Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn't here, email me at lotuswellnessessentials@gmail.com. I read and answer every message myself.
About the products
Is everything vegan?
Yes, without qualification. No animal products, nothing animal derived, nothing tested on animals. No beeswax, honey, lanolin or milk in any product. That will never change.
Are the ingredients organic?
Wherever I can get them. Where a certified organic version of an ingredient exists and I can source it, that's what I buy. Some botanicals aren't available certified, and where that's the case I choose the cleanest, best-grown option I can find — and I'm happy to tell you which is which.
Where do you source your ingredients?
Every ingredient is purchased here in Australia, from Australian suppliers and small Australian businesses, rather than imported directly to save money. Some botanicals don't grow in this country — frankincense has never come from anywhere but the Horn of Africa and Arabia — but the people I buy from are local.
Do your products contain preservatives?
Only where they're genuinely needed. The oils, butters and scrubs contain no water at all, so nothing can grow in them and no preservative is required. Anything water-based — the mists and toners — contains a broad-spectrum preservative, because without one it would grow bacteria and mould. There is no natural exception to this. I name the preservative on the label rather than hiding it.
Is there anything synthetic in your products?
A handful of actives are made in a laboratory: ectoin, bakuchiol, niacinamide and panthenol. They're among the gentlest and best-studied ingredients available, and I use them because they work. Everything else is botanical.
What won't I find in your products?
No parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, PEGs, mineral oil, petrochemicals, formaldehyde releasers, synthetic fragrance or artificial colours. No microplastics — the scrubs exfoliate with sugar.
Do any products contain nuts?
Yes. Several contain sweet almond oil, including the body butter, sugar scrub, body oil and bath bomb. If you have a nut allergy, please read the ingredient list before ordering, or email me and I'll tell you exactly what's in anything.
Are your products safe during pregnancy?
Most are, but I'm not your doctor and I can't advise on your individual situation. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please check with your midwife or doctor before using anything new, particularly products containing essential oils.
Using them
What's the difference between the body oil and the body butter?
Texture, mostly. The butter is richer and takes longer to absorb, which suits very dry skin and winter. The oil is lighter and sinks in faster, which suits most people most of the time. Same scent, same care — pick whichever you prefer the feel of.
Do I really need the mist as well as the oil?
If you want the oil to work properly, yes. A facial oil can't add water to your skin — it holds water in. Applied to dry skin it mostly sits on the surface. Mist first, don't wait for it to dry, then press the oil into damp skin.
How long before I see a difference?
Six to eight weeks. Skin renews itself roughly every four weeks, and most botanical actives work with that cycle rather than against it. Four days tells you how something feels, not what it does.
Why does the Firm & Lift Facial Oil tingle?
That's the paracress, and it's meant to. It's a light tingling, tightening sensation that settles within a few minutes. It's the part of the formula you can actually feel working.
Should I patch test?
Please do. A small amount on your inner forearm, then wait a full twenty-four hours. Most reactions don't show up in the first ten minutes, which is when most people decide they're fine.
How should I store everything?
Away from heat and light. The bathroom windowsill is the worst place in the house — rosehip, sea buckthorn and anything golden will oxidise quickly in the sun. A drawer beats a shelf.
Orders and delivery
Where do you ship?
Australia-wide, with Australia Post tracking on every parcel. International shipping isn't available yet.
How long will my order take?
Orders are usually packed and posted within 2–5 business days. Standard delivery is typically 2–8 business days depending on where you are. If something in your order is part of a batch still curing, I'll email you with an honest timeframe.
Is there free shipping?
Yes, on Australian orders over $199.
Can I return something?
If it arrives damaged, faulty or incorrect, email me within 7 days with a photo and I'll replace or refund it in full. Change-of-mind returns are accepted on unopened, unused items within 14 days — opened skincare can't be resold, which is a hygiene requirement rather than a technicality.
What if a product doesn't suit my skin?
Stop using it and let me know. Skin is individual and sometimes something simply isn't right for someone. Email me and we'll work it out.
About Lotus
Who makes these?
I do. My name is Stephanie, I'm a qualified herbalist, and everything is formulated and made by hand by me in small batches in Melbourne. There's no team and no production line.
Is your packaging plastic free?
Not entirely — not yet. In most places I've got there: glass, paper, packaging designed to be kept or recycled. But there are still a few components where plastic is the only option available or the alternative costs more than a business this size can carry. It's the goal behind every packaging decision I make, and it gets better with every batch.
Can you recommend something for my skin?
Happily. Email me and tell me what your skin is doing and what you've tried. I'd genuinely rather answer a long question than have you buy something that isn't right for you.
Do you do wholesale?
Still small, but always happy to have the conversation. Get in touch.
Still have a question?
Email lotuswellnessessentials@gmail.com — I'll come back to you within two business days.