Expert Soap Maker Explains Store-Bought Soap Labels | Bramble Berry

There are a lot of soap options out there when you're shopping. Our CEO and founder, Anne-Marie, has been making soap for more than 20 years. Today, she'll walk you through some information on soap, soap ingredients, and soap labels.
🧼 Read more: bberry.studio/ReviewingSoapLa...
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:49 Soap vs. Beauty Bars
2:15 Labeling Sodium Hydroxide
2:47 Antibacterial Bars
4:18 Labeling Fragrance
7:57 Cosmetic and Drug Claims
9:13 Reviewing Soap Labels
🧼 Beauty Bars vs. Soap
A lot of major brands have verbiage on their label or packaging like "beauty bar," or "cleansing bar." This is because there are regulations through the FDA on what can be labeled soap and what can't.
To be soap, the product must:
• Be made by combining lye and oils.
• Not contain other cleansers.
• Only be marketed as a cleansing soap.
🧼 Antibacterial Soap
Products that are labeled as antibacterial soap or deodorant soap usually contain an antibacterial agent. While it may sound great to have antibacterial agents, the FDA states that there's no scientific evidence that antibacterial soap is more effective at preventing disease.
🧼 Labeling Fragrance
Fragrance oils are made up of hundreds of aroma chemicals, which can be artificial or natural. The ingredients used to make these fragrance oils fall under Trade Secret law, so manufacturers don't have to reveal the ingredients on the label.
🧼 Cosmetic & Drug Claims
Brands of soap will call out characteristics of the bar to tell you why you should buy it. Things like moisturizing, calming, smoothing, and hydrating are common ones. Once these claims are made, the regulatory category of this bar changes. Because these bars are no longer just cleansing but also beautifying, they are regulated as a cosmetic.
🧼 Read more: bberry.studio/ReviewingSoapLa...
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[@bramble-berry]

Thanks for watching! Read more about soap labeling here: bberry.studio/ReviewingSoapLabels Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:49 Soap vs. Beauty Bars 2:15 Labeling Sodium Hydroxide 2:47 Antibacterial Bars 4:18 Labeling Fragrance 7:57 Cosmetic and Drug Claims 9:13 Reviewing Soap Labels If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer service team at [e-mail] or 877-627-7883 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PST, Monday-Friday. You can also live chat with customer service on BrambleBerry.com from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST, Monday-Friday. Shop Bramble Berry: bberry.studio/_ShopBrambleBerry Recipes, Tips & Inspiration: bberry.studio/IntheStudio_Projects Facebook: facebook.com/BrambleBerry Instagram: instagram.com/brambleberry/ Twitter: twitter.com/brambleberry TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@brambleberry Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/brambleberry/

[@LionsLamb79]

As a home soap maker looking to eventually sell publicly these types of videos are very important to learn how to do it right and what not to do. When a professional home soap maker of Anne Marie's caliber offers this type of advice I pay attention.

[@LadyDarkrose]

Why does no one call out that dr bronner's claims to be castile which is pure olive oil soap yet there are 5 other ingredients before olive oil? I've never understood that.

[@asiaspyro]

From my research, castile just means that it's only plant-based oils rather than animal fat. It's named after the olive oil only soaps made in Castile, Spain but overall it just any soap made with plant based oils and synthetic ingredients. So I think almost all of what she showed is technically castile though no one markets it that way.

[@LisaG442]

@@asiaspyro bastile soap is olive oil with other fats. Bastile is a play on “bastardized “. Castile soap is just supposed to be olive oil.

[@queenbunnyfoofoo6112]

@@asiaspyro You're correct. The type of soap is named after the original soaps made in Castille (made with olive oil). Since other places didn't have olive oil, the name Castille began to refer to any soap made with plant based oils. To me Castile is a generic term like "kleenex".

[@stancexpunks]

What about Cetaphil’s gentle cleansing bar claiming to be soap-free when I can see at least 4 diff types of soaps in the ingredient list here: Sodium Cocoyl lsethionate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Tallowate, Water, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, PEG-20, Masking Fragrance, Petrolatum, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, Sucrose Cocoate, Titanium Dioxide, Pentasodium Pentetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate. May also contain Sodium Palm Kernelate

[@stancexpunks]

And Cetaphil’s gentle cleansing bar claiming to be soap free despite having several soaps in the ingredient list such as sodium tallowate and sodium cocoate.

[@toddmeyer7567]

I started making soap Because of you Anne !!! I don't need to look at labels anymore on soap bars. You freed me from the pain of trying to find a good soap brand. I can make my own now, it's so much better making it. Plus I love learning new things. Thank you so much for your time you put into these videos.

[@MsAubrey]

Same here. I can't use coconut products. Do you know how difficult it is to find soaps that do NOT contain coconut products?!? I would spend HOURS trying to find something. I'm SO GLAD that I don't have to do that anymore.

[@TheAlibiTent]

Truly enjoyed this. Good to see Anne-Marie in her element (educator/soap queen) and with such timely and helpful information in these belt-tightening times. Thanks Anne-Marie and Brambleberry 😊

[@jessiemiranda3597]

THANK YOU for making this video. As a soap maker it did clarify a lot of questions I had about soap labeling and different kinds of soap on the market. I am planning on sharing this in hopes of educating everyone of what they’re putting on their skin ❤

[@carolcampbell3720]

Thank you for this info. You've explained things that I have wondered about for years.

[@vanitatee3708]

I absolutely love your channel! Your videos have given me much more confidence. I will certainly remember your company when I start purchasing supplies. Royalty Soaps is how I heard of your company. Katie’s awesome! Thanks!

[@JoVi-gs2ws]

Great video. I am beginning the process of drafting up my soap label, this video has helped me tremendously. Many thanks

[@thairinkhudr4259]

Brilliant topic! I definitely learned so much, thank you!

[@richadhingra6728]

Hey bramble berry and team..... You guys are awesome ... Thanks for sharing this vedio ..seriously this vedio has answered million questions which were running in my mind as an soap artisian . I too create soap and I am seriously a big fan of you Annie. You have given us creator a very positive platform where you make us confident about what we do ❤️

[@warlockcraft21]

As a small independent soap maker, this is a great video for people looking to support businesses. I'm based in Europe, where labelling is done slightly differently but it's still a useful tool for potential customers to see.

[@WatchLauraSew]

I love this video! Thank you for explaining the different types!

[@cheezfri]

I would like to have seen a brief discussion of the milling process. Some companies extract the glycerin and don't replace it, leading to a hard but less moisturizing bar.

[@bradevans7]

This was very informative! Thank you.

[@thecairdcompany2811]

Great information, and definitely needed for small businesses just getting started or planning their business journey!!

[@firdowskruger9896]

Thank you, Anne Marie. Love from Pretoria, South Africa 🇿🇦 ❤️

[@optomix3988]

Wow! I was just talking to my wife about labeling and bomb here is a video explaining everything.

[@angbegay7439]

Such a good video! Thank you!

[@linxx08]

This was definitely helpful to me as someone who is releasing her first line of soaps on Monday!

[@MszInfiniteBliss]

Congratulations

[@luxurioushomendecorpalace1708]

Congratulations

[@lizcademy4809]

A clarification on the order of ingredients - in the USA, ingredients need to be listed in quantity order, with two exceptions. 1. Ingredients that are used at less than 1% can be listed in any order. So, something used at 0.001% might be listed higher than something used at 0.95%. 2. Drugs (such as the anti-acne soap) need to have the exact percentage of the drug ingredient(s) listed. Everything else can be listed in any order. Other countries have different rules, so beware.

[@asiaspyro]

Yeah, the last soap seemed to be a lot of health benefits like a drug but that seems like something the FDA would crack down on. Unless you can just slap "this statement has not been approved by the FDA" and call it a day. I don't think I want to go down the route of claiming my soaps do something they might not do

[@vegangelo_29]

This is very interesting and informative!!

[@morganazoric]

Hi Anne Marie! I love BB's videos and was wondering if you guys could make an in-depth guide on labeling, wrapping, and protecting the soaps for online stores :)

[@bramble-berry]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@rafierafie]

This is super helpful information. I assumed products like Dove CeraVe were soap.

[@kdh5448]

Thanks for the info. I think if the ingredients are in the same percentages, you can list them in alpha order.

[@dawnwinters2473]

Very informative 🥰

[@ambarzaman8776]

Very informative video indeed

[@ammerinolopez]

How does this work when labeling soap you made from a melt and pour base . Would you list the ingredients from the melt and pour base first ? Then your fragrance?

[@LisaG442]

I’ve read a lot of brand name soaps extract the glycerin thereby making the soap drying. Then use that glycerin in “moisturizer” products to cash in twice on you

[@kimbugwefrank5294]

Thanks for the trainings. When does some one need sodium silicate when making soap? 2. Is sodium silicate necessary when making soap? Especially in large quantities.

[@janinelew2483]

When I had surgery, a few months ago, I was instructed to shower with Dial before I came to the hospital.

[@LadyGecko]

You forgot to mention Glycerin. When commercial soaps are made, they use a hydrolizer to separate the oil into fatty acids and glycerin. Some of the glycerin is added back in, which is why it is listed as an ingredient, but the majority is sold. In artisan soaps, the glycerin is not removed…better bar of soap.

[@meltemr.300]

Hi can you tell me what Cain of wick can I use in a container of 4oz with a diameter of 3.3 inches?

[@mrsjoy8831]

Anne quick question can the ph of soap be lowered?

[@LynetteB71]

So if it says it contains glycerin/vegetable glycerin does that show its a melt & pour soap or is the manufacturer adding glycerin to the soap batter with the other oils? And if they are adding glycerin why would they add that?

[@gulsenece2340]

Merhabalar güzel bilgileriniz için teşekkürler kasım ayına özel kampanyalarınız var mı?

[@rockladgeacademy4658]

My queen Teacher (soap queen )

[@shahrazad6961]

شكرا جدا❤

[@denisestich8731]

Hi. I was wondering 3 things: 1) do you have to put down sodium hydroxide on your label? I've read that since it's not in the finished product you do not need to list it. 2) can you put down on the label that your soap or scrub is exfoliating? 3) if not, can you put on a card what the additives in the soap can do? Example: sugar (or salt) have been found to exfoliate. Or, pine tar has shown to help with certain skin problems. Not pointing out eczema or anything in particular. Thank you.

[@bramble-berry]

We've got two awesome articles on our website that should answer all your questions! Labeling soap: www.brambleberry.com/small-business/help-and-advice/art0101-label-products.html Drum vs Cosmetic Claims: www.brambleberry.com/small-business/help-and-advice/art0149-drug-cosmetic-claims.html

[@user-rv5eu8je8f]

Hey Anne thank you for the videos. So is it possible for me in Uganda to access your ingredients, if yes how?

[@bramble-berry]

Hi there! We ship to Uganda. A shipping estimate is available - you will need to start the checkout process and enter your full shipping address to see your shipping options and pricing.​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​Here's a quick link to our international shipping policy for more information: www.brambleberry.com/international-shipping-policies.html

[@firdowskruger9896]

Is it allowed to not put NaOH on your label like the ladies shave bar made eith Goatsmilk?

[@bramble-berry]

There are a few ways to list NaOH on your label, such as sodium hydroxide, or "saponified oils of"

[@jojopaul6136]

Hi Anne, Could you pls help me with this doubt. You say that any soap made with surfactants are not called as Soap. Is the same applicable when we add NaoH , fragrance oil, Mica, citric acid etc.?

[@bramble-berry]

Soaps made with Sodium Hydroxide are considered true soap even if you add a surfactant to the ingredients to increase the lather.

[@jojopaul6136]

@@bramble-berry thank you

[@eirinikaripi4071]

The best traditional soap made with extra virgin oil In Greece!!I made it with 70-80% olive oil from kalamata city(the best in the world)!!!

[@Mark_Agamotto1313_Smith]

So, is soap made from Potassium Hydroxide still soap?

[@asiaspyro]

Yes, it's just liquid.

[@fareloz]

Do you know any other surfactant used in bars than SODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATE? It seems it the only surfactant in solid form available to make bars

[@bramble-berry]

You will commonly see sulfates or sulfites as ingredients in store-bought soaps which are also generally surfactants.

[@fareloz]

@@bramble-berry I just never seen them in dry form. Usually all surfactants are sold as liquids and only isethionate as powder... But I'll check

[@stancexpunks]

Can someone please explain this to me? How can Cetaphil label their Gentle Cleansing Bar as being soap-free when it has sodium tallowate, sodium cocoate, sodium palm kernelate, and more? Here is the exact ingredient list taken from their website: Sodium Cocoyl lsethionate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Tallowate, Water, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, PEG-20, Masking Fragrance, Petrolatum, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, Sucrose Cocoate, Titanium Dioxide, Pentasodium Pentetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate. May also contain Sodium Palm Kernelate

[@bramble-berry]

We are not sure how they are able to make that claim, since Sodium Tallowate is saponified Tallow and would be considered soap on its own.

[@patriciamesa9710]

Can you explain sulfur soap please

[@bramble-berry]

We don't currently have much information about sulfur soaps but if you reach out to our customer service team through our website with a specific question they would be happy to look into answering your questions for you.

[@fareloz]

Is the goat milk soap doesn't state the lye in ingredients it sounds like they break regulations...

[@bramble-berry]

If you are listing that the ingredients are saponified oils you do not need to include sodium hydroxide lye as a separate ingredient.

[@fareloz]

@@bramble-berry Agree, but I checked 14:12 their ingredients list. There is no word "saponified"

[@meliplay]

I use the soaps i make to fund my 501c3 cat rescue.

[@FirstLast-po8oz]

Essential oils are often worse for your skin, just fyi. Just because it's considered natural doesn't mean it's good to use.

[@pixiesplantation]

You and I know both know it’s impossible to have a goats milk soap bar with more goats milk than oils. Goats milk soap makers do this all the time and it’s so deceiving to the consumer

[@VK-zb5vj]

Second