A: For sensitive skin, we recommend our Classic Baby Soap, as it does not contain any essential oils and is slightly more moisturizing than our other varieties. Our soaps do not clog pores. Instead, because of the pH level of the soaps, they open the pores to allow a deep cleaning of the skin. Our soaps have been known to help reduce acne, eczema and psoriasis because of their ability to clean the skin without harsh chemicals. Although our soaps have not been tested to see whether they are noncomedogenic, they have been used for many years with great success to those with sensitive skin. While our soaps don’t contain any preservatives or detergents that may cause some irritation, we always recommend those with sensitive skin consult with their medical professional prior to using a new product.

A: Pro tip, soaps derived from botanical oils like this one, with a wonky pH, tend to leave a residue and irritate inflammatory skin conditions more than they help. Try a product that's free of the most common irritants like fragrance, botanical oils especially volatile botanicals like tea tree and citrus, and dyes. (And try to avoid all types of added fragrance for awhile.)

A: Hi, Thank you for contacting Dr. Bronner's! Our Pure-Castile Liquid Soap have a 3-year shelf life from their manufacture date, which is represented by a lot code on each bottle, and we recommend that you use the product up 24 months after opening, before the 3-year mark. We recommend storing our Pure-Castile Liquid Soap in a cool dark place, around 65 - 70 °F. However, our Liquid Soap is quite resilient and can withstand freezing and warmer temperatures (100 °F) without losing its efficacy. We just ask that you keep the bottle out of direct sunlight for an extended period, and never store it at boiling temperatures. If our soap is stored at higher temperatures, the soap's water content can evaporate faster than normal, resulting in a thicker consistency. Alternatively, please note that storing our soap in the refrigerator will not increase its shelf life. If our Liquid Soaps are subjected to cooler or freezing temperatures, they can turn a cloudy white color. Rest assured that this is completely normal and reheating the bottle in a warm (not boiling) bowl of water will bring back its clarity, leaving the quality and efficacy of the soap unaffected. Here is a guide on where to find lot codes on our Pure-Castile Liquid Soap and Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner bottles, and how to read them since the majority of our products have Julian dates instead of expiration, or best-before dates. The lot codes are located right below where the label ends, on the bottom portion of the bottle. They will be etched or printed onto the plastic bottle and are not the bar code. Below are some examples of lot codes. Note that you will only need to pay attention to the first 5 digits of the codes (the first five digits are the Julian dates, and the second set of numbers is the product batch number): • Julian Date Ex. 1: 23095 11263 – (95th day of 2023) • Julian Date Ex. 2: 24095 11567 – (95th day of 2024) The first 2 numbers of the Julian Date will always represent the year that the products were manufactured. In example 1, this would indicate that the product would have been manufactured in 2023; in example 2, the year would be 2024. The following 3 digits will represent the day of the year they were manufactured. This will range from 1 to 365 as there are 365 days in a year. In both examples, this would mean that the products would have been made on the 95th day of the year. To quickly decode this exact date, you will just need to search that day on a Julian date calendar, like the one we have attached to this e-mail. When looking at the calendar, you will notice that the 95th day of the year is April 5, 2023, and April 4, 2024 (due to leap year). Again, these products have a shelf life of 3 years from these dates unopened, and 24 months after opening. Also, please keep in mind that we added the digit #1 at the front of each lot code, around mid-year 2016. Anything older will not have the #1 in the front. Newer bottles will have a “1” or “2” in the front, which represents the 2010s and 2020s. Here is an example of a lot code that is older than 2016: “5095 – 3204.” Some of our other products still only use 4 digits for their lot code. We know this is a bit complex, so if you have any future questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. All the best!

A: Hi Dessy, Soap that is labeled “antibacterial” is any soap or detergent that has had active antimicrobial ingredients added to it. Because our soap does not have these specific ingredients added to it, it cannot be labeled as “antibacterial.” However, the US Food and Drug Administration published a report indicating that soap and water is just as effective at mechanically removing microbes as antibacterial soap is at killing microbes. In addition, antibacterial soap can kill good microbes along with the bad, and often contains known toxins such as triclosan. For these reasons we believe our soap is ultimately safer and just as effective as an antibacterial agent, even though it is not labeled as such. You might also find Lisa Bronner’s blog post “Ditch the Antibacterial: Soap Is All You Need” interesting. https://www.lisabronner.com/ditch-the-antibacterial-soap-is-all-you-need/ Please feel free to reach out to directly if you have any further questions.

A: Hi Missy! This product is cruelty free and has never been tested on animals. Hope this helps.

A: At this time, Dr. Bronner’s products have not been tested against ring worm. We recommend consulting with your preferred medical professional.

A: Hi S! For body wash, all you need is one small squirt on a wet washcloth, applied to a wet body. Hope this helps!

A: Hi squid! For handwashing we recommend that you Pre-dilute 1:10 with water. Hope this helps!

A: Hi Lucia! Yes, you could use this face cleanser with a face cleansing device. Hope this helps!

A: Hi Avery! Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Pure Castile Soap -Tea Tree is an excellent facial cleanser. We recommend using 2-3 drops on wet hands or a wet wash cloth. You can also use it as a body wash by using one squirt on your wash cloth or loofah sponge. Hope this helps!

A: Yes, you can definitely shampoo with the castile soaps. It's not recommended to use them with color-treated hair. It is important to also pair the soap with an acidic conditioning rinse, such as Dr. Bronner’s Organic Citrus Conditioning Hair Rinse or apple cider vinegar.