FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? You’re probably not the only one. 🤍
We’ve gathered some of the things customers ask us most about Cadia products, ingredients, scents, shipping, and everything in between.
🌿 ABOUT CADIA
What makes Cadia products different?
We make skincare with ingredients we genuinely love using ourselves.
Our formulas combine thoughtfully selected oils, butters, tallow, botanical ingredients, and modern skincare ingredients to create products that feel as good as they work into your everyday routine.
We’re especially picky about texture. Rich doesn’t have to mean greasy, natural doesn’t have to mean basic, and skincare doesn’t need to be complicated.
Are Cadia products handmade?
Yes. Our products are made in small batches with close attention to texture, consistency, and quality.
Small-batch production also means you may occasionally notice subtle differences in color, scent, or appearance from one batch to another.
That’s normal.
Are all Cadia products made with tallow?
No.
Tallow is an ingredient we love and use in several products, but Cadia isn’t just a tallow skincare company.
Different products call for different ingredients, so we choose each formula based on the texture, feel, and purpose we want from the finished product.
Why do you use tallow?
Tallow is a rich emollient that works beautifully in skincare, especially when paired with other oils, butters, and lightweight ingredients.
Rather than relying on tallow alone, we like using it as part of a balanced formula.
Do your products smell like beef?
Nope. 🐄
Properly rendered tallow should not make your finished skincare smell like dinner.
Scented products should primarily smell like their intended fragrance, while unscented products may have a very subtle natural ingredient scent.
🧴 PRODUCTS + TEXTURES
What’s the difference between a cream, balm, and body butter?
They may sound similar, but they feel very different.
Creams contain water along with oils and butters. They tend to spread easily and feel more like a traditional moisturizer.
Balms are water-free and more concentrated. They’re great for targeted areas or when you want a richer protective layer.
Body butters are generally water-free blends focused heavily on oils and plant butters and can range from soft and whipped to dense and buttery.
Each has its place. There’s no rule saying you have to choose only one.
Why does a little go such a long way?
Many Cadia products are intentionally rich and concentrated.
Start small.
You can always add more, but using too much at once can leave even a beautiful formula feeling heavier than it needs to.
Can I use Cadia products on my face?
Some Cadia products are designed for both face and body, while others are better suited for specific areas.
Check the individual product page for recommended use.
If you’re trying something new on your face or have sensitive skin, start with a small amount and patch test first.
Can I use your products every day?
Products designed for daily skincare can be used as often as your skin needs them.
Some people use richer moisturizers once a day. Others reach for them every time their hands feel dry.
Your skin gets a vote. 😉
Which product should I choose for very dry skin?
Look for our richer creams and balms.
Creams are great when you want moisture that spreads easily over larger areas.
Balms are especially nice for concentrated dry spots like:
• Hands
• Elbows
• Knees
• Feet
• Cuticles
• Rough or extra-dry patches
And yes, you can absolutely use both.
🥑 INGREDIENTS
Why do you use so many different oils and butters?
Because they don’t all feel the same.
Shea butter doesn’t behave exactly like mango butter. Cupuaçu feels different from cocoa butter. Jojoba feels different from a heavier oil.
Combining ingredients lets us create a better overall texture instead of expecting one ingredient to do everything.
What is calendula-infused jojoba?
It’s jojoba that has been infused with calendula.
Jojoba gives skincare a beautiful lightweight, silky feel, while calendula has a long history of use in botanical skincare.
It’s one of those ingredients we keep coming back to.
What is squalane?
Squalane is a lightweight emollient that helps soften skin without adding a heavy or oily finish.
We love it in formulas where we want richness without making the product feel overly greasy.
Are your ingredients natural?
We use many naturally derived ingredients, but we don’t believe “natural” automatically means better or safer.
Our priority is creating formulas that are thoughtful, effective, stable, and safe to use.
That sometimes means combining traditional ingredients like tallow, botanical oils, and plant butters with modern cosmetic ingredients that help a product perform properly.
Why do some products contain preservatives?
If a product contains water, it needs an appropriate preservation system.
Water creates an environment where bacteria, yeast, and mold can grow.
Using a preservative isn’t something we try to hide. It’s part of making water-based skincare responsibly.
Are preservatives bad for your skin?
Not automatically.
Preservatives used at appropriate levels are an important part of safe cosmetic formulation.
We’d rather explain why an ingredient is there than pretend a water-based product doesn’t need one.
Where can I see the full ingredient list?
Every product page includes its ingredient information, and ingredients are also listed on the product packaging.
We want you to know what you’re putting on your skin.
🌸 SCENTS
Are all Cadia products scented?
No.
Some products may be available unscented, while others are intentionally fragranced.
Check the individual product page before ordering if fragrance is important to you.
How strong are your fragrances?
We want our scented skincare to smell beautiful without feeling like you poured perfume over yourself.
Fragrance perception is extremely personal, though. One person’s “light” can be another person’s “strong.”
Will the scent smell exactly the same on my skin?
Not necessarily.
Fragrance can smell slightly different depending on the product base, temperature, and your own skin.
That’s part of the fun.
What if I’m sensitive to fragrance?
Choose an unscented option when available and always check the ingredient list before purchasing.
“Unscented” also doesn’t necessarily mean completely odorless. Natural oils, butters, waxes, and other raw ingredients can have their own subtle aroma.
☀️ HEAT + STORAGE
My product arrived warm. Is it ruined?
Usually, no.
Skincare can spend hours inside hot delivery trucks, mailboxes, and porches during warmer months.
Products containing natural oils, tallow, butters, and waxes may soften when they get hot.
Bring the product indoors and allow it to return to room temperature before deciding whether anything is wrong.
What if my balm melts?
Don’t panic. ☀️
Balms and other water-free products can soften or melt in high temperatures.
Place the container upright in a cool location and allow it to firm back up.
The texture may look slightly different afterward, but melting alone doesn’t necessarily mean the product is unusable.
Should I refrigerate my skincare?
Generally, no.
A cool, dry indoor location away from direct sunlight is usually best unless the product instructions specifically say otherwise.
Why does my product look slightly different from my last one?
We work with ingredients that naturally vary.
Small differences in color, firmness, scent, or texture can happen from batch to batch.
We aim for consistency, but handmade skincare isn’t meant to look like it came off an industrial assembly line.
🫧 USING YOUR PRODUCTS
How much product should I use?
Start with less than you think you need.
Seriously. 😄
Many of our formulas spread farther than expected.
Apply a small amount, let it work into the skin, and add more until your skin feels comfortable.
When should I apply moisturizer?
Whenever your skin needs it.
Applying moisturizer after bathing or washing your hands can be especially helpful because the skin is still slightly hydrated.
Can I layer Cadia products?
Absolutely.
For example, you might use a cream for everyday moisture and add a balm over especially dry areas when you want something richer.
Skincare doesn’t have to be an elaborate twelve-step routine.
Can the same product be used on hands and body?
Many can.
Always check the individual product directions, but several Cadia products are intentionally made to be versatile.
🌱 SENSITIVE SKIN + ALLERGIES
Are Cadia products good for sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is incredibly individual.
A product one person loves may not work for someone else.
If your skin is sensitive or reactive, carefully review the ingredient list and patch test a small amount before using a product more broadly.
Are natural ingredients allergy-free?
No.
Natural ingredients can absolutely cause sensitivities or allergic reactions.
If you have a known allergy, please check the complete ingredient list before ordering.
What is a patch test?
Apply a small amount of product to a limited area of skin and watch the area before using the product more broadly.
If irritation occurs, discontinue use.
📦 ORDERS + SHIPPING
How quickly will my order ship?
Orders are usually prepared within [INSERT CADIA PROCESSING TIME] business days.
Because we’re a small-batch business, processing times may occasionally vary during busy periods.
You’ll receive shipping information once your order is on the way.
Where do you ship?
We currently ship to [INSERT SHIPPING AREA].
Available shipping options will appear during checkout.
Can I change my order after I place it?
Contact us as quickly as possible.
If we haven’t started preparing or shipping your order yet, we’ll do our best to help.
Once an order has shipped, changes may no longer be possible.
I entered the wrong shipping address. What should I do?
Message us immediately. 📬
If the package hasn’t shipped, we may be able to correct the address.
Once an order is in the carrier’s hands, we can’t guarantee that it can be redirected.
If an order is returned because an incorrect address was entered at checkout, additional shipping charges may apply to resend it.
My tracking says delivered, but I don’t have my package.
First, check around your delivery area and with anyone else in your household.
Carriers occasionally mark packages delivered shortly before they actually arrive.
If it still hasn’t appeared, contact the shipping carrier using your tracking number.
You can also reach out to us and we’ll help however we reasonably can.
What if my package arrives damaged?
Please take photos of:
• The damaged product
• The shipping box or mailer
• The shipping label
Then contact us with your order number.
We’ll review what happened and help determine the next step.
What if you sent me the wrong product?
Oops. That one’s on us. 🤦♀️
Send us your order number and a photo of what you received so we can get it sorted out.
↩️ RETURNS + REFUNDS
Can I return a skincare product?
Because skincare and personal-care products have hygiene and safety considerations, return options may be limited once products have left our hands.
Please see our Refund Policy for the complete details.
What if I just don’t like the scent?
Fragrance preference is very personal, so disliking a fragrance generally isn’t considered a product defect.
If you’re unsure which scent to choose, contact us before ordering and we’ll gladly help describe the fragrance.
Can I cancel an order?
If your order hasn’t been processed yet, contact us as soon as possible.
We’ll do our best to help, but once an order has been prepared or shipped, cancellation may no longer be possible.
For complete information, please review our Refund Policy.
🎁 GIFTS + SPECIAL REQUESTS
Can I send Cadia as a gift?
Absolutely. 🤍
Enter the recipient’s shipping address during checkout.
If gift options are available for a particular product or season, you’ll see them listed on the site.
Do you make custom products?
We love a good idea, but we aren’t able to create individual custom formulations for every request.
If you’re looking for a different scent, size, or product variation, feel free to reach out. Customer requests often help inspire future products.
Do you offer wholesale?
If you’re interested in carrying Cadia products in your shop or boutique, contact us with a little information about your business.
We’d love to hear from you.