Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between natural and organic? Organic ingredients are grown without the use of active chemical fertilizers. Natural ingredients are grown traditionally. The scientific names of some naturally occurring ingredients on our labels might sound synthetic. Sodium chloride is just sea salt, for example, and citric acid is a compound found in lemons and other citrus fruits. We are required by law to use FDA approved names of ingredients, but we try to give you the source name as well. For more information on ingredients from accurate resources, we recommend two extraordinary sources: Milady Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary + The Beauty Geek's Guide to Skin Care
Is organic better? In a perfect world, plant-based ingredients grown organically would always be our first choice. In the process of creating products such as soap, moisturizers and such, any extra value derived by using organics is stripped away. In many cases, organic ingredients vastly increase the cost of raw materials. We use organics whenever possible, when they prove cost effective, and when they will actively make a positive result in the product
What do you use to wrap soap? We now use a biodegradable eco-friendly glassine paper bag rather than the plastic wrap for soap. For our pre-made gift items that are boxed or in baskets, the soaps are still wrapped in plastic (the original way) to maintain a gifting esthetic. We apologize to anyone who might be disappointed in the presentation of the individual glassine bags
Do you offer classes? We do not. At one time we did, however our production schedule is always packed. We do not offer off-site services for classes or events.
How will know my order is ready or shipped? Immediately after you placed your order, you should have received a confirmation email. Check your spam folder if you did not. When your order is ready to be picked up or is being shipped, you will receive an email with all the details, including your UPS tracking number.
Why do the color of the shower gels vary from batch to batch? The color variations in tone of shower gels, shampoos or hand soaps are known as the product's garnet value. The garnet value will vary from batch to batch. Many companies use synthetic chemical additives to stop their product from varying in hue, but at duross & langel we believe (naturally) less is more. As time goes by, everything we make naturally will cure, darken or “amber”. Especially anything with vanilla or darkening oils (ginger, patchouli, nutmeg, etc).
Do you wholesale? We do not wholesale our products. While it is greatly appreciated when someone reaches out about carrying the duross & langel line, at this time we have no interest in expanding our operations to include wholesale. We do however make certain products available at a discount to local boutique hotels, restaurants and Airbnbs. link here
Are you planning to open more stores? While many businesses look to expansion for a measure of financial success, the reality is that most expend a great deal of time, energy and capital to yield low results. Over the years we’ve tried a number of different experiments only to find the joy and contentment we seek through a smaller operation and a slower pace of life. In this moment we enjoy what we do, who we are, and how we show up in the world. Expanding online allows us the opportunity to reach more customers and the money it generates goes toward improving upon our existing line while creating new formulas and products. We also believe money should flow to the people we work with and into our community rather than spend it on rent and overhead. Our growth and development as a company must reflect the market trends in order for us to thrive, and the way our business operates is reflective of these changes. Unless something drastically shifts, there won't be another D+L location anytime in the near future.
Will you do special orders? Yes. Whenever possible. We do offer many customized options already on our custom skincare page which have a lead time of a week. Beyond that you would have to contact us by email at info@durossandlangel.com and let us know specifically what your needs would be. Most larger special orders have a lead time of 4 to 6 weeks so that we have time to source raw materials and to get it into our busy production schedule.
Do you offer a rewards program? Yes! It is a great program that offers you cash off your next purchase. All you have to do is create an online account and then sign up for the rewards program before you make a purchase. You'll get rewards for every dollar you spend, and for signing up you receive $5.00 credit that can be used for your next purchase
Can I bring my own bottle or jar to be filled? We've tried to make this idea work and are pivoting a portion of our business toward non-plastic refilling options. We understand that some retailers will refill your bottles, and while we have a retail store, we are registered as manufacturers of bath, body and spa products under the category of cosmetics. We have a much higher standard toward efficacy and safety. We offer a vast array of 64 ounce recyclable HDPE jugs in most every product to refill your existing bottles. These jugs can be returned to be sanitized and reused so that with your help, we can close the loop on single use plastics. Fun Fact: it takes 23 HDPE recycled bottles to make one pair of yoga pants
What about plastic jars and bottles? All things are not equal when talking about plastics. Many of our HDPE and PET bottles contain at least 35% recycled plastic. Unlike food plastics, our HDPE & PET bottles and jars are the most highly valued recyclable plastics on the planet. They are used to create sweaters, jackets, yoga pants and workout wear as well as most of the pipes, fittings and a myriad of other resinous materials that make our homes, cars and modern world possible. We use glass when it makes sense but for safety sake, plastic is our best choice until science catches up. We offer large refill bottles of many of our products to reduce cost and waste. We suggest everyone know what happens within their municipal recycling program and know exactly what plastics (most food packaging) ends up in landfills. We want to be part of the ultimate solution to single use plastic consumption which will take many different avenue to achieve.
What about using aluminum bottles? Mining and refining bauxite and smelting aluminum is immensely energy intensive, uses large amounts of water, and generates air, water, and soil pollution. Making aluminum is harmful to the environment and the people who live near mining, refining, or smelting operations. Pure aluminum ore is so stable that an extraordinary amount of electricity is required to yield the final product and, at least in the U.S., half of the smelting energy consumed is courtesy of coal, one of the most notoriously polluting fuel sources known to mankind. The EPA says that the release of perfluorocarbons during the aluminum smelting process are 9.200 time more harmful than carbon dioxide in terms of their affect on global warming. When bauxite is extracted from the earth, the strip-mining process removes all native vegetation in the mining region, resulting in a loss of habitat and food for local wildlife as well as significant soil erosion. The caustic red sludge and toxic mine tailings that remain are commonly deposited into excavated mine pits where they ultimately seep into aquifers, contaminating local water sources. Greenhouse gas emissions released during smelting and processing (which have been found to blanket surrounding regions with toxic vapors) include carbon dioxide, perfluorocarbons, sodium fluoride, sulfur dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and a vast list of other problematic elements. Particulates released during processing are known to compromise air quality include combustion byproducts, caustic aerosols, dust from bauxite, limestone, charred lime, alumina and sodium salt.
What's your return policy? At this time we cannot accept returns on bath, spa or skincare products that have been opened as there is no way to ensure sanitary and safety precautions. If an item is defective, please contact us immediately to resolve. All other items have a 30 day return for store credit less the cost of shipping. For questions, please contact us: info@durossandlangel.com and leave a number where we may contact you to discuss a resolution
Are you on social media? – Yes, we do engage when we feel there is something useful to share. Most often as a story on Instagram @durossandlangel or FaceBook duross & langel. It is still the most efficient way to affordably disseminate information, new products, special deals and stuff. While we appreciate that not everyone follows social media, you might want to look in on us from time to time to see the deals. Besides, we are loathe to bombard you with marketing emails
What's your story? Our company began as an idea back in 1999, in a tiny store that fronted my salon at 1216 Locust street in Philadelphia. I had a simple dream. To create a natural spa and skin care line that encompassed all the things I loved most. I opened (and closed) The Philadelphia Soap Company and reconstituted my vision as duross & langel in 2004
Though some of us at duross & langel are board certified estheticians, we are not doctors. Natural herbs, extracts, ingredients and essential oils are a beautiful things yet they are natural and therefore may disagree with some people. Please always test a small patch before applying essential oils, cremes and masques on your skin. Please be careful when choosing which essential oils to apply if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or applying to children.
Our products are not medicine and are not intended to be curative. Many of our salves and moisturizers are created to be soothing. As with most natural ingredients, there will always be someone who reacts allergically, and we are not responsible for any reaction to the product ingredients.
Please use caution when using essential oils if you have sensitive skin or for babies. Sensitive skin types also may have issues with clay masques (masks) and many applications with retinol, lactic acid, glycol acid, citric acid, alpha hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid, dermabrasion cremes and/or marine extracts.
If you should have a reaction, discontinue use immediately and flush with water only. Even the most seemingly "natural" brands that claim to be extra gentle like Dove can actually make the situation worse. Let us know how we can help and of course, seek medical help.
Always check with your doctor before applying essential oils if you have any health issues, are pregnant or nursing.
Healthy skin types have a PH level of about 5.8 - in order to promote and preserve the best PH balance for your skin and your overall health, we've made PH balance our goal when creating the duross & langel, Atlas Hair Co. and Custom Skincare product lines
