FDA interpretations of natural and herbal are vague and allow for some products to be labeled 100% natural or herbal when in fact they are not even close. Sacred Feather Traders defines “Natural” simply as: organic (plant) or inorganic (from the earth) gifts from nature. Our natural organic materials include oils, herbs, and essential oils. We believe inorganic materials (clays, muds and salts) from Mother Earth, are also natural. 

Essential oils are oils distilled from a plant. They are quite powerful and should never be used “neat” or straight on your skin. Essential oils often carry certain medicinal and therapeutic values from the original plant. Fragrance oils are synthetically constructed to mimic scents.

Ever tried a handmade soap? If not, usually upon first use you can tell the difference and you’ll never want to use commercial soap again. Try our sample packet and you’ll see what we mean! Do a test challenge for fun!!

Soaps on the market today are not truly soap. They are detergents and contain a great deal of harsh chemicals. Even “soaps” that claim to be gentle on the commercial market have a wide range of chemically enhanced ingredients added. All you have to do to see this is true is read the label. They are detergents. Also, the glycerin, an important byproduct of soap, is gleaned off from the commercial soap. Commercial soap companies replace this with a variety of other chemicals. Commercial glycerin is sold to other companies who then add their chemicals for making toothpaste, deodorant, and “Melt and Pour” or glycerin soaps. Please do not confuse “Melt and Pour” glycerin soaps with real handmade soaps. They are NOT the same.

Handmade soap is a true soap. The cleaning properties are mild and wash off leaving no residues or scent. Soap makers start from scratch using their preferred oils. The soap is carefully watched and fussed over. Everything is made with a fine balance. No harsh chemicals are in the soaps. Once the lye combines with the oils, it saponifies and forms soap. Within 24 hours, the lye is no longer present. As soap sits on shelves to “cure” moisture evaporates, the oils/soap harden, and the soap turns milder.

The answer is yes. You cannot make soap without lye. However, is there lye in your soap? Absolutely NOT. The lye combined with oils create the saponification process and then it is gone. If you purchase soap and you are told it is NOT made with lye, then it is NOT soap. Melt and Pour or most glycerin soaps are a by-product of large commercial soap processing companies. The glycerin is taken out of the soap and sent through more chemical changes to be sold for other products. So, in fact, you have to produce soap (using lye) in order to have the by-product of glycerin.

We all have different skin types, wants, likes, and preferences. So this question can only be answered by you. Try some of our soaps and then make a decision. We believe you’ll be converted to using a true handmade soap!

This is a fantastic question and thank-you for asking! Any soap will “melt” away if it is not properly taken care of. Each soap maker has their way of creating the beautiful product they make. After all, making soap is a very old craft. In fact in our past history soap makers were held in high esteem. Some who were very good at it were commissioned by Royalty. To answer your question, our soaps will last as long as any other soap on the market if they are taken care of. If you leave them in your tub exposed to water, they will melt away. Any soap will. Handmade soap is more susceptible to this because they are a real soap and contain high quality oils.

Let your soap dry between use by putting it on a soap dish, taking it out of the shower or sink area after use, or setting it in a place where water is not going to drip on it. Besides, allowing soap to sit in water can breed bacteria.

Our soaps can last a long time but we can’t give you an exact amount of time! Everyone washes differently! Some use a lot of soap, and some use a bit of soap. Some people wash their faces more than three times a day!! An approximation using our soap daily twice a day, one large bar can last up to three months.

The answer to this question can be complicated. Some producers are members of Federally Recognized Native American Indian Tribes and some are not. So, some of our products are made by carded members of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes, and some are not. It really depends on what item you are looking at and when you are looking at it. Items made by Native Americans are are clearly labeled. We have never and will never make claims that are untrue. If you have specific questions about whether or not a product is or will be made by a Native American, please do not hesitate to ask.