Frequently Asked Questions

Our Promise:

Our soap products are free from sulfates (SLS), parabens, detergents, and are vegan-friendly. Exceptions will be noted on our ingredient list for your convenience. We use olive, shea butter, sweet almond, and coconut oil in all our handmade bars, unless otherwise stated.

Where are you based?

UAE is our home. We make our products and ship them from a small working studio in Dubai 🇦🇪

Can I use your soaps on my body?

Absolutely! We actually encourage our customers to try our soaps in the shower. The mix of rich, nourishing oils and good quality clays and additives make our soaps perfect for the rest of your body, not just your hands. Your skin will thank you for it.

Why is handmade soap better than store-bought?

Store-bought soaps contain detergents and are technically not classified as soap at all. Millions of dollars are spent each year to convince us otherwise. True soap is simply a bunch of oils and a sodium salt coming together in a process called saponification. Commercial soaps are usually made of detergents (chemicals that strip away the natural protection of the skin), surfactants (chemicals that create suds), and preservatives (so it can live on the shelf forever). Those soaps tend to be drying and irritating to the skin. We think that soap should stay in its naturally-occurring, skin-nourishing state.

How long will my bar of handmade soap last?

We use ingredients that will make a firm yet nourishing bar of soap. Our bars are cured for 4-6 weeks so you'll receive 100% pure soap, without any water weight! On average, each bar will last about two weeks with daily use. Remember to use a draining soap dish which will prevent soggy soap and will maximize its life span.

Why do handmade soaps sometimes look 'imperfect'?

That's because handmade soap bars are crafted, poured, and cut by hand, so no two bars will be exactly alike. Temperature can make the color appear slightly different from batch to batch, while the design may also vary. Each bar is then individually cleaned up, packaged, labeled, and shipped to you!

Does Arcana Soaps bars contain SLS?

Nope! SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate) and other sulfates are often added to soaps to increase lather quality. They are commonly found in soaps, including many marketed as natural soaps, as well as glycerin soaps, liquid soaps, and shampoos. As synthetic compounds, SLS's and other surfactants dry your skin and, for many people, cause irritation. We use neither SLS nor any other sulfates in our soaps.

Why do your soap bars have so many oils?

A good bar soap balances bar soap bar is durable (hard), lathers beautifully, and moisturizes skin. Each oil has unique properties and provides different characteristics to the finished bar of soap. 

We use a selection of the following oils in our recipes to provide balance to our soap bars:

We use organic olive oil because it acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.

Organic coconut oil gives bubbly lather, cleanses, and adds hardness to the finished soap bars.

Shea butter comes in with its incredible moisturizing and nourishing factors that our skin just loves. It's the perfect 'skin food.'

Sweet Almond oil is used because it saponifies easily and produces a stable and conditioning lather in soap.

Castor Seed oil is used to give the soap bars a beautiful natural lather and big creamy bubbles.

How can I make my handmade soap last longer?

All handcrafted soap should be kept in a dry, cool, dark storage space to maximize its lifespan. When you use the the soap, make sure it has sufficient drainage to dry in between uses, as water will wash the soap away. 

Our bar soaps won't go bad, but you will notice that over time they may lose some of the potency of their scents. This happens because we only use natural ingredients and skin-safe fragrances.

Do you test your products on animals?

We NEVER test our products on animals nor do we buy our ingredients from suppliers who do. Our friends and family happily volunteer to be our testers.

How do I place an order?

You can order through our website 24 hours a day. Feel free to e-mail with any questions or special requests; we usually answer pretty quickly.

How can I pay for my order?

We're a 100% cashless business. We offer several convenient ways to pay for your order online. Credits and debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, are all available and secure. You can also use Tabby to pay in installments, super convenient!

When will my order be shipped?

We ship individual customer orders within 1 to 2 business days of your received payment. Sometimes orders placed during the holiday seasons take longer, especially if you are placing a custom order, or if your order is especially large. Please contact us if you have any questions or requests specific to your order. We are happy to help!

How soon will I receive my order?

Your items should arrive within 1 to 2 business days after they are shipped.