Why Our Soap Is Healthier
Even when scented, our soaps remain phthalate‑free, paraben‑free, and SLS/SLES‑free. They’re made through true saponification using tallow, coconut, and castor oil, which naturally create glycerin — a gentle moisturizer that helps skin stay soft and balanced.
Nature’s Oil fragrance oils are IFRA‑certified, cruelty‑free, and formulated for soap and skincare use, offering long‑lasting scent without harsh chemicals.
Sources
Pure Fragrances for Skin and Hair Care Products | Bulk Apothecary
Parabens
What they are: Synthetic preservatives used to prevent mold and bacteria in cosmetics and body care products.
Why avoid them: Parabens can mimic estrogen and act as endocrine disruptors, potentially affecting hormone balance and reproductive health (Cleveland Clinic).
Why we don’t use them: Nature’s Oil fragrance oils are paraben‑free, offering safer preservation without hormone‑active chemicals.
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
What it is: A strong detergent used in commercial soaps and shampoos to create foam.
Why avoid it: SLS strips natural oils from the skin, causing dryness and irritation
Why we don’t use it: Nature’s Oil fragrance oils are SLS‑free, keeping our soaps gentle and skin‑friendly.
Sources
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/199430
SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)
What it is: A modified version of SLS that’s slightly milder but still a synthetic surfactant.
Why avoid it: It can irritate sensitive skin and may contain 1,4‑dioxane, a trace byproduct formed during manufacturing. The EPA classifies 1,4‑dioxane as a probable human carcinogen
Why we don’t use it: Nature’s Oil fragrance oils are SLES‑free, ensuring no detergent residues in our soap.
Sources
Final Risk Evaluation for 1,4-Dioxane | US EPA
Phthalates
What they are: Chemical fixatives used to make fragrances last longer.
Why avoid them: Phthalates are endocrine disruptors linked to hormone imbalance and reproductive concerns (Cleveland Clinic).
Why we don’t use them: Nature’s Oil fragrance oils are phthalate‑free, providing scent stability without hormone‑active chemicals.
Sources
What You Should Know About Parabens
What Makes Nature’s Oil Synthetic Aromatics Safe
Nature’s Oil uses cosmetic‑grade synthetic aromatics that meet strict IFRA (International Fragrance Association) safety standards. These lab‑made molecules replicate natural scents while avoiding irritants and contaminants found in cheaper fragrance blends.
Why they’re considered safe:
IFRA‑Certified: Tested for skin sensitivity and approved for cosmetic use.
Clean Formulation: Free from phthalates, parabens, and SLS/SLES.
Stable and Consistent: Designed to remain stable in soapmaking.
Gentle Carriers: Blended with fractionated coconut oil and propylene glycol for smooth, skin‑safe dispersion.
Sources
Pure Fragrances for Skin and Hair Care Products | Bulk Apothecary
International Fragrance Association (IFRA) | IFRA
Propylene Glycol and How It’s Made
Propylene glycol is created by combining propylene oxide with water under controlled heat and pressure, producing a clear, odorless liquid purified into USP‑grade quality for safe use in cosmetics, food, and skincare.
While most propylene oxide is made from natural gas‑derived propylene, it can also come from plant‑based feedstocks such as glycerol, corn sugar, or soybean oil (DOE Bio‑Based Propylene Glycol).
Catalysts used in bio‑based production:
Copper‑chromite and zinc‑oxide – for hydrogenation of glycerol.
Silver‑based – for oxidation to propylene oxide.
Nickel or alumina – for refining plant‑derived intermediates.
These catalysts make reactions faster and cleaner, reducing energy use and waste.
Sources
Production of Propylene Oxide from Propylene Using Patented Silver Based Catalyst
How Is Propylene Glycol Made? - Biology Insights
Why Tallow?
Soap
Tallow Soap for Skin
Tallow makes soap that’s gentle, balanced, and effective. Its fatty‑acid profile (mainly stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids) creates a creamy, stable lather that cleans without stripping the skin’s natural oils. Because tallow’s composition is similar to human sebum, it helps skin feel soft and comfortable after washing — not tight or dry.
In soapmaking, tallow also produces a hard, long‑lasting bar that holds its shape and resists melting, making it ideal for everyday use.
Tallow Soap for Dish Washing
Tallow’s natural cleansing power cuts through grease, oils, and waxy residues while rinsing clean. Historically, butchers and cooks used tallow soap because it removed animal fats effectively without leaving a film. It’s strong enough for kitchen cleanup yet mild enough for hands — a rare balance that synthetic detergents often miss.
Cosmetics
Tallow is naturally skin‑friendly because its fatty‑acid profile closely mirrors human sebum, the oil our skin produces to stay soft and protected. That similarity helps tallow absorb easily, support the skin’s barrier, and reduce dryness or irritation.
According to the American Grassfed Association,
“Tallow… closely resembles human sebum, making it an excellent moisturizer that helps with dryness, eczema, and inflammation.”
Tallow also contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, which nourish and repair skin, and its stable, saturated structure makes it ideal for sensitive or eczema‑prone skin.
Sources
The Timeless Benefits of Tallow: A Sustainable Superfat - American Grassfed Association
Fatty acid | Definition, Structure, Functions, Properties, & Examples | Britannica
The History of Tallow in Soapmaking
Brooksie Naturals Tallow: Clean Rendering and Deodorization
Brooksie describes their tallow as:
Grass‑fed and pasture‑raised beef tallow
Rendered and purified for cosmetic use
Deodorized to remove natural scent
Free from additives or preservatives
Brooksie Naturals does not use chemical solvents or synthetic additives in its tallow rendering process. Their product descriptions and labeling emphasize “pure, grass‑fed, deodorized beef tallow” — meaning the fat is purified through physical methods only, not chemical refining.