Simple Sugars Shark Tank 3-29-2013 - Where to buy

Since I was a baby I have had very sensitive skin and have been prone to eczema breakouts. I have never been able to use a commercially produced product without experiencing skin irritation or a major rash. So, I decided to make an all-natural product that would be safe for very sensitive skin like mine, would be fun to use and smell great too. I did lots of research, came up with my formulation, gave my scrubs out to family and friends, all of whom clamored for more and Simple Sugars was born!

Simple Sugars has grown a lot since then and so has my passion for all-natural skin care. I like to tell people, “If you wouldn't eat it, then you probably have no business putting it on your skin!”

When I’m not doing homework (evil!), or rowing with my crew team, I’m making and selling sugar scrubs. I love running my own business, coming up with new scents and products to keep my customers smooth and educating people about why it's so important to use chemical-free products on your skin.

My mission is simple (no pun intended!):

To make the best all-natural, scrubs out of the highest quality ingredients.

To provide my customers with the best service available.

To renew, reuse and recycle because we only have one Earth.

And above all: To keep things simple! I hope that you enjoy my products.

FAQ

Directions for use
Emu oil add-in option
Facial scrubs vs. Body scrubs. vs. Foot scrub
How do I specify my scent choices for a Sampler?
Ingredients
Vegan Scrubs
Other products
Returns
Sensitive Skin
Shipping
Stayin’ Smooth
Custom Gift Packages

Directions for use

I’ve never used a sugar scrub before. What exactly am I missing?

A sugar scrub is a great way to exfoliate (in other words remove dead skin cells) and moisturize your skin. It’s the closest thing we’ve found to having a real spa experience, in just a couple of minutes right in your own bathroom. It’s simple, really. The first thing you do when you open the jar is to give your scrub a good stir, because the oils come to the top. Then just scoop out a little into your hand and add just a little water so it’s easy to smooth on. Then, grab your handy dandy bath pouf (or a wash cloth will do as well) and start scrubbin’. Now, close your eyes and enjoy the delicious scent that envelops you. Once you feel that the sugar is melting go ahead and rinse. (This is the part where you want to be careful because the tub floor can get slippery.) Once you exit the bathtub or shower just pat yourself dry with a towel. Now ohh and ahh at the incredible smoothness of your soft self. Get the picture?

How often should I use a scrub?

Well, really it’s up to you and your skin. Some of us are scrub addicts and feel like it’s not really a shower if we don’t scrub. Others, prefer to treat themselves two or three times a week. Simple Sugars scrubs are gentle enough to use everyday – but everyone’s skin is different, so listen to your skin. Warning: the smoothness is definitely habit forming! But hey – no cals – so don’t sweat it. The same goes for the facial scrubs. All of our products are formulated especially for sensitive skin so they are gentle enough to use every day.

Can I keep my scrub in the shower?

Well, you want to keep it handy that’s for sure. But ideally, you should try to prevent getting too much water into your scrub (remember those nasty bacteria love water!) Use the spoon to stir it up and scoop it out into your hand and then add some water to apply to your skin. Then be sure you close it up tightly.

Do I need a moisturizer after I scrub?

Oh nooooo! You’ll be super soft and smooth without adding anything else!

What’s the shelf-life of my scrub?

Our scrubs have a shelf life of about a year. The oils we use are all stable for at least a year and the antioxidants and essential oils, add to that. But really, using it when it’s fresh is the ultimate.

Are Simple Sugars scrubs safe for children? What if my dog eats my scrub?

Yes, Simple Sugars scrubs are formulated to be all-natural and safe for even the most sensitive skin (be sure to read the “about us” section). The peppermint footscrub is powerful, so we don’t recommend using that on small children or babies, but the others are fine. Also, there is nothing in any Simple Sugars product that would be harmful to a child or pet if it was swallowed. We do recommend that you keep all products out of the reach of little ones and furry ones (if for no other reason, than to avoid a mess!) just to be on the safe side. Believe it or not, we have had reports of customer’s dogs actually opening sealed jars of scrub and eating the whole thing! Again – nothing to worry about if your pooch gets into your scrub, but be aware that certain things will be a little, shall we say, smoother than usual for a little while.

Emu oil add-in option

When you order the emu oil add-in option, we add the emu oil into your scrub for you. You’ll notice a label that says “with emu oil” on the jar lid. It does not come as a separate item.

Facial scrubs vs. Body scrubs. vs. Foot scrub

What’s the difference between the body scrub, the facial scrub and the foot scrub?

The facial scrubs are the gentlest exfoliators because they contain a lower concentration of sugar. They also contain more Vitamin E, jojoba oil and grapeseed oil (all excellent ingredients for your face!) than the body scrubs. Also, the three varieties of facial scrub are all made from ingredients that are especially loaded with good-for-skin ingredients (see individual product listings for details). The body scrubs are more aggressive exfoliators and come in a wider variety of scents. The foot scrub is the most heavy duty exfoliator and also contains the most serious moisturizer, because feet, well they require the big guns!

Why do the facial scrubs cost more?

Because they contain more expensive ingredients.

Can I use a facial scrub on my body?

Sure, you can use a facial scrub (gentlest) on your body, but we don’t recommend using a body scrub (and definitely not the foot scrub) on your face, especially if you have sensitive skin.

How do I specify my scent choices for a Sampler?

When you view your shopping bag after adding a sampler of any kind, you’ll see a box near the bottom left to enter in your scent choices. You can also use this space to enter any special instructions or notes for your order.

Ingredients

What exactly is in a Simple Sugars scrub?

Well let’s start by telling you what’s NOT in any of Simple Sugars products. There are no parabens, sulphates or phthalates (a.k.a. the potentially harmful chemicals usually found in artificial fragrances) artificial preservatives, colors or scents in any of Simple Sugars products. We start with pure cane sugar, then we add a custom blend of all-natural oils that we source from trusted and certified suppliers. The blend, depending on what type of scrub it is, may contain one or more of the following: organic soybean oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, jojoba oil, or sweet cherry kernel oil. The scrubs contain natural and organic ingredients (for example, lemonade contains fresh lemon zest,chocolate contains real cocoa powder etc.), botanicals, essential oils, and in some cases botanical fragrances. They also contain Vitamins C and E as well as citric acid, which balances the pH of the formulations.

How are Simple Sugars scrubs tested?

We test all of our products on ourselves and our wonderful group of human guinea pigs (also, affectionately known as, the Simple Sugars Sisters). Amongst us, we have eczema, psoriasis, oily skin, dry skin, mature skin, acne-prone skin…. we cover all the bases. We don’t sell anything until we all love it! And of course, Simple Sugars products are not now, nor will they ever be tested on animals. Although, we do know a few cats with dander that might benefit…(JUST KIDDING!!)

Can Simple Sugars scrubs make me look younger, cure my acne, or keep me from getting fine lines and wrinkles?

Let us be perfectly clear here: Simple Sugars makes absolutely no claims, whatsoever, about the possible benefits using our products may impart to your skin. Here’s what we know: we use all-natural ingredients, that each have a great profile when it comes to being healthy. We don’t think you should put anything on your skin that you couldn’t eat, if you had to. We choose ingredients that have loads of vitamins and antioxidants and other supposedly good-for-you stuff. But truly, in the end, Simple Sugars is all about feeling great! Your skin will feel great. And you will feel great knowing that you’re using an all-natural product that doesn’t contain parabens or propyl polyglcol- something or others. And if you happen to notice some skin benefits for yourself, that’s just icing on the cake as far as we’re concerned. Of course, you should always check with your doctor or dermatologist if you have specific questions about your skin. And if for some reason you develop an irritation from a Simple Sugars scrub you should discontinue use immediately.

If your scrubs don’t contain preservatives how do they stay free of bacteria?

Our scrubs contain no ARTIFICIAL preservatives. But quite a few of our ingredients act as preservatives. Vitamin E for example. Also citric acid, grapefruit seed oil extract, and the essential oils themselves have preservative (and often antiseptic) qualities. Also, since our scrubs are oil-based and not water-based, they aren’t good environments for bacteria to grow (another reason why we only make scrubs and not lotions, creams, etc., those are water based and need to be preserved)

Does Strawberry really have strawberries in it?

It sure does. And vanilla has pure vanilla bean paste and almond has real ground organic almonds and coconut has real, organic coconut, and well you get the idea….right??

What if I’m allergic to nuts?

All of Simple Sugars products are “nut-free” with the obvious exception of the almond body scrub (and, yes the almond is made with separate tools in a different area than the others to avoid possible contamination) As a matter of fact, we used to use sweet almond oil in our scrubs, but it turns out that one of our Smooth Sisters (a.k.a product testers) is allergic to nuts. So we took it out! We think our scrubs are even better with out it. This also makes Simple Sugars ideal for gift giving.

Vegan Scrubs

How are the vegan scrubs different?

The vegan scrubs are formulated with organic vegan (unprocessed) sugar instead of refined sugar. The same all-natural goodness, awesome real delicious scents and, of course, the same smooth result that you’d expect from a Simple Sugars scrub just formulated with organic vegan sugar. The difference is the vegan sugar has a larger crystal size and is a different color (tan as opposed to white). What this means to you is, the vegan line is slightly more coarse and darker in color than the original formulation. So the feel and look may be a little different, but the result is the same: super smooth skin.

Why don’t you use the organic unprocessed sugar in all of your scrubs?

Good question. And there happens to be a good answer: we chose to use the refined sugar because it has a smaller crystal size and a lower melting point meaning it’s a gentler exfoliant. Our original formulation was specifically designed to be safe for super sensitive skin first and foremost, so the refined sugar fits the bill. When we began working with Whole Foods we discovered that during the refining process, sugar is filtered for whitening using a substance called bone char that happens to come from animal bones. So, although our original scrubs are awesome smoothers for sensitive skin, they aren’t vegan friendly. We decided to carry both formulations because vegans deserve to be smooth too! So, bottom line: if you have really sensitive skin and are not a vegan – the original version is for you. But if you’re a vegan there’s a Simple Sugars option that will make you smooth, all-naturally without the use of any animal products or by-products. Choice is good.

By the way, this is also the reason there are no facial scrubs in the vegan line. We believe the bigger crystal size of the vegan sugar is just to coarse to use on your face.

Why are the vegan scrubs more expensive?

The vegan line is more expensive because the vegan sugar is significantly more expensive than the regular sugar.

Other products

Do you have other products besides scrubs?

Nope. We only make sugar scrubs. And there are a couple of good reasons for it. First of all, our goal is to create products that are synthetic preservative free. Only oil-based products can be safely made without synthetic preservatives. Lotions, creams and other water-based products can harbor bacteria, so they need to be preserved with agents stronger than the natural ones we use, like vitamin E and essential oils. Secondly, we’re all about the simple. A great scrub, can cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize. So, for great skin you only need one great product. Who needs a whole shower full of products? Plus, it’s much easier to clean the shower – you don’t have all of that stuff to move around! Remember it’s simple to be smooth!

Why don’t you make salt scrubs?

Well, it’s just that we like sugar better. Sugar is gentler than salt, and it doesn’t burn after you shave or if you have a cut, and if you happen to get some in your mouth while you’re scrubbin’ away – it’s actually tasty! (And for the record, no, we do not recommend EATING the scrub!!)

Why doesn’t your scrub come in a bigger size than 8 oz.?

For one thing, the fresher the scrub the better. For another thing, we’ve found that most of our customers like to have a little variety when it comes to their scrubs. For example, you might need a lemonade or coffee jump start in the morning, but prefer a soothing, relaxing lavender scrub for an evening bath. Eight ounces should last you about a month if you are a stingy scrubber – a couple of weeks if you are, what we very affectionately refer to as, a slatherer. So order a back up, if you’re worried about running out. Or better yet, check out our Simple Sugars Subscription package; the simplest way to ensure uninterrupted smoothness!

Returns

What if my package arrived damaged? What if I don’t love my purchase?

Call us right away or shoot us an email and our customer service department will happily assist you: 888-819-8994 or info@simplesugarsscrub.com. We’re sure you’ll love your Simple Sugars product, but since “things happen” (it’s unlikely, but possible, that a jar might leak during shipment, for example), if you’re not completely happy with your purchase, call us and we’ll replace your product or give you a refund.

Sensitive Skin

Are Simple Sugars scrubs safe for sensitive skin?

YES! YES! YES! Simple Sugars scrubs were especially formulated for senstive skin (please read The Simple Sugars Story in the “About Us” section.)

Shipping

How much is shipping?

We use UPS as our preferred shipper. The shipping cost depends on the weight of the package and how far away you are.

When do orders go out?

If we have the product in stock it will go out the door the next day. UPS Ground is our preferred method of shipping. If the product is out of stock, we will get it out to you as soon as possible. We’ll email you to let you know when you can expect your scrub.

What if I live in the Pittsburgh area and don’t want to have to pay shipping?

If you live in the Pittsburgh area, you are welcome to come by the “factory” in Oakmont and pick up your order. Just let us know when you’re stopping by.

Stayin’ Smooth

I’m a Simple Sugars junkie. How can I make sure that I don’t miss a fix?

Well that’s simple! The Simple Sugars subscriptions are the answer.

You can get large jars or small. You can get 6 months or a year. You can even choose between the featured scents (i.e. “the scent of the month”) or the best sellers ( vanilla, coconut, almond, lavender, pink grapefruit,and sugar’n’spice). You get convenience, you get savings, you get uninterrupted smoothness – you even get a free foot scrub for your birthday! Sweeet!!

Are there retail locations where I can buy Simple Sugars scrubs?

We have an exclusive collection of retail partners - click on the "retail locations" tab under "about us" to view the complete list. You can always purchase via the website or directly from us by calling the Super Smooth Line 888-819-8994. We’re always interested in adding to our family of retail partners, so if you know of a retail location that you’d like to see carry Simple Sugars products, drop us a line and we’ll check it out.

The scrub I want to order says "out of stock" - what does that mean?

If you order a scrub that is out of stock, this just means that it will take slightly longer to process your order because we need to get it back in stock before we can ship you your scrubs! Usually this takes no more than an additional 3 days.

Custom Gift Packages

How can I order a custom gift basket?

Want something special that you don’t see on the website? That’s simple. Just call the Super Smooth Line at 888-819-8994 and tell us what you’d like, how much you want to spend and what the occasion is. We’ll make up a beautiful basket to your specs. Not to brag: but we do make some awesome looking baskets – you won’t be disappointed – we guarantee it!

Can you feature my company’s logo or colors for a corporate event?

Absolutely. We do it all the time. National City Bank, Vocollect Healthcare Sytems, and Big Picture Communications are some of our corporate clients. Simple Sugars all-natural scrubs make great client gifts or give aways because EVERYONE loves to get smooth, no matter what kind of diet they’re on! You just tell us what you’d like and how much you’d like to spend and we’ll be happy to work with you!

Do you do wedding favors?

Yes! Contact us and will work with you to create something that fits your theme and budget! (Scrubs make ADORABLE show gifts, because you know, you use them in the shower ! )