Frequently Asked Questions
General
What makes your products special?
Oat & Thistle is a handcrafted bath, body, and home fragrance brand based in Kintyre, Argyll, Scotland. We focus on sustainable, natural, and botanical ingredients, with no palm oil, synthetic fragrances, or unnecessary packaging. Everything is handmade in small batches with high-quality essential oils and eco-friendly materials.
What do you mean by 'natural'?
At Oat & Thistle, natural means that all of our soaps, candles, and skincare products are made entirely — or almost entirely — with natural ingredients, essential oils, and botanicals. We never use synthetic fragrances, artificial colours, or harsh chemicals.
It’s important to know that natural isn’t a legally protected or regulated term, so be mindful when shopping. Brands using bright colours, glittery finishes (like mica powders), or sweet fruity scents are often using synthetic ingredients — many of which can be irritating to the skin or harmful to the environment.
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Are your products vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes, everything we make is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. We never test on animals, and we ensure that our ingredients are ethically sourced from trusted brands and as local as possible, while keeping prices low.
Do your products contain palm oil?
No — all of our products are completely palm oil-free. We’re committed to sustainable sourcing, carefully choosing ingredients that are both high quality and environmentally responsible.
Soaps & Skincare
How long does a bar of your soap last?
A 125g bar of our palm oil-free soap typically lasts around 4 to 6 weeks with daily use. This depends on how often you use it, how many people are sharing it, and how you store it.
To help your soap last longer, make sure to keep it dry between uses — a well-draining soap dish works best.
Do your soaps work for sensitive skin?
Yes, our soaps are made with gentle, nourishing ingredients. If you have very sensitive skin, we recommend trying our Nude soap, which is completely unscented and uncolored.
Do your soaps lather well?
Yes! All without synthetic foaming agents — our cold-process soaps create a rich, creamy lather due to the blend of natural oils and butters.
Can your soaps be used on the face?
Yes technically, but it depends on your skin type. Our Nude and Flora bars are particularly gentle and suitable for facial use, but if you have very sensitive skin, always do a patch test first.
Haircare
Are your shampoo and conditioner bars fully natural?
Our bars are made with naturally derived, plant-based ingredients and never contain synthetic fragrances, artificial colours, or silicones. While some of our gentle surfactants undergo safe, eco-friendly processing, they’re chosen for their mildness and biodegradability — making them a perfect fit for natural haircare.
We consciously avoid palm oil and palm-derived ingredients across our range. We carefully source alternatives for every component, including our emulsifiers and surfactants, to align with our environmental values.
Do they lather like regular liquid haircare?
They do! Our shampoo bars create a rich, creamy lather thanks to coconut-derived cleansers, while the conditioner bars glide smoothly over the hair and leave it soft, silky, and manageable — all without any plastic bottles or waste.
What hair types are they suitable for?
Our bars are designed to suit most hair types, especially normal to dry or sensitive scalps. They’re free from sulphates and harsh detergents, making them gentle enough for regular use. If you have specific hair needs, feel free to reach out for personalised advice.
Our bars are gentle enough for coloured, chemically-treated, or sensitive scalps but always do a patch test if you’re unsure.
Do I need to use an acid rinse?
No, unlike 'soap-based' haircare on the market (which is too high a pH for your scalp) — our bars are pH-balanced with gentle surfactants and don’t require a vinegar rinse. They cleanse effectively without disrupting your scalp’s natural balance.
Subscription Boxes & Gifting
How do the subscription boxes work?
Our Seasonal Apothecary boxes are released quarterly and contain a curated selection of our products, often at a special discounted price. Subscribers also get exclusive first access to new product releases!
Is the subscription flexible? Can I skip or cancel?
Yes you can cancel, pause and resume your subscription at any time. If you would like to upgrade or downgrade your subscription box to the other type you will need to cancel your existing subscription and purchase the new one that you want.
What’s the value of the products in the subscription box compared to buying individually?
Each box is priced below retail value—typically offering 15%+ savings compared to purchasing the items separately.
Do you offer gift wrapping or gift notes?
Yes! We can add wrapping and handwritten notes or cards to any order — see our Gifting page to find out more
Ordering, Shipping & Returns
Where do you ship to?
We currently ship across the UK. For international shipping, please contact us to check availability and rates.
How long does shipping take?
Orders are typically processed within 2-3 business days, with UK 2nd class shipping taking approximately 2-3 days. This means you can expect your order to arrive within 4-6 business days from the date of purchase.
What is your return/exchange policy?
Due to the nature of our products, we cannot accept returns on used items. However, if there’s an issue with your order, please contact us within 14 days so we can help!
What should I do if my order arrives damaged?
We do our best to package everything carefully, but if your order arrives damaged or lost, please email us with photos at hey@oatnthistle.com, and we’ll sort it out as quickly as possible!