FAQs
WHY IS THE MINIMUM SPEND FOR FREE DELIVERY NOW £40?
From 20th October, the minimum spend for free Standard Delivery will rise from £30 to £40. The cost of Standard Delivery for orders under £40 will now be £3.95. This wasn’t a decision we took lightly, but due to the rising cost of services, we hope you’ll understand why it was necessary.
We’re also pleased to offer a new Priority Delivery option which will be free for orders of £100 or more, or £6.95 for orders below £100.
Priority Delivery orders placed before 12pm will leave Tropic HQ on the same day and will be put on a 24-hour delivery service. If you have a non-UK mainland address, we cannot guarantee that your order will arrive the following day, but the delivery time will still be considerably quicker than our Standard Delivery service.
UPDATES TO OUR RETURN, RECYCLE, REWARD SCHEME
As part of our mission to create a healthier, greener, more empowered world, we’ve updated our Return, Recycle, Reward Scheme. Our sun care packaging is now easy to recycle at home, so it’s no longer part of the scheme. See full details here.
TELL ME ABOUT THE 2022 CORE SKINCARE UPGRADE? WHAT’S DIFFERENT?
Let’s start with the ‘why’! At Tropic, we consider ourselves leaders. To stay on track for our healthier, greener, more empowered world, we need to lead the way in finding new solutions to the challenges facing our planet. So, after five years as one of the fastest-growing skincare brands in the UK, we decided to take a breath and reassess every layer of Tropic, from the ground up.
To help us grow, we listened to the cry of the planet, and we listened to you, our loyal customers. We delved into environmental reports and customer reviews. We listened to climate experts, skincare scientists, and tested new products on Ambassadors who’ve supported us since the very beginning. Our upgrade means we are more powerful, purposeful, and planet-protective than ever before.
Firstly, the majority of our upgraded formulations are now COSMOS-certified organic – meaning the products are more nutritionally dense, luxurious-feeling, and sustainably-sourced. Our biochemists have also improved all the delivery mechanisms to include ingredients that are smaller in molecular weight – carrying the benefits deeper into the skin, for a quicker, supercharged glow. You’ll see the results evidenced in our clinical data! Each upgraded formula has been clinically tested by independent labs and shown to improve real skin.
To package our luxurious organic goodness, we thought it was only right to level-up our plastic policies. Lids, bottles, and containers have been made from recycled plastic wherever possible, and we’ve introduced more glass bottles and aluminium alternatives, so you can recycle more easily at home.
The star of the show futuristic INNERBOTTLE concept, ensuring every last drop of goodness can be squeezed out and refilled – saving you money, and saving the planet!
HOW CAN I FIND THE PERFECT PRODUCTS TO TARGET MY SPECIFIC SKIN?
Our updated skincare range is colour coded by “skintention”, so finding effective products for your skin type has never been easier. Green labelled products are ideal for hydrating normal/combination skin, blue products calm and clear blemish-prone or oily skin, pink products enhance youth and radiance, and yellow products are the trusty facial foundations for all skin types and concerns. And don’t forget the golden-brown tanning products, for those of you looking for a sun-kissed, healthy glow! If you’re not sure where to start, head to our Skincare Routine Finder to receive personalised recommendations.
WHY HAVE SOME PRODUCTS CHANGED IN PRICE?
Our supercharged formulas surpass anything we’ve ever done before – each packed with sustainably-sourced, high-quality ingredients that travel deep into the skin, for quicker and better results. We haven’t raised our prices for years and we’ve aimed to keep the increase as slight as possible, while sourcing our ingredients fairly and sustainably. The added value is in the incredible clinical results, the improved benefits for your skin, and the minimal impact on the planet.
We see it as a double investment in our Infinite Purpose: to create a healthier, greener, more empowered world. We can’t thank you enough for helping us lead positive change in the industry. We know you’ll see the difference in your skin, too!
WHY DO SOME COLOURS AND TEXTURES LOOK DIFFERENT?
The colours and textures of every upgraded product are richer, due to extra-concentrated actives and organic additions. Skin Feast’s gorgeous orangey hue comes from organic rosehip oil, which is rich in beta-carotene to increase skin radiance!
WHAT IS INNERBOTTLE™ TECHNOLOGY AND WHICH PRODUCTS USE IT?
INNERBOTTLE™ is a clever balloon made from medical-grade silicone and is free from BPA. The airless technology keeps our formulas fresh and ensures minimal product waste, as you can squeeze out every last drop of goodness. The balloons can be sent back to Tropic HQ for recycling, to help save resources and further reduce waste! You can benefit from the INNERBOTTLE™ in all our facial moisturisers: Skin Feast, Fresh Waves, and Skin Dream.
ARE YOUR NEW PRODUCTS SAFE TO USE DURING PREGNANCY?
All our products have been independently safety assessed and are safe to use during pregnancy. Ingredients such as salicylic acid and essential oils are used in concentrations that do not constitute any form of pregnancy risk or complications. If you have any other concerns due to your individual circumstances, such as taking prescribed medication, we recommend consulting your doctor, midwife or other caregiver.
WHY IS COMFORT FOOD 45ML, WHILE NEW HORIZONS AND ELECTRIC BLOOM ARE 60G?
Good question! New Horizons and Electric Bloom contain clay particles, making them thicker, denser, and heavier, and meaning they must be measured in grams. However, Comfort Food has a creamier, lighter texture, and is therefore measured in millilitres.
Rest assured, all of our masks are packaged in the same -sized tubes and are filled to identical levels ‒ so you’ll be getting the same amount of natural, organic goodness in whichever tube you choose.
WHAT IS TROPICSKINCARE?
Tropic are a beauty brand with a range of over 200 products, spanning across skincare, hair care, body care, makeup, tanning and sun care. We are a social selling company, with a family of over 17,000 Tropic Ambassadors that sell our products across the UK. We also believe in being a force for good beyond beauty, so we have an evergreen mission statement we like to call our Infinite Purpose, in order to help create a healthier, greener, more empowered world. This means that our customers are driving change with each and every purchase.
WHO OWNS TROPIC SKINCARE?
Our founder and CEO Susie Ma co-owns and manages all elements of the business day-to-day. We are also co-owned by Lord Alan Sugar, who invested in Susie and Tropic in 2011 after she appeared on The Apprentice.
HOW DID TROPIC SKINCARE START?
Our Founder and CEO Susie Ma started Tropic when she was a teenager, firstly with our now bestselling Body Smooth Refreshing Polish at London's Greenwich Market to help her mum pay the household bills. Tropic was officially launched in 2011.
IS TROPIC SKINCARE CRUELTY FREE?
Yes! We are proudly certified by Cruelty Free International, PETA and The Vegan Society.
CAN YOU GET A TROPIC SKINCARE VOUCHER?
We don't currently offer gift vouchers, but improving our customers' shopping experience is something we're always working on. For other gift ideas, our collections make for unique gifts to delight your loved ones. From a tailored skincare routine with our Skincare Selection to customised makeup compilations, there's truly something for every gifting occasion.
HOW DO TROPIC SKINCARE SOURCE THEIR INGREDIENTS?
We sustainably source our ingredients from tropical regions all over the world. We work with co-operative farmers to ensure that our ingredients are of the highest quality, while remaining sustainable.
HOW TO USE TROPIC SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
Each Tropic product comes with How to Enjoy instructions, you can also find these instructions on each of our product web pages.
IS TROPIC SKINCARE VEGAN?
Yes! We are proudly certified by The Vegan Society, as well as Cruelty Free International and PETA.
WHERE IS TROPIC SKINCARE BASED?
Tropic HQ is based in Croydon, Surrey. All elements of our business from our lab, Product Kitchen and Ingredients Pantry to our office, packing and dispatch teams, all operate here under one roof. Want a tour? Watch this video.
WHY USE TROPIC SKINCARE?
There are many reasons to choose Tropic products! First and foremost, our products are formulated by highly skilled specialists at Tropic HQ using transformative naturally effective extracts to deliver unrivalled results. We then make our products fresh every day in our Product Kitchen, to ensure you're using them while they're fresh and at their most effective. We believe in our products so much that we offer you a 30-day happiness guarantee with each and every one.
We are also an ethical brand with an Infinite Purpose to help create a healthier, greener, more empowered world. Each time you shop with us, you are driving change beyond beauty with a whole host of different initiatives. From our CarbonNeutral certification that funds conservation work in the Amazon Rainforest, to our charity partnership with United World Schools. Each product you purchase helps fund days of education for children living in remote regions of Cambodia, Myanmar and Nepal, including at our Tropic school in Ta Lart Thmey.
Click here to read more about our Infinite Purpose. Not only will our products transform your beauty routine, but they will also transform lives, and we think that's pretty cool.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE TROPIC SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
You can either purchase products right here on our website, or you can contact your local Tropic Ambassador to host a Pamper Experience or order directly through them. You can shop with your Ambassador online too, by simply entering their name at the checkout.
WHAT DOES NATURAL SKINCARE MEAN?
Natural skincare means that products contain ingredients which are predominantly of natural origin. It can be a difficult to define term, and can sometimes be used in unethical ways. It's important to note that just because a product claims to be natural, it may not be 100% natural, and may still contain some less-than-ideal ingredients. It's also important to note that just because an ingredient is natural, doesn't mean it's safe - after all, cyanide is of natural origin!
To us, natural skincare means that we have enriched our products with safe, premium, naturally-effective ingredients wherever possible, without ever compromising on results. We say our ingredients are 'naturally derived', as typically 'natural' ingredients are raw, unmodified ingredients as they are produced by nature, such as flowers. Naturally derived ingredients have been through a process, such as distilling essential oils from flowers, which means they aren't how nature grew them.
On each piece of skincare, hair care and body care packaging, you will see the percentage of naturally-derived ingredients. All of our skincare is 100% naturally derived, however some of our hair care contains nature identical ingredients, and some of our makeup is formulated with safe synthetic pigments.
Most importantly, all of our ingredients are displayed in plain English (as well as the traditional latin INCI) both on our products and website, so it's easy to decipher what you're applying to your skin.
If you would like to read more on how to understand what's in your products, click here to visit our Skincare Science Glossary.
HOW TO BECOME A TROPIC AMBASSADOR?
To become a Tropic Ambassador, all you need is a passion for beauty and a Tropic Starter Kit, which costs £198. We provide the rest to ensure you have every opportunity for success. To find out more about how to join, click here.
IS TROPIC SKINCARE GLUTEN-FREE AND SUITABLE FOR COELIACS?
All of our products are gluten-free, with the exception of Cleansing Body Pebble and Hair Feast. We recommend speaking to your GP when introducing new products into your regime.
I have a nut allergy, how can I check the ingredients of Tropic products?
Although nut oils and butters are not classed as an allergen in regards to skincare, we are aware of the concerns about these ingredients and reactions on the skin and would always recommend a patch test if you’re unsure about your skin’s reaction.
We list all our ingredients in plain English on the product packaging and on our website, so you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. While usually the processing of the raw nut to an oil or butter removes the proteins associated with an ingested allergy, we recommend those with a severe nut allergy to avoid those products with nut derivatives listed in the ingredients list, especially those with Macadamia, Tamanu or Shea. These oils and butters are what we refer to as “cold press” oils.
Whilst we make every attempt to ensure that the labelling of our products lists all of the ingredients used, our products are manufactured in an environment containing nuts, nut oils and nut derived ingredients.
For more information please click here.
Do Tropic Skincare sell recyclable skincare products?
Yes, all 'secondary' packaging (wraps and boxes) are fully recyclable, and the majority of our 'primary' packaging (tubes, jars) is recyclable too. However, each local government council has different recycling abilities, so it's worth checking in with them about which materials are recyclable in your local area.
We're always working towards our packaging becoming more environmentally friendly, and many of our products offer a refillable option too. Click here to find out more about which products can be refilled.
Are the skincare and beauty products considered natural or organic?
Please see above.
Do the products include preservatives?
Yes, many of our products do contain a safe preservative system. This is required to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast and mould when the product has got water as water is required for them to grow. So where water is present in our formulations, we use safe and gentle preservatives. Wherever possible we also use innovative packaging and some waterless formulations to minimise the preservatives required.
Are natural skincare products better for skin?
Everyone's skin is unique, so the products that suit you are unique too. We believe that the plants and fruits that grow in tropical climates, with a generous helping of sunshine, are the most nutritious for your skin, as they are abundant in minerals and vitamins. We pack many exotic natural extracts into our products, as mother nature usually offers the most nutritious, skin-loving option. Sometimes, this is not the case, such as when ingredients can't be sourced sustainably, so we do occasionally use nature identical or safe synthetic ingredients in our products. Read more about us and our natural products here.
What are AHA and BHAs? Can I use an AHA and BHA product every day?
AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acids) are chemical exfoliators which slough away dead skin cells with various penetration levels. AHAs gently remove skin cells from the outermost layer of our skin, tackling dark marks, blemishes, texture/fine lines and dull skin. BHAs penetrate deeper into the pores and are great for tackling acne, blemishes, excessive oil secretion and inflamed breakouts, without stripping or causing discomfort to the skin.
AHA and BHAs can be used daily, depending on the formulation and concentration of the product. Our Fruit Peel serum includes both AHAs and BHAs for optimum results and due to its concentration, shouldn’t be used every day. This can be used up to 3 times a week, every other evening, depending on your skin's needs. As the new skin revealed is particularly photosensitive, it’s important to always follow up with an SPF every day. Find out more in our Skincare Science Glossary.
What skin type is Tropic Skincare suitable for?
We have product to suit every skin type! To find products perfect for your skin, why not use our Skincare Routine Finder, which serves up a tailor-made routine suited to your skin type and concerns in just a few clicks!
Why does my skin feel tight after using Tropic Skincare products?
If your skin feels tight after using a product with water, then the water could be too hot. Also, remember to be gentle when removing Smoothing Cleanser with a Bamboo Cloth and avoid a ‘scrubbing’ motion. Try to pat your skin dry with a cotton towel, making sure not to ‘rub’ the skin.
What is cosmos certification?
When you see one of our products labelled ‘COSMOS Certified Organic’ it’s a trust guarantee letting you know that the product you’re looking at is (you guessed it) entirely organic! The COSMOS standard is managed by a not-for-profit international and independent association that operates all over the world, and is the gold standard when it comes to creating products that are as kind as possible to skin and the planet. To find out more, click here.
What is provenance®?
Powered by blockchain and open data, Provenance® brings together all the need-to-know ethical stories on each of our products in accessible, clear, and comprehensible Proof Points. This lets us verify all the ways we’re helping to carve out a better future for our world and allows you to shop in confidence that our impact is real. For more information on how Provenance® works, click here.
Will the products aggravate sensitive skin?
As everyone's levels of sensitivity are unique, we recommend a patch test before using our products if you have particularly sensitive skin, as many do contain active ingredients and essential oils.
We do have a range of unscented core products for our Smoothing Cleanser Complexion Purifier, Morning Mist soothing toning essence and Skin Feast Nourishing Moisturiser.
Other products that may benefit sensitive skin are our Elixir Age-Defying Omega Oil, Tamanu Balm, Rainforest Dew Hydration Serum, Super Greens Nutrient Boost Oil, Comfort Food Deep Hydration Mask and our mineral range of sun care.
Is Tropic Skincare dermatologically tested?
Tropic is not dermatologically tested and dermatologist testing is not a regulated requirement within skincare/cosmetics. There is also no standard testing, so this can vary greatly when carried out.
Do Tropic accept discount codes?
We choose not to offer discount codes in tandem with external organisations so that we can take treating into our own hands. You'll often find promotions, special offers and sales popping up on our website or social media for everyone to enjoy, which may use discount codes of our own. To find out more, click here.
Is Tropic certified organic?
Our entire mama and baby range, and the majority of our core skincare line is COSMOS-certified organic. Whenever you see this logo, you know that product you are looking at is certified organic! To receive this logo, COSMOS have to check and verify all aspects of our products, from ingredient sourcing to packaging and processes. It takes a lot of work to achieve, which is why we’re so proud of our products that have the COSMOS stamp of approval! We will be working to extend our organic progress to ingredients in our other ranges too, like body care for example, in pursuit of being as sustainable as possible.
How is Tropic clinically tested?
Firstly, our in-house chemists and biochemists spend months testing, trialling, and adapting formulas, before they are sent to ISO-certified, independent labs. Here, they are met by qualified dermatologists, who vigorously test their performance on real life skin, under clinical conditions.
The tests cover everything - there are Sebometers to measure changes in skin’s sebum production, Skin Hydration Meters to measure moisture and the VisioFace Skin Imaging Analysis – a 360 machine that can measure skin texture, wrinkle depth, brightness, UV damage, and even take 3D pictures of your skin.
A before and after is measured across all participants and an average percentage of improvement calculated by the dermatologists. You can find the clinical data on product pages, backed up by Provenance, our independent verifier.