Frequently Asked Questions
What are natural carrier oils?
Natural carrier oils are plant-based oils that can be used on their own or combined with other ingredients like essential oils, butters, etc. They “carry” the benefits of other ingredients into the skin and hair. Common carrier oils include Sweet Almond, Jojoba, Argan, Marula, Baobab, Kalahari Melon and more.
Are carrier oils better than regular moisturisers?
Carrier oils are very concentrated sources of nourishing fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins that deeply condition skin and hair. Many people prefer the light, fast-absorbing feel of oils over heavy creams and lotions.
How long do carrier oils last?
When stored properly away from heat and light, most cold-pressed carrier oils will retain their potency for two to three (2-3) years before going rancid. Check expiry dates and trust your nose – if an oil smells off, it’s time to replace it.
How do I use carrier oils?
You can use carrier oils straight out of the bottle as a body/face moisturiser, hair treatment, massage oil, bath oil and more. You can also get creative and blend them with essential oils, butters, clays, etc. Start with just a few drops and build up as needed.
What sizes are available?
Our natural carrier oils start at 30ml and include 100ml, 250ml, 500ml, 1 litre and 5 litres. The smaller sizes are great for travel or trying out new oils, while the larger sizes offer more economical value. We have a Big Five African Oils box set that includes these five oils—Mongongo, Baobab, Marula, Kalahari Melon and Ximenia in 30 ml (2oz) bottles. We also sell bulk oils from 5 kgs upwards. A drum will take between 180kg and 200 kg of oil.
How much oil do I need?
Most people need 5-10 drops of facial oil per application, while hair treatments may require 1/4 – 1/2 cups of oil.
Do you offer samples?
Yes! We usually have 30 ml sample sizes available. However, we ask that you cover the transport or courier costs. We are not in the logistics game, and the cost of sending samples adds up to quite a chunk of the cost, especially for overseas clients.
Are your oils organic?
All our oils are sustainably and ethically sourced. Most are wild harvested as there are no forests or groves of planted trees. These trees and melons grow wild in specific climatic zones in the countryside. The seeds are dried in the sun and the oils are extracted using a cold press with no added chemicals or solvents. Most of our oils sold are conventional, meaning they do not come with an organic certificate. We sell organically certified oils at a higher price as the certification process is costly for African farmers. Less than 3% of African farmers (in total) subscribe to the organic certification process due to the cost involved. Afrika Botanicals is a member of SAOSA (South African Organic Sector Organisation – https://www.saoso.org/) and subscribes to their principles.
What’s the difference between refined and unrefined oils?
Unrefined or cold-pressed oils (Virgin) retain more of their natural scent, colour and nutrients as they are minimally processed. Refined oils (Extra Virgin) have these elements filtered out, resulting in a more neutral smell/colour but a slightly lower nutrient level. Heat is not applied to the process.
What is the difference between Conventional and Organic oils?
Most oils are conventional (not certified organic) as organic certification is costly for African farmers. Certified organic oils are available at a higher price.
What are your shipping costs?
Shipping is free on all domestic orders in South Africa over R1,400. Standard shipping rates apply for smaller orders. We ship locally using The Courier Guy, Pudo and PeP stores. We also offer expedited shipping at an additional cost.
International shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on total weight. For quantities below 25 kg, we use an international courier company based in Cape Town (www.tunl.to), which uses Tunl Economy, UPS and FedEx.
For bulk quantities exceeding 25kgs, we utilise various airfreight and sea freight companies throughout Southern Africa.
How quickly do you ship orders?
Smaller domestic orders ship within 1-2 business days. Larger quantities take longer as we order sufficient stock. International orders take between four to eight days. You will be advised on departure and expected arrival for each order.
How much stock do you keep on the premises?
We keep minimal stock because we promise to supply the freshest oil available. We usually keep smaller quantities, but all bulk stock is ordered to our premises, or we will ship directly from the farm/producer to your location – depending on the quickest and most cost-effective way. We order from other countries throughout Southern Africa and with some oils, there could be an additional waiting period of up to 10 days.
Do you offer bulk wholesale pricing?
Absolutely! We’re happy to provide bulk carrier oil pricing for product makers, spas, salons and other businesses. A bulk price list is available on request. Contact us with your requirements.
What are the methods of payment?
- Online payments can be made via our e-commerce platform, Paystack (www.paystack.com). Most credit cards are accepted.
- For extraordinary orders not included in the shop, including courier payments for samples, a payment link specific to your order will be sent. It uses the secure Paystack platform.
- EFT payments to our bank account supplied on invoices are the most convenient and cheapest way of transacting.
- PayPal is a payment option. It is the most expensive method of transacting, and we charge international clients an additional fee of $10 to cover the fees.