FAQ

WHERE ARE YOUR PRODUCTS MADE?

I am a one-woman show formulating and making all of Slow Potions in my home-based apothecary studio on our 1/2 acre in the mountains of Northern New Mexico.

 WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HERBAL OILS AND ESSENTIAL OILS?

This is very important, so listen up! Herbal Oils are NOT Essential Oils.

To explain this quite simply, Essential oils are extremely concentrated plant matter in liquid form. They are generally extracted using steam distillation (although this varies plant to plant) where the plant is heated inside the still and the essential oil rises with the steam and is then captured. After this process takes place, the plant material is generally discarded without utilizing any of its remaining medicinal compounds that create the synergistic + multifaceted medicinal offerings the plant is here to give. They are called essential oils because the essence of the plant (the potent scent (terpenes) and some of its strongest medicinal constituents) have been captured. They’re also called “Volatile Oils”, being that it is the volatile part of the plant - that which evaporates quickly - that has been extracted. If you rubbed an essential oil onto your skin, it would not leave it oily as an oil would or if you dropped it onto your clothing it would not leave an oil stain but would evaporate over time.

The Essential Oil market today is extremely oversaturated, and it can be difficult to make sense about what is true. What IS true is that Essential oils are EXTREMELY potent and should be used ONLY with prior mindful and cautious research. *More light is being shone on research indicating that essential oils causing disruptions of the microbiome and causing skin cell damage.

Sustainability factor
I would also like to note the massive amount of plant material it takes to extract even just 1 ml of its essence. For example, in Rose Otto Essential Oil, there are 40-60 blossoms in each drop. To me, this seems quite the opposite of sustainable, especially with the massive amount of network marketing companies that are pumping out bottles to consumers, claiming things that could potentially do more harm than good. This is why I have made the decision to eliminate essential oils from my formulations and instead continue whole plant infusions that offer an array of medicinal compounds along with fragrant and medicinal whole resins that will make SLOW potions smell like the earth they come from and transform your skin into a calm and balanced state.

Herbal Oils are made by taking whole plant material (fresh or dry), chopping up or grinding into a fine powder and steeping into a carrier oil anywhere from 2-6 weeks. There are many commonly used carrier oils, however SLOW has made the decision to stick with LOW PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) oils and butters such as jojoba oil, emu oil, olive oil, squalene, castor oil, sea buckthorn berry oil, coconut oil, tallow, cocoa butter, mango butter, ghee and shea butter. The plant material is then strained out, resulting in a medicinally infused oil that can be applied to one particular spot that needs attention, massaged all over for deeply soothing self-care or poured into a bath. When soaked into the skin, herbal body oil quickly drops the nervous system into a state of relaxation. They nourish the skin, calm the nervous system and even strengthen the immune system by keeping your lymph flowing. Herbal Body Oiling is an ancient technique, known as “Abhyanga” in Ayurvedic tradition to soothe the skin, calm the body and bring ritual into your everyday self-care routine. Herbal Body Oiling is a gentle and effective method to receive herbal medicine in a very nourishing and sensual way.

ARE YOUR PRODUCTS VEGAN?

No, they are not. I value the use of deeply nourishing saturated fats like tallow, ghee and emu oil in the majority of my products. I also utilize local and ethically harvested beeswax and propolis in a few formulations.

 MY WHIPPED BODY BUTTER AND/OR SUN WHIP MELTED, WHAT DO I DO?

Don’t fret! Cool it down a bit at room temp or in the fridge until it solidifies and then give it a little whip to return to original consistency. You may need to scoop it (or pour it) into a larger container so that mixing is easier before scooping it back into its original container. Or, just let it solidify. It won’t be the same whippy texture, but it will still be magic for your skin.

 I HAVE OILY SKIN, IS PUTTING OIL ON IT A GOOD IDEA?

It sure is! With the right kind of oil and/or butter, you can actually support the balancing of your overactive sebum production. I highly recommend Daily Glow Face Oil or Blue Lotus Acne Clearing Elixir for oily, acne-prone and inflamed skin. As for your body, all of our herbal body oils, butters and balms work beautifully at supporting balance.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to reach out via email (info@slowbotanical.com) and I will happily answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

 

SHIPPING

DO YOU OFFER FREE SHIPPING?

I occasionally offer free shipping, but not all the time. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to be in the know about Free Shipping opportunities!

 WHEN CAN I EXPECT MY ORDER TO SHIP?

I am a one-woman show making very small batches, some of which are made-to-order. Please allow anywhere from 3-7 days for processing and packaging your order with care.

USPS First Class 2-5 days transit time
USPS Priority 1-3 days transit time
UPS Ground 1-5 days transit time

WHAT HAPPENS IF A PRODUCT BREAKS WHILE SHIPPING?

I currently do not offer additional insurance for your package. However, if something breaks due to my packaging, please email me immediately with a photograph so that we can make things right.

 MY ORDER SAYS IT WAS DELIVERED, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED IT. WHAT DO I DO?

We are not responsible for packages that are stolen or lost once they have been scanned by USPS. If a package has been marked "Delivered" but has not been received by the recipient, it generally shows up 3-4 days later. If this does not occur and it has been stolen or lost by USPS, please email us at info@slowbotanical.com and we will give the necessary information for you to file a claim with USPS. However, we cannot refund products or shipping.