What Does “Natural” Mean in My Products?

"Natural" can mean different things to different people. Add to this the greenwashing so many companies do to encourage more sales, and it's hard to know if what you're buying actually lines up with what you have in mind. It's a frustrating place to be in, especially if you're trying to make choices as a consumer with the environment and/or your health in mind!

So, here's what natural means when you buy a product from Searl Soap Company...

All products are made with real ingredients, most of which can be eaten! You can understand what they are by their names - coconut oil, olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, essential oils, goat's milk. If you see "saponified" in front of the oils and butters used, it simply means it's gone through the chemical reaction that turns it from oil to soap. Whenever possible, the ingredients chosen are organic and/or non-GMO. The essential oils used are high quality, pure and undiluted, and are extracted through steam distillation or cold pressing.

Let's take a moment to see what's missing from my products - parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances (no fragrance oils are used, even ones considered "natural" because you just can't know for sure) and toxic chemicals. And greenwashing!!!

A great example of the simplicity and natural content of my products is the ingredient list for my Solid Dish Soap - saponified coconut oil and possibly a couple essential oils for a fresh scent. That's it!

If you find some (or all) of this confusing, don't worry. You don't need to take time to learn about it all (although it can be very enlightening!) because you can trust every product you buy from Searl Soap Company is 100% natural, good for you and good for the planet!

One last note: Given the current situation of tariffs and economic uncertainty here in Canada as I last edited this post, I thought it also worthwhile mentioning where my ingredients come from. I have always chosen the most local options possible. Some, such as the botanicals from my garden, goat's milk from a local farm or honey and beeswax from a local beekeeper, are sourced within a few kilometers of my home workshop. However all ingredients have always, and will continue to, come from Canadian suppliers.

(As always, other than links to my own products, the links included in this post will bring you to more information, not where to buy a product.)