Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about our handmade natural soaps, coconut-free formulas, ingredients, orders, and zero-waste packaging - answered honestly, without the runaround.
About Our Products
What makes Sea Spray Soap different from store-bought soap?
Most commercial "soap" is technically a detergent - made with synthetic surfactants and stripped of the glycerin that forms naturally during saponification. Our bars are true cold process soap, made in small batches with oils, butters, and lye. The glycerin stays in every bar, which is part of why people with dry or sensitive skin tend to notice a difference.
Are your soaps really natural? What does that mean?
We use plant-based oils, butters, and botanicals, along with food-grade lye (which is consumed during saponification - none remains in the finished bar). Scented bars are scented only with essential oils. We don't use synthetic fragrance oils, artificial colorants, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. If you want the full list, our ingredients page breaks it all down.
What is cold process soap?
Cold process is a traditional soap-making method where oils and lye are combined and allowed to cure over several weeks. The slow cure produces a harder, longer-lasting bar with a gentler lather than hot process or melt-and-pour methods. All of our bar soaps are cold process, made in small batches here in Flagler County, Florida.
Do your soaps contain lye?
Lye (sodium hydroxide) is used in the making of every real bar of soap - there's no other way to turn oils into soap. The chemical reaction (saponification) converts the lye completely, so no lye remains in the finished bar. What you're left with is soap and glycerin.
Do you make tallow soap?
Yes. Our Tallow & Charcoal Bar uses grass-fed beef tallow alongside activated charcoal. Tallow is one of the oldest soap-making fats and produces a hard, creamy bar that's well-tolerated by many skin types. It's also coconut-free, which makes it a good option if coconut oil is a trigger for you.
Coconut-Free & Sensitive Skin
Why would someone need coconut-free soap?
Coconut oil is a common soap ingredient because it produces a big, bubbly lather - but it can also be drying and irritating at higher concentrations, especially for people with eczema-prone, reactive, or contact-dermatitis-prone skin. Some people also have a topical sensitivity to coconut specifically. Our coconut-free collection is formulated without coconut oil or coconut-derived surfactants.
Which products are coconut-free?
Several of our bar soaps, our Tallow & Charcoal Bar, our Unscented Chamomile & Aloe Facial Bar, and select home cleaning products are formulated without coconut oil or coconut derivatives. Browse the full coconut-free collection to see everything currently available.
Are your products safe for sensitive skin?
Many of our customers have sensitive, reactive, or eczema-prone skin - that's actually a big part of why this product line exists. We avoid synthetic fragrance, harsh surfactants, and common irritants. Our fragrance-free and coconut-free options are a good starting point if you're managing a specific sensitivity. We're not able to make medical claims, but we can say we've put a lot of thought into the formulas.
Are your products fragrance-free?
Some are, some aren't. Products in our fragrance-free line contain no scent of any kind. Products labeled "unscented" are also free of added fragrance. Our scented products use only essential oils - no synthetic fragrance. Each product listing notes exactly what's in it.
Ingredients & Formulation
Where can I see the full ingredient list for a product?
Every product listing on our website includes the full ingredient list. We also have an ingredients overview page that explains what we use and why. If you have a specific allergy or sensitivity and want to double-check before ordering, feel free to reach out.
Are your products vegan?
Most of our soap and body care products are vegan. Our Tallow & Charcoal Bar contains grass-fed beef tallow and is not vegan. Wool dryer balls are made from natural wool. Each product listing notes whether it's vegan-friendly.
Are your products tested on animals?
No. We don't test on animals.
Do you use palm oil?
We keep palm oil use minimal and source it from certified sustainable suppliers when it appears in a formula. We're always evaluating our formulas and sourcing - ingredient transparency is something we take seriously.
Ordering & Shipping
How long does it take to process and ship an order?
Orders are processed and ship within 1–3 business days. Standard shipping typically takes 3–7 business days after the order ships. You'll receive a tracking link by email once your order is on its way.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes - orders of $40 or more ship free within the U.S.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship within the United States only.
Can I track my order?
Yes. Once your order ships, you'll receive an email with your tracking information. You can also log into your account to check order status.
Returns & Guarantee
What is your return policy?
We stand behind everything we make. If something arrives damaged or you're not satisfied, contact us within 30 days of delivery and we'll make it right. See our full shipping and returns policy for details.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Contact us right away with a photo and your order number. We'll sort it out quickly - damaged orders are replaced or refunded, no hassle.
Packaging & Sustainability
Is your packaging plastic-free?
Yes. We use biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable materials throughout our packaging. Liquid products come in amber glass bottles. We're constantly looking for better solutions in the rare cases where protective packaging is needed to get products to you in one piece.
How do I recycle or reuse the amber glass bottles?
Amber glass bottles are infinitely recyclable and can be cleaned and reused as dispensers, storage containers, or returned to your own refill routine. Remove labels before recycling in your curbside bin (glass recycling acceptance varies by municipality).
Do you offer refills?
We offer a Subscribe & Save program that makes it easy to restock regularly at a discount, reducing both packaging waste and shipping frequency. Refillable product formats are something we continue to explore.
Still have a question that isn't covered here? Send us a message - we're a small operation and we actually read and respond to every one.