I live in the Jacksonville area, can I pick up my order ?

You sure can. Since we have a brick and mortar location you can order online using a credit card and choose "In Store Pick Up". You can also stop by the store during normal business hours and shop. If you are needing a BULK order it is recommended that you place your order online for pickup or shipping. (M-Th 9-5 & Fri 9-4).

How long will it take to receive my order?

We ship FedEx Home/Ground, 2nd Day Air, or USPS Priority Mail. The choice is yours, but we do need a minimum of 2-3 days to process orders before they are shipped (not including weekends).

You say you are a natural company, but my packaging and shipping materials are plastic or other non-natural materials?

We are a natural company and stand firmly behind that. That being said we always aim to reduce, reuse and recycle what we can. All our plastic containers and buckets are reusable and recyclable. We also recycle all packing materials and boxes that come into our warehouse in an effort to reduce waste in our landfills from popcorn and other materials that would otherwise be thrown out and do not biodegrade. We are also in the process of developing a waste and recycling program for our customers to be able to use in the future. 

 

Why don’t some Oils fill the entire bottle?

Because, oils are dispensed by weight, not fluid ounces. Many oils are heavier and therefore do not fill an entire bottle. We also never charge for the bottle weight.

I’d like to know a little more about the product before I purchase it?

Our product pages on the website can give insight to the products uses and properties. If that doesn’t answer your question, please email us. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) are also available upon request for some products. MSDS information does not disclose the formulation of a product, only how to safely use it.

Need a Sample?

We would be happy to provide you with samples. E-mail us at contact@pontevedranaturals.com with the items you wish to sample and we will quote you a price. Sorry, but we cannot provide free samples.

How do I convert a toiletry recipe to percentages?

Convert each ingredient into the same measure, example: all teaspoons, all ounces, all grams, etc. Add up and get the total of all of the ingredients. Take the amount of each ingredient and divide by the total and then multiply by 100 to get the percentage of each ingredient in the recipe.

EXAMPLE RECIPE:

9 tsps beeswax
6 tsps cocoa butter
9 tsps shea butter
12 tsps avocado oil
2 tsps flavor oil
.5 tsps titanium dioxide white
1 tsp tocopherols
____
39.5 tsps total

9 tsps divided by 39.5 x 100 = 23% of beeswax. And so on…

Why Handcrafted Soap?

Did you know…. the commercial soap bars that line most grocery stores’ shelves are actually synthetic detergents? In contrast, Handcrafted Soap is soap in its true, pure form. Handcrafted Soap — also know as Handmade Soap — can be made using either Cold Process or Hot Process methods. When properly made, these soaps contain both soap and moisture-rich glycerin.

What is Saponification?

Saponification is the chemical reaction created by combining oils or fats with an alkali and water. Today, most handcrafted soap makers use the Cold Process method. Aside from the heat used to melt the solid fats to their liquid state, the heat produced by combining the precisely weighed oils or fats, alkali and water is sufficient to initiate the chemical reaction. Saponification is complete after the soap mixture has been poured into molds, cut into bars, and allowed to cure for several weeks. Hot Process Soap is actually cooked at a high temperature for an extended period of time to accelerate the saponification process. Transparent Soap is a kind of Hot Process Soap. In this method the soap has been cooked with other ingredients to create a ‘see-through’ soap. Melt and Pour Soap, however, is previously manufactured Transparent Soap that has been melted, colored, scented and then poured into molds.

What is Handcrafted Soap Made of?

Look on the label it should list the ingredients. Most handcrafters use olive, coconut, palm and other vegetable oils for their base. Some soap makers use tallow, which is derived from animal fat. Essential and fragrance oils contribute scent; cosmetic-grade pigments impart color; and botanicals, spices and other natural ingredients add texture. Adding oils or fats after saponification has begun will super-fat soap. These additional oils may be of seed, nut or fruit extraction.

Why is Glycerin Important?

Glycerin is a humectant. One molecule of glycerin is created for every three molecules of soap. Commercial soap makers remove the glycerin from their soap and then sell it to the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. With Handcrafted Soap, however, all of the naturally occurring glycerin remains intact. Handcrafted Soap is naturally softer. You may be able to ‘dent’ the soap with your finger. You will also notice that when handcrafted soap is fresh it will draw moisture from the air into small beads that will make the soap bar’s surface wet. Both of these traits indicate that the soap has a high glycerin content.

Is there Lye in my Soap?

No. When Handcrafted Soap is properly made and cured, the soap no longer contains lye, as the chemical reaction has converted the alkali (lye), water, and oils and fats into saponified oils and fats and glycerin. The end result is mild, pure Handcrafted Soap.

Is there a way to make Handcrafted Soap last longer?

Handcrafted Soap is a special product. Extend the life of your beautiful soap by placing the bar in a well-drained soap dish.