Policies — Pūraka Skincare

Transparency & Trust

Our Policies

Everything we do is rooted in honesty. These policies set out how Pūraka operates — from the ingredients we use to the way we communicate.

Brand
Ethics Policy
How we operate and what we stand for

Pūraka upholds the highest standards of professional ethics — informed by Melissa Foreman's 20 years of practice as a homeopath and naturopath, and over 7 years formulating natural skincare. Every product is rooted in a deep respect for individual wellbeing, balance, and safety.

1. Commitment to ethical practice

Melissa is a fully insured member of the Society of Homeopaths, working to their strict code of ethics and best practice levels. That same standard of care and accountability runs through every Pūraka product.

2. Natural ingredients & quality standards

  • Natural formulation: All Pūraka products use carefully vetted, naturally derived ingredients — drawing on Melissa's background in naturopathy and over 7 years of experience formulating skincare that genuinely works.
  • Transparency: Ingredient sourcing prioritises natural origins, safety, and efficacy. The term "natural" refers to plant, mineral, or naturally occurring substances — never synthetic substitutes.
  • Safety first: Homeopathic tissue salts and natural extracts are selected for their safety profile — free from known harmful chemicals, unnecessary additives, or potential environmental contaminants. All products are formulated to be safe alongside conventional treatments.

3. No animal testing & cruelty-free

Pūraka does not test products or ingredients on animals and expects the same commitment from all suppliers and partners. Every product is 100% cruelty-free and vegan.

4. Professional conduct & care

  • Client-centred: All health-related support is delivered with compassion, respect, and strict client confidentiality, tailored to each individual's needs.
  • Holistic support: The approach is to address the root cause of issues, aiming for long-lasting results rather than temporary fixes.
  • Continuous development: Melissa regularly reviews current research and professional best practices to keep her approach current.

5. Social responsibility

  • Education: Customers are actively encouraged to learn about their skin and how to maintain it — empowering informed choices through transparency and guidance.
  • Community: Pūraka is committed to being a brand that gives back — to its customers, its community, and the natural world it draws from.
Gentle, natural, and effective skincare — crafted to the strictest ethical guidelines, with an unwavering dedication to safety, transparency, and customer care at every step.
Brand
Ingredient Transparency Policy
Nothing hidden, nothing by accident

At Pūraka, we believe that knowing what's in your skincare is as important as how it's made. Transparency is at the heart of every product — empowering you to make safe and informed choices.

1. Full ingredient disclosure

  • Every Pūraka product lists all ingredients, displayed on product packaging and detailed product pages.
  • Ingredients are shown in plain language wherever possible, alongside their official INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) names.
  • Clear explanations are provided for any technical terms, so you never have to wonder what you're putting on your skin.

2. Clear ethical & dietary labels

  • Vegan-friendly: Products that are entirely free of animal-derived ingredients are clearly labelled.
  • Non-vegan ingredients: If a product includes ingredients such as beeswax or honey, this is clearly noted for full transparency.
  • We indicate when products are cruelty-free or handmade.

3. Excluded ingredients

Pūraka never uses the following — not in a single product:

  • Parabens
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
  • Synthetic fragrances
  • Mineral oil
  • Petrochemicals
  • Synthetic fillers
  • Animal-derived ingredients
  • Any ingredient banned by UK or EU cosmetic regulations

4. Sourcing & environmental care

  • Our ingredient list highlights where we have used sustainably sourced components.
  • Any allergens or potential sensitivities are clearly flagged on product pages and packaging.

5. Open communication & education

We invite customers to contact us with questions about any ingredient or sourcing method. Email us at hello@purakaskincare.com and we'll get back to you personally.

Nothing in here by accident. And nothing hidden either.
Legal
Product Claims & Advertising Policy
Honest claims, independently tested

At Pūraka, we are committed to providing honest, transparent, and evidence-based information about our skincare products. All claims are made in line with the highest legal and ethical standards.

1. Compliance with UK regulations

Our product claims fully comply with UK law, including the UK Cosmetics Regulation and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. We adhere to the Common Criteria for Cosmetic Claims, which require that all claims be legal, truthful, supported by evidence, fair, clear, and enabling informed decisions.

2. Independent product testing

To guarantee accuracy and safety, Pūraka products are independently tested by Oxford Labs. All formulations undergo rigorous analysis for quality, stability, and safety. Efficacy claims are validated by trusted third-party testing — not just in-house data.

3. Types of claims we make

  • Efficacy claims: Such as "moisturises skin" or "helps maintain skin balance," supported by formulation data and user feedback.
  • Ingredient claims: Transparency on natural, ethically sourced components with clear descriptive sourcing.
  • Sensory claims: "Light texture," "pleasant natural scent," and similar experiential notes.
  • Ethical claims: Including "cruelty-free," "vegan," or "sustainably sourced," with documentation.

We do not make medicinal claims, which fall under different regulations.

4. Advertising & marketing standards

All advertising, packaging, website content, and social media posts comply with Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) guidelines. Claims are always clear, truthful, backed by evidence, and free from exaggeration. Testimonials and influencer endorsements are genuine and drawn from real user experience.

5. Questions & documentation

We encourage customers to contact us with questions about our product claims or testing methodology. Email us at hello@purakaskincare.com and we'll get back to you personally.

Every claim we make is one we can stand behind. Honesty isn't a policy at Pūraka — it's a founding principle.
Brand
Sustainability & Environmental Policy
Healthy skin and a healthy planet

At Pūraka, we believe healthy skin and a healthy planet go hand in hand. Our commitment to sustainability shapes every aspect of how we source ingredients, create products, and deliver them to your door.

1. Sustainable ingredient sourcing

  • Natural & ethical supply chains: We carefully choose suppliers who champion sustainable farming, wild harvesting, or ethical mineral extraction practices.
  • Biodiversity protection: We avoid ingredients linked to deforestation or ecosystem harm — including unsustainable palm oil — and support regenerative, biodiversity-friendly practices.

2. Thoughtful packaging

  • Eco-friendly materials: Our packaging is chosen for minimal environmental impact — prioritising recyclable amber glass bottles and jars, and cardboard shipping materials.
  • Waste reduction: We design our products to limit excess packaging, use biodegradable shipping fillers, and are working towards refillable and reusable options wherever feasible.
  • Consumer recycling support: Clear recycling instructions are provided with every order.

3. Responsible production & waste

  • Handcrafted on-site: All Pūraka products are prepared by hand in small batches at Melissa's home studio — ensuring complete oversight of quality, environmental impact, and ethical standards.
  • Plastic-free shipping: Our packaging and shipping practices are strictly plastic-free. We use only recyclable, biodegradable, or otherwise sustainable materials.
  • Zero industrial waste: By producing only what is needed, our process creates minimal surplus and avoids the large-scale waste commonly associated with cosmetic outsourcing.
  • Local, low-impact craft: Sourcing ingredients and packaging from eco-conscious suppliers and making everything on-site reduces transportation emissions and supports local supply chains.
Healthy skin and a healthy planet are not in conflict. At Pūraka, we believe you shouldn't have to choose between the two.
Brand
Influencer & Endorsement Policy
Authentic partnerships, honest content

Pūraka works with creators and influencers who genuinely share our values — people who care about what they put on their skin and why. Every partnership is built on honesty, full disclosure, and authentic experience.

1. Full disclosure

Any content created in connection with a gifted product, paid partnership, or brand collaboration must be clearly disclosed in accordance with ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) guidelines and CAP Code requirements. This includes — but is not limited to — the use of #ad, #gifted, or equivalent labels that are visible at the start of any caption, description, or video.

2. Authentic representation

  • Creators are only asked to share their genuine experience of Pūraka products — we do not script testimonials or ask for false claims.
  • If a creator's honest experience is neutral or negative, they are under no obligation to post. We would rather not be featured than be misrepresented.
  • No exaggerated efficacy claims, before/after imagery that does not reflect personal experience, or language that could mislead consumers about the nature or results of our products.

3. Claims & content standards

  • All product descriptions and efficacy claims used in sponsored or gifted content must be consistent with Pūraka's own advertising standards policy.
  • Creators must not make medicinal claims on behalf of Pūraka products.
  • Before/after imagery may be used in organic (non-paid) social content only, and must reflect the creator's own results.

4. Our commitment to creators

We treat all creators fairly, communicate clearly about what a partnership involves, and never pressure creators to post content they don't believe in. Questions about a gifting arrangement or partnership can be directed to hello@purakaskincare.com.

Real products. Real people. Real results — or nothing at all.
Legal
Privacy Policy
How we handle your personal data

Pūraka Skincare ("we," "us," "our") is committed to protecting your personal information. This policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights under UK GDPR.

1. Data we collect

  • Order data: Name, delivery address, billing address, email address, and order history — required to fulfil purchases.
  • Account data: If you create an account, we store your login details and preferences.
  • Communication data: Any messages you send us via email or contact forms.
  • Marketing data: Email address and consent preferences if you opt in to our newsletter via Klaviyo.
  • Analytics data: Browsing behaviour on our site collected via cookies and analytics tools (see Cookie Policy).

2. How we use your data

  • Processing and fulfilling your orders
  • Sending order confirmations, shipping updates, and receipts
  • Responding to customer service enquiries
  • Sending marketing emails if you have opted in (you may unsubscribe at any time)
  • Improving our website and products through anonymised analytics

3. Data sharing

We do not sell your data. We share your information only with trusted third-party service providers necessary to run our business — including Shopify (store platform), Klaviyo (email marketing), and Royal Mail (shipping). All providers are GDPR-compliant.

4. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data; object to processing; and withdraw consent for marketing at any time. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@purakaskincare.com.

5. Data retention

We retain order data for up to 7 years to comply with UK tax and accounting obligations. Marketing data is held only while you remain subscribed.

6. Contact

For privacy-related queries, email hello@purakaskincare.com. This policy was last updated May 2025.

Legal
Cookie Policy
What cookies we use and why

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies on purakaskincare.com to make the site work properly, understand how it's being used, and where you've given consent, to show you relevant content.

1. Essential cookies

These are required for the store to function. They manage your shopping cart, maintain your session, process payments securely, and prevent fraud. These cookies cannot be disabled.

2. Analytics cookies

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors interact with our site — including pages visited, time on site, and traffic sources. This data is anonymised and used only to improve the site. You can opt out via your browser settings or a cookie consent tool.

3. Marketing & tracking cookies

If you have given consent, we use the Meta Pixel (Facebook/Instagram) and may in future use the TikTok Pixel to measure the effectiveness of our advertising and to show relevant ads. These cookies track interactions such as page views, add-to-cart events, and purchases.

4. Managing cookies

You can manage or withdraw cookie consent at any time through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies — please note that disabling essential cookies will affect the store's functionality.

5. Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy as our use of cookies changes. Any updates will be posted on this page. Last updated May 2025.

Commerce
Shipping Policy
Delivery times, costs, and packaging

All Pūraka orders are prepared by hand and dispatched with care. Because every product is made in small batches, we ask for a little time to get your order ready.

1. Processing times

Orders are processed within 1–3 working days of receipt. During busy periods (launches, promotions), processing may take up to 5 working days. You will receive an email confirmation once your order has been dispatched.

2. UK delivery

  • Standard delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 48 — typically 2–4 working days from dispatch.
  • Express delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 24 — typically 1–2 working days from dispatch.
  • Free standard UK delivery on orders over £60.

3. International delivery

We currently ship to selected international destinations. Delivery times and costs vary by destination and are calculated at checkout. Customers outside the UK are responsible for any import duties, taxes, or customs charges applicable in their country.

4. Packaging

All orders are shipped in plastic-free, recyclable packaging. Products are packed securely in cardboard with biodegradable void fill. We use amber glass wherever possible to protect formula integrity and minimise waste.

5. Order issues

If your order is delayed, damaged in transit, or has not arrived within the expected window, please contact us at hello@purakaskincare.com and we'll resolve it promptly.

Commerce
Returns & Refunds
Our commitment if something isn't right

We stand behind every product we make. If something isn't right with your order, we want to know — and we'll do everything we can to make it right.

1. Returns

We accept returns on unopened, unused products within 14 days of delivery. Because our products are handmade in small batches and contain natural active ingredients, we are unable to accept returns on opened products for hygiene and safety reasons — unless the product is faulty.

2. Faulty or damaged products

If your product arrives damaged, defective, or not as described, please contact us within 7 days of receipt at hello@purakaskincare.com with your order number and a photo. We will arrange a replacement or full refund at no cost to you.

3. Skin reactions

All Pūraka products are formulated from natural ingredients, and we recommend a patch test before first use. If you experience an unexpected skin reaction, please discontinue use and contact us. We will review your concern and, at our discretion, offer a refund or replacement.

4. How to return

  1. Email hello@purakaskincare.com with your order number and reason for return.
  2. We'll confirm your return and provide the return address.
  3. Pack the item securely and send it via a tracked service — we recommend keeping proof of postage.
  4. Once received and inspected, your refund will be processed within 5 working days to your original payment method.

5. Return shipping costs

Unless the product is faulty or sent in error, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. We recommend using a tracked service as we cannot be held responsible for returns lost in transit.

6. Your statutory rights

This policy does not affect your statutory rights under the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015 or the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Natural botanical skincare by homeopath Melissa Foreman.

Questions? Email hello@purakaskincare.com

© 2025 Pūraka Skincare. All rights reserved.