Coupons & Deals
About this store
Apple Valley Natural Soap: Nature’s Cleanse, Heartfelt Craft
Roots, Purpose & Brand Identity
Apple Valley Natural Soap (AVNS) is a family-driven artisan brand rooted in natural skincare traditions. The founder, Marianne Buck, began making soap at home, refining recipes, and sharing the results with friends and family. Over time, AVNS grew into a boutique business—yet it retains that handcrafted, care-first ethos.
Their purpose is simple: to offer skin and hair products made from wholesome, clean, minimal ingredients—without synthetic chemicals, detergents, or toxins. They believe in “simple, natural, beautiful” care. Their tagline emphasizes gentle cleansing, plant oils, essential oils, and transparency.
Even now, their product pages stress that each soap is free of sulfates, preservatives, synthetic detergents—each bar is handmade, with care and long cure times. (AVNS blog) Their core identity is natural, trustworthy, and artisanal.
Formulations, Ingredients & Skin / Hair Function
What many buyers love about AVNS is the way they combine natural actives with gentle cleansing, striking a balance between efficacy and mildness.
Ingredient Philosophy
AVNS emphasizes natural oils (olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, etc.), essential oil blends, and herbal additives (oatmeal, lavender, rosemary, etc.). Their soaps are cured slowly to create hardness and longevity. (Keeper of the Home review) Their products are listed in the EWG Skin Deep database, with many AVNS bar soaps rated “Low Hazard.” (EWG) This third-party evaluation reinforces their clean claims.
They avoid synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and harsh detergents. Their transparency around ingredient lists and sourcing helps build trust in a crowded beauty market.
Functional Benefits
Cleansing & Moisturizing: AVNS bars often utilize a balance of oils to produce lather that cleanses without stripping natural lipids.
Multi-Function Bars: Many shampoo & body bars work on both hair and skin, appealing to minimalists. (AVNS blog)
Scalp Soothing & Anti-Inflammatory: Certain bars (e.g. Peppermint Tea Tree) include botanicals that help with itch, dandruff, and scalp irritation. (AVNS blog)
Long-lasting Bars: Because of the proper cure and dense formula, user reviews cite bars lasting significantly longer than cheap commercial ones. (Keeper of the Home)
In reviews, users say their skin feels softer, hair shinier, and scalp calmer after switching to AVNS bars. (Google Reviews)
Product Range & Seasonal / Specialized Offerings
AVNS offers a broad, evolving catalog attuned to seasons, skin types, and aesthetic preferences. Their blog and shop often announce seasonal bars, limited edition scents, and ingredient spotlight posts. (AVNS blog)
Some categories include:
Body Bars (lavender, oatmeal, citrus, goat milk, etc.)
Shampoo & Body Bars (multi-use)
Facial Bars
Special Bars (e.g. Men 2.0 shaving + soap)
Bath Accessories (soap trays, exfoliants)
Their seasonal collections—e.g. “Soaps for Spring”—offer insight into how they adapt scents, exfoliants, and botanical ingredients to weather, skin needs, and sensory trends. (AVNS blog)
They also provide sample sizes or half-bar options so customers can test before committing to a full bar. (Google Reviews)
Reputation, Praise & Constructive Criticism
Strengths & What People Love
Many reviewers say “I have never been disappointed”, praising scent, soap quality, and styling. (Google Reviews)
Quick order fulfillment and local pickup options—some live near the shop and enjoy same-day or next-day pickup. (Google Reviews)
Eco-friendly & family business stories resonate with buyers.
The shop in Eagan, Minnesota (AVNS boutique) draws shoppers wanting in-person experience. (Google Reviews)
The brand’s transparency and educational content (blog) help users learn about soap, herbs, and skin science. (AVNS blog)
The bars are often cited as long-lasting, hard (resisting mush in the shower), and economical. (Keeper of the Home)
Critiques & Areas of Concern
Some reviewers mention “no returns for most items”, meaning once bars are used, they may not accept them. (Google Reviews)
Because soaps are handmade, batch variation may occur—some customers might notice slight scent or color differences.
The limited store hours for their boutique may frustrate local shoppers.
Shipping costs and delays might be an issue for remote buyers.
Some users transitioning from commercial shampoos note an adjustment period where hair appears waxy or reacts until scalp resets. (Personal reviews)
Overall, most complaints are mild and contextual; many seem to stem from the realities of small-batch artisan production.
Voices From Real Users
“The shampoo and body bars all smell wonderful, and my order always arrives nicely packaged.” — A reviewer, Google
“I love the ingredients; I can buy half bars to test before full size.” — A reviewer, Google
“I’ve been using AVNS for a couple of months—my body butter and soap leave skin hydrated 24 hours.” — A reviewer, Google
“The new retail location smells heavenly; the bars last a long time.” — Valerie Schlegel, Google
“My hair was waxy at first switching, but now feels stronger and softer after weeks with the peppermint tea tree bar.” — Blogger review (AVNS blog)
“I appreciate the long cure time of their bars—they don’t get mushy in showers.” — Keeper of the Home review
“I once needed a fast local pickup—Marianne, the owner, accommodated me personally.” — Google Reviewer
“The packaging is simple but beautiful, and you can tell they put care into each bar.” — Google Reviews
“Their blog teaches me which bar suits my skin type; that helps me order better.” — AVNS blog commenter
“The boutique experience is delightful—seeing all bars, smelling scents, feeling textures—makes me a loyal customer.” — Google Reviews
How to Contact Apple Valley Natural Soap
Mailing / Boutique Address: 3825 Cedar Grove Parkway Suite 1102, Eagan, MN 55122 (Instagram)
Email / Contact form: via website Contact page, they aim to respond within 24–28 hours. (Contact page)
Shop / Local Store: They maintain a physical shop in Eagan, MN, offering local pickup and in-store browsing. (Contact page)
These channels ensure customers can reach them across mail, online support, or in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Apple Valley Natural Soap bars safe for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?
Yes. Their formulation avoids synthetic detergents, parabens, and harsh chemicals. Many products are rated “Low Hazard” in the EWG Skin Deep database. (EWG)
2. Do they ship outside the U.S.?
They primarily ship within the U.S.; international shipping may be limited based on website notices and customs regulations.
3. Can one bar serve as shampoo and body wash?
Yes. Their shampoo & body bars are formulated for dual use, tailored to cleanse hair and skin with gentle oils and botanicals. (AVNS blog)
4. How long do the bars last in real use?
Because of their hard cure and dense formulation, many users report bars lasting far longer than conventional soaps—weeks to months depending on usage.
5. Does Apple Valley Natural Soap accept returns?
Generally, no returns are accepted for used items; unopened bars might be eligible based on policy. (Google Reviews)
Final Considerations
Apple Valley Natural Soap stands out as a beacon in natural beauty care—balancing artisan integrity with real user benefits. Their strength lies in pure ingredient transparency, community loyalty, and thoughtfully crafted products. While some limits of scale and variation are inevitable, the brand delivers a deeply human, skin-safe, and eco-aware experience.
