Welcome to Made by Zena! We know you may have questions about our handcrafted products, ingredients, and ordering process. We’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help you shop with confidence.
About Our Products
What makes Made by Zena products special?
At Made by Zena, we believe everyday luxuries should be affordable. We create our products in small batches, paying attention to the ingredients, fragrances, and little details that make each creation special. Our goal is to offer beautiful, thoughtfully handcrafted products without the high prices often associated with handmade goods.
Are your soaps handmade?
Yes! Our soaps are handcrafted using the traditional cold-process soapmaking method. We carefully combine oils and butters with a prepared lye solution, then add fragrances, colors, and decorative touches depending on the design. Once poured and cut, our soaps cure for approximately 4–6 weeks before they’re ready for use.
What ingredients do you use in your soaps?
Our current soap recipes use olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil as their main ingredients. We also use distilled water and sodium hydroxide (lye), which is necessary for the traditional cold-process soapmaking method.
Depending on the soap, we may use essential oils, fragrance oils, cosmetic-grade mica pigments, clays, titanium dioxide, and decorative botanicals. Not every soap contains the same fragrances, colorants, or decorations, so we provide individual ingredient information with our products.
Are your soaps made with natural ingredients?
We use a combination of plant-based oils and butters, essential oils, fragrance oils, and cosmetic colorants. Some ingredients are naturally derived, while others may be synthetic. We believe in being transparent about what goes into our products rather than claiming everything we make is 100% natural.
How much do your soap bars weigh?
Our handmade soap bars generally weigh between 3 and 3.5 ounces. Because each bar is individually cut, slight variations in size and shape are normal. The specific net weight is provided on the individual product packaging or listing.
Why do your soaps look slightly different from one another?
That’s part of the beauty of handmade soap! Since we work in small batches, colors, swirls, layers, and decorative tops may vary slightly. We do our best to represent each product accurately, but your individual bar may not look exactly like the photograph.
How should I store my handmade soap?
To help your soap last longer, keep it on a well-draining soap dish where it can dry between uses. Avoid leaving it sitting in standing water, which can cause handmade soap to soften and dissolve more quickly.
Our Prices & Packaging
Why are your products so affordable?
At Made by Zena, affordability is part of our mission. We believe quality handmade products should be accessible without requiring customers to spend a fortune.
We focus on putting care into our ingredients and products while keeping packaging simple and practical. Elaborate boxes, expensive wrapping, and unnecessary extras can increase the final price, and we’d rather keep those costs manageable whenever possible. As our business grows, prices may occasionally change due to ingredient and production costs, but affordability will remain one of our priorities.
Do your products come in gift packaging?
Our regular products come in simple, practical packaging to help keep prices affordable. If you’re interested in a special holiday gift or custom presentation, please contact us to discuss what’s possible. Additional packaging may involve an extra charge.
Ordering & Shipping
Do you accept special orders or preorders?
Yes! We welcome special requests and preorders whenever our production schedule allows. Since our soaps need approximately 4–6 weeks to cure, we encourage customers to place holiday and special-event orders well in advance. We’ll discuss availability, estimated completion dates, and any special requirements before confirming an order.
Do you ship your products?
We currently offer shipping within the United States. Shipping charges depend on your order’s weight, packaging, and destination and are calculated at checkout. Ready-to-ship orders are generally processed within 3–5 business days, excluding weekends and holidays.
For additional information, please refer to our Shipping & Returns Policy.
What if my favorite soap is sold out?
Because we make our products in small batches, popular fragrances sometimes sell out. When possible, we may accept preorders for an upcoming batch. You can contact us to ask whether your favorite product will be available again.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Although we carefully prepare and package each order, shipping accidents can occasionally happen. If something arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible, preferably within seven days of delivery, with your order number and photographs if available. We’ll review the issue and help find an appropriate solution.
Can I return a product?
For hygiene reasons, opened or used soaps and personal care products generally cannot be returned. Unused and unopened products may qualify for a return within 14 days of delivery, subject to our Shipping & Returns Policy. Please contact us before returning any items so we can provide instructions.
About Made by Zena
Do you only make soaps and candles?
Not at all! While handmade soaps and soy candles are among our first products, Made by Zena is a growing handmade business. We love creating, experimenting, and developing new products, and we look forward to expanding our collection as we grow.
How can I contact Made by Zena?
We’d love to hear from you! If you have a question about our products, ingredients, an order, or a special request, please email us at [email protected].
You can also visit madebyzena.com to learn more about our products and browse our collection.
Quality ingredients. Thoughtfully handmade. Affordably priced.
