General FAQ
Do you take orders over the phone or by email?
All orders must be placed through the website, we cannot process phone or email orders. If you have trouble placing an order please contact us for assistance.
Do you have a shop?
In order to pass on the saving to you, our customers, we elected not to open up a physical shop at this time. However, occasionally, we do have booths set up in local markets or pop-up stores to showcase out products.
I am a content creator/an influencer, how can I contact you?
You may contact us through email at pr@frenchbergamot.com and put "PR" in the subject line. We will get back to you as soon as we can!
What is the shelf life of your products?
To ensure that your French Bergamot products are used during their time of optimal freshness, we recommend storing them in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight and using them within 12 months of their purchase date. Essential oils, however, have a longer shelf life (2-15 years).
DIY Cosmetic FAQ
How much additional ingredients can you put into the Moisturizing Face Cream?
Add up to a maximum of around 5% of added ingredients combined (3% actives + 2% fragrance, for example) to make sure the emulsion stays stable! Refer to each product page for specific information on proper dosage and mixing of products!
Why does my product have a different color or smell than the last time I purchased it?
Just like fruit or good wine, natural cosmetic ingredients can slightly vary in color and smell depending on the year, the climate, etc.
As long as they don't smell rancid (oils), have mold (products containing water) or have an unpleasant smell, they should be good! You can always contact our customer care department should you have any questions about your product.
How long do my essential oils last?
Essential oils technically don't expire but they may lose some of their benefits over time. Typically, essential oils will last anywhere from 2 to 15 years. The most fragile essential oils are citrus ones (2 years) while sandalwood, vetiver and patchouli can last up to 15 years (and often get better with time!). To extend the shelf life of your essential oils, make sure to store them properly and avoid leaving the cap open for too long. Storing essential oils in the fridge is usually a good idea.
How much essential oil can I add to a product?
As a general rule, you can add up to 2% essential oils in a base, so about 21 drops in a 30 mL product, 35 drops in a 50 mL product, 70 drops in a 100 mL product, 140 drops in a 200 mL product. You can refer to each product page for more specific information or contact us.
Can I modify an ingredient in a recipe?
As a general rule, you can replace a "like for like" ingredient: an essential oil for an essential oil, a botanical oil for a botanical oil, etc. but it may change the smell and the texture of your final product.
It can also affect the PH, the stability and the shelf life of the product. We test the PH of our recipes before posting so we cannot garantee the shelf life in case of a modification.
Actives are much more complex and we don't recommend changing them as certain actives do not work with certain ingredients.
I am just starting out. What material and accessories do I need?
As a minimum, you will need:
• a bowl (to mix your ingredients together)
• a mini whisk
• a set of 5 mini measuring spoons
Can your natural fragrances be used for cold process soap?
Yes, our natural fragrances can be used for CP soap! Add about 2 to 4% at trace. Some of them contain vanillin. Refer to each fragrance page for the exact amount. As with some natural fragrances, ricing and acceleration can happen. We suggest you do a batch test as we cannot guarantee that it won't accelerate trace.
Can I use several actives together?
It is possible to use more than one active in a product but make sure they are compatible by referring to their individual pages. Overall, we suggest using a maximum of 5% of added ingredients (including actives, essential oils and fragrances).
Can I use your products if I am pregnant?
Our neutral bases are perfectly safe for pregnant and nursing women!
Can I use your essential oils while I am pregnant?
It is important to know that essential oils are generally not recommended during pregnancy or while nursing. We strongly advise you to speak with a physician regarding the use of essential oils during pregnancy or when nursing.
Can I use your botanical oils during pregnancy?
Yes, our botanical oils are safe to use while pregnant or nursing!
Can I use your natural fragrances while pregnant?
All of our natural fragrances are safe to use while you are pregnant or nursing, as long as you respect their recommended dosage.
Can I safely use your actives during pregnancy?
Hyaluronic acid, chia seed extract and cucumber extract are perfectly safe to use during pregnancy and while nursing!
Although there are no known risks to use our other actives during pregnancy, we also believe not enough research has been done on the use of AHA, bamboo extract and calendula extract during pregnancy or while nursing. We always recommend to err on the side of caution and avoid using them during those times. It is always a good idea to speak with your health care provider about their use.
Shipping and Handling FAQ
US tariffs
The United States government has recently imposed tariffs on many of its imports. As French Bergamot is a Canadian small business and most products are shipped from our Canadian warehouse, shipments destined for the US may be subjected to such tax and possible delays. Customers are solely responsible for such tariffs should they be accessed by the CBP.
Do you take orders over the phone or by email?
All orders must be placed through the website, we cannot process phone or email orders. If you have trouble placing an order please contact us for assistance.
What are your delivery costs?
French Bergamot provides free shipping on all orders over CAD$65 (or US$55 within Canada or to the US (including its territories). Please view our detailed shipping policy here.
Do you ship outside of Canada and the US?
Unfortunately at this time we do not offer international shipping but do hope we are able to do so in the future!
When will my order be shipped?
Our goal is to ship your order by the end of the business day if your order is submitted prior to 2pm Eastern Time. However, due to restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 outbreak, there may be delays in processing and shipping your order. Couriers are also experiencing reduced capacity and increased demand and so shipping times may take longer than normal. We ask for your patience during these challenging times.
Can I pick up my order?
Unfortunately, at this time, we do not provide local pick up. However, we do provide free shipping on all orders over $65 (or US$50) within Canada or to the US.
Site Security
How secure is your website?
When you submit a form on this website such as an enquiry or a simple site search via our website, a secure server is used.
We use industry standard data encryption for transmission of any personal information including credit card details you provide online. Known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol, you can check this is active by looking for the padlock symbol on many browsers. SSL allows a secure connection between your web browser and our web server, using a private (or secret) key to encrypt the information.
Is it safe to pay through your website
We use a PCI Compliant third party payment gateway SHOPIFY PAYMENTS to process credit card and transactions online. We do not collect or store your credit card or bank details online otherwise. All credit card transactions are processed online in real time and protected by industry security standards.
Click here to review the Shopify privacy and security policy.