Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome! Try our Start page first to see if one of the Collections best describes you. If you’re still unsure, the very best place to start is our Essentials Collection, which is an excellent choice for all skin types and ages.

Use our Skin Care Guide for detailed information. Each product has a number on it, indicating the order of application. Here’s a summary:

1. Cleanser

2. Mask (2 - 3 times/week)

3. Toner

4. Eye & Neck Treatments

5. Serum

6. Moisturizer

Then apply your favorite sunscreen, whether it’s blended into your makeup or standalone.

For best results, we recommend having at least 1 product for each step. But if you don’t, simply apply the next one available.

It’s not uncommon for customers to buy a few different products for the same Step. For example, customers often alternate between 2 different serums (Step 5) as well as Masks (Step 2) and Moisturizers (Step 6). This is not required for excellent results, but it’s nice for your skin to be exposed to different high-quality natural ingredients.

A lot! Read our article, “Over-the-Counter vs. Professional-Grade Products: What’s the Difference?”

Excerpt: “You may find two products—one from the beauty section of your favorite department store and one from a professional line of products (such as Skintessence) with the same active ingredients. The one from the store may come in a fancy bottle and boast about the wonderful contents. The costs of the products may vary greatly. So what's the difference?” (Read on)

Our natural, innovative ingredients comprise the highest quality and efficacy of skin care products. Each product page lists the ingredients. Learn more about the differences between over-the-counter products vs. professional-grade products from Skintessence.

Absolutely not.

All Skintessence products are unique, proprietary formulations from founder Marcia Ney. They are professional-grade, organic, and made in small batches with great care and purpose in a quality-controlled skin care product facility in California, USA. We use only the highest quality ingredients and never rely on preservatives or fillers.

Your satisfaction is important to us. Because our customer retention rate is so high, we’re confident that new customers will be satisfied with our products.

However, skin care results are highly subjective and dependent on variables such as choosing the correct products for skin types or challenges, correct usage, consistent application, mixing with non-Skintessence products, and so forth. For these reasons, we do not offer a “guarantee.”

If you are dissatisfied with your products after the recommended usage, please see our Return policy in this FAQ.

We recommend that you apply sunscreen as blended into your makeup (foundation, concealer, BB, CC, or other products) or standalone.

We recommend an SPF between 30 and 50.

At this time, we do not offer a sunscreen product.

We sell small-batch, professional-grade products that are meant to be used. With recommended application amounts (eg.”pea-sized”) and consistent morning and night usage, most products should stretch for 1 - 2 months, which is the industry standard.

Shelf life: For best results, please use your products within 6 months of purchase.

Of course! That said, our products are higher quality than most well-known mass-produced, over-the-counter brands. Skintessence products are formulated to work best together.

When you mix brands, it can also be harder to tell which product is making the most difference (whether positive or negative).

In our unique experience, we’ve seen many brands with great marketing but sub-par products.

With our focus on small-batch, pure blended botanicals, we recommend trying new products within the Skintessence brand. Most of our long-term customers love to alternate between a few different serums and moisturizers, for example.

No; Skintessence products are proprietary formulations. Our founder has personally developed every product and ensured that the very best small-batch botanical blends are used.

We are distressed by the amount of “white-label” brands using pre-made, mass-produced, far less effective formulations; we see this a lot on Amazon. Just because an ingredient is listed on a product label doesn’t mean it’s a good quality or quantity. Please choose wisely! Learn more

The United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Canada.

The United States Postal Service.

We offer standard/ground shipping for free with orders over $50; allows 2 - 3 days for processing plus 3 - 7 days for shipping. We also offer expedited Priority Mail/Priority Mail Express options.

We charge flat rates for our shipping. Orders under $50 are charged a $5 flat rate. All orders over $50 come with free shipping.

Yes, we are able to track our shipments.

Please allows 2 - 3 days for processing, plus 3 - 7 days for shipping. Please also factor in national shipping issues such as inclement weather or other disasters beyond our control. If you don’t receive your order, within 14 days, please contact us.

No, as long as you used the same email address. In other words, if you subscribe twice with the same email address, the system knows to not add you again.

If, however, you subscribe again with a different email address, you will get our emails in that Inbox as well. If you don’t want our emails in both of your Inboxes, simply click Unsubscribe on the bottom of any marketing email from us.

We hate getting bombarded with daily emails from businesses just as much as you probably do. We keep it simple—you’ll get an email from us once a week. We strive to include helpful information, tips and perspective, along with various offers.

Of course! Please note that the 20% off code is only available one time.

If you stay subscribed, we provide more exclusive offers throughout the year.

Creating a Customer Account is optional but recommended at checkout so that you can log in easier the next time you purchase, see past orders, etc.

Your Customer Accout is technically different than our mailing list. Most customers are on both. Emails are not duplicated.

We’re unable to change your password for you, but after clicking the Log In link on our home page, you can click “Forgot password?” to send yourself a password reset email. The link expires after 24 hours.

Unfortunately, it isn't possible for us to change the email address associated with your account at this time. You can create a new account using your updated email address.

Not at this time. We greatly appreciate your referrals, and it’s possible we may develop these types of systems in the future.