosemary oil extract, or Grapefruit Seed extract may also be added as natural preservatives.

Balms and Salves:
Base ingredients: Beeswax, one or more of the following oils: almond, avocado, jojoba, cocoa butter, shea butter, and olive.

Additional ingredients: Herbs and botanicals are used for their traditional reputation of healing/soothing properties as well as adding scent.

Bath Salts & Bath Bombs:
Base ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, mineral salts & citric acid. Coconut oil or cocoa butter are also added to our bath bombs.

Additional ingredients: Glycerin is added as a moisturizer. Bath salts and bath bombs may also include other moisturizing oils, grains, herbs, and botanicals.

Fragrance/Color: Essential oils and Fragrance oils come from reputable sources in the aromatherapy industry. All of our fragrances are cosmetic grade. Essential oils used are reputed to have healing/therapeutic properties. Many of the colors within our soaps come directly from the oils, herbs, grains, and botanicals used. Some colors are obtained by using pigments, minerals, and FD&C colorants. All colorants used are cosmetic grade, obtained from reputable suppliers in the aromatherapy industry.

Bath Teas:
Herbs, botanicals, and essential oils

Bath Oils:
Fractionated coconut oil and essential oils.

A word about preservatives:

We strive to keep our products as natural as possible. To that end, we do not use synthetic preservatives in any of our products. We do employ citric acid, vitamin E, botanical extracts and essential oils as natural inhibitors to oxidation, microbial growth, and spoilage. While the lack of synthetic preservatives may reduce the shelf life of our lotions and creams to some degree, we just don't feel right about all that "stuff" going into our products (and on your skin). Our creams and lotions have been routinely held at room temperature (70F) for more than 3 months without evidence of bacterial growth or spoilage. Storing the products away from direct sunlight and in a cool, dry area or refrigeration will prolong the shelf life. For those customers who might only use our lotions and creams occasionally, we package these products in small portions so that they will likely be used before any danger of spoilage might occur. If you use our products daily, your supply we most certainly run out before any spoilage would occur. Furthermore, our customers always receive only freshly made products. Our lotions and creams are not made in advance of sales. They are made on the day that your order is received or on the day of shipping.

A word about safety:

These products contain essential oils, fragrance oils, pigments and colorants. Our products are formulated to be safe, however some people may experience sensitivity to certain ingredients. As with any cosmetic product, we recommend testing the product on a small portion of skin. If redness or irritation results, discontinue use. Avoid getting products into eyes. Keep out of reach of small children. Pregnant or nursing mothers should consult a physician before using products containing essential oils.