Frequently Asked Questions
Zilch Acne Formula | Frequently asked questions
A: Zilch Acne Formula may assist with:
• Deep under-the-skin, painful acne
• Whiteheads (pimples that come to a head)
• Acne resulting from coming off the pill
• Hormonal acne
• Adult acne on jawline, chin, cheeks and temples
• Stubborn acne that has not responded to other treatments
• Body acne (chest, back, shoulders, buttocks)
• Closed comedones (clogged skin)
Reduce Inflammation and Heat
Zilch calms the heat and inflammation that causes swelling, redness and itching. Heat in the body venting through the skin as pimples is similar to how earth’s core heat would cause volcano eruptions.
Remove Toxins
Zilch supports the body to eliminate toxin build up that can cause breakouts.
Boost Blood Circulation
Poor circulation can lead to blockages, stagnation and swelling, resulting in deeper and sore nodules. Ingredients in Zilch encourage blood circulation to stop this stagnation from happening.
Promote Healing
Ingredients in Zilch help support healthy tissue repair and promote healing.
A: Zilch is made up only of 17 herbal ingredients, and potato starch as a binder. No added preservatives, chemicals, fillers or nasties!
Prunus persica, Carthamus tinctorius, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Hedyotis diffusa, Angelica dahurica, Gleditsia sinensis, Viola yedoensis, Taraxacum mongolicum, Lonicera japonica, Phellodendron amurense, Paeonia suffruticosa, Gardenia florida, Gentiana scabra, Scutellaria baicalensis, Zingiber officinale, Angelica polymorpha, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Starch-Potato.
Visit our ingredients page to learn more.
A: Take up to 4 tablets, twice a day, on an empty stomach, at least 20 minutes away from food (ie: allow at least 20 minutes on either side of a meal before taking Zilch)
If you are sensitive, try taking Zilch Acne Formula 20 minutes after a meal.
• MILD: Take 2 tablets, twice a day.
• MODERATE: Take 3 tablets, twice a day.
• WORSE: Take 4 tablets, twice a day.
A: It may sound like a lot because we are generally used to the “one-a-day” supplement dose. Because our active ingredients are made purely with herbal extracts and not synthetically derived, the dosage needs to be higher to get the therapeutic benefit. You’re really just taking potent herbs in a tablet.
A: Most people will notice changes within the first 2 weeks, with more significant changes by week 3-4. Inflammation should have reduced and new breakouts should be much more infrequent. Clear skin may be seen within 6 – 8 weeks of use. Please note, everyone responds differently to treatments and effects may vary from person to person.
A: Zilch Acne Formula is a Chinese Herbal medicine based supplement, that works from the inside out. Based on Chinese Medicine principles, it works on balancing the body and promoting healing so the changes are long term. It is also 100% natural, and our product does not contain any additives or extra nasties – just high potency, pure herbal extracts.
A: Zilch Acne Formula is not designed to make your skin worse before it gets better, however, a very small percentage of users report an initial purge period of 7-10 days before skin begins to improve. Please consult your healthcare practitioner if concerned. If purge period does not subside after 10 days, please discontinue use.
A: Yes. Zilch Acne Formula is designed with herbal ingredients that help with reducing inflammation and clearing toxicity in the body. The same patterns often exist with mild-acne, so Zilch Acne Formula can be beneficial.
The recommended dose for milder cases is usually lower than the full recommended dose, so you can start with 2 tablets twice a day.
A: Teenage acne can often be more difficult to manage due to the hormones changing during puberty. Zilch Acne Formula may help reduce the severity and manage teenage acne and its symptoms.
A: Individuals taking anticoagulants or individuals at risk of bleeding problems should seek medical advice before taking Zilch.
Do not use if pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
Please read label and view medical disclaimer before use.
A: Zilch Acne Formula can be used while on birth control medication and devices. Please consult your doctor for specific medical advice if you're unsure.
A: There is no contraindication with other common acne medications. If unsure, please consult your doctor before using Zilch Acne Formula. Please read label and view medical disclaimer before use.
A: Yes. Zilch Acne Formula can assist in managing your skin breakouts that commonly occur when people stop the contraceptive pill. General advice is to commence taking Zilch a few weeks before you finish the last day of pill cycle.
A: The TGA warnings for this product are as follows: Individuals taking anticoagulants or individuals at risk of bleeding problems should seek medical advice before taking Zilch. Do not use if pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
There are no other TGA contraindications.
If you are taking medication and are concerned, please seek advice from a doctor before using Zilch Acne Formula.
A: Zilch Acne Formula is 100% natural, with no added preservatives or fillers and is gentle on the body. Side effects are uncommon with Zilch Acne Formula. As this is an ingested product, we would never make the statement that there could be NO side effects (eg: Some people have slight changes with their digestion and bowels after using new supplements due to their body adjusting - this would actually be seen as a "side effect." even if its mild and temporary).
This is general advice only and we cannot take into account specific allergies that individuals may suffer from. Please read label and ingredients if you suffer from known allergies.
The warnings and contraindications for this product are as follows: Individuals taking anticoagulants or individuals at risk of bleeding problems should seek medical advice before taking Zilch Acne Formula. Do not use if pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
Although there are not often interactions with natural supplements and other vitamins and minerals, if you are taking other supplements and are unsure, we always advise to please seek information from your healthcare professional before using Zilch Acne Formula as they can provide you with personalised advice.
A: Dr. Vivian Tam, founder of Zilch Acne Formula, is a Chinese Doctor practicing in Melbourne. Consultations are available via booking only. Please visit Cosmetic Acupuncture Melbourne for more information.
Alternatively, please make a consultation with a Doctor of Chinese Medicine for specific information.
A: Not necessarily. Zilch Acne Formula is designed as a long term solution to acne. When the skin is clear, you should be able to stop taking Zilch Acne Formula. General advice is to ween off the herbs by taking 50% dose for two weeks and assessing your skin, to give yourself time to see if you need to continue taking it or not.
A: Yes. Some people opt to stay on it at a very low dose (2 pills once a day) to keep breakouts at bay, or use it as a “security” dose, however, Zilch is designed to balance the root cause of acne so you may not need to stay on it once clear.
This is general advice only. Please see a healthcare professional for more specific dosage and usage instructions if required.
A: Yes, we have had many reports of great success with closed comedones. Zilch Acne Formula helps to reduce the inflammation often associated with over oil production (which is essentially what drives the closed comedones to become clogged.)
A: Every individual is different, however most people see differences in the first bottle or within the first 2-3 weeks, with more marked changes in the second bottle or at 4-6 weeks. You can always start with one bottle, and purchase an additional bottle if you feel the need to.
A: Zilch Acne Formula is made from 100% natural herbal ingredients, however, there are no studies with newborns and infants as subjects, and we are not able to claim whether it is safe or unsafe for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. For this reason, we would recommend not to use Zilch Acne Formula while breastfeeding.
Please consult your medical practitioner before starting on Zilch Acne Formula if you are breastfeeding.
A: You are able to crush the tablets and mix them into water, but the herbs are very bitter. It is not a taste that you could disguise in a smoothie!
Our advice if you cannot swallow them, is to crush them, add a little warm water and mix until dissolved into a liquid, hold your nose and have it as a quick shot!
Zilch Acne Formula in its powder form is how it is dispensed at Dr. Vivian's clinic.
A: Absolutely! Zilch Acne Formula can be used by both men and women. Our formula works on harmonising imbalances within the body and is applicable to both males and females.
A: Zilch Acne Formula has been designed to work with all types of acne as it works on balancing the internal patterns that cause acne – whether that is on the face, body, chest or back.
A: Zilch Acne Formula does not contain any tree nuts. Please be sure to check the ingredients list.
A: No need to make up for the dose, just continue as per normal the next morning.
Zilch Acne Formula is a herbal supplement and not a medication, so missing a dose here or there is not going to “ruin” any results. We don’t recommend going over the the maximum dose of 8 tablets per day.
A: Our formula is batch made, and is made from raw herbal ingredients that are sourced when ordered.
None of our ingredients are synthesised like most supplements on the market and cannot be compared. The extraction process is also highly specialised, allowing us to make the tablets with absolutely no additives or preservatives.
Zilch Acne Formula is also patented, and there are a lot of legal costs involved with a highly specialised product like ours.
Put simply: there are a lot of costs for us to produce this highly specialised product. It’s also a really big dose, lasting 30-60 days. There are many other reasons for the price tag, but we are a small and very honest company, and pride ourselves on our transparency and customer service. Thanks for your support.
A: Zilch Acne Formula is batch made from scratch when we place an order with our manufacturer.
Raw herbs have to be sourced, and then go through stringent quality testing before they can be processed. The extraction process to transform it from a raw herb into a tablet form is made up of many stages. It then needs to go through another few rounds of testing, before its passed and released for dispatch. Once it’s dispatched from the factory, it is freighted to us and must pass customs and quarantine checks before being delivered our warehouse.
This whole process can take up to 4 months, but it does make for a very specialised product. As they always say… good things come to those who wait!
A: Please store in a cool and dry environment, under 30 degrees celcius (86 Fahrenheit).
Moisture will cause the tablets to darken as our supplements contain potato starch as a binder.
Shipping | Frequently Asked questions
A: We ship worldwide from our Melbourne warehouse. Shipping within the United States from our California warehouse will resume February 2022.
To see if we ship to your country, please see drop down country list in Cart.
1. Add product to cart.
2. Go to cart
3. Select “calculate shipping” and find country.
If your country cannot be found, it means our shipping carrier is not able to dispatch orders to your selected destination country. This may change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances due to COVID-9, eg: suspended flight paths etc. We do not control this and thank you for your understanding.
A: The most convenient way to find out where your parcel is, is by clicking the link in your shipped order email. It will contain a tracking number and a link to our courier’s website.
If you notice there have not been any new scans lately, please call the courier in your region for an update. Their local number can be found by clicking on the tracking link and going to their website – DHL eCommerce or Australia Post International.
Once the item has cleared customs in your country, the parcel will then move into your local postal service for the final delivery to you. To get a more detailed update on your parcel’s location, please use your tracking number with your local postal service.
Example 1: if you live in the USA, a parcel will be delivered via USPS. Your tracking number can be used in the USPS tracking website.
Example 2: if you live in France, a parcel will be delivered to you via La Poste once it enters your country.
Please allow up to 30 days from estimated delivery date due to COVID-19 disruptions.
Australia Post International: https://auspost.com.au/service-updates/international-delivery-times
Australia Post Domestic: https://auspost.com.au/service-updates/domestic-delivery-times
DHL International: https://www.dhl.com/au-en/home/our-divisions/ecommerce/shipping/international-shipping.html
USPS:https://www.usps.com/ship/mail-shipping-services.htm
Customs Clearance Note: Please keep in mind we cannot control any time frames or details when your package is clearing customs within your country. Due to security measures, a parcel will be scanned by customs once it enters and then scanned once cleared. Please be patient and understand that neither ourselves nor the courier company can provide any details on this.
A: Our warehouse operation hours are Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm.
Fast shipping: Same day, or next day shipping after 8am.
Processing times may vary due to sales, new products, public holidays etc.
You will receive tracking once your product has been dispatched. If you are concerned your order hasn’t been shipped, please contact us at info@zilchformulas.com.
A: You, the buyer, are responsible for any VAT, tariff, duty, taxes, handling fees, customs clearance charges, etc. required by your country for importing consumer goods.
We are not responsible for, and do not collect the above charges at the time of purchase and cannot give you an estimate of the cost – charges vary around the world.
As an international customer (Non Australian, Non U.S), please do your research to ensure there are no surprise charges when clearing your package through customs, and to have an idea of what the additional cost may be. Orders may be returned for various reasons including: non-payment of tariffs, incorrect address, unclaimed at post office, etc.
If you refuse the shipment from us and choose to abandon the shipment, the item will be sent back to us. To claim a refund (minus a 15% restocking fee, minus postage fees) you will need to let us know that you are not claiming your item and lodge a return request. Please be aware that this return time frame can be as long as 90 days; your refund will not be processed until the item is back in the warehouse. Once an item is on the way back to us, we have no way of tracking where it is, or getting information from couriers on its location as there are not tracking details given when a product is returned to sender.
A: Please triple check all shipping details listed is correct is correct prior to completing your order.
Once your order has left our warehouse we are unable to make any changes to this.
We are not responsible If your parcel is returned to us or missing due to an incorrectly entered address.
A: Zilch Formulas cannot be held responsible / liable for lost or stolen packages. The customer accepts full responsibility to file any claim(s) with carrier for stolen and/or lost shipments.
No refund will be offered if the shipping address has been entered incorrectly and the product is lost in transit.
Returns | Frequently Asked questions
A: Our Refund Policy applies to all purchases made on the website www.zilchformulas.com
Due to the health risks from tampering, all products are sold on a “No Return Basis” unless faulty.
We are unable to accept returns or exchanges for products other than those purchased directly from us at www.zilchformulas.com unless the product is not of acceptable quality and/or the product does not match the description we provide (for example on its label or packaging). Both of these are statutory guarantees provided under the Australian Consumer Law.
If the product fails to meet a statutory guarantee referred to above, please contact us at info@zilchformulas.com and we will provide you with a remedy. Otherwise, if you purchased your Zilch Acne Formula from a department store, speciality retailer, other online store or elsewhere, please process your return with the original company of purchase in line with that store’s return policy.
All refund requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the product.
Refunds will be issued in your original payment method.
No refund will be offered if the shipping address has been entered incorrectly and the product is lost in transit, or if you have changed address or are not available to pick up item.
All return shipping costs are the responsibility of the purchaser.
Zilch Formulas cannot be held responsible / liable for lost or stolen packages that have delivery confirmation to the address that was provided. The customer accepts full responsibility to file any claim(s) with carrier for damaged and/or lost shipments.
Our refund policy is: For all returns/refunds (change of mind, medical reasons, shipping and customs etc) there is a 15% restocking fee that applies to original product purchase amount minus any shipping fees.
For any requests for returns under our Refund Policy please contact info@zilchformulas.com.
Change of mind
We do not provide refunds for change of mind purchases.
At our discretion, special consideration may be given in exceptional circumstances. The goods must be in saleable condition, whereby the product is unused, unopened and supplied with all original packaging. Please ensure that you package the product appropriately so it does not get damaged in transit.
We appreciate that your understanding that we are unable to offer refunds for circumstances where-by the product has not been suitable for the consumer or individual taking/using the product. We do not and cannot guarantee results. Because the product is not a individualised treatment, we are not able to take into account any sensitivities or allergies you may have.
Faulty
All our products are triple wrapped post-manufacturing, and the factory bottle seal is checked before packing.
In the unlikely event of a faulty/damaged product, as stated by consumer guarantee, you may request to have the product replaced. Only if there is a major fault with the item, will the consumer guarantee of a refund apply.
A: We do not provide refunds for change of mind purchases.
At our discretion, special consideration may be given in exceptional circumstances. The goods must be in saleable condition, whereby the product is unused, unopened and supplied with all original packaging. Please ensure that you package the product appropriately so it does not get damaged in transit.
We appreciate your understanding that we are unable to offer refunds for circumstances where-by the product has not been suitable for the consumer or individual taking/using the product. We do not and cannot guarantee results. Because the product is not an individualised treatment, we are not able to take into account any sensitivities or allergies you may have.
A: All our products are triple wrapped post-manufacturing, and the factory bottle seal is checked before packing.
In the unlikely event of a faulty/damaged product, as stated by consumer guarantee, you may request to have the product replaced. Only if there is a major fault with the item, the consumer guarantee of a refund will apply.
A: We are unable to offer a money-back guarantee.
Although we really stand by the quality and effects of our product, we would never try to claim that it would work for everyone, as that would be gimmickey marketing, and we’re not into that.
We are also a TGA approved product, and therefore are not able to offer guarantees due to strict advertising guidelines.
If the product has not worked well for you, we encourage you to email us at info@zilchformulas.com so we can see if we can help further in any way.
Dr. Vivian also offers consultations at her clinic if you would like to discuss alternate options in detail.
We are unable to accept refunds after bottles have been opened. Please see our refund policy here.
Payments | Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes Afterpay is available to customers in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Canada.
A: Payment methods include Credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay , Paypal and AfterPay (Afterpay available in Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada)
A: Our currency for Zilch Formulas defaults to Australian Dollars. There is an option to view estimated converted rates in your currency for British pounds, USD and EU Dollar. This can fluctuate and is calculated at market rate through Shopify.
A: If you believe you have been double charged or an error has occurred with your payment, please contact us on info@zilchformulas.com and we will review your order details and the payment transactions.
Please make sure you send through your order number or any details you have used on your order so we can review the details quickly for you.
If your order has failed, your bank statement may show "pending". This cost will not go through, and money will not be taken out of your account. Please check again with 2-5 business days to check that the pending payment has disappeared.