Frequently Asked Questions About Cottonwood Soap Company
Have questions about Cottonwood Soap Company’s handmade soap, ingredients, product care, shipping, subscriptions, gifts, or where to shop in person? You’ll find the answers below. Our small-batch bath and body products are handcrafted on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with thoughtfully selected ingredients and coastal-inspired scents.
About Our Handmade Soap
Where are Cottonwood Soap Company products made?
Cottonwood Soap Company products are handcrafted in small batches on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Our coastal surroundings inspire many of our product names, colors, and fragrances.
What makes handmade soap different from store-bought soap?
Our artisan soap is made in small batches using traditional soapmaking methods and oils selected to create a rich, satisfying lather. Unlike many mass-produced cleansing bars, our handmade soap contains no added detergents or sulfates.
What ingredients do you use in your soaps?
Ingredients vary by variety, but our soaps are made with thoughtfully selected plant oils and may include additions such as shea butter, honey, colloidal oats, activated charcoal, or tussah silk. Each product page includes the complete ingredient list for that specific soap, so please review it before purchasing if you have allergies or sensitivities.
Are your soaps all natural?
No, and we prefer to be transparent about that. Sea Oats is made without added colorants or fragrance. Many of our other soaps contain carefully selected fragrance oils and colorants to create their signature scents and designs. Our fragrance oils are phthalate-free and paraben-free.
Do you use essential oils or fragrance oils?
We use fragrance oils rather than essential oils in our scented products. Our fragrance oils are carefully selected and are phthalate-free and paraben-free. Check each product’s description and complete ingredient list for details about that variety.
Are your products vegan and cruelty-free?
Our products are cruelty-free, but not every product is vegan. Some formulas contain animal-derived ingredients such as honey, beeswax, or tussah silk. Please check the ingredient list on the individual product page if you prefer a vegan option.
Sensitive Skin and Fragrance-Free Options
Is your soap suitable for sensitive skin?
Everyone’s skin is different, so no soap is right for every person. Sea Oats is our simplest option: it contains no added fragrance or colorants and is made with shea butter, honey, and colloidal oats. Bee’s Knees uses the same base formula as Sea Oats but includes added fragrance. We recommend reviewing the complete ingredient list and patch testing any new product if you have sensitive skin, fragrance sensitivities, or known allergies.
Can your soap treat eczema, psoriasis, acne, or another skin condition?
Our products are cosmetics and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent a medical condition. Although Cottonwood Soap Company began after our founder started making soap for her own family’s dry, easily irritated skin, individual results vary. If you have eczema, psoriasis, acne, allergies, or another diagnosed skin condition, consult your healthcare professional before trying a new product.
Do you offer fragrance-free or unscented soap?
Yes. Sea Oats is our fragrance-free soap, made without added fragrance or colorants. It includes shea butter, honey, and colloidal oats and is a good choice for customers who prefer a simple, unscented bar.
Product Use and Care
How long does a bar of handmade soap last?
The life of a bar depends on how often it is used, how many people use it, and how well it dries between uses. Keeping handmade soap out of standing water and allowing air to circulate around the entire bar can significantly extend its life.
How should I store my soap so it lasts longer?
Place the bar on a well-draining soap dish or Soap Lift and allow it to dry completely between uses. Do not leave handmade soap sitting in water or in the direct stream of the shower, because the bar will soften and dissolve more quickly.
Are bath bombs intended for the bath or shower?
Our bath bombs are designed to dissolve in a bathtub filled with water. They are not shower steamers. Follow the directions on the product packaging and use caution because oils may make the tub surface slippery.
Can solid lotion bars soften or melt in warm weather?
Yes. Because solid lotion bars are designed to melt with body heat, they may soften in a hot car, direct sunlight, or other high-temperature conditions. Store yours in a cool, dry place. If it softens, place it somewhere cool until it becomes firm again; this normally affects appearance rather than usefulness.
Gifts and Buying Options
Are your products good for gifts?
Yes. Cottonwood Soap Company offers ready-to-give bath and body gift sets, coastal gifts, Hilton Head Island gifts, and e-gift cards. Many gift sets arrive boxed and bowed, making them easy to give for birthdays, holidays, hostess gifts, teacher appreciation, and other occasions.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes. Cottonwood Soap Company e-gift cards are available in several denominations and are delivered electronically, allowing the recipient to choose their favorite products.
Do you offer soap samples or travel-friendly products?
Our Soap Sampler Pack includes an assortment of soap pieces in a reusable drawstring soap saver bag and is a convenient way to explore several scents. Our solid lotion bars and Happy Heels Lotion Stick are also convenient for travel because they are solid rather than liquid. Always follow current TSA and carrier requirements when traveling.
Do you offer wholesale pricing?
Yes. Cottonwood Soap Company partners with qualifying retailers interested in carrying our handmade bath and body products. Visit our wholesale page or contact us with your business information to learn about current ordering options.
Do you offer custom or bulk gifts for weddings, events, or businesses?
We welcome inquiries about larger gift orders for weddings, events, client gifts, and employee appreciation. Availability, minimum quantities, customization, and lead times depend on the products and order size, so please contact us well in advance with your date, quantity, and budget.
Where can I buy Cottonwood Soap Company products in person?
You can shop with Cottonwood Soap Company at select markets and events in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area. Because schedules can change seasonally or due to weather, visit our Shop in Person page for current locations, dates, and times.
Shipping and Orders
How long does shipping take?
Most in-stock orders are prepared for shipment within 4–7 business days. Transit time begins after the carrier receives the package and varies by destination and carrier conditions. You will receive tracking information when your order ships. Current shipping charges and any free-shipping offer are shown at checkout. Need international shipping? International orders are available through our Cottonwood Soap Company Etsy shop.
How can I track my order?
When your order ships, you will receive a shipping-confirmation email containing a tracking link. Please allow time for the carrier to scan the package. If you cannot locate the email, check your spam or promotions folder before contacting us.
Can I change or cancel an order after placing it?
Contact us as soon as possible after placing your order. We will do our best to accommodate a change or cancellation, but we cannot guarantee changes once an order has entered processing or has shipped.
What is your return policy?
Please review our current Refund Policy for eligibility, instructions, and any product-specific restrictions. Contact us promptly if an order arrives damaged, incorrect, or incomplete so we can help.
Subscribe & Save
How does Subscribe & Save work?
Choose eligible core soaps, select delivery every 4, 6, or 8 weeks, and save 10% on recurring orders. A subscription with six or more bars also qualifies for free shipping. Available varieties and terms are shown when you select the subscription option.
Can I skip, pause, change, or cancel my soap subscription?
Yes. You can manage eligible subscription settings through your customer account, including skipping, pausing, changing products or frequency, and canceling future deliveries. Make changes before the next order is processed to prevent an unwanted shipment.
Contact and Community
How can I contact Cottonwood Soap Company about an order?
Email info@cottonwoodsoap.com and include your order number and the email address used at checkout. We will respond as soon as possible during regular business days.
What is the Coastal Ambassador Program?
The Coastal Ambassador Program is for people who genuinely enjoy Cottonwood Soap Company products and want to introduce them to others. Visit the Coastal Ambassador Program page for current eligibility details, benefits, and the application.