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We avoid using undiluted essential oils where possible. Here's why: Essential oils are extracted from the roots, barks, seeds, flowers, and leaves of various plants. It takes a large amount of plant material to make essential oils, which can make them very resource intensive depending on where they're grown. The amount of plant material required depends on the type of plant, the oil being produced, and the extraction method. For example, it takes: Lavender: 250 pounds of lavender flowers to make 1 pound of lavender essential oil Rose: 5,000 pounds of rose petals to make 1 pound of rose essential oil Lemon balm: 5,000 pounds of lemon balm to make 1 pound of lemon balm essential oil Jasmine: 8,000 jasmine blossoms to make 1 gram of jasmine essential oil Melissa: 6,000 pounds of melissa plant to make 1 pound of melissa essential oil We avoid purchasing at-risk plant species: There are plant species that are sold as essential oils that are endangered. Once a plant species is exhausted, what is the impact on the local community? What are the ripple effects of the loss of biodiversity? Examples of endangered plant species include rosewood, sandalwood, and spikenard. United Plant Savers keeps a regularly updated list of species at risk. From the American Lung Association: Essential oils are not regulated in the United States. This means there is no oversight of these products to ensure quality and we do not know exactly what is in each bottle, the concentration, or contaminants. These highly concentrated and potent essential oils can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The inhalation of VOCs commonly has negative effects on the respiratory system. Individuals can have different reactions to essential oils, just like they might to other medicines, products, allergens or irritant triggers. Skin irritation: Applying essential oils directly to the skin can cause irritation or burns. Toxicity: Essential oils can be toxic if swallowed, even in diluted form. Allergic reactions: Some people can develop allergic contact dermatitis after exposure to essential oils. Asthma attacks: Some people with asthma may have a reaction to breathing in essential oil fumes. Headaches: Inhaling too much essential oil can cause headaches. Organ damage: Using essential oils in the wrong dose or concentration can damage the skin, liver, and other organs. Cardiopulmonary health: Inhaling essential oils for long periods of time can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and decrease lung function. Pets: Some essential oils can be harmful to certain pets. Pregnancy: Some essential oils, such as camphor, parsley seed, and wintergreen, should not be used during pregnancy, labor, or while nursing. Arbor Grove products are scented with USA-made fragrance oils from established American companies who prioritize safety and quality. They are extensively tested and rated for performance. While fragrance oils contain natural components like essential oils, they are considered synthetic. However, the beauty of working with synthetic fragrance oils is that they are formulated to be safe in final products and perform consistently. Every one of our products has been formulated to be within IFRA guidelines on a scent-by-scent basis according to the individual Safety Data Sheet. Our goal is to avoid making any statements or claims that fall into the drug claim category. The US Food and Drug Administration has strict laws outlining cosmetic and drug claims. For more information, we recommend studying the FDA website. We would like to add that we are firm believers in science. We will never promote dubious claims like "essential oil molecules enter through the skin, carrying away harmful toxins, free-radicals, cell debris, fungi, bacteria, and viruses in the body" for example. It is NEVER that simple. When you see these claims, ask yourself (and them) -- "which toxins?" "which bacteria? The good bacteria?" "in what dose does each oil need to be ingested or applied? Frequency?" "if my kidneys, liver, etc. already do this - why do I need an oil?" We believe it is our duty to be truthful and stay far away from these claims. Especially in our marketing.

Our olfactory system, responsible for detecting and interpreting smells, is directly linked to the brain's limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions and memories. This direct connection explains why a whiff of a familiar scent can evoke powerful emotions and transport us back in time. Perfumers are like artists, crafting scents that can evoke specific emotions in those who wear or encounter them. For example, a bright and citrusy fragrance can uplift spirits, a sense of energy and vitality, while a warm and musky scent can provide a feeling of comfort and sensuality. By understanding the emotional impact of various scents, we can make more intentional choices about the scents we surround ourselves with. One of the most remarkable aspects of scents is their ability to awaken nostalgia. An aroma of a familiar perfume from the past can take you back to cherished moments, family gatherings, or even significant life events. Embracing nostalgia can be a therapeutic experience, allowing you to reconnect with your roots and find comfort in the memories of the past. Your scent is your story, and we’re here to help you write it.

Why Olive Oil ? Makes a hard, long-lasting soap with a gentle cleansing lather, suitable for all skin types including sensitive skins. High in Oleic acid, a soap made with olive oil will help to condition and soften your skin. Olive oil has been used for centuries to make traditional castile soap (which takes at least a year to cure!) Why Coconut Oil ? It offers a unique combination of cleansing, firming and skin-loving properties. It creates a rich, frothy lather. It contributes to the hardness of the bar. It has natural antibacterial properties and can help reduce inflammation. Why Shea Butter ? In soap, Shea Butter does not contribute to lather or hardness (so it’s basically a super luxe additive). Relieves dry skin - Shea butter contains fatty acids. They lubricate the skin and create a barrier that keeps moisture in. In people with oilier skin, sebum (natural skin oil) does this job. But for those with drier skin, a moisturizer helps maintain dewiness. Eases irritation - Shea butter contains anti-inflammatory substances, which ease swelling and redness in skin. People use it for any irritation, from sunburns to chapped lips to skin that’s reacting to too many acid peels or scrubs. Prevents cell damage Shea butter contains two antioxidants: Vitamin A - to firm skin and reduce wrinkles - It works by increasing the skin-cell turnover rate, smoothing the skin’s surface. It also plumps skin by stimulating the production of collagen, the framework that keeps your skin from sagging. Vitamin E - Most of it is alpha-tocopherol (one of eight forms of vitamin E), which has thehighest antioxidant activity. Vitamin E is in our sebum, so oilier skins have more of it. But sebum production tends to decline with age. Sunlight exposure depletes it, too. Vitamin E helps skin by preventing cellular damage and boosting moisture. It also serves as a kind of preservative to assist the shorter shelf-life oils like Sunflower. Improves eczema - Eczema is a common skin condition that causes itchy, red rashes. It also makes you prone to skin infections. When you have eczema, part of the problem is that you don’t have enough fatty acids in your skin. Your skin barrier isn’t as effective at warding off irritants and germs. One study found that shea butter was better at reducing eczema symptoms than petroleum products, which doctors often recommend. This may be because shea butter contains linoleic acid, a fatty acid that’s in skin. Doesn’t cause allergic reactions - Shea butter is safe for people with nut allergies. Allergens are proteins. While shea butter does come from nuts, it’s made entirely of fat, so it’s allergen-free. Additionally, no one has reported a reaction to it. However, raw shea butter does contain latex. So people with latex allergies should avoid it or make sure they only use refined shea butter (which is generally what we use here at Arbor Grove). Why Palm Kernel Oil ? Lather - Palm kernel oil is a lauric oil, similar to coconut oil, and produces a rich lather in all types of water. Moisturizing - Palm kernel oil can keep skin moist and wrinkle free. Hardness - Palm kernel oil creates hard, white bars of soap. Why Jojoba Oil ? Jojoba wax is a lot like human skin sebum, the oil your skin makes to stay moisturized and supple. Because jojoba oil is so similar to sebum and has a high vitamin E content, it's an excellent skin softener that can smooth dry skin, prevent flakiness, and improve skin elasticity. Jojoba is hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin, so it is rare to have a reaction to it. Why Castor Oil ? Lather - Castor oil's unique fatty acid composition creates a rich, creamy lather in soap. Some call it a "bubble booster". Moisturizing - Castor oil is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture to the skin. This helps keep skin smooth and soft. Conditioning - Castor oil can make soap more conditioning, which can leave your hands feeling softer after use. Why Goat Milk? The sugars in goat milk create a rich fluffy lather. It's generally gentle on the skin. People say they like the "feel" Why Kaolin Clay ? Kaolin clay is derived from kaolinite minerals and has a neutral pH. Cleansing - A gentle exfoliator that can remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from the skin. It's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin. Scent - helps the fragrance in soap last longer. Skin feel - can make soap feel smooth and silky. Shelf life - Clay soaps can last longer in the shower and have a longer shelf life than other soaps. Why Vitamin E ? A natural preservative to lengthen the shelf life of lotions, soap, balms, etc. Applying vitamin E to your skin helps protect delicate skin from damage due to its antioxidant properties. It's also extremely hydrating – it's both a 'humectant' and an 'emollient' – so it helps your skin absorb water and traps it within the skin too. And it's even been shown to help relieve eczema for some people.

https://www.leapingbunny.org/about/about-leaping-bunny By 1996, 'cruelty-free' shopping had become popular, but it was also confusing, sometimes misleading, and ultimately frustrating. Companies had begun designing their own bunny logos, abiding by their own definition of 'cruelty-free' or 'animal friendly' without the participation of animal protection groups. In response, eight national animal protection groups banded together to form the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). The CCIC promotes a single comprehensive standard and an internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo. We work with companies to help make shopping for animal-friendly products easier and more trustworthy.

This is of particular importance for functional scented products as the added active ingredients may react with oxygen and sunlight and break down quickly. Dark packaging shields these products from sunlight. Fragrances should be kept in dark containers to prevent the chemical structure of the perfume from breaking down. This breakdown can be caused by exposure to light, heat, and humidity, which can alter the scent and color. Consider the fridge! Cold temperatures can help to stabilize these compounds and prevent oxidation, keeping the fragrance fresh and vibrant for longer.

We rely on the Fragrance Wheel to help guide our decision making. It helps us choose scents that are similar or complementary. Then we use our expertise to take it to the next level and make sure we have a variety of scents for our customers. The fragrance wheel was created in 1983 by Michael Edwards, a perfume expert and author of Fragrances of the World. The wheel is a circular diagram that categorizes fragrances into four main groups: floral, oriental, fresh, and woody. Each group is then further divided into subgroups, creating a total of 14 fragrance categories. A simpler wheel looks like this:

The notes you sense immediately are usually referred to as top notes. Citrus, herbs and light fruity scents are common top notes. Top notes tend to be lighter oils with smaller molecules, and as such, they tend to fade away faster. The next part of a fragrance you sense is called the middle note or heart note. Whereas ideal top notes are often zestier or sharper, middle notes are usually meant to be softer and warmer. A top note draws you in to a fragrance, while the middle note makes you want to stay there. Many middle notes are floral, fruity, spicy or herbal. Lastly, we have bottom notes or base notes. These notes are the ones you smell last, and because they are heavier oils with larger molecules, they also stick around the longest. Bottom notes tend to be warm, sometimes woodsy scents. Vanilla, Musk, Amber and Sandalwood are some of the more common base notes. No matter what they are, these notes take the stage once the top and middle notes have started to dissipate. Many fragrances we carry are complex and multi-layered, with unique top, middle and bottom notes that round them out. However, there are also a number of single-note fragrances that feature only one scent. Fragrances like Lemon, Amber or Orange.

Olive oil helps the skin retain its natural moisture, and attracts more moisture to the skin. Olive oil soap creates a gentle lather that's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Olive oil contains oleic acid and polyphenols, which can improve skin texture and tone, and combat early signs of aging. Coconut oil produces a rich, frothy lather that can suds in salt water. Coconut oil's medium-chain fatty acids can help treat acne and protect the skin from harmful bacteria.

Activated charcoal is a black powder that’s odorless. It usually comes from plant sources like coal, wood chips, coconut shells, moss, or tree bark. Because it can neutralize some harmful substances in the body, medical professionals use it to treat certain kinds of drug overdose and emergency poisonings. Activated charcoal is a popular ingredient in many skin care products. Some companies claim it can treat acne, reduce dandruff, unclog your pores, or prevent signs of aging. But there’s no scientific evidence that activated charcoal can do these things. We use it as mainly decoration in our soaps. And the gray bubbles are harmless and will wash away easily. Some people like the black color - some say they use it for facial soap. Give it a try !

Cold process soap needs to cure for 4–6 weeks (or longer). Curing allows excess water to evaporate, which makes the soap harder and gentler on the skin (lowering of the pH), and helps it last longer. The last 3% of pH lowering time takes place in the last few weeks of cure time. That's when the soap gets to a pH level that is skin loving (as opposed to skin drying). There are no shortcuts. The chemical reaction process takes time. And, as the wise person once said, “Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.”

Why bother? Wool felted soap bars last longer than soap, is easier to grip than a slippery bar of soap, make a better lather, is exfoliating, is antimicrobial, is fun to wash with and looks great. It is an eco-friendly option. Wool is a natural material that eventually biodegrades so instead of filling up landfills with shower puffs that never break down, use this eco-friendly alternative instead. What is felted soap used for? Felted soap bars can be used for washing your hands or your body in the bath or shower. Basically, anything you would use a regular bar of soap for. How to use felted soap? Use just like a normal bar of soap. Get it wet rub it in your hands to form a lather then apply to the area you want to wash, scrub with it, then rinse the suds away. Eventually the soap will be used up and you will be left with a felted bag. You can use this as a scrubby in the shower, or for stuffing with cat nip as a toy for your cat.

Because wool is antimicrobial, it will not mold as long as it is stored out of sitting water, unlike a loofah which molds easily. It's important to store felted soap properly to prevent it from becoming moldy: Avoid water: Don't leave felted soap in water or a pool of water. Dry: Wring out the soap after each use. Store in a well-drained dish: Keep the soap in a soap dish with good drainage.

Soy wax has many benefits, including: Clean burn: Soy wax burns cleanly and emits less soot than paraffin wax. Longer burn: Soy wax candles burn longer than paraffin candles because they have a lower melting point and require more energy to melt. Soy candles can burn 30–50% longer than paraffin candles of the same size. Biodegradable: Soy wax is made from soybeans and is biodegradable and water-soluble. Sustainable: Soy wax is a renewable resource that's kinder to the planet than petroleum-based paraffin wax. Healthier: Soy wax candles don't release the petroleum-based pollutants that paraffin candles do, which means cleaner air. If you’ve ever tried to clean up melted wax from a tablecloth or piece of furniture, then you know how impossible conventional wax can be to clean. Safer for pets Made in the USA -- Soybeans are grown on American soil by American farmers Good quality soy wax candles do not offer black soot as they reach their melting points. Lower melting point which means we can use a cotton wick It will never have the “throw” that paraffin will, but the benefits are worth the tradeoff Arbor Grove candles are made from soy wax grown and manufactured in the U.S. from established, reputable companies who prioritize safety and performance.

The Science Behind the Scent When a candle burns, the heat of the flame melts the wax near the wick. This melt pool acts as a reservoir from which the fragrance oils evaporate into the air. The larger the candle's diameter, the larger this pool becomes, which means a greater surface area for the fragrance to evaporate and fill the room. It’s this elementary, yet crucial science that forms the basis of our candle sizing recommendations. Bigger candles aren't always better. The choice of candle size should be based on the atmosphere you wish to create and the physical space. Sometimes, grouping multiple smaller candles can provide a more striking visual impact and a more distributed light source than a single large candle. Tailoring to Your Space Large, open-concept rooms or those with high ceilings demand a bolder approach. To adequately fill these expansive spaces with your desired scent, reaching for a larger candle or employing multiple fragrance sources is key. In very large or open spaces, complementing your candle with a wax melt warmer or reed diffuser can help maintain a consistent fragrance level throughout. You can also use multiple candles. This multifaceted approach ensures that every nook and cranny of your home is filled with your chosen scent. Small Rooms (Up to 100 sq ft) For small rooms like bathrooms, powder rooms, or small offices: – Tealights: Perfect for creating a subtle glow and fragrance in small spaces. – Votives: A step up from tealights, votive candles are slightly larger and offer a longer burn time. – Small Jar or Tin Candles: Ideal for small spaces where you want to add a touch of fragrance and ambiance. Medium Rooms (100-300 sq ft) For medium-sized rooms like bedrooms, kitchens, or living rooms: – Medium Jar or Tin Candles (8-12 oz): These candles offer a balanced size for medium rooms, providing a good amount of fragrance and burn time. Large Rooms (300+ sq ft) For large rooms like open-concept living areas, large living rooms, or dining rooms: – Large Jar Candles (16-24 oz): These candles are designed to fill larger spaces with fragrance and provide a longer burn time. – Multiple Candles: Consider using multiple candles of varying sizes and scents to create layers of fragrance and ambiance throughout the room. – 3-Wick Candles: 3-wick candles offer a larger flame and stronger scent throw, making them ideal for larger rooms.

Your candle comes ready to light with the wick already trimmed at the optimal length (1/8 - 1/4 inch) - or the thickness of your phone. Make sure the wick in trimmed to this length each time before lighting your candle. This ensures the wick that was designed for this candle will burn clean and extend the life of your candle. Keep the candle away from moving air, pets, and children. Never leave a candle burning unattended, as there's a risk of fire. Never burn your candle for more than 3-4 hours at a time. Place the candle on a heat-resistant surface - vessels can become very hot on the bottom. Please allow it to cool 2 hours before re-lighting. Discontinue use when there is 1/2 inch wax left.

My goal isn’t to create value for shareholders at the expense of people. I strive to create a cleaner, healthier, more customizable product. Shopping small also means you are contributing directly to your community and not funding a 3rd lake house for a CEO of a private equity company.

We make a product that is intended to burn. But safely - so that it can be enjoyed. Every year, there are many fires that can be avoided if candles are properly used. You should be aware of the risks of using a flammable vessel (wood bowls) or flammable material embedded on or in the candle itself (see video). According to the NFPA: During the five-year period of 2018-2022: Half of all candle fires started when a flammable piece of décor – such as furniture, mattresses, bedding, curtains, home decorations, paper, or clothing – was too close to the lit candle. In 21% of home structure candle fires, the candle was either left unattended, discarded, or otherwise misused. Over one-third of candle fires (36%) started in the bedroom. Sleep was a factor in 10% of home structure candle fires, 15% of candle fire deaths, and 18% of candle fire injuries. Be aware from whom you are purchasing a candle. Are they insured? Do they use suitable materials? Never ever leave a candle unattended. Read the warning sticker. Trim and center the wick. Blow it out after 3-4 hours (MAX). Never let the vessel get too hot. Never burn the candle all the way down. Keep children and pets away from candle. Keep it clear of anything flammable.