All orders are shipped via USPS from Anchorage, Alaska. Please note that shipping times from Alaska can differ from those in the Lower 48. Services labeled as “overnight” or “express” may still take additional time once the package leaves Alaska.

Orders are typically processed and shipped within 1 - 3 business days. AK Elemental is a small one-person (with occasional help from the hubby) operation, and I balance soap making with my full-time role as a high school chemistry teacher. While I work hard to ship orders promptly, this timeframe allows me to ensure each order is packed with care and attention.

Once your order has shipped, you’ll receive tracking information so you can follow its journey.

For hygiene reasons, I am unable to accept returns on any soaps once they have been shipped.

You may cancel your order before it has shipped for a full refund minus the cost of the shipping label.

If there is an issue with your order, please reach out and I will be happy to help make it right!

Yes and No. The short answer is that ALL soaps are made with Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). However, after the wonders of chemical reactions, there is no Lye (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) present in the bar of soap. All NaOH has reacted with the fatty acids to create soap and glycerin.

If you’d like to know more, I’m happy to teach you! (Put that chemistry teaching to work!) You can also check out the following books:

• Scientific Soapmaking by Kevin Dunn

• The Chemistry of Soaps and Salts by Baby Professor

I use high-quality oils and butters such as olive oil, rice bran oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, mango butter, and beef tallow - depending on the recipe. Many bars also include additives such as colloidal oats, goat milk, coconut milk, activated charcoal, aloe Vera juice, and clays.

Each product listing includes a full ingredient list. If you are concerned with potential allergens, please consult the ingredients prior to purchase.

Actually, no. The price you pay not only covers the costs of the ingredients, but also covers my labor, packing and other production costs.

I am a small business owner - each bar of soap is made by me. Each bar is a labor of love, creativity, and applied chemistry.

Authenticity. The products you buy at the large grocery stores are not soap, but detergents. According to the FDA, a product can only be labeled as soap if it is made from water, oils, and lye (NaOH). Many commercial products can’t make that claim and if you'd read the labels carefully, you’ll see they are not labeled as soap, but perhaps as a beauty bar, etc.

You can read more about the difference between handcrafted soap and store bought soap HERE.

Really curious? Visit the FDA website.

Both. Some soaps are scented with essential oils, some with fragrance oils, and others are 100% scent free.

I choose scents that perform well in cold process soap and match my vision for the particular batch of soap.

All fragrances, whether essential or fragrance oils are phthalate-free, and are used in accordance with the IFRA.

Each bar of soap is handcrafted and small variations in color, swirl pattern, and texture are part of what makes handcrafted soaps unique. No two bars are exactly alike - cherish the uniqueness!

While soap isn’t intended to last forever, there are some steps you can take to prolong its life.

• Keep your soap out of direct running water.

• For best results, allow your soap to fully dry between uses on a well-draining soap dish.

Yep! AK Elemental Soap is a small business based in Anchorage, AK. Many of my soaps are inspired by the natural landscape and beauty of Alaska.

Sure! If you’re interested in wholesale, favors, or custom orders (company gifts, etc), please contact me directly to discuss!