Frequently Asked Questions
About Clil
What is Clil Botanicals?
Clil Botanicals makes oil-based skincare from wild-harvested and organic African seed oils, essential oils, raw gemstones and homoeopathic remedies. The range was created by Camilla Sherr and Michal Agami and is made in Tanzania.
Why oil and not cream?
Most creams are mainly water, which means they need preservatives and emulsifiers to stay stable. Our products contain no water, so they need neither. They are concentrated, and a few drops go a long way.
Can I use oil if my skin is oily?
Yes. Oil-based skincare suits all skin types, including oily skin. Our article on oil-based skincare for oily skin explains why.
Which product should I start with?
Start with the Skin Care Combo: Baobab Cleansing Oil with Lavender for the evening, Sweet Orange Beauty Drops for the morning, and Spot On Blemish Rescue for the occasional blemish. For mature skin, the Menopause Combo brings together Smooth Beauty Serum, Puff Off Super Eye Serum and Even Beauty Serum.
Using the products
How do I use the oils?
In the evening, pour a small amount of Baobab Cleansing Oil into your palm, spread it between your hands and massage it over your face. In the morning, add a few drops of Sweet Orange Beauty Drops to your skin. Each product page gives its own instructions.
How much do I need?
A few drops. The oils contain no water, so a small amount covers the whole face.
Should I do a patch test?
Yes, if you have sensitive skin or allergies. Put a little on the inside of your arm and wait 24 hours before using it on your face.
Are your oils a sunscreen?
No. None of our products is a sunscreen and none has an SPF. Use a sunscreen as well when you are in the sun.
Ingredients
Are your products natural?
Yes. Our ingredients are 100% natural. The oils are wild harvested or organic and cold pressed. We use no preservatives, no colourings and no water.
What are the homoeopathic remedies in the products?
Several products contain homoeopathic potencies, such as Arnica montana and Calendula officinalis. They come from Helios Homeopathy pharmacy and are listed in the ingredients on each product page.
Which products contain gemstones?
Smooth Beauty Serum has five small raw rubies at the bottom of each bottle, and Even Beauty Serum contains raw peridot. Our gemstones are sustainably sourced.
Are your products vegan and cruelty free?
We never test on animals. Most of our skincare oils are vegan, and each vegan product says so on its page. A few products contain homoeopathic potencies of animal origin and are not vegan. Puff Off Super Eye Serum and Sting-less, for example, contain Apis, which comes from the honey bee.
Do your products contain nuts or wheat?
Some do. Arnica & Lemongrass Body Oil and Don’t Bite contain macadamia nut oil. Even Beauty Serum contains sweet almond oil and wheatgerm oil. The full ingredients are on every product page. If you have an allergy, check the list before you buy.
Storage and packaging
How long do the products last?
Use each product within 12 months of opening. Unopened, our oils keep for two to three years. Store them away from direct sunlight and heat.
Why do you use dark violet glass?
We bottle our products in Miron violet glass, also called biophotonic glass. It protects the oils from light, which keeps them fresh for longer, and it is recyclable and reusable. Our article on biophotonic glass bottles explains more.
Why does my order arrive in a reused box?
We pack orders in reused cardboard on purpose. Making new branded boxes for every parcel would work against everything else we do to keep our footprint small. Your bottles arrive secure, even if the box has had a life before.
Orders, shipping and returns
Where do you ship, and what does it cost?
We ship worldwide from Tanzania. Shipping is free on all orders over £50. For smaller orders it costs £5.50 to the UK, £6.50 within Africa, £7.50 to the EU, £9.50 to the Americas and the Middle East, and £11.50 to Australia and the Far East.
How long does delivery take?
Please allow 21 days. Customs checks and local postal services can cause delays outside our control.
Will I have to pay customs charges?
Possibly. Some countries charge import duty or tax on parcels from abroad. These charges are set by your country’s customs authority, are paid by the person receiving the parcel, and are not included in our prices.
Can I return a product?
Yes. You can return any unopened product within 30 days of receiving it for a refund of the product price. See our Shipping & Returns page for details.
How can I pay?
You can pay by card. Payments are processed securely by Stripe, and prices are in pounds sterling.
How do I contact you?
Email us at clil.botanicals@gmail.com or use the form on our Contact page.
Giving back
How does buying from Clil support communities in Tanzania?
Clil is a social enterprise. After we cover our costs, all our profit goes to Homoeopathy for Health in Africa, a Tanzanian organisation that provides low-cost healthcare. Our oils are sourced in Tanzania and wild harvested across many communities, which gives women there a livelihood.