Teach Soap

How do I talk about/advertise my soap? I know I can't say "heals eczema and acne, etc." But when a customer at a craft show asks me about my soap I want to be able to tell them that it will cleanse gently and the glycerin acts as a humectant drawing moisture to their skin making it feel, well, moisturized. However, this puts my soap into the cosmetic category, right? And as far as I can tell from the FDA's site on regulating cosmetics, my soap AKA "cosmetic" would have to be approved by the FDA. If this is true then I supposed I would have to label it as only soap? And if that's the case how on earth do I talk up my soap and market it? "Here it is! It's -- SOAP!"

"Well, what will it do for my skin?"
"Err... clean it... it's soap!"
"Yes, but how is it different than store-bought soap?"
"Well I put these cool oils and butters in it... and make SOAP!"
"Will it heal my acne, ezcema, make me the most beautiful woman in the world, make my husband get off his lazy butt and help me with the dishes, and cure my exploding diarrhea?"
"Oh, no ma'am, it's just soap...."
"I'll take 50 bars!"

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Soapmaiden (Natalie)

If you say that its moisturizing, it is considered a cosmetic, which does not have to be FDA approved. If you said it heals acne, then its a drug and DOES have to be FDA tested & approved. But once it becomes a cosmetic, you have to follow all the labeling requirements for cosmetics. If it seems confusing about the labeling, I suggest . It does help make it easier to understand the rules.

When someone asks me about why my soap is different from store bought, I enjoy telling them about the syndet bars and manufactured soap and the fact that my soap is made with great oils like olive, coconut, castor, etc and still has all it's wonderful natural glycerin. If they say they have dry skin, etc. I try to direct then to a bar of unscented goat's milk soap - no perfumes to irritate skin, gentle cleansing, etc., but no mention of "curing" any problem.

The link that VanessaP posted is excellent. I have it bookmarked for quick reference.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I do not sell, but have had friends ask me about my homemade soap. I tell them that it contains glycerin (I do believe that for 3 molecules of soap formed it creates one molecule of glycerin) and that the big soap companies take it out: 1 because they can get money for it and 2 because it gums up their machinery. I then say that glycerin and water are attracted to each other and water is important to our skin to keep it healty since it is the largest organ of our body. I also mention at this time that because water and glycerin attract that is why they should not let my soap sit in a puddle of water. I also tell them about superfatting and having a little extra oil or butter left on their skin. Mostly I find once they start using it and find out how nice their skin feels they fall in love with it!

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

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Soapmaiden (Natalie)

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Genny