FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does my product look different to the one shown on the site?

We are currently updating our labels so the label of the product received may differ to the one advertised.

Are your products tested on animals? Are they cruelty free?

We have never tested on animals and we never will. We also believe that our suppliers should feel the same way about the importance of respecting animals as we do. If you are interested in downloading the cruelty free certification, please click hereFor our animal testing policy please click here. We can proudly say that we are Leaping Bunny approved. Leaping Bunny is the only globally recognised guarantee that a brand has made a genuine commitment to ending animal testing for its products and all approved companies must meet rigorous criteria to gain the official cruelty free status. Read more about our cruelty free certification in our blog post here.


Are your products ethical?

We constantly strive to be as ethical and as sustainable as possible. If current practises can be improved, we’ll find a way to do it. We always aim to trade directly with growers and farmers where we can and support suppliers who promote community trade and provide benefits within the communities that they work with. We would never trade with unethical suppliers.We have always been against animal testing. As a business we are ‘Leaping Bunny’ certified by Cruelty Free International. This means that all our products and ingredients are 100% cruelty free.

How do I know if a product is genuinely organic?


If a product is organic, you will be able to see the official Soil Association logo on the product. The Soil Association is the leading body for organic certification in the UK. Read more about our organic certification HERE

What’s the difference between a carrier oil and an essential oil?

A carrier oil is an oil extracted from seeds, nuts or fruits (rich in lipids) of a plant. They are used to dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin. An essential oil can be extracted from flowers, leaves or fruits of a plant and are highly concentrated. They are mainly used diluted in massage including soles of the feet, wrists and temples, or sprayed into the air. Read more about carrier oils HERE. Read more about essential oils HERE.


Can I use essential oils directly on my skin?

Essential oils are highly concentrated and must not be applied directly onto the skin. Always dilute them with a carrier/vegetable or base oil, a butter or a cream before use. Always do a patch test before applying it on your skin. To do that, apply a small quantity of product on the inside of your elbow, cover it and leave it on for 24 hours. In case of irritation, do not use the oil and seek medical advice.


Are your products 100% natural? How do you know?

All of our products are 100% natural. We don't add any synthetic ingredients toany of our products. Our organic oils are certified by the UK Soil Association. You can find our whole range of organic products here. Each oil and raw material is supplied to us with a batch specific COA (Certificate of Analysis) which details the chemical composition, purity and characteristics of the product. If you wish to receive a COA related to a product please contact our customer service team at infouk@naissance.com providing us with a batch number.


What is the difference between your Organic and Non-Organic Oils and does “Natural” mean Organic?

Natural oils have not been altered in any way but are not necessarily Organic. Our Organic Oils are certified by the UK Soil Association and our certificate is available to view on our website here. An Organic Certification is an assurance that the plant has been grown using no unauthorised chemicals and pesticides, and that every part of the process has been handled by persons or companies also regulated by the relevant awarding body. This means that the oil is traceable through every step of its journey all the way to you. The UK Soil Association is the most respected organisation in the UK for the certification of organic products. It is equivalent to the Ecocert, USDA Organic and comparable certification outside of the UK.


Are your products cold pressed?

Our products can be extracted by cold pressing, steam distillation or solvent extraction. To make things easier for you, we have included the extraction method of our products on the products’ page so that you will be able to check all the details in the products’ description.


What is the difference between Virgin, Refined, Unrefined and Cold Pressed oils?

- Virgin/Unrefined Oil - Virgin oil is the descriptive term for the unaltered oil exactly as pressed from the seed, plant, leaf or fruit etc. Virgin oils are often darker than their refined counterparts as they can retain sediment and a slight odour from the pressing process, in some cases virgin oils are referred to as unrefined. 

- Refined Oil - In simple terms a refined oil has been de-odourised and any impurities have been removed leaving a clearer, lighter normally odourless oil. We do not refine our oils in house, but source high quality oils which are already refined. 

- Cold Pressed - cold pressed oils have been extracted through the cold pressing process where the seeds (or the peel) of the fruit are crushed and pressed to force the oil out.


What is the refining process?

Vegetable Oils and Fats have impurities such as moisture, solids (insolubles), gums (Lecithins), Free-Fatty Acids (FFA) and waxes. These impurities are removed to improve the functionality of the oils for cosmetic and food use. Other characteristics of oils (such as colour, odour, and taste) are also considered impurities by modern consumers for cosmetic manufacture. These impurities are removed in a series of steps such as degumming (to remove gums), neutralizing (to remove FFA), bleaching (to remove colour), deodorising (to remove odour and taste), and dewaxing or winterization (to remove waxes).


Why does my carrier/vegetable oil not have an odour?

Many carrier/vegetable oils have little to no noticeable odour as the extracted oil is not an essential oil, this will largely depend upon which part of the plant the oil has been extracted from. Some of our oils has been refined and they rarely have any smell at all as any fragrant particles are removed during the refining process (see question above). We also offer Virgin/ /Unrefined varieties of some oils (where stated) which retain the original characteristic of the plant and, therefore, can have some odour.


Why is the colour of the oil different from the last bottle I bought?

As all of our oils are natural products, the colour of the oil can vary from batch to batch. There are many factors which will cause a change in colour such as differences in the soil and climate. It is also not unusual for small particles of naturally occurring sediment to be visible in the oil. If you are not sure about the quality of the product you have received, please contact our Customer Service Team and they will investigate further.


Why does my Shea Butter have crystals in it/feel grainy?

Shea Butter is very rich in fatty acids and a change in temperature can cause the butter to modify its texture. Shea Butter has a low melting point (similar to room temperature if you are lucky enough to live in a warm country) and when it hits a certain temperature, some of the fats melt and then slowly solidify. The higher temperature fats results in little grains through the butter, hence the grainy texture. When our Shea Butter gets shipped to you, before getting delivered, it can be stored in containers where the temperature is higher that the butter’s melting point.This process is called crystallisation and it can affect different vegetable butters, especially Shea Butter. Crystallisation occurs when the butter melts and then cools back down too slowly.

You can still use the Shea direct from the pot - the butter will melt on skin contact.

Or if you'd prefer to feel your Shea Butter smoother and silkier on your skin, follow these super simple steps:

- Heat the Shea Butter in a bain-marie until completely liquid and clear.

- Put the pot in the fridge or the freezer (we suggest a freezer for a much more rapid cool down). 

- Once the Shea is solid again, you will find a soft butter ready for you to use.  


Do any of your oils contain hexane?

Some of our oils are obtained through solvent extraction rather than cold pressing or steam distillation. Hexane is the most common solvent material used for this method and we make sure that no residue is left in the oil. Whenever an oil is solvent extracted, this will be mentioned in the product description.


Are your products GMO free?

We are proud to confirm that all our products are GMO free.


How do I use essential oils?

Depending on how you want to use them, it is important that you remember to dilute them before applying them on your skin. They can be diluted in a carrier oil, creams or butters to use in massage or skincare (please refer to the next question to find out more about dilution percentages). 

Other uses include

- In diffusion: put 3 or 4 drops of essential oil in your diffuser or an oil burner. Depending on the size of the room you may need to add or decrease the number of drops.

- Steam inhalation: Add 3 or 4 drops of essential oil to a bowl of boiling water on a table. Place a towel over your head and lean over the bowl and inhale for a few minutes.


What percentage of essential oil can I use in my carrier oil?

When creating your own cream or massage oil, it’s important you use the right dilution. Each oil has different properties and different applications require different concentrations of oil, as such there is no definite dilution rate that works across the range. We usually suggest diluting 1% of essential oil in 100ml of carrier/vegetable oil but please check individual product description for a more specific dilution recommendation. Make sure you always do a patch test before applying the product on your skin.


Can I consume your products?

All our products are prepared in our food room and we have recently been awarded the highest rating (5) in food hygiene by the UK Government Food Standards Agency to ensure the highest quality products. Some of our carrier oils can be used internally and used in food preparation for salad dressings, cooking, frying, baking, sauces and marinades. As a general guide, virgin and unrefined oils have more of the oil’s natural flavour and lend themselves well for use in cold dishes. Refined oils generally have longer shelf life and may have a higher smoke point and therefore be better for high heat cooking, but this varies depending on the type of oil. Please refer to the product pages for more information on food use. If you are taking our oils as a dietary supplements, we always recommend you consult with a professional regarding dosage.


How do I store the products correctly?

Extended contact with air will decrease the life of your oil significantly, therefore you should ensure that the lid is firmly attached to minimise oxidisation. The oil should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.


Why is the oil in a plastic bottle and not in a glass bottle?

Our essential oils are not in plastic bottles as many of them would melt through the plastic due to them being highly concentrated. Our carrier/vegetable oils that come in larger sizes are in plastic but we also do pack some of our 50ml carrier oil in glass bottles. We have chosen plastic bottles as it is less likely to break during transit, we have taken great care to source suitable bottles, our bottles are PETE plastic bottles with skirt sealed lids to help prevent oxidisation of the oil. PETE is a food grade plastic and is widely accepted to have little to no risk of chemical transfer to the liquid being contained within.


Why doesn't 1 litre of oil weigh 1kg?

Each of the oils has its own specific gravity, this is, in simple terms its weight compared to water. 1 litre of water will always weigh 1kg however oils are slightly lighter, specific gravity can vary but most of our oils have a SG of between 0.78 and 0.9, this means that most of our 1 litre products will weigh between 780g and 900g.


Do essential/vegetable oils have an expiry date?

Essential oil are natural products and for this reason they do have an expiry date. Usually, essential oils may last up until 2 years and vegetable oils up to 12 months. You will be able to find an expiry date on the labels of all our vegetable oils. However, these are only indications as there are several factors that can change the overall shelf life of an essential oil or vegetable oil, for example oxygen, light or, simply, how they are stored in your house and they might be used for longer periods. For a more accurate BBE, please contact our Customer Service Team providing them with the batch number.


Are your bottles and packaging recyclable?

Our range of powders, salts & waxes are packaged in new kraft style ‘Bio Bags’ to ensure that our products reach you in the same perfect condition they leave us. These new ‘Bio-bag’ kraft pouches are biodegradable and a small step in an eco-friendlier direction while we continue to look for the next better solution. The plastic (PE) part of the Bio Bags (that protects the products from moisture) contains a special additive that helps to break it down lessening the impact on the environment.Our bottles and tubs are not currently bio-degradable but our PETE plastic bottles and glass bottles can be recycled with your household recycling. Please contact your local authority for further advice on services available.


What’s the country of origin of your products?

The country of origin may vary according to the product as some of them can be found only in specific countries with characteristics that promote the growth of a particular raw material. If you wish to know more information about the oil that you have purchased or want to purchase, you can do so by looking at the product’s description page. If you can’t find any information on it, our Customer Service Team will be happy to help.


Can you provide me the MSDS?

We regularly upload the MSDS for our products on our website. You can find them on the product pages under the TECHNICAL tab.. If you can’t find it, no need to panic! Contact our customer service team at infouk@naissance.com and they’ll be happy to send you all the relevant documentation that you need (MSDS, COA, DOA, IFRA).


How much do you charge to post the goods and when will they get here?

We ship to different countries all over the world so, check our Shipping Information page to have more information about costs and delivery times.


I am still waiting for my order, what can I do?

If you haven’t received your order, please contact our Customer Service Team on 0800 430826 or by email at infouk@naissance.com.


My item arrived damaged or leaking, what do I do?

Please contact our Customer Service Team on 08000430826 or by email at infouk@naissance.com and we will be happy to solve this issue for you.

What if I am charged  a payment transaction fee by my bank when placing an order?

We’re sorry, we are not liable for any charges or fees incurred for international transactions when paying for your order. Orders will be dispatched when payment is received in full.

Do you offer wholesale?

For any wholesale enquiries please visit www.neatwholesale.co.uk

Can I claim a vat refund on my order?

We do not offer tax free shopping from any of the Naissance retail websites. 

Can I claim a vat refund on a business (B2B) order?

We are unable to refund VAT. The Naissance websites are aimed at retail consumers (B2C) and are unable to manage VAT registered business customers.

Business customers are welcome to shop with us, but purchases will be charged at the appropriate rates. If you have a business and prefer to buy in bulk sizes please consider our wholesale website, where there is no VAT charged on EU orders (shipped from the UK)  www.neatwholesale.co.uk

Please note that customs charges may apply for Neat orders shipped to the EU. For more information check out our delivery information page :  

Delivery Information – Neat Wholesale


Returns policy: What is it? What if I change my mind once the order is on its way and more.

Please read the full Returns policy here.  This policy will explain your consumer rights and time you have to return unwanted items.


What if I change my mind when my order is en route for delivery? Do I get charged a return fee if I refuse a delivery or do not collect a delivery from the carrier because I changed my mind and and no longer want my order?

Yes. Returns due to customer refusal of delivery or non-collection from a carrier will be subject to our return costs. This includes a return charge that we have to pay to our carrier services. This cost will be directly deducted from your refund. 

The return fee for non-collection or refusal of deliveries will vary between £5.99- £9.99 depending on order value and weight of the package.


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