Our soaps are handmade in the UK using simple, trusted ingredients — olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, shea butter, local beeswax, and essential oils. We also use upcycled scallop shell powder from British fisheries, giving new purpose to a natural by-product. Each ingredient is chosen for its skin benefits and sustainability, without sulphates, parabens, or synthetic fragrances.

Yes. Because our soaps are free from harsh synthetics and made with nourishing plant oils, butters, and beeswax, they’re gentle on sensitive or dry skin. Clinical studies show that natural oils such as coconut, jojoba, and sunflower help improve hydration and support the skin barrier. Our formulations work with your skin’s natural microbiome rather than against it.

Scallop shells are naturally rich in calcium carbonate, which supports the skin’s barrier, balances pH, and offers gentle exfoliation. When finely milled, the shells also carry trace marine compounds — often linked with the benefits of marine collagen, known for helping skin feel supple and hydrated. By upcycling shells into our soaps, we capture these natural minerals and marine elements while reducing waste.

Yes. From the start, we designed Annings to be plastic-free. Our soaps are wrapped in compostable paper, printed with vegetable inks, and sourced from carbon-captured stock. This means your packaging can be recycled or composted after use, helping reduce waste and ocean plastics.

All Annings soaps are handmade in the UK in small batches. We work with local producers and suppliers to ensure quality, traceability, and sustainability at every step.

No. Annings soaps are completely palm oil-free. We choose oils and butters such as olive, coconut, sunflower, and shea, which provide nourishment without contributing to deforestation.

Our soaps are suitable for vegans, as they contain only plant-based oils, butters, and essential oils. Some recipes use local beeswax, which is clearly labelled. We work with UK beekeepers who practise responsible, small-scale beekeeping.

It depends on use, but typically one 100g bar lasts 3–4 weeks with daily use. To extend the life of your soap, keep it on a draining dish so it can dry between washes.

You can purchase directly through our website AnningsofDorset.co.uk or from selected independent retailers in the UK. We also ship internationally — packaging every order carefully in eco-friendly materials.

Shellfish allergies are caused by proteins found in the flesh of shellfish, most often in crustaceans (such as crab, lobster, or shrimp) but sometimes in molluscs (such as mussels, oysters, and scallops).

At Annings, we use scallop shells — a by-product of the bivalve group of molluscs — in our soaps. These shells are thoroughly cleaned and processed into a fine mineral powder, but because shellfish allergens can be extremely sensitive, we cannot guarantee our products are allergen-free.

If you have a known shellfish allergy, we recommend avoiding our soaps or consulting an allergist before use.

For more information, you can read here and here

We use only pure essential oils to scent our soaps — never synthetic perfumes. Natural oils such as neroli, palmarosa, and others provide subtle, botanical fragrance while also offering their own skin-friendly properties.

Alongside nourishing ingredients like olive oil, shea butter, and local beeswax, we use upcycled scallop shells that would otherwise go to waste. This mineral-rich powder adds a unique texture while supporting a circular, sustainable approach. Combined with plastic-free packaging and palm-oil free recipes, every bar reflects our commitment to both skin health and the planet.