General
What is Elsie & Tom?
Elsie & Tom is a luxury natural home fragrance and cosmetics business based in Suffolk, UK. We handcraft soy wax candles, reed diffusers, wax melts, organic soaps, body wash, and magnesium balm using our own unique essential oil blends. Every product is made by hand in small batches in our Suffolk studio.
What makes Elsie & Tom different?
Our products are crafted with 100% natural ingredients, pure essential oils, and no synthetic fragrances or additives.
Unlike many candle and fragrance brands, we create therapeutic blends designed to genuinely enhance your wellbeing.
Our fragrances aren’t just decorative, they’re formulated with aromatherapy principles to help you relax, energize, or focus, depending on your needs.
What we can claim about our products
✅ Pure essential oils (no synthetic fragrances)
✅ No phthalates or parabens (because you use essential oils, not synthetic fragrance)
✅ No synthetic dyes (if you don't add colorants)
✅ Lead-free wicks
✅ No paraffin wax
✅ Phthalate-free, paraben-free, SLS-free
Who is Emma, and what’s the story behind the business?
Emma is our founder and creator. Following a stroke in 2016, she embarked on a difficult recovery journey that included learning to walk and talk again.
During her ongoing battle with chronic stroke fatigue, she discovered the power of aromatherapy through essential oils. The custom blends she created to aid her recovery became the foundation of Elsie & Tom.
The business is named after her children, Elsie and Tom, who supported her throughout this challenging time.
Are your products really handmade?
Yes! Every single product is handcrafted by hand in our Suffolk studio. We make everything in small batches to ensure the highest quality and attention to detail. From pouring candles to curing soaps for 8 weeks, blending essential oils to packaging your order, it’s all done with care and expertise.
What can I expect when I order from you?
When you order from Elsie & Tom, you’re supporting a small, independent business that truly cares about quality and customer experience. Your order will be:
- Handcrafted with care in our Suffolk studio
- Made with the finest natural ingredients
- Beautifully packaged in eco-friendly materials
- Dispatched within 2-3 business days
- Accompanied by our genuine appreciation for your support
Why should I choose Elsie & Tom over other brands?
You should choose us if you value:
- Genuine therapeutic benefits from pure essential oils
- Complete transparency in ingredients
- Handcrafted quality over mass production
- Supporting small, independent UK businesses
- Products made with integrity, expertise, and heart
- A brand story rooted in authentic healing and wellness
- Environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing
Every product you buy helps support Emma’s vision of bringing natural wellness into people’s homes, and we’re incredibly grateful for your support.
Contact & Support
How can I contact you?
You can reach us through our Contact page, email us at hello@elsieandtom.co.uk, or message us on Instagram or Facebook. We typically respond within 1-2 business days.
Can I visit your studio?
Our studio is a working production space and isn’t open to the public for walk-in visits. However, we do attend regular markets and fairs – follow us on Instagram to find out where we’ll be next!
I have a question that isn’t answered here. What should I do?
We’re always happy to help! Please contact us through our contact page, email, or social media, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Products & Ingredients
What ingredients do you use?
We use only natural, high-quality ingredients:
- 100% natural soy wax (sustainably sourced, no additives or mineral oils)
- Pure essential oils certified to IFRA standards
- Organic ingredients where possible (COSMOS certified coconut and sunflower oils in our body wash)
- Natural, plant-based butters and oils (shea butter, argan oil, babassu oil, coconut oil)
- No synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, SLS, or SLES
Are your products vegan?
Yes! All our products are vegan-friendly. We use plant-based alternatives like candelilla wax instead of beeswax, and all our ingredients are free from animal-derived components.
Are your products cruelty-free?
Absolutely. None of our products or ingredients are tested on animals. We are proud to be a completely cruelty-free brand.
What are essential oils, and why do you use them?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture the natural fragrance and therapeutic properties of plants.
We use them because they provide genuine aromatherapy benefits – lavender for relaxation, bergamot for mood uplift, peppermint for mental clarity, and so on.
Unlike synthetic fragrances, essential oils work with your body’s natural systems to enhance wellbeing.
Do your products contain allergens?
Some essential oils contain naturally occurring allergens (such as linalool, limonene, geraniol, and citral). These are always listed on our product labels in compliance with UK and EU regulations.
If you have specific allergies, please check the ingredient list on each product page or contact us for guidance.
Why do your soaps take 8 weeks to make?
Our soaps are made using the traditional cold-process method, which requires a curing period of 8 weeks.
During this time, the soap hardens, excess water evaporates, and the pH balances to create a mild, long-lasting bar that’s gentle on your skin.
This traditional method produces a far superior soap compared to mass-produced alternatives.
What’s the difference between your fragrances?
We’ve categorised our fragrances into three groups:
- Relaxing Fragrances: to help you unwind, reduce stress, and promote better sleep
- Energising Fragrances: to boost your mood and invigorate your senses
- Focus Fragrances: help with concentration and mental clarity
Candles
How long do your candles burn?
Burn times vary by size:
- 140g travel candles: approximately 25-30 hours
- 200g standard candles: approximately 40-45 hours
- 430g large 3-wick candles: approximately 80-90 hours
What type of wax do you use?
We use 100% natural soy wax that is sustainably sourced with no additives, mineral oils, or petroleum-based ingredients. Soy wax burns cleanly and longer than paraffin, is biodegradable, and is a renewable resource.
How should I care for my candle?
- Burn for a minimum of 2 hours and maximum of 4 hours at a time
- Always trim the wick to 5mm before lighting
- Allow the wax to melt evenly across the entire surface to prevent tunneling
- Keep away from draughts, children, and pets
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- If the wick mushrooms, let it cool, trim, and relight
Why does my candle have a white, frosty appearance?
This is called “frosting” and is a natural characteristic of soy wax. It doesn’t affect the quality, scent throw, or burn time of your candle, it’s simply a cosmetic effect that proves your candle is made from pure, natural soy wax without additives.
What is 'scent throw'?
Scent throw refers to how well a candle releases its fragrance into a room. All our candles are graded 5 for scent throw, meaning they will beautifully fragrance your space without being overpowering.
Can I recycle my candle jar?
Yes! Our glass jars are fully recyclable. Once your candle has finished, you can clean out any remaining wax and reuse or recycle the jar.
Magnesium Balm
What is magnesium balm for?
Our Relaxing Embrace Magnesium Balm is formulated to help with:
- Improving sleep quality and promoting restful sleep
- Relieving muscle tension, cramps, and stiffness
- Calming restless legs
- Reducing migraine pain
- Managing menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, mood fluctuations)
- Reducing anxiety and stress
- Improving focus and concentration
- Restoring natural energy levels
How do I use magnesium balm?
Massage a pea-sized amount onto clean, dry skin, focusing on the soles of feet, heels, neck, shoulders, or lower back. For general relaxation, apply to the chest or abdomen. Use once daily, ideally 30 minutes before bed for best sleep benefits.
Is magnesium balm safe for children?
Yes, it’s suitable for ages 3 and above. However, we recommend doing a patch test first and consulting your GP if you have any concerns.
Can I use magnesium balm during pregnancy?
While our magnesium balm contains natural ingredients, we always recommend consulting with your midwife or GP before using any new products during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How is magnesium balm absorbed through the skin?
Transdermal (through-skin) magnesium absorption allows the mineral to bypass the digestive system and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the skin.
This can be particularly beneficial for people who have difficulty absorbing magnesium orally or who experience digestive side effects from oral supplements.
Soaps & Body Wash
What makes your soaps special?
Our soaps are handmade using the traditional cold-process method with organic oils (olive, coconut, shea butter, castor oil) and our signature essential oil blends. They’re naturally moisturising, gentle on skin, and cured for 8 weeks for a long-lasting, luxurious bar.
Are your soaps suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes! Our soaps are made with gentle, natural ingredients and are free from harsh synthetic additives. However, everyone’s skin is different, so if you have very sensitive skin, we recommend testing on a small area first.
Is your hand and body wash organic?
Our Relaxing Embrace Hand and Body Wash contains COSMOS Approved Organic coconut and sunflower oils, along with RSPO Certified Sustainable Palm Oil.
It’s 100% vegan, free from SLS/SLES, parabens, and phthalates, and fragranced with our natural Relaxing Embrace essential oil blend.
Why is your body wash more expensive than supermarket brands?
Our body wash is made with premium organic ingredients, pure essential oils, and natural surfactants (not harsh SLS/SLES).
It’s handcrafted in small batches and contains ingredients that genuinely nourish your skin.
You’re paying for quality, ethics, and therapeutic benefits – not synthetic fillers and aggressive chemicals.
Product Care & Safety
Are your products safe for pets?
Keep all candles and diffusers out of reach of pets. Some essential oils can be harmful to cats and dogs when ingested or in high concentrations. Always ensure good ventilation and never leave burning candles unattended around pets.
Can I use your products if I'm pregnant?
While our products use natural ingredients, we always recommend consulting with your midwife or GP before using essential oil products during pregnancy, as some essential oils are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
What's the shelf life of your products?
- Candles, wax melts, and reed diffusers: 2+ years when stored properly
- Soaps: 6-12 months (they actually improve with age!)
- Magnesium Balm: 6 months after opening
- Hand & Body Wash: 12 months after opening
Why does my wax melt/candle look different from the photo?
Natural products can vary slightly in appearance due to the characteristics of soy wax and natural ingredients. Color variations, frosting, or slight texture differences don’t affect the quality, fragrance, or performance of your product.
Ordering & Delivery
Where do you deliver?
Currently, we deliver to addresses within the UK only. We do not ship to PO Boxes.
How much is delivery?
Shipping charges are calculated at checkout based on your order and location.
How long does delivery take?
All orders are processed within 2-3 business days.
Orders are not shipped or delivered on weekends or holidays.
Delivery typically takes 2-5 working days from dispatch. You’ll receive a shipment confirmation email with tracking information once your order has been dispatched.
Can I track my order?
Yes! Once your order has shipped, you’ll receive a shipment confirmation email containing your tracking number. The tracking number will be active within 24 hours.
What if my order arrives damaged?
We take great care in packaging, but occasionally damage can occur during transit.
Please contact the shipping carrier to file a claim, and keep all packaging materials and damaged items.
We’re not liable for items damaged in shipping, but we’re here to help you through the claims process.
Do you offer gift wrapping?
Yes! We offer gift wrapping using beautiful Cambridge Imprint papers, which are hand-drawn and printed with vegetable oil-based inks.
Our gift wrapping is expertly done and tied with a ribbon. You can also add a personalised message card. Gift wrapping options are available at checkout for most products.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes! Gift cards are available here purchase on our website and can be used for any Elsie & Tom product.
Returns & Refunds
What is your returns policy?
Products purchased directly at elsieandtom.co.uk can be returned if found to be faulty.
This does not include natural characteristics of natural ingredients such as mushrooming (wick), cracking, wet spots, or frosting in candles. These are normal occurrences in natural products.
If you purchased a product from one of our stockists, please contact them directly for returns. Please refer to our returns policy for full details.
How do I return a product?
Please ensure the package is wrapped securely. We recommend using a recorded delivery service as we cannot accept liability for goods lost in transit. Once we receive and process your return, we’ll notify you by email.
When will I receive my refund?
We’ll refund the price paid for the products within 21 days of receiving your returned products.
Can I return individual items from a set?
No, products purchased as a set can only be returned as a complete set, not as individual items.
What if I received a promotional gift with my order?
If a promotional gift was included in your order and you make a return that reduces your total below the gift threshold, the full order (including the gift) must be returned.
Subscriptions
Do you offer subscriptions?
Yes! We offer subscription services for our Magnesium Balm and Hand & Body Wash with a 15% discount. You can choose monthly or quarterly delivery.
How do I cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account. There are no cancellation fees or penalties.
Can I pause my subscription?
Yes, you can pause, skip, or modify your subscription at any time through your account settings.
Sustainability & Ethics
Are your products eco-friendly?
As much as possible. We’re committed to sustainability and use or enact the following:
- Natural, renewable soy wax
- Recyclable glass jars and aluminium tins
- Eco-friendly packaging and gift wrap using recyclable materials
- No plastic where possible
- Sustainably sourced ingredients (RSPO certified palm oil)
- Small-batch production reduces waste
- Local production in Suffolk reduces air transport miles
What about your packaging?
All our product packaging is recyclable. We use eco-friendly boxes and Cambridge Imprint gift wrap printed with vegetable oil-based inks. We’re constantly working to reduce our environmental impact.
Are your essential oils sustainably sourced?
Yes, we source our essential oils from reputable suppliers who follow sustainable and ethical harvesting practices. All our essential oils are certified to IFRA (International Fragrance Association) standards.
Stockists & Markets
Where can I buy Elsie & Tom products in person?
We’re stocked in quality independent stores across Suffolk and Norfolk. Please visit our Suffolk Stockist and Norfolk Stockist pages for a complete list of retail locations.
Do you attend markets and craft fairs?
Yes! We love supporting local markets and craft fairs across Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex. Follow us on Instagram (@elsieandtomcandles) to find out where we’ll be next.
Can I become a stockist?
We’re always interested in partnering with quality independent retailers who share our values. Please visit our Trade page or contact us for more information about stocking Elsie & Tom products.
Wholesale & Custom Orders
Do you offer wholesale?
Yes! Please visit our Trade page or contact us at hello@elsieandtom.co.uk for wholesale inquiries and pricing.
Can I order custom fragrances or private label products?
We do offer custom fragrance creation and manufacturing partnerships for businesses. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements and minimum order quantities.
Do you make custom candles for events?
Yes, we can create custom candles for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions. Please get in touch to discuss your needs, timeline, and budget.
