ORY® Frequently Asked Questions
ORY Skincare · ORY Haircare · ORY Handmade Soap
Welcome to the ORY® FAQ. Here you’ll find answers about our custom skincare, haircare, and handmade soap — how we formulate, how to personalize your order, and how to care for what you buy. If you don’t find your answer below, reach out to our team at hello@oryskincare.com.
Table of Contents
About the ORY® Family of Brands
ORY® is a family of natural, thoughtfully-crafted beauty brands built by ORY International, LC. The family includes ORY Skincare (customizable lotions, cleansers, serums, and toners for seven skin types), ORY Haircare (customizable shampoo, conditioner, and treatments for ten hair types and scalp concerns), and ORY Handmade Soap (small-batch, cold-process bar soap in nine botanical varieties), with ORY Cosmetics coming soon. Every ORY product starts from the same philosophy: natural ingredients chosen for a specific skin or hair benefit, never filler.
Are ORY Skincare, ORY Haircare, and ORY Handmade Soap the same company?
Yes. All three are part of ORY International, LC. ORY Handmade Soap grew out of our original small-batch soap line, and it shares the same commitment to natural, skin-first ingredients that defines ORY Skincare and ORY Haircare today.
How do I know which ORY product is right for me?
As a quick guide: choose ORY Skincare for a leave-on lotion, serum, cleanser, or toner customized to your skin; choose ORY Haircare for a shampoo, conditioner, or treatment customized to your hair type and scalp; and choose ORY Handmade Soap for a traditional, cold-process bar soap made with natural mineral colorants and botanicals. Many customers use products from more than one line as part of a full routine. If your needs go beyond what Ready-Made or Build-Your-Own can offer — a specific tolerance, sensitivity, preference, or exclusion, or a favorite discontinued product — ORY® Personal Formulation is available across all three lines; see the dedicated section below.
ORY® Skincare
General Questions
What makes ORY Skincare different?
ORY Skincare combines nature’s finest botanicals with scientific precision to create clean, effective skincare tailored to your unique needs. Our products are crafted with 100% natural, plant-based ingredients, free from synthetic additives, and designed for every skin type — Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination, Sensitive, Mature, and Acne-Prone. From Build-Your-Own formulations to laser-engraved lotion bottles, we make skincare personal, sustainable, and luxurious.
What skin types do ORY Skincare products cater to?
We formulate for all seven skin types: Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination, Sensitive, Mature, and Acne-Prone. Each product is designed with specific ingredients to address your skin’s unique needs, whether that’s hydration for dry skin or oil control for acne-prone skin. Explore our Skin Types page (oryskincare.com/skin-types) or take our Skin Type Quiz to find your match.
Are ORY Skincare products safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. Our products are crafted with sensitive skin in mind, using gentle, non-irritating ingredients like chamomile, calendula, and squalane oil, and avoiding harsh chemicals or strong fragrances. For sensitive skin, we recommend our Sensitive Skin Lotion with jojoba oil and centella asiatica extract. We always recommend a patch test first, especially if you’re sensitive to Asteraceae-family plants such as chamomile. See our Ingredients page for full details.
Are your products cruelty-free and sustainable?
Absolutely. All ORY Skincare products are 100% cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, with no animal testing. We use ethically sourced, biodegradable ingredients like plant-based oils and botanical extracts, and our packaging includes reusable glass bottles to minimize environmental impact. Our preservatives — phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin — are eco-certified and gentle on both your skin and the planet.
What’s the difference between Ready-Made and Build-Your-Own?
Ready-Made products are expertly pre-formulated for your skin type, so you can shop with confidence and no decisions required. Build-Your-Own products let you select every ingredient yourself — choosing from our Oil Phase, Emulsifiers, Humectants, Actives, and Botanicals categories — to create a formula that’s entirely your own. Both paths start from the same quality ingredients; the only difference is how much control you want over the recipe.
How do I choose the right ingredients for my Build-Your-Own formula?
Start by identifying your skin type on our Skin Types guide. Each skin type page lists recommended ingredients — for example, shea butter for dry skin or tea tree oil for acne-prone skin. A few starting points: Dry Skin pairs well with shea butter, rosehip oil, hyaluronic acid, and calendula extract; Acne-Prone Skin responds well to squalane oil, salicylic acid, centella asiatica, and eucalyptus essential oil; Mature Skin benefits from argan oil, vitamin C, ginseng extract, and jasmine essential oil. Our Ingredients page has detailed benefits for every option, and our team is always happy to advise.
Can I customize the scent of my product?
Yes. You can personalize the scent by selecting from our 100% natural essential oils, such as lavender, rose, or lemongrass, or choose an unscented formulation, which is ideal for sensitive skin. Essential oil concentrations are kept low (0.5%–2%) to minimize irritation. Indicate your scent preference during the Build-Your-Own process.
What is the process for creating a Build-Your-Own product?
First, select your product and skin type (for example, Oily Skin Lotion). Next, craft your formula by picking ingredients across our oil, emulsifier, humectant, active, and botanical categories — a Combination Skin lotion might include jojoba oil, aloe vera, and geranium essential oil. From there you can add optional bottle personalization, review your formula and engraving details at checkout, and place your order. Your product arrives in a sustainable glass bottle, made to order just for you.
Are there Ready-Made products if I don’t want to build my own?
Yes — every skin type has a curated, expertly balanced Ready-Made line. For example, our Normal Skin Lotion features jojoba oil, squalane oil, green tea extract, and lavender essential oil, while our Sensitive Skin Lotion features sweet almond oil, chamomile extract, panthenol, and azulene extract. Browse the Skin Types page to shop these ready-to-order options
Can I customize other products besides lotions?
Yes — cleansers, serums, and toners can all be built the same way, tailored to your skin type and concerns using the same ingredient categories. For example, a custom serum for dull skin might include papaya extract and vitamin C, while a toner for oily skin could feature witch hazel and tea tree oil.
What is lotion bottle personalization?
ORY Skincare offers custom laser-engraved glass or marble bottles, letting you etch a name, message, or special date (up to 30 characters) onto your bottle. It turns your skincare into a keepsake — perfect for gifting or everyday use. Choose from font styles including Classic Serif, Modern Sans, or Handwritten Script.
How do I personalize my bottle?
Select a lotion, cleanser, serum, or toner from our order menu, then add your engraving at checkout — up to 30 characters, in your choice of font. You’ll be able to preview your engraving before finalizing the order to make sure everything is accurate. Please note: engravings are permanent and non-refundable once processed.
What are some examples of personalized engravings?
You can engrave almost anything meaningful within 30 characters — a classic monogram like “A.L.”, a heartfelt message like “Glow, My Love,” a motivational phrase like “Shine Bright,” a special date like “06.06.25,” or a custom name like “Emma’s Glow.”
Is there an extra cost for personalization?
Personalization pricing depends on the product and engraving complexity, and we provide a transparent cost breakdown at checkout. Engraved bottles are designed to be a premium, sustainable gift option without compromising affordability.
Are personalized bottles reusable or recyclable?
Yes — our engraved glass bottles are reusable and recyclable. Refill them with ORY products or repurpose them for storing essential oils or travel-sized toiletries. The laser engraving is durable and won’t fade with washing, so your bottle stays a lasting keepsake.
Can I gift a personalized lotion bottle?
Absolutely — personalized bottles make thoughtful gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or self-care moments. Pair one with a piece from our Botanical Infusion collection for a more luxurious gift, or contact us about bulk gifting options.
Ingredients & Formulations
What ingredients are used in ORY Skincare formulas?
Our formulas draw from several categories of natural, skin-loving ingredients: Oil Phase (jojoba, squalane, shea butter, rosehip, grape seed, argan, sweet almond); Emulsifiers (cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, ceteareth-20, Montanov 68); Humectants (aloe vera, glycerin, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid); Active Ingredients (salicylic acid, niacinamide, tea tree oil, allantoin, ceramides, urea); Botanicals (calendula, chamomile, centella asiatica, licorice extract, ginseng extract, papaya extract); optional natural Colorants (annatto, beetroot, sea buckthorn seed oil, wild bilberry extract); eco-certified Preservatives (phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, Germall Plus); Vitamins (C, E, panthenol, ferulic acid); and Fragrance from natural essential oils or fragrance-free options. See our Ingredients page for detailed benefits on every ingredient.
Are there ingredients I should avoid for my skin type?
A few things to watch for: with Sensitive Skin, use caution with high concentrations of essential oils (like eucalyptus) or nut-derived oils (like sweet almond oil) if you have a relevant allergy, and always patch test first. With Oily or Acne-Prone Skin, avoid heavy oils like olive oil and opt for non-comedogenic options like squalane or grape seed oil instead. With Dry Skin, avoid astringents like witch hazel unless they’re paired with hydrators like hyaluronic acid. Our Skin Types page has ingredient recommendations and cautions for each type, and our team is happy to advise.
How are ORY Skincare formulas made?
Our lotions are emulsions of oil and water, stabilized with plant-based emulsifiers like cetearyl alcohol or Montanov 68. We use ionized water for enhanced absorption, humectants like aloe vera for hydration, and actives like niacinamide for targeted results. Botanical infusions — such as calendula in jojoba oil — add soothing and repairing benefits. Every formula is crafted to balance texture, efficacy, and skin compatibility.
Can I request a fragrance-free product?
Yes — simply select the unscented option during the Build-Your-Own process. These formulas exclude essential oils but retain all the nourishing benefits of the oils, humectants, and actives in your formula.
Ingredients & Formulations
How should I apply my ORY Skincare lotion?
Start by cleansing with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type (a papaya enzyme cleanser works well for acne-prone skin, for example). Follow with a toner if you’d like — a calendula-infused toner is a good option for prepping skin. Apply a pea-sized amount of your lotion, warming it between your fingers and patting it onto damp skin for better absorption, once or twice daily. For dry skin, you can layer a richer cream over the lotion. In the morning, always finish with SPF 30+, especially if your formula includes actives like salicylic acid or vitamin C. Pro tip: for oily or acne-prone skin, use a lighter amount, or work your lotion into a rinse-off cleanser to avoid buildup.
How often should I use my product?
Most ORY Skincare lotions are designed for daily use, once or twice a day depending on your skin’s needs. Dry skin generally does best with twice-daily use for maximum hydration; oily skin often does better once daily or every other day; and sensitive skin should start once daily to assess tolerance before increasing. If your formula includes an active like salicylic acid, start with nightly use and monitor for irritation, and always follow daytime use with sunscreen.
How should I store my product?
Store your lotion in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency. For formulas with delicate oils like rosehip, or ingredients like vitamin C, refrigeration can extend shelf life to 6–12 months. Keep the bottle tightly closed to prevent contamination — our eco-certified preservatives help with stability, but proper storage is what maximizes freshness.
ORY® Haircare
General Questions
What is ORY Haircare?
ORY Haircare brings the same philosophy behind ORY Skincare to your hair and scalp: natural, plant-based ingredients formulated for your specific hair type, available both as expertly balanced Ready-Made products and fully personalized Build-Your-Own formulas.
What hair types does ORY Haircare address?
We formulate for ten hair types and scalp concerns: Straight, Dry or Damaged, Oily Scalp, Coily, Curly, Wavy, Mature or Thinning, Color-Treated or Chemically Processed, Sensitive Scalp, and Dandruff-Prone Scalp. This list starts from the industry-standard hair types and adds categories, like Mature or Thinning and Sensitive Scalp, that are common concerns but often underserved elsewhere.
Are ORY Haircare products safe for a sensitive or dandruff-prone scalp?
Yes — we formulate specifically for Sensitive Scalp and Dandruff-Prone Scalp as their own hair types, using gentle, natural ingredients chosen for those concerns. As with any new product, we recommend a patch test first, and our team can help you choose the right formula for your scalp.
Are ORY Haircare products cruelty-free and sustainable?
Yes. Like the rest of the ORY family, ORY Haircare products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, made with ethically sourced, biodegradable ingredients.
Choosing Your Path: Ready-Made vs. Build-Your-Own
What’s the difference between Ready-Made and Build-Your-Own haircare?
It’s the same choice as ORY Skincare: Ready-Made products are pre-formulated for your specific hair type, so you can shop with confidence. Build-Your-Own products let you select the botanicals and ingredients yourself to create a shampoo, conditioner, or treatment that’s entirely your own.
What is ORY Damage Repair?
ORY Damage Repair is a dedicated treatment product within ORY Haircare, designed to target damage from heat styling, color treatments, or chemical processing — rather than being tied to a single hair type. Ask our team whether it’s a good fit alongside your regular routine.
Can I get a Ready-Made Bundle?
Yes — ORY Ready-Made Bundles combine multiple ORY Haircare products, such as a shampoo and conditioner set, curated for a specific hair type, so you can shop your full routine in one step.
Choosing Your Path: Ready-Made vs. Build-Your-Own
How are ORY Haircare formulas made?
Our shampoos and treatments are built using a botanical infusion method: botanicals are infused into a carrier oil, and that infused oil becomes the oil phase of the formula. This lets us pair ingredients with real purpose for each hair type — for example, rosemary, ginseng, and green tea for Mature or Thinning hair; argan, keratin, and green tea for Dry or Damaged, Curly, and Coily hair; rice, camellia, and squalane for Straight hair; and rosemary, green tea, and niacinamide for Oily Scalp.
Can I customize the scent of my haircare product?
Yes — as with ORY Skincare, you can select from natural essential oils during the Build-Your-Own process, or choose a fragrance-free option.
Choosing Your Path: Ready-Made vs. Build-Your-Own
How often should I use my ORY Haircare products?
This depends on your hair type and scalp needs — for example, an Oily Scalp formula is often used more frequently than a Dry or Damaged formula, which may call for less frequent washing paired with richer treatment use. Your product listing will include specific usage guidance, and our team is happy to help you build a routine around your hair type.
How should I store my ORY Haircare products?
Store bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the natural botanicals and essential oils inside, and keep bottles tightly closed between uses.
ORY® Handmade Soap
Our Soap Philosophy
What is ORY Handmade Soap?
ORY Handmade Soap is our original brand — small-batch, cold-process bar soap made with natural mineral colorants and herbals, chosen so that every ingredient benefits your skin. Each bar is crafted for rich nutrients, gentle cleansing and exfoliation, natural fragrance, natural color, good lather, and moisturizing benefit — never filler.
Is ORY Handmade Soap the same as ORY Skincare?
They’re part of the same family, ORY International, LC, but they’re different product lines. ORY Handmade Soap is a traditional cold-process bar soap, while ORY Skincare is a line of leave-on lotions, cleansers, serums, and toners. Many customers use an ORY Handmade Soap bar for cleansing and follow up with an ORY Skincare lotion.
Is ORY Handmade Soap cold-process soap?
Yes. Every bar is saponified with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the traditional cold-process method, hand-poured in small batches. Cold-process soap retains more of its natural glycerin than commercial detergent bars, which is part of why it feels different on skin.
Meet Our Soap Bars
We currently craft nine handmade soap varieties, each built around botanicals chosen for a specific skin benefit:
| Bar | Hero Ingredients | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Bleu Indigo | Indigo, woad, blue kaolin clay, alkanet root, dried lavender | Indigo's active compounds (tryptanthrin and indirubin) are anti-inflammatory and help support the skin's natural barrier; scented with lavender essential oil. |
| Coalesce | Rebatched ORY soaps, beet root, kelp, white kaolin clay | Our zero-waste bar — cosmetically imperfect batches (air bubbles, ricing, cracking) are re-melted into one soap rather than discarded, in keeping with our environmental commitment; scented with lemongrass essential oil. |
| Irish Green Moss | Irish moss, wheatgrass, spirulina, kelp, chlorella | A nutrient-dense blend containing calcium, sulfur, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A and K, which help hydrate skin, soften the look of fine lines, and protect against environmental stress; scented with eucalyptus essential oil. |
| Love Peppermint | Peppermint, wheatgrass, spearmint, spirulina, chlorella, alkanet root | Peppermint helps retain moisture and acts as a mild, natural astringent, helping to clear away dead skin cells and dirt for a smoother, more hydrated feel; scented with peppermint essential oil. |
| Midnight Sun | Alfalfa, acai berry, Brazilian purple clay, calendula, lemon peel, hibiscus, safflower, carrot juice | An antioxidant-rich bar — carrot juice contributes vitamin C and beta carotene, and safflower contributes vitamin E and phenolic compounds — that helps build a moisture barrier and is especially gentle on sensitive skin; scented with eucalyptus essential oil. |
| Moroccan Red Clay | Moroccan clay, rosehip, black walnut hull, sandalwood, rose kaolin clay, orange juice | A rich cleansing clay, long used as a facial mask, that draws out impurities, while vitamin C from orange juice helps even skin tone; scented with jasmine essential oil. Contains black walnut hull (tree-nut derived). |
| Orange Zest | Annatto, paprika, rosehip, raw honey, orange mace, orange peel, carrot juice | Vitamin C and citric acid from orange help gently unclog pores and brighten dull-looking skin, balanced with antioxidants from carrot juice; scented with eucalyptus essential oil. |
| Pumice Gray | Pumice, Dead Sea clay, blue cornmeal, activated charcoal, black walnut hull | A natural exfoliating bar that polishes and deep-cleans for a visibly refreshed complexion; scented with lavender essential oil. Contains black walnut hull (tree-nut derived). |
| Purple Rose Madder | Madder root, rose kaolin clay, sandalwood, blue kaolin clay, black walnut hull, blue cornmeal | A traditional herbal bar — madder root has long been valued for soothing acne, rashes, and skin irritation, while rose kaolin clay absorbs excess oil and helps even tone; scented with eucalyptus essential oil. Contains black walnut hull (tree-nut derived). |
Ingredients & Craft
What’s in the base recipe for ORY Handmade Soap?
Every bar starts from a base of babassu, castor, coconut, and grapeseed oils (most bars also include olive oil), saponified with sodium hydroxide. Japanese hot springs bath salts and goat milk kefir (coconut milk in a few varieties) add a creamy, moisturizing lather. From there, each bar gets its color and benefit from natural mineral clays, botanicals, and herbals — never synthetic dye — and its scent from a pure essential oil, never synthetic fragrance.
What gives each bar its natural color?
Color comes entirely from natural mineral colorants and botanicals — kaolin clays, activated charcoal, madder root, indigo, annatto, paprika, and similar ingredients — chosen first for their benefit to skin and second for the color they create.
Are there ingredients I should watch for if I have allergies?
Yes. Moroccan Red Clay, Pumice Gray, and Purple Rose Madder all contain black walnut hull, which is tree-nut derived, so those bars aren’t a good fit if you have a tree nut allergy. Most bars also contain goat milk kefir, which isn’t suitable if you’re avoiding dairy, and several bars include citrus ingredients like orange or lemon peel, which can increase sun sensitivity. As with any new product, we recommend a patch test before regular use.
Ingredients & Craft
How do I get the most life out of a bar?
Because cold-process soap retains its natural glycerin, it’s softer than a commercial detergent bar and will last longer if you keep it on a draining soap dish between uses rather than sitting in standing water.
How should I store extra bars?
Keep unused bars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This helps preserve both the essential oil scent and the natural color of the botanicals and clays.
Which bar should I choose?
If you’re looking for gentle, everyday cleansing, Midnight Sun or Irish Green Moss are good starting points. If you want exfoliation, try Pumice Gray. For a clarifying, clay-based cleanse, Moroccan Red Clay or Purple Rose Madder are great picks. And if sustainability is what matters most to you, Coalesce is our zero-waste bar. Our team is always happy to help you choose.
ORY® Personal Formulation
ORY® Personal Formulation is a private service available across ORY Skincare, ORY Haircare, and ORY Handmade Soap, for customers who need a product developed around specific ingredient tolerances, sensitivities, preferences, or exclusions — including customers who’ve relied on an ORY product that’s since been discontinued.
Who is ORY® Personal Formulation for?
It’s for customers whose needs fall outside our standard ingredient library — for example, someone managing a specific sensitivity or allergy, someone who needs to exclude an entire category of ingredients, someone with strong preferences we don’t offer as standard options, or someone who depended on a discontinued ORY formula and wants it recreated or adapted.
How is ORY® Personal Formulation different from Build-Your-Own?
Build-Your-Own lets you select from our existing, curated ingredient categories. ORY® Personal Formulation goes a step further: our team works directly with you to develop a formula around requirements that fall outside that curated library — whether that means sourcing a substitute for an ingredient you can’t use or rebuilding a favorite formula we no longer carry.
Can I request a formula based on a product ORY has discontinued?
Yes. If you relied on an ORY Skincare, ORY Haircare, or ORY Handmade Soap product that’s since been discontinued, our team can work with you to recreate or adapt that formula as an ORY Personal Formulation order.
Is ORY® Personal Formulation available for skincare, haircare, and soap?
Yes — ORY Personal Formulation spans all three ORY lines: ORY Skincare, ORY Haircare, and ORY Handmade Soap.
How do I request an ORY® Personal Formulation?
Because these formulas are developed individually, ORY Personal Formulation isn’t part of our standard online ordering flow. Contact our team directly at hello@oryskincare.com with your product line, your specific tolerances, sensitivities, preferences, or exclusions, and any discontinued product you’d like recreated, and we’ll guide you through next steps.
Does ORY® Personal Formulation cost more or take longer than Ready-Made or Build-Your-Own?
Because each formula is developed individually around your specific needs, pricing and timelines vary by request. Our team will walk you through both once we understand what you’re looking for.
Ordering, Shipping & Returns
How long does it take to receive my ORY Skincare or ORY Haircare order?
Custom formulas and personalized bottles are made to order and typically require 5–7 business days for processing. If your order includes a custom botanical infusion, please allow up to 6 weeks for full infusion time to ensure maximum potency. Shipping times depend on your location — U.S. orders usually arrive within 3–5 business days after shipping — and you’ll receive a tracking number once your order is on its way.
Can I return a custom or personalized ORY Skincare or ORY Haircare order?
Because these formulas and engraved bottles are made specifically for you, we’re unable to accept returns unless a product arrives damaged or defective. Please review your formula and engraving details carefully at checkout, since engravings are permanent and non-refundable once processed. Contact us within 7 days of delivery for help with damaged items.
What about shipping and returns for ORY Handmade Soap?
ORY Handmade Soap ships separately from our made-to-order skincare and haircare formulas. For current processing times and our return policy on soap orders, please reach out to our team — we’re happy to help.
Do you offer samples?
We don’t currently offer samples of Build-Your-Own formulas, given how personalized they are, but you can try our Ready-Made lotions in smaller sizes to test ingredients before customizing. Contact us for a recommendation based on your skin or hair type.
Ingredient Safety & Sustainability
Is ORY committed to cruelty-free, sustainable practices across all three lines?
Yes. ORY Skincare, ORY Haircare, and ORY Handmade Soap are all cruelty-free and made with ethically sourced, biodegradable ingredients. ORY Skincare and ORY Haircare use reusable glass bottles, and ORY Handmade Soap uses no synthetic dyes or fragrances of any kind.
Should I patch test new products?
Yes — we recommend a patch test any time you try a new formula or bar, especially if you have a known sensitivity to nuts (including sweet almond oil or black walnut hull), dairy (goat milk kefir), or Asteraceae-family plants (like chamomile or calendula).
Are ORY products intended to treat a medical condition?
No. ORY Skincare, ORY Haircare, and ORY Handmade Soap products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition. Please consult a healthcare professional for serious skin or scalp concerns, or before use during pregnancy.
Still Have Questions?
If you don’t find your answer above, our team is always happy to help — reach out at hello@oryskincare.com and let us know whether your question is about ORY Skincare, ORY Haircare, or ORY Handmade Soap.