Frequently asked questions

Every merculine face and body product is vegan, completely free from animal-derived ingredients including lanolin, carmine, and animal-sourced collagen. Four hair products contain hydrolysed keratin and are not vegan: Strength & Volume Shampoo, Volume Boost Conditioner, Keratin Leave-In Hair Mist, and Keratin Intensive Rescue Hair Mask. Keratin is the structural protein hair is made of, and no plant-derived substitute repairs a damaged hair shaft the same way. We'd rather tell you that plainly than reformulate to a weaker product or leave the claim vague. Every product page shows its own status, and all our products are cruelty-free.

Yes. No merculine product or ingredient has been tested on animals at any stage of production. Our manufacturing partner operates in the EU where animal testing of cosmetics is prohibited by law. We do not sell in markets that require animal testing.

All merculine products are formulated and manufactured in Latvia, France & Italy collaborating with one of Europe's leading private label cosmetics manufacturers. Products are made to EU cosmetic safety standards and certified under the COSMOS Natural certification by ECOCERT Greenlife.

No parabens, and no artificial dyes. On fragrance: where a product is scented, it comes from natural sources — essential oils and plant extracts. These appear on the ingredient list as Parfum, which is the standard INCI term for any fragrance compound, natural or synthetic. Some products are unscented entirely. On sulphates: we don't use SLS or SLES. A few cleansers use Sodium Coco-Sulfate, a coconut-derived surfactant that's gentler than conventional sulphates, and our shampoo uses Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate — a different ingredient from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate despite the similar name, and considerably milder. The full ingredient list for every product is on its product page.

Most merculine products are formulated to be suitable for sensitive skin, including the Daily Control Cleanser, Zinc Defence Gel, Triple Action Eye Cream, and Deep Hydration Cream. The AHA Resurfacing Concentrate contains 10% Lactic Acid which may cause mild tingling, we recommend starting once weekly and increasing frequency gradually. The Active Shield SPF50 uses mineral filters which are generally better tolerated by sensitive skin than chemical UV filters. If you have a known skin condition, consult a dermatologist before starting any new skincare regime.

All merculine products have a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol on the packaging indicating how long the product remains effective after first opening, typically 6 to 12 months. Unopened products have a shelf life of 24 to 36 months from the manufacturing date. Store products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Some products contain tree nut-derived oils. Sweet Almond Oil appears in the Omega Body Oil, Rosemary Hair & Scalp Strengthening Oil, Volume Boost Conditioner, and Brightening C Serum. Argan Kernel Oil appears in the Omega Body Oil, Rosemary Hair & Scalp Strengthening Oil, and Keratin Intensive Rescue Hair Mask. The Softening Beard Oil is confirmed nut-free and gluten-free by our manufacturer. For every other product, check the full INCI list on its product page  we publish the complete list for all products, with no exceptions. Many of our formulas also contain natural fragrance components such as Limonene, Linalool, and Citral, which are declared individually as EU regulations require. If you have a diagnosed allergy, speak to your healthcare provider before using any new product.

Start with three products: the Daily Control Cleanser, the Zinc Defence Gel, and the Active Shield SPF50. These three cover the three most important steps — cleanse, hydrate and protect, and defend against UV damage. Use them every morning for four weeks before adding anything else. Or take our 30-second routine finder and get a personalised recommendation based on your specific skin type and concerns.

Always apply in order of texture — thinnest to thickest. The correct morning sequence is: 1. Cleanse → 2. Serum → 3. Eye cream → 4. Moisturiser → 5. SPF. Allow 30–45 seconds between each step for absorption.

Start with once a week in the evening. After two weeks with no irritation, increase to twice a week. Never use it more than twice weekly — more frequent use does not accelerate results and increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Always apply broad-spectrum SPF the morning after use.

Yes. The Volcanic Exfoliating Scrub uses micronised Icelandic volcanic sand which is fine enough for use on the face without causing micro-tears. Use on damp skin in gentle circular motions for 30–60 seconds, then rinse. Use 2–3 times per week maximum — not daily. Do not use on the same day as the AHA Resurfacing Concentrate.

Results vary by product and concern. The Caffeine Eye & Face Energiser works within minutes. The Zinc Defence Gel typically shows visible oil control results within 2 weeks. Peptides and Vitamin C show meaningful results at 4–6 weeks of consistent daily use. The AHA Resurfacing Concentrate produces visible texture improvement after the first use, with significant improvement in dark spots and tone at 6–8 weeks.

Yes. merculine products are formulated to work together as a system but are compatible with products from other brands. The main caution is around active ingredients — do not layer multiple high-concentration actives (such as AHA and Vitamin C) in the same application. Use one active at a time, or use them on different days or morning versus evening.

Orders can be amended or cancelled within 2 hours of placement, before processing begins. Contact us immediately at care@merculine.com with your order number. Once an order has entered processing we are unable to make changes. If your order has already dispatched, you can return it in accordance with our returns policy.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. All payments are processed securely through Shopify Payments. We do not store card details — all payment data is handled by our payment processors.

Check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails occasionally land there. If you cannot find it after 30 minutes, contact us at care@merculine.com with the email address used at checkout and we will locate your order and resend the confirmation.

Orders are prepared for dispatch within 2 working days. From that point: United Kingdom — Standard 4–7 days, Express 1–2 days. European Union — Standard 4–11 days depending on destination country, Express 1–3 days. United States — Standard 2–5 days, Express available at checkout for eligible destinations. You will receive a tracking number by email once your order has been dispatched.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the weight of your order and your delivery destination. Both Standard and Express options are available for all regions.

UK and EU orders are fulfilled from our European production facility and shipped via FedEx. US orders are fulfilled from our North American facility and shipped via UPS.

merculine currently ships to the United Kingdom, United States, and all 27 European Union member states. We are working on expanding to additional markets including the GCC region. If you are outside these markets and want to be notified when we launch in your country, contact us at care@merculine.com

All merculine product prices are exclusive of local taxes and import duties. As with any international order, customs fees, import duties, and local taxes for:

United Kingdom orders are determined by UK customs authorities and are the responsibility of the customer — these may be collected by the courier on delivery.

European Union and United States orders are fulfilled locally within each region, so no customs duties or import charges apply. Any charges that do apply are determined by local authorities and are the customer's responsibility.

All merculine orders include full tracking. Once dispatched, you will receive a tracking number via email. UK and EU orders are shipped via FedEx, US orders via UPS. You can also visit our Track Your Order page for direct links to carrier tracking portals.

If your order has not arrived within 10 business days of your dispatch confirmation, contact us at care@merculine.com with your order number. We will investigate with the carrier and either locate the parcel or arrange a replacement.

We offer a 30-day return window from the date of delivery. Products must be returned unused and in their original condition. For hygiene reasons, we cannot accept returns of opened or used skincare products unless they are faulty or damaged.

Email us at care@merculine.com with your order number and the reason for your return. We will respond within 2 business days with return instructions. Do not send products back without contacting us first — unrequested returns cannot be processed.

Contact us within 14 days of delivery at care@merculine.com with your order number and a photograph of the issue. We will arrange a replacement or full refund at no cost to you — no return required.

Once we receive and inspect your return, refunds are processed within 5–7 business days to your original payment method. You will receive an email confirmation when the refund has been issued. Bank processing times vary — allow up to 10 business days for the refund to appear in your account.

Three things. First, merculine is built specifically around men's skin biology — higher sebum production, thicker skin, daily shaving damage — not adapted from women's skincare with masculine packaging. Second, every product uses science-backed ingredients at clinically effective concentrations. Third, every product is 100% vegan and COSMOS Natural certified.

Yes. The merculine catalogue covers skin concerns across all age groups — oil control and prevention for men in their twenties, hydration and early anti-ageing for men in their thirties, and targeted firming and renewal for men in their forties and beyond. Our routine finder accounts for your age as one of five factors.

Our referral programme is launching with the store — refer a friend and both of you receive £10 credit. A broader loyalty programme is planned for later in 2026. Visit our Refer a Friend page to get on the waitlist.

merculine is currently available exclusively through merculine.com. We are building the brand direct-to-consumer first to ensure every customer receives the full merculine experience. Retail partnerships are planned for 2027.