Smell these suds

Story by Janet Kanters

Walk the soap aisle at any pharmacy or grocery store and you’re inundated with a myriad of products and bar soaps that promise softer, smoother skin, fresh fragrance and superior cleansing power. All good and fine, but often they’re filled with preservatives, artificial colours and scents.

Waxing Moon Soap Co. of Calgary is different. With a background in chemistry and biology, and over two decades of studying herbology and aromatherapy, owner Terry Cinciruk knows that people want more natural products.

Five years ago, with the help of his spouse, family and friends, Cinciruk started producing an Alberta goat’s milk soap, complete with home-grown, hand-ground herbs. Selling his soap at health food-stores, garden centres and gift stores, Cinciruk admits that making his products is a labour of love.

“There is lots of competition, and many people have had bad experiences with poor home made soaps,” he says. “While it’s certainly a very hard way to make a buck, I like it because it is honest. It’s all a piece of me.” Waxing Moon Soap Co. also sells 20 varieties (or ‘scents’) of ‘regular’ soap, as well as lotions, bath bombs and bath salts, and a clear glycerin soap for children.

This summer, samples of a soap they’ve made with Alberta canola oil will be given away during the Calgary Stampede. Also this summer, Waxing Moon Soap Co. will re-launch a new fragrance line of goat’s milk soap.