faq

For our formulations we use only the best herbs and flowers, esential oils and oils/butters that nature has to offer, mainly from organic farming. We don't use synthetic colourings, fragrances or preservatives. All our products are free of silicones, parabens and mineral oil-based raw materials, microbeads, toxic synthetic ingredients and plastic packaging. But not only the sustainability of the ingredients is important to us, but also the performance of the products. That's why we're constantly striving to create high-quality handmade care products with simple elements from nature, luxurious products shaped in an old-fashioned way.

Yes, because we only use ingredients that do not react with the chemicals used to colour or dye hair. Our Botanical Shampoos and Conditioner Bars are suitable for hair dyed with Henna Plant. Such is my own case - I have been using Henna since 2016. We do have formulations that are specifically made for sensitive skin. We use herbs and flowers that are low in allergenic potential (an allergen can be any substance, often a protein, that induces an allergy), such as chamomile and calendula. In these formulations, we avoid essential oils - we integrate the herbs by infusing them in oils or as a dry ingredient.

As a soapmaker, I sincerely recommend using Shampoo Bars instead of Bar Soaps for cleaning your hair. Soap does clean your hair, but it is very possible that it will damage it as well - you may experience dryness, excess oil removal, hair breakage, or buildup due to the high pH of the soap (as alkaline), which is between 8-10. According to the current literature, the usage of shampoo with a pH higher than 5.5 may increase friction and cause frizz, hair breakage and increased tangling. For more research, visit National Institutes of Health - The Shampoo pH can Affect the Hair: Myth or Reality? Good news: we have natural Shampoo Bars for your gorgeous hair. Grandma's Apothec Botanical Shampoo Bar collection is free of: - plastic packaging. - detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and petrochemical ingredients that are linked with dry hair, a sticky scalp and dandruff. - water! Waterless products create a more potent formula because they are undiluted with a mass of water as an inactive ingredient. - silicone and preservatives. - cruelty. For more information please visit my blog.

As a chemical formulation, soap doesn't require preserving agents. Our handcrafted soaps are free of synthetic foaming agents, petroleum byproducts, surfactants that could dry and irritate your skin, and triclosan as a chemical antibacterial agent. We are determined to create Anhydrous skincare products, meaning Waterless Beauty! By removing the water from our formulations, we do not have to use any preservatives. The result: naturally self-preserving, rich formulas and a high concentration of active elements for ​many practical uses. Additionally, we use vitamin E oils/rosemary oil extracts as antioxidants to keep the formulas fresh. In a few formulations, where necessary, we use “Nature-identical” preservatives known as sorbates. Sorbates are considered safe for humans and do not accumulate in the environment. Since we do not use any chemical stabilizers, we recommend storing our deodorants and butters at room temperature. High temperatures (35+) tend to soften them. If one of these products liquefies due to high outside temperatures, we recommend placing it in the refrigerator for a bit.

Most of our products are vegan, with the exception of those containing beeswax and/or goat milk and/or lanolin. As a reminder, the full list of our ingredients is always printed right on the label using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) system of ingredient labelling under the Food and Drugs Act and conducted by Health Canada.