Wholesale FAQs

Commitment to Quality | Food Safety | Allergen Control | Certifications | Transparency | Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Products | Service

If you need help navigating or ordering from this site, you can call Online Customer Assistance during business hours (8am - 5pm CT, Monday - Friday) at 1-800-669-3275. We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions below. If you don't see the information you're looking for, you can email Customer Care. (customercare@frontiercoop.com)

Commitment to Quality

Q: How does Frontier Co-op ensure they provide high-quality products to customers?

A: When we were founded 50 years ago, Frontier Co-op® set high standards for our products including established internal testing processes that ensure the integrity of the raw materials entering our facility and the finished goods entering the marketplace. Our labels clearly reflect all ingredients, and we have zero tolerance for adulterants or prohibited ingredients. We maintain a steadfast commitment to providing safe, pure products throughout our brands (Frontier Co-op®, Simply Organic® and Aura Cacia®) while carefully monitoring them from receiving into processing and throughout distribution, so we are able to ensure safe, high-quality product. Some of the steps we take include:

Climate controlled storage used to preserve freshness and maintain chemically active plant constituents.
Microanalysis: reveals cellular plant structures vital to the correct identification, and prevention of adulteration.
Organoleptic testing: consists of visual, aroma and taste evaluations which further ensure a quality product and additional safeguard against adulteration.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): testing that measures vital, active constituent levels; opening another window into the potential to detect adulterants.
Microbiological testing: detects the presence of yeast, mold, bacteria and other pathogens.

Q: How are your products grown and harvested?

A: While we do not regulate the methods our suppliers use to grow, harvest, and process the products we purchase from them — they determine the best method to produce a high-quality product, and processing may vary from crop to crop and amongst suppliers — our Quality department has researched and developed a set of specifications for every product that we sell. We ensure these specifications are met through a variety of testing tailored to each product. We follow internationally recognized testing standards for product authenticity and adhere to FDA cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) standards.

Additionally, we choose to develop and maintain relationships with suppliers that:

Have a commitment to these same values.
Can provide safe, compliant products.
Are transparent about supply chains and production practices.
Are committed to working with us to continuously improve these attributes.

We collaborate closely with suppliers to ensure compliance to regulatory, food safety, environmental and social requirements.

Food Safety

Q: What procedures do you use to ensure food safety?

A: Our team has integrated food safety into our processes from the first steps of material procurement to the last steps of product manufacturing. Our suppliers’ evaluations include questionnaires, pre-shipments, documentation and on-site visits to ensure the integrity of their products and their business.

Q: How do you pasteurize your products?

A: Frontier Co-op only allows non-chemical treatment — we use a validated steam pasteurization process to ensure that our products meet food safety standards without harsh chemicals. We have also always opposed using irradiation, and none of our brands (Frontier Co-op, Simply Organic, Aura Cacia) carry any products or use any ingredients that are irradiated. We’ve invested in cutting edge food safety infrastructure and quality systems including our own steam pasteurization system to ensure that our employees, our communities, and our customers can have total confidence in the high quality and safety of our products. It’s one of the many ways we’re committed to having a positive impact for our people and our planet.

Processes Frontier Co-op Does Not Allow:

No chemical pasteurization such as ethylene oxide (ETO) or propylene oxide
No treatment with irradiation
No methyl bromide for pesticide treatment

Ingredients Frontier Co-op Does Not Allow:

No artificial colors
No artificial flavors
No synthetic chemical preservatives and antioxidants such as BHA, BHT, TBHQ, benzoates and nitrates
No artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharine
No artificial flavor enhancers such as MSG and guanylate
No synthetic free-flowing/anti-caking agents such as tricalcium phosphate

Q: Do any of your products contain genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)?

A: We believe genetically engineered crops, as currently regulated, constitute a significant risk to organic agriculture and may have other risks to long-term biodiversity and to human and animal health. Frontier Co-op does not receive or produce any products with bioengineered ingredients.

Allergen Control

Q: What allergens are present in your facility, and what steps do you take to protect non-allergen-containing products from contamination?

A: We have strict procedures in place to prevent allergen cross-contamination. When we process products that have any FDA-defined allergens (milk, tree nuts, soy, sesame, mustard [for Canada], sulfites [Canada]), we do a wet cleanup to eliminate cross-contamination. Because there is a large enough population with extreme allergic reactions to eggs, peanuts and shellfish, these ingredients are not allowed into the manufacturing area of our facilities.

Q: Is Frontier a gluten-free facility?

A: While spices and herbs are naturally gluten-free, we do not test for gluten in all products, only those certified gluten-free (by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization [GFCO]) under the Simply Organic brand. We don't make gluten-free claims for any other products because we know that even tiny amounts of gluten can be a problem, and these may be present in our facility or the facilities of our suppliers. Look for Simply Organic seasoning packet items that bear the gluten free certification logo.

Q: Do any of your products contain MSG?

A: We do not add monosodium glutamate (MSG) to any of our products. FDA regulations require that if MSG is added to a product, it must be identified as monosodium glutamate on the label. Some of our products — such as nutritional yeast and tomato powder — contain some free glutamic acid, which may combine with sodium present in the product to naturally form MSG. While the FDA classifies MSG and glutamic acid as generally safe, people who are sensitive to MSG and glutamic acid may suffer from adverse reactions.

Certifications

Kosher

Q: What does “kosher certified” mean?

A: Kosher certification is an approval by a Rabbinic agency indicating that a product complies with Jewish religious dietary law. For a product to be kosher certified, a kosher certification agency must inspect the product ingredients, the facility, and its processing to ensure that nothing non-kosher can get into the food. The agency also must review and approve the information on the product label.

Kosher Supervision of America (KSA) is our certifier. Most of our herbs, spices, seasoning blends and teas are kosher certified. Those products bear the KSA logo on the label and display Kosher on the product detail pages of our websites. In our wholesale catalog, products that are not certified kosher are indicated with a symbol (*).

Organic

Q: What does "certified organic” really mean?

A: A certified organic designation means that a state or private certification organization that is accredited by the USDA has verified that the product meets its strict organic standards. The certifier inspects the location where the organic product is produced and handled to ensure that all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards are being followed. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to the local supermarket or restaurant must also be certified and inspected annually to ensure continued compliance. (And the certifiers themselves, in order to maintain their accredited certifier status with the USDA, are required to conduct annual on-site inspections of all their clients.)

All products sold as “certified organic” in the United States, regardless of what country they were produced in, are required to follow the U.S. organic standards and be certified by a USDA-accredited certifier.

Here are the basic USDA regulations for the four recognized types of organic claims on product labels:

For products labeled "100% Organic," all ingredients must be certified organic, excluding water and salt. The products must show an ingredients list, the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, and the name/seal of the organic certifier.
Products labeled "Organic" must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients, excluding water and salt. The label must contain an ingredient list that identifies the organic as well as the non-organic ingredients, and the name of the organic certifier. Any non-organic ingredients used must be approved by the USDA for use in an organic product.
Products labeled "Made with Organic (specified ingredients or food groups)" must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and up to 30% non-organic agricultural ingredients or other ingredients approved by the USDA for use in organic products. The label must contain an ingredients list that identifies the organic as well as the non-organic ingredients in the product, along with the name of the organic certifier.
If a product contains less than 70 percent organic ingredients, the product can specify organic ingredients only on the ingredient panel. The product cannot use the word "organic" on the principal display panel (front label of the product) or display any organic certifier seals.

Many products also bear the “If it’s organic, it’s non-GMO" certification mark. This logo is designed to help inform consumers that USDA organic certification requires products to be free of genetically modified organisms. Essentially, certified organic products are non-GMO by definition.

For further information on organic standards, visit the Organic Trade Association’s website at: https://ota.com/resources/organic-standards

Q: Are certified organic products completely free of pesticide residues?

A: The 1995 definition of organic production by the National Organics Standard Board notes that "Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and waters." These methods include buffer zones between conventional and organic fields, a three-year waiting period before previously non-organic land can be used for organic crops and placing organic products in storage on the higher shelves to avoid cross contamination from non-organic products.

Q: Aren’t ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ essentially the same thing?

A: The terms "natural" and "organic" are not interchangeable. While the term "natural" suggests that products have been minimally processed or are free from synthetic ingredients, there are no federal regulations that must be complied with in order to label a botanical product "natural." On the other hand, products labeled "organic" must be certified by a USDA-accredited third-party certifier to have met the government's strict organic standards.

Q: Who is Frontier’s organic certifier?

A: Frontier Co-op products are certified by the world’s leading third-party organic certifier: Quality Assurance International (QAI).

Fairtrade

Q: What does “fair trade certified” mean?

A: Fair trade certification provides farmers and farm workers in developing countries with guaranteed minimum prices, decent work conditions and fair wages to prevent their exploitation. Fair trade also encourages sustainable farming practices and supports direct trade to eliminate exploitive middlemen.
When you purchase Fairtrade America certified products, you are:

We recently transitioned our certification to Fairtrade International (with its subsidiary, Fairtrade America). Certification through Fairtrade International allows Frontier Co-op and our partners to engage at a deeper level within our supply chain and to increase benefits to the farmers from which we source. It also allows us greater visibility into our certified supply chain partners, and the opportunity to invest more meaningfully in collaborative projects in the communities of certified farmers and farming groups.

Regenerative Organic

Q: What does “regenerative organic certified” mean?

A: In a nutshell, regenerative farming helps rehabilitate soil, respect animal welfare, and improve the lives of farmers. Frontier Co-op® believes firmly that regenerative agriculture should inherently require organic practices, and Regenerative Organic Certified® represents the highest standard for organic agriculture in the world. Regenerative Organic Certified® is an agricultural certification for food, fiber, and personal care ingredients. Based on three pillars, it requires farmers to go above and beyond by practicing agricultural techniques that ensure healthy soil, the ethical and humane treatment of animals, and fairness for farmers & workers. It was created to address the climate crisis, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, factory farming and fractured rural economies globally.

Transparency

Full Ingredient Disclosure

Q: Why don’t all your products list the ingredients?

A: At Frontier Co-op, we believe our customers have the right to know what they’re putting in and on their bodies, or using in their homes. Our labels clearly reflect all ingredients, and we have zero tolerance for adulterants, or prohibited ingredients. Complete ingredient lists are included on our product labels, other than for Frontier Co-op brand products that contain only the herb or spice the product is named for. We provide complete lists of all ingredients for all our items in our wholesale catalog and on the product detail pages on our websites, and answer all inquiries about ingredients in full transparency.

Nutrition Facts

Q: Why isn’t there nutrition information on many of your spice labels?

A: Most of our single-ingredient herbs and spices (such as basil, fennel, cumin, etc.) don't contain any reportable nutrients. Reportable nutrients are amounts significant enough to warrant reporting according to FDA food labeling regulations 21CFR101. Since the nutrient levels are based on the amount customarily consumed by a person at one "eating occasion" (defined by the FDA as 1/4 teaspoon for spices), most spices do not have enough of each nutrient to meet the threshold of reportability. Those that do will have a Nutrition Facts Panel or Supplement Facts Panel on the label and on the product's web page, either as a stand-alone image or on the image of the product label.

Q: Why don’t you provide information about the medicinal uses of your herbs?

A: There are strict Federal regulations prohibiting any herb supplier from making health claims for their products. Our practices comply with those FDA and FTC regulations and follow the recommendations of the American Herbal Products Association.

Product Shelf Life

Q: How can I tell if my spices are still good?

A: The potency of botanical products fades over time at different rates. Grinding exposes more surface area to the air, so ground spices lose their freshness more quickly than whole spices. As you can see in the list below, different parts of the plant age differently as well.

Our bottled spices and blends are freshness dated — the date the product is best used by for maximum freshness is printed on the bottom of each bottle, and along the side of our bulk bag labels. Check that date for unopened products.

Q: How long do your teas stay good?

A: Lengths vary by type and form of the herb, leaf or flower, so follow the “Best by” date on the packaging. Teas stored in a cool, dry, airtight, opaque container retain their freshness longest.

Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Products

Q: Why are Aura Cacia oils labeled “Not for internal use”?

A: Ingestion is a widely misunderstood practice. We do not recommend using essential oils internally because:

Essential oils are highly concentrated, and toxicity varies with each oil.
There are not established dosages for safe internal usage, and there is potential for harmful effects.

Aura Cacia 100% pure essential oils are intended for aromatherapy purposes and are labeled in compliance with FDA regulations to protect users.

Even when diluted, essential oils are more volatile, unstable, and concentrated than most people realize, making them more problematic than helpful when used internally. Thus, we don’t advocate or support internal essential oil usage, nor do we condone swapping them for herbs in cooking.

Q: Why don’t you say anything about the medicinal uses of your essential oils?

A: Aromatherapy products are regulated by the FDA as cosmetics and must conform to cosmetic labeling regulations. Aura Cacia labels all products in compliance with regulations to protect users. Not all companies comply with the law — that's why you may see competing products making claims or statements about the product's supposed health benefits that you won't see on an Aura Cacia label. We do not advocate or sell essential oils for internal use.

Q: Are Aura Cacia essential oils therapeutic grade?

A: There is no such grading system for essential oils. Companies sometimes use this term in marketing to try differentiating aromatherapy oils from essential oils used in flavoring and food. Aromatherapy oils should be pure, complete, and unadulterated high-quality oils, which Aura Cacia oils are. But because the term "therapeutic grade" isn't based on established standards or regulation, it can be — and often is — used without regard to the quality of the oil.

Q: How long are essential oils good for?

A: It's best to store essential oils in closed glass bottles away from heat and light. While some essential oils may stay good almost indefinitely under ideal conditions, we recommend two years as a good rule of thumb for most oils. Citrus and conifer oils have a shorter shelf life due to certain components that react to oxygen in a way that degrades the oil over time. These oils are best used within 18 months (about 1 and a half years).

Q: Animal Testing

A: Aura Cacia does not test any products on animals, nor do we use ingredients derived from animals in our products.

Q: Are Aura Cacia products gluten-free?

A: Although Aura Cacia products are not formulated with gluten containing ingredients, we do not test the finished products for the presence of gluten and cannot state that they are gluten-free.

Q: Essential Oil Dilution

A: Below is a dilution table for essential oils. We recommend mixing essential oils with a carrier oil (such as sweet almond, jojoba, or even water) before applying them to your skin. Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause skin irritation if not properly diluted. Each oil has its own recommended dilution ratio, which is indicated on the inside of the label. To ensure the oils are suitable for your skin, perform a patch test by applying a small amount of the diluted oil to the inside of your elbow. Wait 24 hours to check for any redness or irritation before using the oil on larger areas of your body.

A Note About Internal Usage

Ingestion is a widely misunderstood practice. We do not recommend using essential oils internally.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and toxicity varies with each oil.
There are not established dosages for safe internal usage, and there is a potential for harmful effects.
Aura Cacia 100% pure essential oils are intended for aromatherapy purposes and are labeled in compliance with FDA regulations in order to protect users.

You may also find the following information on our Aura Cacia website helpful:

https://www.auracacia.com/blog/blending-and-diluting

https://www.auracacia.com/blog/understanding-the-basics

Q: What is the dilution rate of your Premium Blend line?

A: The dilution percentage for our Premium Blend line is based on the optimal and safe level for each specific oil, making them suitable for topical use right out of the bottle.

Q: Why do you use caps that are so difficult to open (childproof)? Why does Aura Cacia not use tamper-proof caps?

A: Some essential oils can be quite harmful if ingested or diluted improperly. We use childproof caps to prevent children from opening the essential oils. Though this can sometimes make them difficult to open, we feel it is necessary to have this safety feature.

Q: Can I use aromatherapy on pets?

A: While we do not have any blends created specifically for pets, most are safe to diffuse at home with animals present if you follow appropriate drop recommendations for your diffuser and the space you are in. Please ensure all your pets have room to roam while diffusing essential oils.

Cats, unfortunately, lack liver enzymes necessary to metabolize essential oils effectively. Therefore, extra caution should be used around cats. Do not use essential oils directly with cats, and keep them at a safe distance when spraying or diffusing essential oils around the home.

Q: Soap and Candle Making with Essential Oils

A: Aura Cacia sells 100% pure essential oils that can be used in any essential oil application. With soap and candle making, certain fragrance oils and essential oils do accelerate. Rather than speaking about them in general, it comes down to specifics with essential oils. Citrus oils (oils that come from citrus fruits) behave very differently than spice oils (e.g., cinnamon leaf) in the process. However, we do not have specific guidance for each essential oil.

Q: What is your standard on distillation?

A: All the Aura Cacia essential oils are steam distilled, except:

Bergamot Natural, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange Mandarin, Orange Sweet, and Tangerine, which are cold pressed,
Jasmine Absolute and Rose Absolute, which are solvent extracted, and
Turmeric and Vanilla, which are CO2 extracted.

Q: Do you use solvent extraction?

A: Solvent extraction is used for the most expensive flowers and plants that don't readily yield their oils. For example, Jasmine Absolute arrives to us from a solvent extraction. Steam distillation doesn't work well with jasmine and other florals because it requires considerably more flowers to get a significant yield.

The solvent (hexane) typically used to extract is an alcohol process. However, it is essential to note that we get more hexane exposure walking around outside than we ever would from an essential oil. The alcohol is vacuumed off, and the product has no resulting hexane. It is just an efficient alcohol extraction.

Q: Why do you add vitamin E to skin care oils?

A: Mixed tocopherol (vitamin E, Helianthus annuus [sunflower] oil) is frequently added to skin care oils — even ones that naturally contain vitamin E — for increased product stability. When the amount is controlled at <1% of the product (it is added in at 0.1% to help stabilize), mixed tocopherol doesn't need to be disclosed on the label. In our commitment to full label disclosure, we choose to disclose it while other brands may not.

Q: Can I use essential oils in the laundry?

A: Essential oils can help with laundry odors but should be evenly dispersed with unscented laundry detergent. We recommend adding 6-10 drops of essential oil per cap measurement of unscented liquid detergent. Ensure that the oils are thoroughly mixed with the detergent; otherwise, they will separate in water. Due to their chemical structure, oils can wear on and potentially stain fabric; thus, we do not recommend adding undiluted oils directly to clothing or the washing machine.

Q: Can you help me understand the dating and Julian codes on Aura Cacia products?

A: Yes. This is the format for reading the codes for any Aura Cacia products produced from 2020 on: The first character is a letter representing the calendar year from 2020 (A) to 2045 (Z).

The following three characters are numbers representing the Julian day of the year. For example, January 20th is depicted as "020".
The last character is a system-generated letter or number used for internal tracking purposes.

So, as an example, E020U would be a product manufactured on January 20th, 2024.

Q: Why are some products in 1/8-ounce bottles?

A: Some of our essential oils, such as Roman Chamomile, Helichrysum, Jasmine Absolute, and Rose Absolute, are sold as 1/8 fl. oz. Since we don't offer bottles smaller than 1/4 fl. oz, the bottle will appear halfway full. This is normal because the bottles are filled by volume.

Q: Vetiver/Thicker viscosity

Q: Why does it take a while for drops to release from the bottle with some of my essential oils?

A: Aura Cacia offers some oils with a denser viscosity, like Vetiver and Myrrh. Denser oils have a slightly larger orifice to help dispense the oil. It is helpful to warm the bottle of oil in your hands or in a small container of warm-to-hot water (not boiling) for a few minutes. Make sure the water does not cover the lid to prevent the oil from being contaminated. Shake the bottle, and the oil should be warmed enough for dispensing.

Q: Is there a difference between organic and non-organic oils?

A: Certified organic oils come from plants that are cultivated, harvested, and distilled in accordance with certified organic regulations. Certified organic growers must always consider sustainability as part of the certification process, and supporting organic farmers is a way for the consumer to commit to the health and sustainability of our planet.

Q: Is there a difference between an organic oil and “natural” oil?

A: Yes. The terms "natural" and "organic" are not interchangeable. While the term "natural" suggests that products have been minimally processed or are free from synthetic ingredients, no federal regulations must be complied with to label a botanical product "natural." our products are not treated with irradiation or chemicals, such as ethylene oxide (ETO), and there are a number of other ingredients and processes that we do not allow for our products — but the government does not regulate these. On the other hand, products labeled "organic" must be certified to meet the government's strict organic standards by a USDA-accredited third-party certifier.

Q: What is an absolute?

A: Absolutes are not true essential oils, but they are aromatic and volatile, often used in aromatherapy and perfumery. The most popular aromatherapy absolutes are jasmine and rose. Absolutes are produced through solvent extraction using "the concrete," a thick, fragrant material extracted from the plant with a hydrocarbon solvent, like hexane. “The concrete” contains volatile compounds, fatty acids, and waxes. The solvent/alcohol used washes away the solid waxy material, capturing only the remaining volatile compounds. Afterwards, the solvent/alcohol is removed through vacuum distillation.

This extraction method is used either for delicate flowers that are susceptible to damage/distortion from heat distillation or plants with essential oil content so low that distillation would be impractical.

Q: Is separation in avocado oil a sign of a quality problem?

A: No, haziness in avocado oil is inconsequential and indicates a natural, unrefined oil with all the beneficial constituents. As with any skin care oil, some cloudiness may develop when exposed to cold temperatures. Cloudiness is not an indication of poor quality, age, or rancidity.

Quality problems are indicated by an off aroma and elevated peroxide value.

We check all Aura Cacia skin care oils for acceptable peroxide levels before bottling them and seal them with an induction seal to maintain freshness.

Q: Does Aura Cacia distill its own essential oils?

A: We can distill oils for research purposes, but we are not equipped to consistently meet the quantity or quality requirements for Aura Cacia oils by solely distilling them ourselves. Our products come from various locations around the world, and to obtain the highest yield from the plants, we rely on strategic partners to distill materials in their respective countries.

Q: Approximately how many drops are in 1/8-ounce, 1/2-ounce, 2-ounce and 4-ounce bottles of essential oil?

A: While the number of drops varies according to the consistency of the oil, the average drops per bottle for the sizes in question are about 72 drops, 288 drops, 1,152 drops, and 2,304 drops, from smallest to largest.

Q: What is rose otto?

A: Rose otto is the steam or water-distilled essential oil of the fresh petals of the damask rose (Rosa damascena). It is considered the finest rose oil in the world (and is also the most expensive). Also known as attar of rose, rose otto has an intensely warm, rich, profoundly rosy scent.

Q: Where do your essential oils come from?

A: Some essential oils, such as peppermint, spearmint, Texas cedarwood, and citrus oils, are commercially produced in the U.S. however, most are produced in other parts of the world, where the specific plants thrive.

Q: Why do some peppermints smell different than others?

A: Aura Cacia sells both the complete natural peppermint essential oil and a redistilled peppermint oil. Both are suitable for aromatherapy use. The redistilled oil is distilled twice to achieve a sweeter minty aroma that is considered more candy-cane like. The complete peppermint oil has a more nuanced minty aroma. Some peppermint oils on the market can be combined with cheaper mint oils, like corn mint or even synthetic menthol. Mentha x piperita is the botanical name to look for.

Q: Is it a problem to have essential oils freeze?

A: Because essential oils do not contain water, they will not freeze; cold temperatures can, however, cause one or more constituents to crystallize. The quality isn't affected, though sometimes the crystallized constituents may not thoroughly blend into the solution once the oil "thaws," resulting in a "cloudy" appearance. Placing the oil in a warm location or warm-water bath will eliminate the cloudiness.

Q: How is lavandin different from lavender?

A: Lavender oil comes from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia, also known as true lavender. Lavandin, on the other hand, is a hybrid of true lavender and spike lavender. It contains a higher camphor content than lavender oil and is recognized for its soothing, sanitizing, and deodorizing properties. Lavandin is more affordable and easier to find than lavender oil and is often used as a substitute for true lavender essential oil.

Q: Are German and Roman chamomile related?

A: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) are different plants of the same family (Asteraceae). They are also similar as essential oils but differ in one major respect: color. German chamomile oil is blue, resulting from a constituent called chamazulene produced during the distillation process. Roman chamomile has little or no chamazulene; therefore, its essential oil lacks the vivid blue color that characterizes German chamomile oil.

Q: Why does Aura Cacia use jojoba oil in so many products?

A: Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax rather than a true oil, and it's very similar to the sebum of the skin. Because it forms a light, non-greasy layer that does not clog the skin's pores, it's often used in all types of skin preparations. And because it isn't a fat, it doesn't go rancid, thereby helping extend the shelf life of other oils to which it's been added.

Q: What is the difference between a fragrance oil and an essential oil?

A: Essential oils are concentrated, volatile, aromatic components extracted from plants' leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, tops, or fruits.

On the other hand, fragrances are a blend of natural and synthetic aroma chemicals developed in a lab to imitate an essential oil or plant's scent or create an entirely new aroma. They are used in perfumes and to add scent to products like toiletries, soaps, room fresheners, paper, tobacco products, and paints. Only pure essential oils are recommended for use in aromatherapy.

Q: Do you test essential oils?

A: We test every pre-shipment sample of essential oils before making a purchase. Then, after we purchase an essential oil, every shipment we receive is tested to make sure it continues to meet all quality and purity standards.

Q: What causes photosensitivity and what oils cause it?

A: Oils containing furocoumarins can cause skin reactions when used on skin exposed to ultraviolet light. These photosensitive reactions may range from mild redness to severe acute lesions known as bullock dermatitis. This dermatitis usually resolves itself in a few weeks, but the accompanying hyperpigmentation (brown spots on the skin) can take months or even years to disappear entirely. Bergamot, which contains the furocoumarin bergaptene, is especially likely to cause reactions. To eliminate this risk, we sell bergaptene-free bergamot (Bergamot BF). Other oils that might cause photosensitive reactions include ginger, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin orange, and tangerine.

Q: Why doesn't Aura Cacia have health benefits on their labels?

A: Aromatherapy products are regulated by the FDA as cosmetics and must conform to cosmetic labeling regulations. Aura Cacia labels all products in compliance with regulations to protect users. Not all companies comply with the law. That's why you may see competing products making claims or statements about the product's supposed benefits that you won't see on an Aura Cacia label.

Q: Can you use oils in food products?

A: Ingestion is a widely misunderstood practice. We do not recommend using essential oils internally because:

Essential oils are highly concentrated, and toxicity varies with each oil.
There are not established dosages for safe internal usage, and there is potential for harmful effects.

Aura Cacia 100% pure essential oils are intended for aromatherapy purposes and are labeled in compliance with FDA regulations to protect users.

Q: Can you put undiluted oils directly on your skin?

A: In general, it is best to avoid topical application of essential oils. Oils should only be used with a recommended dilution based on the specific needs of the individual and the intended use of the oil (typically 1-10%). Some oils, such as lavender and tea tree, can be applied directly on occasion, but dilution is generally recommended. We advise conducting a skin patch test with any oil and always exercising caution.

Service

Does Frontier have a minimum order requirement?
No. There is no minimum order size required to order from Frontier.

My email address is already tied to another membership
When completing the membership form, you receive an error message "A customer with the same email address already exists in an associated website." If you would like to start a new membership, we will need to release your email address from the existing account. Please chat, call or email our Customer Care team and let them know you would like to start your own account.

What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 30 days of the invoice date. Please contact us for pre-approval on requests for replacement merchandise or credits prior to returning product to us. Freight and handling charges on returns or mistakenly ordered goods will be the responsibility of the customer. If your order arrives damaged, please notify us immediately. Contact us at 1-800-669-3275.

What is the shipping cost on an order?
We offer free shipping on orders of $250 or more shipped within the contiguous U.S. Orders of $400 or more shipped FedEx Ground to Alaska and Hawaii are shipped free as well. Orders under $250 are charged the published rate of the shipper plus a handling fee of $3.50.

Due to increases in fuel and freight rates, Frontier Co-op has implemented a $5.50 surcharge on all orders over $250 ($400 AK/HI). Shipping on these orders will still be shown as free. However a $5.50 fee will appear as Freight Surcharge.

Do you ship internationally?
Frontier is no longer able to ship orders directly to international addresses. We recommend you contact the United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) International Account Supervisor at 860-779-2800 (ext. 32527) regarding international shipping options for our products. Complete contact information is below.

Please contact Deborah S. Sparling (dsparling@unfi.com) at UNFI to order internationally shipped Frontier products:

Frontier can ship to you at a U.S. shipping address under regular domestic terms. However, Frontier is not responsible for additional shipping costs, documentation, broker fees, customs clearance and duty fees. Upon request, Frontier can provide an invoice that lists the country of origin for bulk herbs and spices.

Why do you use packing peanuts and what are they made of?
We feel that our 100% biodegradable pea starch packing peanuts are the best currently available material for protecting our products in shipment and minimizing our environmental footprint. For many years we avoided polystyrene packing peanuts by using recycled shredded newspaper for packing, but we received a growing number of customer complaints about the newspaper not protecting the orders adequately. We reluctantly switched to polystyrene packing peanuts for a period of time when we were unable to find biodegradable ones of acceptable quality. We continued sampling and testing, however, and found the biodegradable packing peanuts we currently use, which our tests show cushion shipments as well as the polystyrene ones they replace. We have also discontinued re-use of incoming polystyrene peanut and notified suppliers not to ship to us using polystyrene packing peanuts, so we can provide our customers with only 100% biodegradable packing material. Consumers and businesses receiving shipments containing the biodegradable packing peanuts are encouraged to re-use or recycle them or to dispose of them by composting (they dissolve in water).

How will you pack my order?
We use 100% post consumer waste recycled fiber boxes, soy ink printing, and recycled and recyclable packaging that is sourced locally.

Can I set up a wholesale account as an individual?
No, but we do offer an option for individuals to purchase at wholesale member cost: a buying club. A buying club is a group of a minimum of five households that order together as a group. The buying club must be named and have one person in charge as the coordinator who provides his or her social security number on the application, along with a list of the members of the club and their addresses. We will send all members our annual catalog and monthly sale flyers.

Can I set up an account if my business is in Canada?
Only individuals or businesses registered with the IRS (possessing a Social Security Administration issues SSN or IRS issued TIN) may be members of the Co-op. Non-US person’s may sign up as non-member wholesale accounts.

When will I get my order?
Delivery time is primarily dependent on the shipping method for your order. Most of our orders are shipped Economy Rate. It's our most economical option and the method most often used for free shipping. Economy Rate shipping is available for packages up to nine pounds going to residential addresses in the continental United States. Most Economy Rate orders arrive within 10 business days, but delays are possible. FedEx Home Delivery and 3-day and 2-day expedited shipping also are options (at additional cost). USPS Priority Mail and Parcel Post delivery times vary widely and are not guaranteed.

How do I go about setting up a wholesale account?
Businesses that resell our products and qualified buying clubs may join our member-owned cooperative. There is a one-time $10 membership fee. There is also a member application that must be filled out. Members receive: our low member prices, a share in Frontier's profits in relation to purchases, and the right to vote on important policy issues and for Board directors. See our Membership page for complete details.

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If you need help navigating or ordering from this site, you can call Online Customer Assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm Central Time at 1-800-669-3275.

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