Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve
Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve began in the most humble way possible - as a kitchen hobby. Founder Ida Friedman, a registered nurse with a background in biology and chemistry, simply wanted a creative project of her own while her husband worked in his wood shop. After noticing that many handmade soaps still contained artificial fragrances and colors, she decided to try making something different: a truly natural soap made with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Her first batch - a goat milk and oatmeal soap - ended up doing more than she expected. After her husband used it for a couple of weeks, the eczema he had struggled with for years noticeably improved. That small moment sparked a deeper curiosity about the chemistry of soapmaking and the healing potential of natural ingredients. What began as a weekend experiment quickly grew into something more as friends, family, and eventually online customers discovered the soaps and kept coming back for more.
Simple Ingredients with a Purpose
Today, Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve has grown into a family-run company offering a wide range of natural and USDA-certified organic skin and hair care products. Their guiding philosophy is simple: harness the power and simplicity of nature. Using nourishing plant oils and butters, botanical ingredients, herbs, clays, and pure essential oils, their products are designed to cleanse, soothe, and support healthy skin.
Every ingredient is chosen with intention. The company prioritizes materials that are minimally processed, responsibly sourced, cruelty-free, fairly traded, sustainable, and USDA Certified Organic whenever possible. Their belief is straightforward - skin and hair care products are only as good as the ingredients used to make them, so every formula is built with purpose, integrity, and respect for both people and the planet.
