FAQs
Why bee pollen, beeswax, honey, royal jelly and propolis?
Scentsational Journeys beauty products feature Pure Organic Florida Honey which acts as a humectant and keeps you staying moisturized. Pure Florida Honey has antiseptic, antibacterial, and active healing properties. It also cleanses, hydrates and soothes the skin with the added benefit of gentle alpha hydroxy acids. Propolis is a natural antibiotic, which also has antibacterial, astringent and anti-inflammatory attributes that stimulate the natural resistance of the body to diseases and ailments. Propolis is ideal for problem skin, skin irritations, and inflammations. Royal Jelly is natures best-kept secret. Royal Jelly contains a wealth of vitamins which strengthens and provides nutrients to the delicate skin tissues, giving skin a soft, improved texture. Royal Jelly is ideal for retarding the aging process. Bee Pollen is vitamin rich and is buzzing with body care benefits. We are proud active members of the Florida State Beekeepers Association. Beeswax locks in moisture, fosters cells and protects skin from damaging environmental factors. It also is a naturally nourishing moisturizer as well as being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-allergenic and a germicidal antioxidant. Beeswax also contains vitamin A, which may be beneficial in softening and rehydrating dry skin and in cell reconstruction.
What if I have a bee allergy?
We recommend a patch test before using any new topical skin care product. This is particularly important if you have sensitive skin or known allergies. Propolis is made the same way honey is just with tree sap instead of nectar. Usually, it is the venom that people are allergic to. We do not use actual bee venom in our products – only bee derivatives such as propolis, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, beeswax and honey powder. However, if you are allergic to bee by-products, then we do not suggest using our products. We recommend that you contact your health care provider when changing your skin care regimen to find out which products are best for you.
What is Propolis?
Propolis, sometimes called bee glue, is a natural product of honeybees used in the construction and maintenance of their hives. It has been used for hundreds of years to treat infections, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing. The exact components and strength of the various properties of propolis can vary depending on where it comes from and the plants to which the bees had access. In general, however, it is rich in flavonoids, compounds that are often strong antioxidants. Numerous studies have shown the antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of propolis. Recent research has suggested that propolis might also stimulate the immune system, fight cancer, and protect the liver.
Will your soap help with eczema and psoriasis?
Yes, Our soap does not heal eczema or psoriasis, however, it can help keep it at bay and minimize both the redness and the itching. Please read our reviews. Avoiding harsh soaps with synthetic ingredients, detergents and solvents may help reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
Does your soap contain lye?
Lye, or sodium hydroxide, is the catalyst that causes saponification. Saponification is the chemical reaction that turns fats and oils into soap and glycerin. The sodium hydroxide, or lye, does not remain in the soap because it has reacted with the oils and fats to be chemically changed into soap and glycerin. We know exactly how much lye to use to entirely “saponify” the oils and turn them into a wonderfully gentle soap. No lye remains in the bar.
Why choose handcrafted soap?
Because your skin deserves it! Handmade soap is just better. Commercial soaps are generally made in huge batches with a combination of synthetic detergents, stabilizers, fragrances and take the natural glycerin out of their soap. Commercial soaps use chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfates that can be very harsh and irritating to the skin, it's like washing with a detergent and strips your body of its natural oils. Our soap is the complete opposite. It’s made in small batches, by hand, with care, using ingredients really good for your skin like certified organic vegetable oils and doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils, we retain the glycerin in our soaps. Our soaps not only leave you smelling fresh but it leaves your skin silky smooth and soft. Our soaps are well balanced and great for all types of skin and skin problems and will never clog your pores. Once you try handcrafted soap you will never buy a commercial bar of soap again!
Usage and storage of our soaps
Since handcrafted soap has no synthetic chemical preservatives but has natural preservatives such as grapefruit seed extract or Vitamin E, your bar of handcrafted soap needs more care and diligence to ensure a long life. Handcrafted soap is best stored out of the water so that it air dries. Rest your soap on a draining soap dish or stand it on its side, out of the spray range of the shower head. If left in water, handcrafted soap tends to dissolve due to the soap and glycerin molecules that wash clean with water.
What is so special about Florida Atlantic Sea Salt?
Scentsational Journeys Atlantic Sea Salt is simply solar evaporated ocean water, harvested off the pristine coast of Key West. In high mineral salt production, the environmental conditions directly influence the salt quality through the quality of its main raw material – sea water. The sea water used to make Scentsational Journeys Mineral Bath Salt Therapy is especially clean as it is collected from a mangrove area, an ecosystem that removes undesired elements from the water. This removal is accomplished through a filtration process carried by indigenous plants and shellfish.
What does it mean to use "certified organic ingredients?"
The ingredients used in our formulations are grown without chemicals, pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Scentsational Journeys products contain 70% to 90% certified organic ingredients. Certified Organic Ingredients have been evaluated by an organic certification agency that examines growing conditions and final product. Our Florida honey is pure, raw, and unfiltered in a USDA-certified facility. Since raw honey is not pasteurized, processed or heated in any way, the innate, beneficial properties remain intact. Additionally, raw honey has numerous health benefits including antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Honey is also a natural probiotic.
If your products are 70-90% natural, what is the other 10-30%?
The simple answer is natural ingredients that are either not available organically or locally sourced ingredients that are grown organically, but not “certified organic”. Some of our locally Florida Earth and Sea grown ingredients include honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, sea salt, and sugar. All other ingredients are either naturally derived or used as less than 1% in the formulation and are needed to preserve the product. We believe in full disclosure of ingredients, and list everything on our product labels and website so you can make an informed choice before purchasing. All oils are naturally expeller-pressed instead of solvent extracted. All colors come from the natural ingredients; there are no artificial additives or “filler” ingredients.
What’s the shelf life?
Scentsational Journeys products are freshest when used within 12-18 months from opening the bottle. The amber packaging was selected specifically to work with the essential oils and preservative system by blocking light and keeping the ingredients fresh. Products will stay fresh longer if water is kept out of the container.
Is your packaging environmentally friendly?
Yes, not only is the amber packaging attractive, it is 100% recyclable PET plastic. Our soap labels and boxes are recyclable paper and the shrink wrap used is also biodegradable. Our gift bags and soap bags can be re-used as gift packaging and are great for travel.
What is a natural fragrance?
Natural fragrances come from essential oils, fruit and plant essences. Many cosmetic products use fragrance oils or perfumes, which can irritate sensitive skin and noses. Fragrance oils are synthetic chemicals formulated to make an odor. Scentsational Journeys uses only natural fragrances and is known for their signature scents: blends of botanically derived fruit and plant oils with added aromatherapy benefits. Please see our Our Scents for further information. We only use Phthalate Free fragrances and are great for those with sensitive skin. We love that fragrance can add personality to our products but if a fragrance isn’t your thing, unscented body care options are always available.
What is our claim?
We recommend a patch test before using any new topical skin care product. This is particularly important if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.
Animal testing
All Scentsational Journeys products have not been tested on animals. We test our products on willing family, friends and ourselves.
Our handmade soaps also do not contain animal fat like tallow or lard. The only animal source ingredients that we include in our soaps are fresh goat milk, beeswax, honey, royal jelly and propolis. For your convenience, please refer to the Ingredient Glossary.
Similarly, we insist that all our suppliers have not tested their ingredients on animals for cosmetic purposes. To further strengthen this commitment, Scentsational Journeys is a member of PETA, joining other companies pledging to not test our products on animals.
Discover the beauty of nature. Sulfate-Free. Paraben-Free. Phthalate Free. Petrochemical-Free. GMO-Free. Not tested on animals.
Our Palm Oil
We use USDA Certified Organic Palm Oil in our soaps. Our palm oil is harvested from South America (not southeast Asia), and our supplier is a member of the Palm Sustainability Council. Palm oil contributes lather, moisturizing, and bar hardening properties.
Who created our labels and brochure? Who shot our product photos?
The labels for our products are created by our in house graphic designer Ariana Medina located in Winter Haven, Florida. Our labels are printed by Frontier Labels located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our brochure was created by Valerie L. McCutcheon located in Lake Alfred, Florida. Our product photos were taken by Michael Erard Photography www.mikerard.com out of Melbourne, Florida.
If interested in their work, email us for their contact information. We support our local businesses.