OUR STORY

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In 2018, Joe-Le Soap was unofficially birthed in Charlotte, North Carolina, by native Charlottean Levon Handsome and her husband, Joseph Handsome in their kitchen.

What began as a passion project quickly became deeply personal. Together, Levon and Joseph navigated the challenges of skin cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, eczema, alopecia, and chronic inflammation. Like so many families affected by sensitive skin and autoimmune-related conditions, they spent countless hours reading ingredient labels, researching safer alternatives, and searching for products that were as gentle as they were effective.

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Inspired by Joseph's curiosity for soap making, the couple set out to create an all-natural skincare line made with simple, plant-based ingredients they could confidently use themselves. Their mission was never to create just another soap—it was to create skincare they could trust.

 

In 2020, after being laid off from her corporate sales career during the COVID-19 pandemic, Levon dedicated herself full-time to growing Joe-Le Soap. She trademarked the brand, expanded production, and remained committed to a simple philosophy: create handcrafted skincare made with recognizable ingredients instead of harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, artificial fillers, and unnecessary additives.

As the company grew, so did its purpose.

 

In 2021, Joe-Le Soap expanded beyond soaps to include body butters, wellness products, hair treatments, lip conditioners, and even a line of natural dog grooming products after Levon discovered that her handcrafted formulas worked exceptionally well on her beloved dog, Powder's, sensitive skin and coat.

Today, Levon's journey continues.

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In addition to living with alopecia universalis, she also manages Sjögren's syndrome and polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), a form of photosensitivity that makes even brief sun exposure challenging. These personal experiences continue to shape every product Joe-Le Soap creates. They reinforce her belief that people living with sensitive skin and autoimmune conditions deserve skincare made with thoughtfully selected, gentle ingredients they can feel confident using every day.

 

In 2022, the Joe-Le Soap family experienced its greatest heartbreak with the passing of Joseph.

Although devastated by the loss of her husband, Levon made the decision to continue the work they started together, honoring both his legacy and their shared mission to create skincare made with integrity, transparency, and purpose.

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Today, Joe-Le Soap has grown far beyond what either of them imagined.

While the brand was inspired by Joseph's and Levon's personal health journeys, it has become a trusted resource for thousands of customers searching for gentler skincare alternatives. More than 80% of Joe-Le Soap customers purchase because they or someone they love is living with eczema, making eczema-prone and sensitive skin the heart of everything we do.

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Every formula is thoughtfully handcrafted in the USA using plant-based ingredients selected for their quality, simplicity, and gentleness. Our products are cruelty-free, handcrafted in small batches, and formulated without synthetic fragrances, parabens, or unnecessary fillers. From our bestselling Eczema Soothing Manuka Honey & Oatmeal Soap to our expanding collection of body butters, wellness products, hair care, and pet care, every product is created with one goal in mind—to help people feel confident about the ingredients they put on their skin.

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What began as three handcrafted recipes mixed together in a small kitchen has grown into a collection of more than forty thoughtfully developed products trusted by customers across the United States and featured in publications including ELLE, Black Enterprise, Charlotte Business Journal, Brides, WE Magazine, and more.

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Joe-Le Soap isn't simply a natural skincare company. It's a promise that better ingredients matter, that sensitive skin deserves better options, and that one family's journey can help thousands of others care for their skin with confidence.

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"Joe-Le Soap was never created to sell soap. It was created so that no one struggling with sensitive skin would have to wonder if the ingredients in their skincare were making things worse."

— Levon Handsome, Founder