Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gentle Milk Bar?
Gentle Milk Bar is a simple, traditionally made bar soap made with whole cow’s milk and a carefully selected blend of saponified plant oils. It was created to be an uncomplicated, hardworking soap for everyday washing.

Why whole milk?
Whole cow’s milk contains naturally occurring fats, proteins, and sugars. In soapmaking, these contribute to the character of the finished bar and help produce the rich, creamy lather that makes milk soap distinctive.

Does the soap actually contain real cow’s milk?
Yes. We use whole milk powder made from cow’s milk as an ingredient in our soap.

What is in Gentle Milk Bar?
Our formula contains saponified oils of olive, shea butter, sustainable palm, coconut, and castor, along with water, whole milk powder, and sodium gluconate. Every ingredient has a specific purpose in the finished bar.

What does “saponified oils” mean?
Saponification is the traditional process that turns oils and fats into soap. The olive oil, shea butter, palm oil, coconut oil, and castor oil in our formula are used to create the soap itself rather than simply being added to the finished bar.

Why do you use several different oils?
Different oils contribute different qualities to a bar of soap. Some help create hardness and longevity, while others contribute cleansing, bubbles, creaminess, and a stable lather. Combining them allows us to create a more balanced bar.

Does Gentle Milk Bar have a fragrance?
No added fragrance. Gentle Milk Bar gets its understated character from the ingredients themselves rather than added perfume.

Why is sodium gluconate included?
Sodium gluconate helps bind minerals found in water. This can improve how soap performs, particularly in hard water, and helps reduce the residue that traditional soap can sometimes leave behind.

Can I use Gentle Milk Bar every day?
Gentle Milk Bar was formulated as an everyday cleansing bar. As with any soap or skincare product, discontinue use if irritation occurs.

Can I use it on my face?
Skin varies considerably from person to person, so whether you choose to use it on your face depends on your individual skin and preferences. We have tested our Original Gentle Milk Bar on our own faces, with great results :)

Is Gentle Milk Bar vegan?
Our bar is not vegan. Gentle Milk Bar contains whole cow’s milk.

Does it contain palm oil?
Yes. We use sustainably sourced palm oil because it contributes hardness, durability, and a stable, creamy lather to the bar. See our About Us page for more details about our stance on sustainable ingredients.

How should I store my bar?
Allow your soap to dry between uses. Keeping it on a well-draining soap dish and out of standing water will help it remain firm and last longer.

Why does my bar vary slightly in appearance?
Small variations are a natural part of traditional soapmaking. Color, texture, and appearance can vary slightly from batch to batch without affecting the purpose of the soap.