Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Products

What are your products made from?

All Swabees products are handmade in small batches using natural ingredients including beeswax and raw honey from our own hives, along with locally sourced butters, oils, and essential oils. We never use synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulphates, or artificial preservatives.

Are your products suitable for sensitive skin?

Our products are formulated with natural ingredients that are generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin. However, everyone's skin is different. We recommend checking the full ingredient list on each product page before purchasing, and doing a patch test if you have known sensitivities or allergies.

Do your products contain nut oils or allergens?

Some of our products contain ingredients derived from nuts, such as shea butter or sweet almond oil. Please check the individual product pages for full ingredient lists and allergen information. If you have a specific allergy concern, feel free to contact us before ordering.

How long do your products last?

Most of our products have a shelf life of 12 months from the date of purchase when stored correctly — away from direct sunlight and heat. Each product is labelled with a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol to guide you.

Are your products vegan?

Our products contain beeswax and honey, which are animal-derived ingredients, so they are not vegan. However, they are 100% cruelty-free and made with the utmost respect for our bees and the natural world.

Our Bees & Beekeeping

Where does your beeswax and honey come from?

Our beeswax and raw honey come directly from our own hives. We are hands-on beekeepers who practise ethical, low-intervention beekeeping — never taking more than the bees can spare and always prioritising colony health.  We have apiaries on our land in the Lincolnshire Wolds, as well as in the Fens and Foothills of the Wolds.

How do you ensure your beekeeping is ethical?

We follow low-intervention beekeeping principles, meaning we interfere with our colonies as little as possible. We never use harmful treatments and always ensure our bees have enough honey reserves to thrive through winter. You can read more on our Beekeeping & Sustainability Story page. 

We do not currently treat our hives with chemicals, where we have managed strong colonies that are treatment free we use them to resource and grow the apiaries.  We do not buy bees, we grow strong apiaries of British bees, split them and adopt and home swarms.  We do not believe in buying bees from Europe.

Cruelty-Free & Ethics

Are your products tested on animals?

Absolutely not. Swabees is 100% cruelty-free. We never test on animals and never ask others to do so on our behalf. You can read our full Statement on Animal Testing here.

Are you ethically responsible as a business?

Yes — our ethical responsibilities are something we take very seriously. From our ingredient sourcing to our packaging choices, we strive to make decisions that are good for people, bees, and the planet. Read more on our Ethical Responsibilities page.

Packaging & Sustainability

Is your packaging eco-friendly?

We use recyclable, biodegradable, and reusable packaging wherever possible and are continuously working to reduce our environmental footprint. We are committed to zero-waste principles across our production and packaging.

Do you have a refill or recycling scheme?

Yes! We encourage customers to return empty containers through our Refill and Recycle programme rather than sending them to landfill. Details on how to participate are on that page.

We use our own energy production

We had a solar power system and storage batteries fitted in 2023 to help contribute to our own energy consumption.

Orders & Shipping

Where do you ship to?

We currently ship across the UK. If you are based outside the UK and would like to place an order, please contact us and we will do our best to help.

How long will my order take to arrive?

As all our products are handmade in small batches, please allow 3–5 working days for your order to be prepared and dispatched. Delivery times will vary depending on your location and chosen shipping method.

How will I know when my order has been dispatched?

You will receive an email confirmation with tracking information as soon as your order has been dispatched.

Returns & Refunds

What is your returns policy?

We want you to be completely happy with your Swabees purchase. If you are not satisfied, please contact us within 14 days of receiving your order. You can view our full Refund Policy here.

What if my order arrives damaged?

We take great care in packaging your order, but if something arrives damaged please contact us within 48 hours with a photo and we will make it right.

Get in Touch

I have a question that isn't answered here — how can I contact you?

We'd love to hear from you! Head to our Contact page and drop us a message. We aim to respond within 2 working days.