Frequently Asked Questions

Solon Factory Business Office

Monday - Thursday: 9:30am - 4:30pm EST
Friday: 9:30am - 3:00pm EST

During the Summer months, we may be closed on some Fridays!

Whenever our business office is closed you can always place orders online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Business Office Phone: (440) 248-7627
If the answering machine picks up during business hours, we are probably making soap... so please call again!

If you have placed a pick-up order you will be contacted when it is available. Pick-up times are during our Solon Business Office hours of operation.

Please see our calendar of closings for legal holidays

For US Orders

Shipping Information

1. How do you ship?

We ship most orders via US Postal Service Priority Mail using the least amount of packaging material possible.

*If your order is under ONE POUND you will also see an option to have your package shipped using USPS First Class Mail.

• This option will be less expensive, however, shipping time will be 2 to 3 days longer than with Priority Shipping.

You will always receive BOTH options except:

• In the warm summer months, the First Class option will not be available if you purchase items that may melt in transit due to the increase in transit time.

2. How long will it take to receive my order?

Orders are packed and shipped within 2 to 4 business days from receipt of payment.

Priority mail takes approximately 2 to 3 business days to arrive once shipped--depending on your distance from Ohio.

First Class Mail takes approximately 4 to 5 business days to arrive once shipped--depending on your distance from Ohio.

• USPS Priority Mail: You should receive your order within 5 to 7 business days from receipt of payment
• USPS First Class Mail: You should receive your order within 7 to 9 business days from receipt of payment

Our business days are Monday through Friday. (See holiday closings)

RECEIVING ORDERS DURING A SALE: We work hard to get packages to you as quickly as possible. During special sales, Scrap Sack Sales, Black Friday weekend or other holiday sales packages may be delayed by a few days.

3. How will I know my order has been shipped?

You will receive an email notification to let you know your package is on its way.

4. What are my shipping cost options?

Priority Mail: Flat Rate For all US Orders
Cost: $7.50

First Class: Determined by the US Post Office at the time of check out. The cost is based on weight and distance from Ohio (remember this is only available for orders under 1 pound).

Click here for more information on Orders and Shipping

We try our best to pack our products carefully so that they are protected during the shipping process, however, once they leave our facility, it is hard to know how carefully they are handled.

If you have received a product that arrived damaged or broken, please contact our business office so that we can remedy the situation. Your satisfaction is our goal.

Contact us during business hours by phone (440) 248-7627 send us an email.

Email Customer Service

Due to the nature of our all natural products, we cannot assure the purity of merchandise once it has been shipped. For safety and hygiene reasons this merchandise cannot be restocked or resold so we do not accept returns.

We know that it can be difficult to order new skin care products online, that is why we offer some of our soaps and shampoo bars in smaller sizes so that you can experiment.

Your satisfaction is our goal and we truly believe that you will love our products, but if you are really unhappy, please let us know. We want you to have a positive experience and will work with you if you are not pleased with your purchase.

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve at City Goods

We have a retail store in one of the unique hangars at the City Goods project on the corner of W 28th and Church streets in the Hingetown neighborhood of Cleveland. This store carries our entire product line.

ADDRESS:

1442 W 28th St
Hingetown
Cleveland, OH 44113
info@chagrinvalleysoap.com

STORE HOURS:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Solon

We also have a retail area at our manufacturing location at 29425 Aurora Rd Solon, OH 44139. Phone: 440-248-7627 (SOAP)

STORE HOURS:

Monday - Thursday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

We've made it easy!

At the bottom of every page, you can sign up for the newsletter by just entering your email address. Then, you'll be in the know about upcoming events, sales and new products!

Also be sure to follow us on social media!

We do not have promotion codes. We hold specials and sales regularly throughout the year.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to keep updated on these events.

Thanks so much for reaching out to us! If you are a business interested in becoming a Chagrin Valley Wholesale Customer, please review the information below about opening an account with us.

• Typically, an opening order should be at least about $300 to open the wholesale account. We do not hold small private businesses to any minimums for re-ordering. We request that you place a good opening order to have a decent selection of products and then order what and as you need from then on.
  
  
• Discount pricing will be sent once you apply for an account.
  
  
• There is no discount available on sample size soap or shampoo bars.
  
  
• There is only a 10% discount available on all Gift Items listed on our Skin Care Gift Page, all Bundles, Shaving Brushes, Shaving Bowls, or any "accessories" on our accessory page.
  
  
• We will need the following information when you submit your application:
  • New Wholesale Customer Information Form (completed and signed)
  • A copy of your State Resale or Tax Exempt Certificate: (Unless you operate your business in a state that does not collect any sales taxes)
  • A copy of your Business License (or equivalent)

If you are interested in opening an account please use the contact form linked here and select "Wholesale Accounts" in Category dropdown.

The Short Answer

NO! Adding antibacterial chemicals to soap does not keep your family safe from germs.

I understand why folks (especially those with children) are choosing products labeled “Antibacterial,” hoping to keep their family safe in the war against germs.

According to Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

"Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water.

In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term.”

Simply washing your hands with old-fashioned natural soap and water rids your skin of most fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Soap does not kill germs, it surrounds them and carries them away.

The Long Answer

Please read our blog: Antibacterials: More Harm Than Good!

Short Answer

How long a natural soap bar will last depends on:

• how many people are using it
• how often you bathe or shower
• how you use the bar

For one person showering every day, a well-drained bar should last for about one month.

Longer Answer

Natural soaps are normally softer than commercial soaps because they retain their natural glycerin (which is removed in commercial soap production) and contain no artificial hardening chemicals, synthetic waxes or free alkali.

We also superfat our soaps (add extra oils or butters) and use "softer" oils so that Chagrin Valley natural soaps are more emollient and leave skin feeling moisturized.

Different oils impart different qualities to soap. Some add lathering qualities, some moisturizing, some hardness, and so on. Compared to other natural bars, we use a larger percentage of extra moisturizing and conditioning oils in our soaps and shampoo bars. These oils produce a bar that may not be as hard as bars with less conditioning oils.

How you use the bar will also affect its lifespan. For example, do you use a washcloth, an exfoliating accessory, or only the bar? Although exfoliating loofahs and sponges are great they will use up the soap much faster than a washcloth or the "only the bar" purists.

Our Natural Soap Will Last A Long Time With Proper Care

• Don't let your soap sit in water
• Store soap on a well-drained soap dish
• Allow soap plenty of fresh air to dry between uses
• Never place soap where shower water can continuously hit it
• If your bar ever gets waterlogged and becomes gooey, simply set it on a draining soap dish or stand it on its edge for a few days and let it dry out thoroughly

Cute Story: A customer called to say she loved our soaps but could not buy them anymore because they did not last as long as other soaps. A week later she called to place an order and apologize. Her husband, who would NEVER use her natural soaps before, fell in love with her new Juniper soap . . . and he showered twice a day!

To maximize the life of your soap, keep it in a well-drained soap dish so it can dry between uses.

We sell a handcrafted solid white oak soap dish. The deep ridges are perfect for keeping your all natural handcrafted soap dry between uses. White Oak is the wood used in shipbuilding.

A tip passed on by one of our customers whose kids always leave the soap in a water puddle: cut the large bars in halves. Then alternate the halves, allowing a longer drying time between uses.

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve is a USDA Certified Organic Company

The most important consideration in any business is its customers. Today's world of misleading claims, false advertising, and simple deception, often leaves consumers trying to discover the truth about personal products and their ingredients.

• We want our customers to know that we are committed to transparency in everything we do.
• We want our customers to know that when we say "organic," we mean it.
• We believe that in becoming a USDA Certified Organic company, our customers do not have to wonder if we really use certified organic ingredients or if our organic products are truly organic.
• So we choose to be a certified organic company and abide by the strict standards required for organic certification.

Some of my favorite products are made with ingredients that just do not exist as certified organic. Why? At this time there are no standards created for ingredients specifically used in the personal care product industry. Organic certification of personal care products is based on the organic food standards set by the National Organic Program of the USDA.

But since we are a certified organic company, we are required to submit documentation that even our "non-organic ingredients" were produced without the use of toxic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge, or irradiation.

Why Did We Become a Certified Organic Company?

What Do All of the Organic Labels Mean?

Organic Soap Labeling

We use two different organic symbols on our website.

Each symbol has a unique definition!

Organic Labels

The "certified organic" labeling has been developed by the USDA and refers to organic claims and labeling on food and personal care products in the United States. The USDA has very strict guidelines for the percentage of organic ingredients necessary to receive organic certification. Other countries have their own certification procedures, requirements, and standards. Labeling criteria and allowable ingredients differ from those in the US.

The USDA Organic Logo Label can be used on products that meet the standards of the first two tiers of the organic labeling system in which 95 - 100% of the ingredients are certified organic.

Most of our non-soap products fall into this category and display the USDA logo!

The Certified Organic by OEFFA label is used in our company for two reasons . . .

Soaps and Shampoos: These products contain at least 8% of the sodium hydroxide due to the process of soapmaking. Our "organic" soap is about 87% to 92% organic, but the USDA standard states that a product must be made of 95-100% organic ingredients in order to bear the USDA Certified Organic seal shown above. We are also not allowed to use the words "organic soap" on the label.

Wildharvested Ingredients: When using any agricultural ingredient (any ingredient that has a biological origin) that is not certified organic the same labeling rules we use for soap apply.

The USDA rules for proper labeling state that the products may display the certifying agent's logo but not the USDA organic logo. Our USDA certifying agency is OEFFA (The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association). Their logo is displayed on our "organic" soaps and shampoos.

Why do some soap companies use the word "organic" on their labels--even though it is against the rules? Click Here to Read More about Rules for Organic Labeling of Soap!

Unofficial Labels

We sometimes use an unofficial symbol for products made with "natural" ingredients that do not meet the criteria for either label above. You may see this type of symbol on products, like the Dead Sea Black Clay, Bamboo Charcoal, and Loofah Pumice Foot Soaps and our Mud & Clay and Rosemary Mint Charcoal Shampoo Bars.

Organic certification is based on organic farming and agriculture standards. As a result, the list of allowable non-agricultural ingredients (like clay, salt, mud etc) is based on raw materials used in agriculture or food production. Unfortunately, ingredients like some Clays, Pumice, Dead Sea Mud and Bamboo Charcoal are not used in farming or food production and thus do not appear on the list.

Although it may seem long, this is really a very brief description. For more detailed information please read, "What Do All Of The Organic Labels Mean?"

Are Your Products Vegan?

All of our products are made with simple, natural, and organic ingredients. They are never tested on animals (except our human volunteers). We are certified Cruelty-Free by Leaping Bunny!

However, not all of our products are vegan because some are made with goat milk, yogurt, honey, eggs, or beeswax.

Our soaps and body care products contain no animal fats; we use a vegan base of natural plant oils and butters.

At Chagrin Valley Soap, we provide a full list of ingredients for each of our products. In this way, you can make an informed choice about a product that is right for your lifestyle.

Look for the symbol (shown on the right) on our packaging and on the product pages of our website to indicate vegan products.

Please check out this page for a list of our vegan products.

All of Chagrin Valley's natural soap, shampoo bars, and personal care products are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.

 Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve has been Leaping Bunny Certified since 2013. 

The Leaping Bunny Program was developed in 1996, by The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), to identify and support companies that are doing their part to help eliminate the unnecessary use and mistreatment of animals to test cosmetic products and ingredients. The CCIC is made up of eight animal protection groups including the Humane Society of the U.S., as well as groups from Canada and Europe.

At Chagrin Valley we do not test our finished products on animals (other than human volunteers). But what about the raw materials, the ingredients we use?

Many products display labels claiming that their finished product is ‘not tested on animals’ but this does not guarantee that the product ingredients are actually free from animal testing. 

The CCIC Standard is a pledge that a company makes to remove animal testing from all stages of product development. Our pledge to buy ingredients that are cruelty-free is integrated into the purchase agreement for all of our suppliers.

Personal care products displaying the “real” Leaping Bunny logo are certified ‘cruelty-free' using the internationally recognized Humane Cosmetics Standards. These rigorous standards require that no animal testing is performed or authorized for finished products or any of the ingredients in any stage of product development by the company, its laboratories or its suppliers after a fixed cut-off date. All Leaping Bunny companies are subject to independent audits and pledge commitments that are renewed on an annual basis.

This annual renewal is a key requirement that sets the Leaping Bunny Program apart from other cruelty-free certification programs. Companies that manufacture products, as well as their ingredient suppliers, must annually recommit to upholding their promise to not conduct animal testing on any finished products, ingredients, or formulations.

Why is this annual commitment renewal important? "Because product formulations change, suppliers come and go, and manufacturers develop innovative lines to meet consumer needs. But we know that compassionate consumers need to be confident that no animal testing is involved in the products they use."

At Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve . . .

• we do NOT test our products on animals
• we do NOT use ingredients tested on animals
• we do NOT sell into markets that require animal testing
  
  

The Leaping Bunny Program provides
the best assurance to consumers
that they are making compassionate shopping choices
by purchasing Cruelty-Free skin care!

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve is a USDA Certified Organic company.

We are required to submit documentation that ALL of our ingredients, even our "non-organic ingredients," were produced without the use GMOs.

Since the U.S. National Organics Program forbids the use of genetic modification in products to be certified as organic, purchasing organic is a great way to lower your exposure to GMO’s.

Genetically Modified Organisms refers to any animal, plant or microorganism that has been changed in a lab at the gene level. It is also known as “genetic engineering."

Read more about "Non-GMO Skin Care Ingredients"

Product Expiration Dates

We hand make all of our own products in small batches to ensure freshness, consistency, and perfection.

Our products are not made to sit on store shelves for years and years.

Although there are natural preservatives within the chemical structure of many natural ingredients, they not as potent as the synthetic preservatives used in commercial products to prolong shelf-life.

Other than soap, our products are remade every few weeks and none are very old when they are sold. Our non-soap products should be opened within 6 months of purchase.

Since we use no preservatives or chemical stabilizers, the more important question is, "how long will the product last once it has been opened?

Once opened, skin care products become exposed to dirt and microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, and molds) that are found in the air and on the skin.

As soon as you open and begin to use any product, simply the way in which you use it will affect its lifespan.

So, we use the PAO (period-after-opening) symbol. These symbols are already available on the product pages of our website and we are in the process of adding them to all of our labels.

The POA symbol is a standard symbol that identifies the useful lifetime of a skin care product after it has been opened for the first time.

As you can see from the picture, the symbol is an open jar with a written number and the letter "M" for the word "months."

A product with a "9M" would mean that it is good for 9 months after opening.

Tip: write the date you open a product for the first time on its label so you can keep track of the period after opening.

Our POA number represents our best suggestion. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a product. If a product is discolored, has an unpleasant smell or looks odd, the product should not be used and should be discarded.

• Each time you place your warm fingers into a tin or jar, you melt some of the butter which can change the consistency of the product.
• Fingers also introduce bacteria and other contaminants into the product.
• If a product has not been stored properly, for example, if the lid has been left off for long periods of time, the product may ‘go off’ before the period after opening has passed.
• As scented products age, some of the natural essential oil scent may be lost. Pure essential oils just do not have the staying power of synthetic fragrance oils.
• Over time, natural colors may also fade.

If you’re like me, and you find an old dusty product hiding in a drawer, makeup bag, or even a suitcase from your last trip, you can call us with the lot number and we can verify its age. Obviously, if it seems off in any way, toss it!

Please note: This PAO symbol is widely used in Europe to recommend the length of time a product remains usable after opening, for products that have a shelf-life of at least 30 months. Our products do NOT have a shelf-life of 30 months before opening.

Help! I Have Allergies

Trying to choose the right natural soaps or skincare products can be a bit overwhelming especially when you have allergies and/or skin sensitivities.

Since we proudly list every ingredient in all of our products, reading the ingredient list will help to eliminate ingredients that may cause you problems.

We always recommend doing a patch test before using any new products especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies.

We receive so many emails asking for help with allergies, we created categories in our “Help Me Choose” section to provide information for those with allergies or sensitivities to nuts, coconut, shea butter and gluten.

Check out our help me choose pages!!

If you are allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients in our products, they may cause skin irritation. Even natural ingredients may cause sensitivities.

People with severe allergies--please note: If you have severe anaphylactic-type reactions to ANY of the ingredients in ANY of our products, please do not buy our products. We have dedicated soap rooms and product rooms that are kept meticulously clean, but we cannot guarantee against possible cross-contamination of individual ingredients.

Why Do Some Products Melt in Warm Weather?

We do not use synthetic stabilizers or waxes, so our delicate natural products packaged in glass jars and metal tins are sensitive to temperature changes.

While shipping during warm weather seasons presents a real challenge to our natural skin care company, we accept the challenge in order to maintain our standard of natural and nourishing skin care. We hope you agree.

During warm weather, products may soften or even melt as they sit in warm mail trucks, mailboxes, or on front porches.

The quality and healing properties of our products are not affected by melting.

On very sunny or warm days, BEFORE opening the jars or tins, place the items in your refrigerator for a few hours to allow them to harden, just in case they have melted in transit. If you open items, especially those in tins, to check if melting has occurred, they may spill and make a mess!

What To Do About Melting

Cream Deodorants

If you think that your balm-like deodorant is melted or runny, BEFORE opening the jar, pop it in the freezer for 10 - 15 minutes. As it begins to harden give it a stir (so that the solids do not sink to the bottom) and place it back in the freezer until firm!

Sometimes a cream deodorant can melt during warm transit and then slowly re-solidify before you receive it. This melting and slow cooling can result in a grainy feeling. If your deodorant feels grainy, simply melt it, mix thoroughly, and place it in the refrigerator until solid.

Since the stick deodorant are made with more beeswax, they are less sensitive to an increase in outside temperature.

Whipped Body Butters

Place a melted body butter in the refrigerator until firm.

Our hand-whipped process adds tiny air bubbles that increase the volume, just like whipping cream. If a whipped product melts, the air bubbles collapse and the volume is decreased.

So, although the jar was filled to the top initially, there will be less volume in the container (since it has deflated) and the container may actually look half full.

After cooling a melted Whipped Butter will be the consistency of our body balm and is still a great moisturizer.

Sugar Scrubs

If a Sugar Scrub melts, the oil may separate out a bit. Give it a good mix and place it in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes. As it begins to harden up give it another stir to disperse the sugars and place it back in the refrigerator. Once it's solidified and mixed it will be great to use! Again because it is a whipped product, the container may have less volume when the whipped butters melt.

Read more about melting products and what to do in our blog "Natural Skin Care Products Melt In Hot Weather."

Will Your Products Heal My Rosacea, Eczema or Psoriasis?

We often receive emails and phone calls from customers with chronic irritated or inflamed skin problems.

While we cannot promise that our products will help heal your inflamed or irritated skin conditions, we have received a lot of feedback from customers telling us that our products have helped ease or soothe symptoms associated with irritated skin problems.

We have learned that for some people simply switching to a natural product may help.

We believe that natural ingredients are usually milder and gentler on the skin. I often say that what is NOT in our products, that is often the most helpful.

Pure essential oils, herbs, and other natural ingredients have been used for centuries. Their folklore and uses have been passed down through generations.

Please note that our products are NOT drugs or medicines meant to treat or cure illness, which would require FDA testing and approval. Our products are intended to help ease symptoms associated with irritated skin. Always consult your health care provider if you are concern about a skin issue.

If you have sensitive skin issues, always try an allergy patch test before using a new product.

Shampoo Bars Are One Of Our Favorite Discoveries!

The wholesome goodness of our handcrafted soap is available for your hair.

Shampoo bars are an all natural conditioning shampoo in a solid bar form. Yes, this is real shampoo in a solid bar. Shampoo bars are not a new idea.

They were commonly used before liquid detergent shampoos and conditions were invented in the 1940s.

Although the process for making a shampoo bar is the same as making soap, our shampoo bar "recipes" are specially formulated with natural plant oils, butters, botanicals and essential oils that nourish your hair and scalp.

Our shampoo bars contain no artificial fragrance, color, preservatives, detergents, alcohol, urea, formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA, propylene glycol - or any of the other synthetic hair care additives.

Each of our shampoo bar selections contains a different blend of natural plant oils, essential oils, and herb infused oils. No two recipes are the same.

Which Shampoo Bar Is Best For My Hair?

Click here for help choosing an all natural shampoo bar!

Everything You Want To Know About Shampoo Bars!

Please read "Everything About Shampoo Bars!"

Conventional shampoos and conditioners, even some that claim to be natural, contain waxes, silicones, or other additives that coat your hair to make it feel smooth. They also contain synthetic detergents which rinse out more easily than a soap-based shampoo bar.

Since our natural sulfate-free shampoo bars do not strip hair like detergent-based shampoos, you may notice your hair feels different immediately after washing because your hair is accustomed to the squeaky clean feel of a detergent-based shampoo.

Switching from conventional shampoo to a natural shampoo bar may mean a transition or adjustment period. While many folks have little problem with their hair adjusting to a new routine, some do.

Since everyone's hair is unique it is difficult to tell you exactly what your transition, if any, will look and feel like. Your hair may feel greasier than normal or it may even feel drier than normal. It may feel waxy, coated, or just weird as your scalp works to re-balance its oil production.

The transition period can range from a few days to a few weeks. It really depends on how damaged your hair is, how much residue and build-up is present, your genetics, your water, and even the technique that you use to shampoo your hair.

Transition is literally a time for your hair, which has been addicted to chemical-laden shampoos, to go through withdrawal, and learn to live a chemical-free life.

We have been making and using natural shampoo bars for over 14 years and have received so many questions.

It may take some patience, but if you can persevere, your reward will be healthy, soft, and silky hair.

For more detailed information and great transition tips please read our blog "Tips Adjusting To Shampoo Bars."

Do I Need A Vinegar Rinse When Using a Natural Shampoo Bar?

Whether or not you need to use an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse depends on a number of factors.

• Your water: If your hair does not seem to be adjusting to the shampoo bars, it may be due to your water. Hard water makes it more difficult to rinse natural shampoo from your hair.
• Hair length: Many of our male customers and women with short hair have found that they do not need to rinse with vinegar, simply because their hair is short.
• Tangles: ACV rinses often help with tangles.
• Residue: If your hair has residue from previous products or you regularly use conditioners, styling gels etc., our shampoo bars are mild and may not remove residue from your hair like detergent shampoos. ACV rinses help remove build-up and product residue.
• Hair type: Everyone's hair is unique.

Check out our selection of ACV Rinses

I wish I could use an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse very day. Besides creating tangle-free locks, I also love the way it makes my hair look and feel. As I have gotten older my hair has become drier and I can only use an ACV rinse 2 or 3 times week.

Blog: Make Your Own Natural Vinegar Hair Rinse

We often receive questions as to whether our soaps, shampoos, and other natural products are safe to use during pregnancy.

We recommend that expectant and nursing mothers check with their midwife or physician before changing a skincare routine with our organic products, or any other line of products.

Read the label on a bar of commercial soap. Read the label on your jar of moisturizer.

Now read the ingredients in a Chagrin Valley product.

We use quality natural and USDA Certified Organic ingredients. No synthetic additives, colorants, fragrances, preservatives, or chemical derivatives are used.

There is nothing in our all-natural basic soap or other products that could cause a problem in pregnancy.

Topically applying the herbs present in many of our soaps is also not a problem. Your skin will absorb much less herb from the soap than if you would sprinkle them on your food.

Essential Oils

The issue that seems to be of most concern is the use of essential oils during pregnancy.

There is a lot of confusing, ambiguous, and inaccurate information concerning the use of essential oils in pregnancy.

The question of safety and safety testing has a lot to do with several factors.

• The type and composition of the specific essential oil. Essential oils differ greatly in strength and composition.
  
  
• The quality of the essential oil. Many "cheap essential oils" are not pure and maybe cut with synthetic chemicals.
  
  
• The actual “dose” of herb/essential oils. Most of the clinical research on essential oil safety is based on information for internal (actually ingesting) large doses of herbs, essential oils, or herbal "medicines." Obviously there have been no tests done on pregnant women.
  
  
• How the essential oil is being used. The concentration of essential oils that are absorbed through inhalation, as in aromatherapy, and massage is much lower than if you were actually ingesting the oil.

But also, aromatherapy and massage therapy use much higher concentrations of essential oils than you find in soap or even in eating the herb. With aromatherapy, you are inhaling the high concentrations which get absorbed via the lungs and in massage therapy, the essential oils remain on your skin and are absorbed.

Our scented soaps are gently scented with essential oils, but the choice is between you and your health care professional. The most critical time is the first trimester.

Just about every one of our products, like lip balms, whipped butters, soaps, shampoos, and deodorants has a "no added scent" version.

When there is a growing baby to consider, if you are at all uncertain as to the safety of an essential-oil containing product, or any ingredient, please consult your doctor, midwife, or health care professional!

When it comes to safety during pregnancy it is understandable that many massage therapists and aromatherapists decide to err on the side of caution in recommending the avoidance of certain essential oils.

Some Herbalists and Aromatherapist believe that essential oils that are normally safe to use, are safe during pregnancy, while others will recommend avoiding all essential oils during pregnancy.

Some essential oils that are normally quite safe have hormone-like effects and some even stimulate uterine muscles, both of which would be contraindicated during pregnancy.

Please do not ask us if one of our products is safe to use during pregnancy--we will simply refer you to this page.

We do not provide a list of essential oils considered safe during pregnancy because the information available is very contradictory. One aromatherapy source will list an essential oil as problematic while another one states it is fine.

The information is also changing constantly. Please do your own research and consult your doctor, midwife, or health care professional for the most up-to-date information.

Sensitive Skin Can Strike During Pregnancy

Even if you have never had sensitive skin in the past, you may notice that a product you have been using for several years now irritates your skin.

The stretching belly is often the most sensitive spot. Other potential problem areas include the hips, thighs, and bottom where the skin may become dry and flaky.

Although the exact cause is not known, raging hormones do make you more sensitive to a wide range of things, and also your skin is thinning and stretching as you, and your baby, grow.

These changes can behave in unpredictable ways. For example, if you have eczema you may suffer from major flare-ups or complete remission during pregnancy.

Keep your body well moisturized and avoid products that contain synthetic additives, colorants, fragrances, or preservatives. Any of these can exacerbate sensitive skin problems.

Before trying a new product, you can always do a patch test to test for sensitivity.

And again, we recommend that expectant and nursing mothers check with their midwife or physician before changing a skincare routine with our products, or any other line of products.

Pregnancy & Children: We do not provide information on the safety of essential oils during Pregnancy or for use in Children because the available information is very ambiguous and often contradictory. If you’re interested in using essential oils during pregnancy or with young children please do your own research and consult your doctor, midwife, or health care professional before use.

We often receive questions as to whether our soaps, shampoos, and other items are safe to use on young children.

A baby’s skin, so thin and delicate, is no place for harmful synthetic chemicals.

Sadly, even some of the most trusted baby brands add nasty chemicals to their products.

Read the label on a bar of commercial baby soap or shampoo. Read the label on a bottle of commercial baby oil. Now read the ingredients in Chagrin Valley products.

We recommend starting with our Milk & Honey Baby Soap. We also recommend our two Castile soaps and Carrot & Honey Soap. They are unscented and, as with all of our products, contain no artificial ingredients!

My grandkids use our Milk & Honey bar as a baby shampoo--just keep the soap away from their eyes.

When you think your child is ready, try some new soaps.

As with all new products, it is best to do a skin patch test prior to full usage to test for any skin allergies or sensitivities. If you have any questions or concerns always check with your doctor or health care professional.

It is best to add only one new soap or product at a time and use it for a while before switching to a new soap.

Essential Oils & Children: We do not provide information on the safety of essential oils for use in Children because the available information is very ambiguous and often contradictory. If you are interested in using essential oils with young children please consult your health care professional before use.

Please do not ask us to diagnose your child's skin problems, we are not health care professionals. Our recommendations are based on what our customers have shared.

Click Here to visit our page of Organic Baby products!

The Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Loyalty Rewards Program is a small way for us to say Thank You and reward our loyal customers who continually support what we do.

Points will be automatically added to your account after each successful purchase at a rate of 5 points per dollar spent.

Points can also be earned by sharing your unique referral link with friends and family. When you share your referral link with someone, they will receive $5 off their first purchase after which you will receive 500 points towards your account. (See the Referral Program FAQ below.)

Reward codes cannot be combined with any other coupon codes or promotions and are one-time use only.

It's free to join and anyone can participate.

To participate create a user account on our website and be sure to always log in before making a purchase. Points will be automatically added to your account after a successful purchase.

If you already have an existing account you are already a member of our rewards program and will automatically earn points for each successful purchase made after January 31, 2019.

Please note that purchases made when checking out as a guest are ineligible for points.

Points will be earned for every dollar spent if you have signed into your chagrinvalleysoapadsalve.com account and successfully placed an order.

Points will only be awarded for purchases made after the launch of the loyalty rewards program January 31, 2019.

We are unable to retroactively apply points to your account for purchases made before the official launch date.

Your point balance will be accessible on your My Account page and on the Rewards and Referrals page when logged in.

Points will only be awarded for purchases made after the launch of the rewards program January 31st, 2019. Due to software limitations, we are unable to retroactively apply points to your account for purchases made before the official launch date.

To redeem points, make sure to sign in to your account. You will be able to apply your points on the checkout page. 

Earn Loyalty Rewards by referring friends and family.

Simply login to your account and navigate to the rewards program page.

Click on the rewards and referral launcher and follow the links to refer a friend.

You will be presented with a unique referral link for you to share with your friends and family.

When someone clicks your referral link, they will be presented with a coupon code to receive $5.00 off their first purchase.

You will receive 500 points towards your account after a successful purchase has been made using your referral link.

To receive points on your birthday, you must save your birthday in your rewards account at least 30 days before your birthday.

Sign in to your account and navigate to the rewards page.

You will see the option to save your birthday. An automated email will notify you on your birthday that you have received 500 points.

*Remember, in order to receive the 500 hundred points on your birthday you must have saved your birthdate in your account no later than 30 days before your birthday. So, save it now--so you don't forget!

Sorry! Wholesale orders will not qualify for points.