Start by wetting your hands briefly under the tap. You only need a little water; too much will thin the soap before it has a chance to work. Press the pump once to release a small amount of Olea Temple into your palm, then bring your hands together and begin working it across your fingers, knuckles and the backs of your hands.

You will notice the lather is softer and lower than what you may be used to. That is by design. Olea Temple is a Bastille soap, made primarily with organic extra virgin olive oil, and olive oil soaps naturally lather less than soaps built on harsher cleansers. What you get instead is a gentle, moisturizing wash that cleans thoroughly while leaving your skin's natural moisture in place. A light lather will still build as you work it; give it a few seconds rather than reaching for a second pump.

While you lather, take a moment to breathe in. Organic frankincense gives Temple its quiet, resinous depth, warm and a little smoky, and organic clary sage softens it with a gentle herbal sweetness. Let the scent slow you down before you move on with your day.

Rinse your hands well under running water until they feel smooth and free of residue, then dry them fully. We recommend a cotton towel, patting rather than rubbing, so your skin keeps the softness the olive oil leaves behind.

Used a few times a day, an 8 oz bottle of Olea Temple lasts one person roughly one to two months, depending on how often you wash. If you would like to go longer between refills, the 32 oz bottle is the better value.

Olea Temple is made without synthetic preservatives, so a little care keeps it at its best from the first pump to the last.

Please do not dilute it. Adding tap water, or any water that carries minerals or other organisms, upsets the balance of the soap and can thin it, cloud it, or spoil it entirely. Keep the bottle closed between uses and avoid leaving the pump head off for long stretches.

Keep the pump bottle at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and away from the shower or bath, where steam and splashes can find their way inside. Wipe the nozzle with a dry cloth if it collects residue. If the pump ever sticks, rinse only the pump mechanism under warm water, dry it, and screw it back on.

The 32 oz bottle is your refill supply. Store it upright in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard, and keep the cap on tight. To refill your pump bottle, unscrew the pump head, pour the soap slowly to the shoulder of the bottle so it does not overflow, and replace the pump. There is no need to rinse the pump bottle between refills.

Olive oil soap can deepen slightly in colour over time, and the scent may soften as the essential oils settle. That is natural and does not affect the soap.

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The heart of a Bastille soap. Rich in oleic acid and naturally occurring squalene, it cleans gently while leaving the skin soft and moisturized rather than stripped. It is also why the lather is soft and low rather than foamy.

Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil

Brings the cleansing lift and what bubbles the lather has. A small amount balances the softness of the olive oil so the soap rinses clean.

Organic Extra Virgin Castor Oil

A natural humectant that draws moisture toward the skin and gives the lather its silky, stable feel.

Distilled Water

Dissolves the potassium hydroxide and turns the soap paste into a pourable liquid. We use distilled water so no minerals interfere with the soap, which is also why we ask you not to dilute it at home.

Potassium Hydroxide**

The alkali that transforms the oils into liquid soap through saponification. It is fully used up in the process; none remains in the bottle.

Citric Acid

Fine-tunes the pH of the finished soap so it stays gentle on skin and rinses without leaving a film in hard water.

Organic Frankincense Essential Oil

The quiet, resinous heart of Temple. Warm, softly smoky and steadying, with a long history in places of stillness and reflection.

Organic Clary Sage Essential Oil

The gentle herbal sweetness that rounds out the frankincense and keeps the scent soft rather than heavy.