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Frequently Asked Questions
We want your Botaneca experience to be as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Below you'll find answers to our most frequently asked questions about our products, ordering, shipping, returns, and more. If you can't find what you're looking for, we'd love to hear from you — reach out to us at hello@botaneca.com or by phone at 647-905-9775 during our regular business hours and we'll be happy to help.
General Safety
- Keep products out of your eyes and other sensitive areas.
- If irritation occurs, discontinue use and seek medical attention if irritation continues.
- Read ingredients carefully if you have allergies or sensitive skin.
- Although some of our products may smell delicious, please DO NOT EAT them.
- Unless the product is specifically formulated for children and pets, please keep products out of the reach of small children and pets.
- If using our products on your children, please supervise your children while the product is in use.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have other health conditions, please consult with your medical practitioner prior to using our products.
Our Products
Botaneca products are formulated using ingredients that are carefully selected for safety, efficacy, and ethical sourcing. We do not position ourselves as a "natural" brand. The word has no regulated definition in cosmetics and we think that matters. What we can tell you is that every ingredient is chosen deliberately: some are plant-derived, some are lab-made, and all are assessed for safety and performance. Where a product contains water, we use preservatives at safe, established levels to prevent spoilage and protect your health. Every ingredient is listed on individual product pages and product packaging so you always know exactly what you're using.
The shelf life of our products varies depending on the formulation. Products that contain water are formulated with preservatives at safe levels to prevent spoilage and ensure your safety. All of our product packaging includes a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol — the small open jar icon with a number followed by the letter "M" — which indicates how many months the product is safe to use after opening. We recommend storing your products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maximize their shelf life.
None of our products are tested on animals — but they are tested on willing humans! Please refer to individual product pages for cruelty-free labelling and specific details.
We are a small independent brand that makes deliberate choices about how we source and package our products. We prioritize fair trade and ethically sourced ingredients, avoid palm oil where possible, and select packaging with care. We do not claim to be a certified eco-friendly or sustainable brand, but we are committed to making responsible decisions at every step and being transparent about where we are in that journey. Please refer to individual product pages for specific packaging details.
Some of our products are vegan. Please refer to individual product pages for vegan labelling and ingredient information.
Many of our products are formulated to be suitable for a wide range of skin types, including dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin. Individual product descriptions include guidance on which skin types each product is best suited for, and some products are specifically formulated with sensitive skin in mind.
If you have sensitive skin, skin conditions, or specific skin concerns, we recommend reading the full ingredient list before purchasing and patch testing any new product before full use. If you are unsure whether a product is right for you, feel free to reach out to us at hello@botaneca.com and we will be happy to help.
Some of our products are safe for use during pregnancy while others are not recommended. We always advise consulting with your healthcare provider before introducing any new skincare or bodycare products during pregnancy. Please refer to individual product pages for more information.
Please refer to the product ingredient list to see if you are allergic to any of the ingredients used. If you are allergic to an ingredient on the list, do not purchase or use the product. Some of our ingredients may may come into contact with nuts, seeds, wheat, and other common allergens. Should you or your loved ones develop a rash, irritation, or other symptoms after using one of our products, discontinue use immediately and seek the opinion of a qualified medical professional.
Some of our products are scented using fragrance oils, essential oils, or a combination of both. Unscented options are available in select product lines and are clearly labelled. If you have sensitivities to fragrance or specific essential oils, please review the full ingredient list on the individual product page before purchasing. If you have questions about a specific product, contact us at hello@botaneca.com.
Our products are not formulated for use on animals. Unless we specifically indicate that a product is safe for animal use, please do not use our products on your pets.
Cold process soap lasts longer if kept out of water and allowed to dry between uses. After using your soap, place it on a drainable soap dish away from the direct shower stream to air dry. To make your soap last longer, you may also choose to cut it in half or into smaller pieces, or use a washcloth, sponge, or loofah instead of your hands.
You may notice a white powdery film or fine crystals on the surface of your cold process soap. This is called soda ash, and it is a completely natural occurrence in handcrafted soap making. It forms when unsaponified soap reacts with air during the curing process. Soda ash is harmless, does not affect the quality or performance of your soap, and will rinse away with the first use. Light surface crystals can also occasionally appear and are equally harmless. Both are simply signs that your soap was made by hand, the traditional way.
Because our products are handcrafted in small batches, there may be natural variation in colour, texture, weight, fragrance, and appearance from batch to batch. This is completely normal and does not affect the quality or performance of the product. We endeavour to maintain as much consistency as reasonably possible.
Orders + Payment
Ordering is easy, convenient, and secure! Simply select your favourite items, add them to your shopping cart, and click "Check Out". Follow the checkout instructions and fill in all required shipping, billing, and payment information. Finally, confirm your order. A copy of the order confirmation will be sent to the email address you provide. If we have any questions about your order, we will contact you via email.
We accept all major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Shop Pay. At this time, we are not accepting cheques or money orders. Please note that we will not ship your order until payment has been received.
Yes! We offer Afterpay, which allows you to split your purchase into four interest-free installments. Afterpay is available at checkout for qualifying orders. Please refer to Afterpay's terms and conditions for eligibility requirements and full details.
Payment is processed upon submitting your online order, up to 24 hours after submitting your order. Processing times may vary depending on your payment method and financial institution.
All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). You may also select to view prices in one of the available currencies by changing the website currency using the drop-down menu. Please note that Botaneca processes all orders in CAD. While the content of your cart may be displayed in your selected currency, you will checkout using CAD at the most current exchange rate.
Botaneca is currently not registered for GST/HST and therefore does not charge sales tax at this time. This will be updated should our registration status change in the future.
Yes! We periodically offer discount codes and promotions exclusively to our email subscribers and social media followers. To make sure you never miss out, subscribe to our emails at the bottom of our website and follow us on social media.
Only one discount code can be applied per order. If you have multiple codes, we recommend using the one with the greatest value. Discount codes cannot be combined with other promotions unless otherwise stated.
We do not currently offer gift wrapping or gift messaging. However, we do offer a selection of beautifully curated gift sets and bundles that are ready to gift. We also offer e-gift cards if you'd like to let someone choose their own products.
If you find an error on your order confirmation, please notify us immediately by replying to your order confirmation email. We usually begin processing orders as soon as we receive them, so it may already be too late to make changes. However, we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Once an order has been submitted it can no longer be changed or cancelled from your online account. Please contact us immediately at hello@botaneca.com if you require any changes. Please be aware that changes or cancellations may be subject to additional charges, and that once an order has begun processing or has shipped, it is no longer editable.
After placing your online order, you will receive an order confirmation email as well as an email containing your receipt or invoice. You may also log into your account at any time to view your order history and print records for your files.
Shipping
Yes! We offer free shipping on all qualifying Canadian orders with a subtotal over $100 CAD before taxes and shipping charges are applied. Free shipping will automatically apply at checkout for qualifying orders. Please note that this offer cannot be combined with other coupons, discounts, gift certificates, or promotions, and applies only to regular online purchases and standard shipping. Orders from outside Canada do not qualify. We reserve the right to revoke this promotion at any time. For full details please review our Shipping Policy.
Shipping rates vary depending on the weight of your parcel and your shipping destination. Use the shipping estimator in your cart to get an estimate. Shipping will be automatically calculated prior to submitting your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to checkout where you will be offered shipping method choices and their associated costs.
Orders received Monday through Friday are processed within one to three business days. Orders are not processed on weekends or holidays. Orders received during the weekend or on a holiday are processed by 4PM on the third business day following the weekend or holiday. Estimated delivery times are 3 to 10 business days within Canada.
Your items will be shipped via one of our courier partners. Your parcel will come with a tracking number which will be emailed to you. We are not liable for any delays that arise with the courier company, including but not limited to delivery errors, delays, weather, terrorism, or acts of nature such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or snowstorms.
Express and expedited shipping options may be available depending on your location and the carrier. Available shipping methods and their associated costs will be displayed at checkout. We strongly recommend selecting express shipping for heat-sensitive products such as lip balms and balms if you are ordering between May 1 and September 30.
Due to high temperatures during the summer months, we cannot guarantee the condition of heat-sensitive products such as lip balms, balms, and salves when shipped by standard ground shipping between May 1 and September 30. If you are ordering these items during this period, we recommend upgrading to express shipping to ensure your order arrives quickly and in good condition.
Shipping to the USA is currently on hold due to changes in US customs regulations. We do not currently ship internationally. Please check our shipping policy page or follow us on social media for updates.
Botaneca is not responsible for any duties, taxes, or brokerage fees associated with your shipment. If you are ordering from outside Canada, customs charges and taxes may apply depending on your country's import regulations. Please contact your local customs authority for information on any additional fees that may be charged before placing your order.
Yes! We offer free local delivery within 5 km of Bradford, ON. We also offer local pickup in Bradford by appointment. Please select your preferred option at checkout and contact us at hello@botaneca.com to coordinate a date, time, and location. Please note that any costs associated with picking up your order, such as fuel or transit costs, are the responsibility of the customer.
Log into your Botaneca account to check your order status. If the status says "Unfulfilled", your order has not yet been shipped. When your order ships, you will receive an email notification and your order status will be updated to "Fulfilled".
Log into your Botaneca account to track your order. When your order has shipped, you will receive an email with a tracking number that you can use to track your parcel through the courier's website.
If your order is lost in transit, please first check your tracking information to confirm the current status of your shipment. If your order shows as in transit but has not moved or arrived within a reasonable timeframe, please contact us at hello@botaneca.com with your order number and we will do our best to assist you. Please note that once an order has been handed to the courier, Botaneca is not liable for delays or losses caused by the carrier. If your order arrives damaged, please refer to the question below.
Log into your Botaneca account to check the status of your order and confirm that all items have shipped. Once you have your tracking number, check with the courier to confirm delivery status. If your order shows as delivered but you have not received it, please contact us at hello@botaneca.com for assistance.
Log into your Botaneca account to verify that all items in your order have shipped. If an item is still missing, please contact us at hello@botaneca.com for assistance.
If you believe you have received the wrong product, please contact us within 72 hours of receiving your order at hello@botaneca.com.
Returns + Refunds
Unopened and unused items in their original packaging may be returned for store credit within 14 days of receipt. The following items are final sale and cannot be returned: sale items, seasonal items, opened or used products, items returned after 14 days, free gifts or promotional items, and gift cards. Items purchased at an in-person market are also final sale. Please visit our full Refund Policy for complete details.
Return requests must be submitted within 14 days of delivery. You can submit your request directly through your Botaneca account - simply log in, navigate to your order, and follow the steps. If you do not have an account, you can also email us at hello@botaneca.com.
Include your order number and the item(s) you would like to return and we will provide you with return instructions.
Once we receive and inspect the returned item(s), we will process your store credit within two weeks. Products that are lost or damaged during return shipping will not be credited. Shipping fees and any customs, brokerage, and import fees are non-refundable.
Please note that all purchases made at in-person markets and pop-up events are final sale and are not eligible for return or exchange.
We only offer exchanges in cases where an item arrives damaged or the wrong item was sent. If either of these situations applies to you, please contact us within 72 hours of receiving your order at hello@botaneca.com with your order number and a photo of the item. We will arrange a replacement or exchange at no additional cost to you. If a product
simply isn't working out for you, we offer store credit for unopened and unused items returned within 14 days of receipt. Please see our return policy for full details.
Please report any damages within 5 days of delivery by emailing hello@botaneca.com with your order number and a photo of the damaged item. Please hold onto all original packaging and goods for 14 days as we may request that you send the damaged items back to us at our expense. In the case of damaged or incorrectly sent items, we will offer a full refund to your original payment method or a replacement.
Store credits are processed within two weeks of receiving your returned item(s). If a refund to your original payment method has been approved, please allow additional processing time depending on your credit card or financial institution's policies.
Loyalty + Rewards
We are currently working on an exciting loyalty rewards program that will allow you to earn points on your purchases and enjoy exclusive perks. Stay tuned for updates by subscribing to our emails or following us on social media!
A referral program is also in the works! We can't wait to reward you for sharing Botaneca with your friends and family. Stay tuned for updates by subscribing to our emails or following us on social media!
Website + Account
If you are having trouble viewing our site or it is taking too long to load, this may be due to your internet service provider or web browser. Try clearing your browser cache or switching to a different browser. If you continue to experience issues, please contact us at hello@botaneca.com.
Yes. This website uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption to protect your personal and payment information during transmission. You can confirm the connection is secure by looking for the padlock icon in your browser's address bar. For more information on how we collect and protect your data, please review our Privacy Policy.
We value your privacy. Please view our Privacy Policy for complete details on how we collect, use, and protect your information.
Press + Media
All press inquiries should be directed to hello@botaneca.com.
About Botaneca
All Botaneca products are proudly handcrafted in small batches in Bradford, Ontario, Canada.
We love meeting our customers face to face! Throughout the year you'll find us at local pop-up markets and events in and around Bradford, Ontario. Visit our Find Us in Person page for our full market calendar, including upcoming dates, times, and locations.
Can't make it to a market? You can always shop our full collection anytime at botaneca.com.
We are not currently carried in retail stores or available through wholesale partners, but this is something we are actively working towards. If you are a retailer interested in carrying Botaneca products, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at hello@botaneca.com with details about your store and we will be in touch.
We do not currently offer custom or personalized orders. Stay tuned for updates by subscribing to our emails or following us on social media!
We release new products seasonally, so there is always something fresh and exciting to look forward to! Subscribe to our emails or follow us on social media to be the first to know about new product launches.
Contact Us
Before reaching out, we encourage you to review our FAQ page as it covers answers to our most common questions. If you still need assistance, you can contact us by email at hello@botaneca.com or by phone at 647-905-9775 during business hours. Most emails are answered within one business day. Please note that weekend responses may be delayed.
Our hours of operation are:
- Monday to Friday : 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST
- Saturday + Sunday: Closed
- Holidays: Closed on all provincial and federal holidays
You can read customer product reviews directly on our individual product pages.