FAQ
Sope is the eco-friendly solution for those who love hand wash but not the plastic waste.
Our concentrated refills are formulated with a unique blend of natural ingredients and botanical extracts, creating a rich and gentle foaming hand wash when diluted with water. Our philosophy; zero single-use plastic and essential ingredients only to create your own soap at home, keeping your hands clean whilst helping to keep the planet cleaner. Empty one refill sachet in a sope.™ reusable dispenser and fill with tepid water to create 250ml of foaming hand wash solution.
Sope pods are manufactured here in the U.K. and we are on a mission to eradicate many thousands of unnecessary single-use plastic hand wash bottles across the country. By using just one of our glass reusable bottles, you can potentially save up to 25 single-use plastic bottles from going into landfill every year!
We wanted to lower your carbon footprint by not shipping water, so just add it yourself at home. If you think about it, shipping products made of mostly water makes no sense at all!
Yes, sope is 100% vegan and cruelty free.
Only tested on human hands, we never ever include any ingredients derived from animals or conduct any testing on them.
Our revolutionary, plastic-free packaging is designed to keep our pods safe from moisture and humidity and take minimum space in your cupboard. Unlike plastic, Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, (and of course, reusable), it is durable and provides excellent protection for our pods. Our containers are also lightweight and compact for sustainable transportation.
It will last you the same amount of time as a normal 250ml foam hand soap bottle.
Each eco-friendly sope pod has been designed for approximately two to four weeks of use, as each water-soluble pod will make a full bottle of rich foaming hand wash solution. However, this obviously depends on the number of people who will use them, and the frequency of use.
Yes, our microbiome friendly hand wash contains naturally derived surfactants that are effective at removing germs (pathogens) and meet stringent hand washing guidelines for optimal hygiene and cleanliness. According to studies, washing hands well is more effective at eliminating germs and viruses than using a hand sanitiser. Hand sanitisers can quickly reduce the number of microbes on hands in some situations but they are not as effective at removing germs like washing hands well with soap and water can. Ensure to pump, lather and scrub hands well before rinsing (as per government guidelines).
Sope’s dissolvable pods can be stored for a long time as long as they are protected from heat and humidity. Check the details on the packaging.
We have formulated our dissolvable hand wash pods to be a similar pH to your skin. This is unlike many traditional soaps and hand washes, that can be quite alkaline and may cause over-drying.
Additionally, we have included a relatively high percentage of natural moisturising ingredients i.e. sorbitol and some plant based glycerin, which act as humectants or conditioning agents for the skin, helping to prevent moisture loss and protect your skins microbiome.
The effective and mild cleansers that make up our sulfate free pods (sodium cocoyl glutamate and disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate) are derived from natural ingredients (and renewable sources). They are both Ecocert approved and have an 'EWG Skin Deep' rating of 1, for our usage.
Our products are formulated to be effective, yet help to protect the skin's natural moisture barrier and microbiome. This is especially important in times like these when regular handwashing is imperative.
Nevertheless, it is always recommended that you regularly moisturise your hands if washing excessively or during winter months for additional protection from over-drying.
We have formulated our products to be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. This was especially important to our founder who has quite sensitive skin herself.
However, athough we do not use synthetic fragrances, sulfates or parabens, the product is not completely allergen-free, as essential oils do contain some naturally occurring allergens (which will be listed in the specific ingredient list of each product). We recognise that no two people are the same, and even with naturally derived ingredients, some individuals may be particularly sensitive or develop an allergic reaction that is unique to them. If you have very sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, we recommend conducting a patch test (once diluted), which should be done with any new product. As with any product, be sure to discontinue use in the unlikely event you experience irritation or an allergic reaction.
We are always looking to innovate and continually improve our products and our cosmetic scientists are currently looking into the possibility of developing a completely unscented and hypoallergenic version to add to our range (for the most sensitive hands). So watch this space...
Our super-concentrated pods contain natural ingredients and are also diluted in the home with a relatively large proportion of tap water. As a result, this natural matter needs to be kept clean and safe. We only use 'nature identical' preservatives that are permitted by Natrue, the European natural cosmetic board. Although these are one of the few ingredients we use that are synthetically derived, these preservatives are considered 'nature identical' because each ingredient can also be found in nature.
That being said, the amount of combined preservatives in the diluted end product is very small (less than a small fraction of a percent), but this is enough to be effective. We believe this is worth it to help save many single-use plastic bottles from landfill and the unnecessary shipment of water!
Our pods are lightly scented with 100% natural essential oils and botanical extracts only. We never use any synthetic fragrances in our products.
Since we only use 100% natural essential oils, our combos are subtle and not overpowering.
Our signature scent, enriched with bergamot extract and nourishing aloe and cucumber oils, smells divine with fresh and zesty citrus aromas. The natural aloe and cucumber oils have a very subtle scent that pairs well with bergamot, however, they are mainly added for their beneficial skin properties. Aloe vera oil contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C, and it is anti-inflammatory, while cucumber can have a soothing effect. We also offer sope pods in a wonderfully herbal lavender, rosemary & sage combo, known in aromatherapy to be calming and relaxing and a tingly and earthy peppermint, eucalyptus & juniper combo for that refreshing spa-like scent.
No, our hand wash r are not antibacterial, by choice, to avoid health risks and the use of harsh ingredients that cause irritation and are not ideal for the skins microbiome health, due to the possible chance of harsh ingredients posing an increase in bacterial resistance.
The ingredients in the pods are as follows;
- Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate: Plant derived cleanser
- Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate: Plant derived cleanser
- Sodium Citrate: Natural pH regulator
- Citric Acid: Natural pH regulator
- Sorbitol: Naturally derived moisturiser/ humectant
- Glycerin (Plant Based): Naturally derived moisturiser/ humectant
- Various Natural Essential Oils and Botanical Extracts (including naturally occurring allergens): For subtle scents, mild natural colour and skin nourishment.
- Sodium Benzoate: Synthetically derived 'nature identical' preservative
- Potassium Sorbate: Synthetically derived 'nature identical' preservative
Our refills are packed in compostable paper sachets.
We recommend using our reusable glass bottles as we have specifically designed them to be the perfect size for our pods, and have tested the nozzles with our solution. The pods have not been tested in other foaming soap bottles or automatic dispensers and they may not be compatible since the solution is relatively rich and contains more natural moisturising ingredients than other foaming soaps. Due to the foaming nature of the product, they would also not be suitable in regular soap dispensers that do not have a foaming mechanism.
Bar soap is a fantastic sustainable alternative but for those who still want the convenience and hygiene of a liquid soap solution, you can’t beat our rich and luxurious foam.
Yes, we do. For wholesale pricing email us at info@sope.eco.