FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS BEARSVILLE A REAL PLACE?

Yep.

And Bearsville, NY is every bit as ‘wood-splitting and whiskey drinking’ as the name implies.

Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, we’re constantly drawing inspiration from the rugged beauty and wildlife surrounding us in our hometown and HQ.

Swing by for a drink in front of the campfire sometime.

WHAT'S IN THIS STUFF?

Ingredient-wise, real is our whole deal. Meaning, if you can’t pick it, grow it, dig it or sow it, it’s probably not in our wheelhouse.

Our soaps are made of raw, natural materials, with powerhouse plant-based elements aplenty. The most common include olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, organic sustainable palm oil, sunflower oil, essential oils and herbs.

You can scope out our ingredients section for the full rundown.

IS YOUR SOAP DIFFERENT THAN THE SOAP I BUY AT THE DRUG STORE?

Yes - very.

Commercial brands essentially make detergent for your body. We make old-school, bona fide, “they-don’t-make-it-like-that-anymore” soap - using a traditional cold process that retains the rich, natural moisture, called glycerin. Glycerin is the gold of the soap world, highly prized for its hydrating, nourishing properties.

Knowing that, most commercial brands actually strip the glycerin out of their soap, only to add it to lotions, balms and moisturizing creams - effectively creating a need for an additional product after the chemicals and enzymes in their “soap” dries out your skin.

To put it another way, we make real soap. Theirs is basically a bad cover band.

DO YOU TEST YOUR PRODUCT ON ANIMALS?

Hell no, we keep critters out of it.

Our products are 100% cruelty-free. In fact, the only creatures we test ‘em on are friends and family. So you and Fluffy can rest easy.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A BEAR EATS A BAR OF MY SOAP?

Nothing will happen to the bear - on account of those natural ingredients we’ve been going on about (see first question).

(You’ll probably feel like a doofus though. Also, your life may be in danger if there’s a bear in your bathroom. In which case, get out of the house and stop worrying about the bear.)

CAN I USE YOUR SOAP ON MY FACE AND HAIR?

Sure, whatever floats your boat.

With gentle, natural ingredients and innate moisturizing properties, our soap can definitely go head to toe, for all you get-in-and-get-out types.

That said, if you prefer specialized products, shampoo bars with formulas precisely for that purpose - crafted with the same care and quality as our soaps.

DO YOU CREATE YOUR OWN PRODUCTS?

Yes - all our products are bona-fide Bearsville.

WE'RE INSPIRED BY OUR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS IN THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS, AND THAT IS OFTEN OUR INSPIRATION WHEN COMING UP WITH SOMETHING NEW.

OUR PRODUCTS ARE BASED ON UNIQUE FORMULAS AND SCENTS, SO EVERYTHING WE OFFER HAS THAT SPECIAL BEARSVILLE VIBE.

HOW BIG IS EACH BAR?

None of this dainty stuff - when it comes to soap, we like a hearty slab.

Since our bars are handcrafted, each soap is unique, but they all come in around 5oz with dimensions measuring about 3.25" wide x 2.5" high x 1" thick.

CAN YOU HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE?

Possibly.

That’s not really an area we specialize in, but the shower is a great place to think, and a great smelling soap never hurt, when it comes to having an epiphany.

HOW DO YOU GET ME THE GOODS?

Shipping fees are calculated at checkout. All domestic orders $55+ qualify for free shipping. By default, orders are sent via USPS or UPS, whichever is more efficient.

Need your goods faster? There are options for UPS Ground and UPS 2nd Day Air at checkout.

When your package ships out, a confirmation email with tracking info gets sent your way.

CAN I GET AUTOMATIC DELIVERIES?

You can. And you should. Because our soap is awesome, and you’ll save some cash - 10% off every order.

Our Subscription Bundles are completely customizable - you decide how often you want deliveries, and pick which products you want to try first. You can change them up as often as you like. We’ve got tons of scents - so it’s a great way to try them all.

It's also commitment-free: change or skip delivery dates, or cancel in a couple clicks if you’re over it. Because scrubbing up shouldn’t stress you out. If you’re into the automated idea, learn more here.

HOW DO I CHANGE UP MY SUBSCRIPTION?

Just log in to your subscription; All your info is right there.

Keep things fresh and swap out your product selections, update your shipping address, change the timing of your deliveries...whatever you need, it’s accessible and easy.

ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO TELL A FRIEND THEY SMELL?

Might we suggest one of our multi-packs, perhaps accompanied by a note addressing your friend’s stench?

(Be sure to use nice calligraphy. Everything seems more polite written in calligraphy.)

HOW DO I TREAT MY SOAP RIGHT?

Our natural, handcrafted goods do best with a touch of TLC, considering the high glycerin content in our soap, which attracts water. (Not incidentally, that’s also what makes them so hydrating).

If you leave ‘em sitting around in your after-shower puddles, or store bars in your rainforest of a bathroom, they’ll break down quickly.

So basically, keep them as cool and dry as you can. Once you start using a bar of soap, extend its life by letting it dry out between uses, on something that allows for drainage. We happen to have designed an ideal soap lift for just such a purpose, if you’re inclined.

Because we don’t add preservatives or chemicals to our soaps, they’re probably not the best pick for stocking your survivalist bunker and whatnot. Use them within a year or so for best results.

HOW LONG DOES YOUR SOAP LAST?

Depends. How clean are you?

On average, if you shower once a day, each bar lasts about two to three weeks. If you’ve got a heavy scrubbing habit, you’ll power through our soap a little quicker — and if you’re all about that #unshoweredlife you’ll get an extra couple weeks out of it.

Either way, remember to let it dry out between uses to maximize your soap’s mileage.

DO YOU SEND OUT SAMPLES?

We don’t do samples.

Our aim is always to minimize cost and waste — so we focus on our standard full-size bars. We do, however, want you to feel great about our goods, which is why we offer free returns. More on that in the next Q.

CAN I SEND SOMETHING BACK IF I'M NOT HAPPY?

Absolutely.

We work hard to make sure these soaps are the best you can buy, bar none. (And pun intended).

If for any reason you’re unsatisfied, you can send back unused items in their original packaging within 30 days of your purchase. We’ll even spring for the return postage, so you don’t have to spend a dime.

So get adventurous and experiment with a new scent. Our no-risk return policy means satisfaction is guaranteed.

Get more details or initiate a return here.

WHO OWNS BEARSVILLE SOAP COMPANY?

There's no corporate conglomerate lurking behind us.

We're a small, privately-owned company with a lean, mean hardworkin' team.

HELP, I'm BORED!

Now you're not: