Frequently Asked Questions
Below are frequently asked questions about shipping, general, our products, and packaging. If you don't see an answer to your question, please fill out our contact form found in our menu tab, or send us an email at hello@sustainyourselfshop.com
SHIPPING
Do you offer local pick up?
Yes! We just moved into a new studio office, so a no-contact pick up option is now available! Select "Pick up" at checkout to pick up your order at our Minneapolis studio. Please know that this option is contactless and does not grant customers access inside our studio. Orders will be picked up outside our door on a table.
Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to enter our building, as it was built in 1885. Please select a shipping method if you cannot use the stairs. However, there is an elevator inside the building! When you enter the building, go halfway down the hall and take your immediate right. The elevator is located at the end of the hall on your left. Once on the third floor, go all the way down the hall to door 310.
To use the stairs, go halfway down the hall upon entering the building and take your immediate left. go down the hall, pass the restrooms and go up the stairwell to the third floor. Door 310 is at the very top of the stairs.
HOW TO PICK UP:
1. You will receive an email when your order is ready. Please do not come to pick up your order before receiving an email.
2. Our address is 2400 North 2nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55411. We share a long parking lot with Mother Co. (the plant store). Our building is all the way at the end of the parking lot :)
3. Park (free parking in our lot).
4. Our building is called Northwind Lofts. The entrance has metal stairs and an awning. Select SUSTAIN YOURSELF 310 on the call box (scroll all the way down and press CALL). We will buzz you into the building.
5. To use the elevator, when you enter the building, go halfway down the hall and take your immediate right. The elevator is located at the end of the hall. Go up to the third floor and walk all the way down the hall to door 310. To use the stairs, go halfway down the hall upon entering the building and take your immediate left. Go down the hall, pass the restrooms and go up the stairwell to the third floor.
When will I receive my package?
Orders typically leave our studio within 1-3 business days and then take an additional 3-5 days to arrive via USPS.
We are a small 2 person team, so it sometimes takes us a few days to pack orders. In total, it can take up to 8 business days to receive your order.
Please be aware that your package may be declared as delivered prematurely. If you receive an email that your order has been delivered, but it has not, please wait at least two business days for it to appear.
Where is my package?
If the wait times above have passed and you purchased Route Package Protection (an automatic 'add-on' starting at $0.98, as of March 7th, 2022), and you think your package has been lost, damaged, or stolen, please contact us at hello@sustainyourselfshop.com and we gladly file a claim on your behalf and replace your package.
Please be aware that your package may be declared as delivered prematurely. If you receive an email that your order has been delivered, but it has not, please wait at least two business days for it to appear.
As an extremely small business, we are not liable for lost, damaged, or stolen packages if Route Package Protection is removed from your cart. This is our store policy and customers agree to this by placing an order. This statement is also written at checkout.
If you remove Route Package Protection from your cart and choose not to purchase shipping protection, and you think your package may have been lost, damaged, or stolen, contact your local post office to file a claim. The USPS site can also help you file a claim for your missing package. We are not liable if shipping protection is not purchased.
I put in the wrong address, what do I do?
If we have not shipped your order yet, send us an email at hello@sustainyourselfshop.com with your order number and the correct address and we will change it for you before shipping. If you gave us the wrong address, and we have already shipped your order, there is nothing we can do until it is returned to us, after which the customer is responsible for additional shipping fees. If the address does not exist, it will be re-routed to us, and once we receive it we will send you a shipping invoice via email for your package to be re-shipped to you.
If you provide an incorrect address that exists, there is nothing we can do. So we strongly recommend triple checking that you have provided the correct shipping address! Thank you for your understanding.
Do you accept returns or exchanges?
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns or exchanges. But if you are unsatisfied with your order, please send us an email at hello@sustainyourselfshop.com and we will be more than happy to make it right :)
What shipping materials do you use?
Our packaging is 100% recycled content and/or 100% recyclable or biodegradable!
Cornstarch Peanuts: biodegradable and water soluble. Sometimes we use repurposed corn peanuts from our materials deliveries and local retailers who have no use for them!
Kraft Paper: made of recycled content and is usually repurposed from our materials deliveries!
Cardboard Boxes: reusable and recyclable
Paper Tape: water activated and completely biodegradable! You can also recycle it adhered to your box. We also use biodegradable Kraft tape to secure Kraft paper wrapped around our products, it is also biodegradable!
Paper Mailers: made of post-consumer materials (padding is made of macerated newsprint) and is curbside recyclable. To compost, but it up into small pieces.
Paper Note Cards: Made of FSC certified post-consumer paper and carbon neutral
Do you ship internationally?
At this time, we can only ship to Canada and US territories. We ship at pre-calcualted shipping rates and unfortunately have no control over international shipping prices. International customers assume responsibility for customs fees, duties and taxes required by your country. Please research your country’s guidelines prior to ordering.
Additionally, some international orders are processed at a postage facility in Carol Stream, Illinois, and your tracking info will say "Delivered" once they receive it. The postage facility will then generate a new international tracking number for your order. If a significant amount of time goes by, please contact us at hello@sustainyourselfshop.com and we will gladly track your package for you!
Do you offer carbon neutral shipping?
YES! :) Every package that leaves our studio is automatically carbon neutral. We pay a fee for every order to be offset, and this money funds the Acapa - Bajo Mira y Frontera Forest Conservation Project in Colombia. Learn more here
GENERAL
Why are your products priced the way they are?
Our products are expensive, there is no denying this. Our products are priced the way they are to cover the high expenses of producing them: high quality ingredients, fair trade operations, marketing/operating expenses, sustainable packaging and shipping materials, research and development costs, etc.
We use the best quality ingredients on the market. This means we look for purity, certifications, organic, fair trade, and local sourcing. If an ingredient can be sourced organic, we are using it. Unfortunately, organic and fair trade ingredients are often double or triple the price than their non organic versions. This is because fair wages are being paid to everyone involved in the supply chain and measures are in place to avoid using pesticides and other toxic chemicals to cultivate these crops.
Additionally, since our products are made with pure and natural ingredients, the price is higher. Synthetic/water based formulas are usually cheaper to produce because they are mostly water, and water is not an expensive ingredient! We also package our products in glass jars, biodegradable tubes, metal tins, 100% biodegradable labels, and sustainable shipping materials. The cost of these materials is 10x (if not more) than the cost of plastic. All of these costs are included in the pricing for our products
The price of scenting our products is also very high, since we use 100% organic and pure therapeautic grade essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. Using synthetic fragrances would be dollars cheaper per individual product, but there is little research on the effects that fragrances have on the human body, so we do not feel comfortable selling a product we don't understand or can say is 100% safe to use.
Do you have a jar return or refill program?
We are now accepting jar returns! Receive $1 of store credit per 2oz, 4oz, or 8oz glass jar. Please read below for more information. You can return your sanitized jars to:
-
Sustain Yourself
2400 North 2nd St #310
Minneapolis, MN 55411
-
DROP OFF
If you’re local to the Twin Cities, you can return all packaging to us at the address above, and we will reuse, or responsibly recycle it. This includes boxes, packing peanuts, paper, and product containers. We will only accept our ownpackaging, so please do not send us another company's packaging. You can mail it to us or drop it off in person. For local no-contact drop off, please email us at hello@sustainyourselfshop.com and we will send you instructions.
MAILING
You can also send us your clean empties to the address above. Unfortunately, because we are such a small business, we cannot offer prepaid shipping labels for jar/packaging returns.
STORE CREDIT
Only 2oz, 4oz and 8oz glass jars will be eligible for store credit. We can offer $1 of store credit per jar. 1oz glass jars do not qualify for the credit. Jars must be Sustain Yourself empties, not another company's jar, must be completely sanitized (we will sanitize them again, but receiving clean jars will make this process easier for us), and include a non-damaged lid. Containers that contain product or are damaged, will not be eligible for store credit.
PARTNER DROP OFFS
Tare Market, in East Minneapolis, accepts our empties for a discount on your next purchase of our products with them. Jars must be completely sanitized, include a clean and undamaged lid, and must be our jars.
REFILLS
Zeroish Co, in South Minneapolis, carries our deodorant cream in bulk, currently they have grapefruit and cedarwood in stock (these scents are not permanent, so make sure to call or message them first to make sure).
Do you have any active discounts?
Second-time customers can use the discount code THANKYOU10OFF for 10% off. This code only works for customers that have shopped with us before using the same email as their first order, and only on their second purchase. It can only be used once.
We also offer discount codes through our rewards program The Susty Club (the little present on the bottom left corner). When you make an account on our site, you can get discounts by writing reviews (must have a title and a body) referring us to friends (you get $5 each), placing orders, and on your birthday! You can accumulate points very quickly, which are converted into store credit.
100 points = $1
Signing up = 100 points
Place an order = 5 points per $1 spent
Write a review = 100 points
Celebrate your bday! = 500 points
Refer a friend = you each receive a $5 coupon
For example, if you sign up and leave us 5 reviews, you already get $6 off your next order! And additional points for the order value that you can cash in for your next order. Make sure to be logged in to your account to track your points ;)
Are your ingredients organic?
Yes! Ingredients that can be found organic, we source organic. Some ingredients we use, such as local beeswax, magnesium hydroxide, and iron oxide, cannot be sourced organic. But we source all of our ingredients responsibly, ethically, and sustainably.
Are your ingredients/products tested on animals?
No. We do not support animal cruelty and would never sell a product that was tested on animals. All of our ingredients are natural and sourced pure and unrefined, meaning testing on animals is unnecessary (is it ever?). And we test our finished products on ourselves!
Are your ingredients/products palm-oil free?
Yes! We use no palm oil in the making of any of our products.
Do I need to refrigerate any of the products?
No, but we do recommend you keep them in a dry, cool, and dark place. But if you live in a hot climate and your products turn liquidy, you can keep them in the fridge.
Do you offer free samples?
Our NEW Deodorant Cream Sample Pack is avialable free of charge to orders over $100! The sample pack will not automatically be added to your cart, so make sure to add it to receive one! If your order is below $100, you can add the sample pack to your cart for full price.
The sample pack includes 6 small tins of each scent, with enough deo to last a few days. If you would only like to try one scent, we also offer a travel size of each scent that lasts about a month on average.
Currently, we do not offer other product samples on our store.
What payment options do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards and PayPal directly through our site.
Do you have an affiliate program?
Not currently. But we hope to sometime in the future!
Do you offer your products wholesale?
We do! Please click the ‘contact’ link and fill out the form if you’d like info.
Are your products gluten-free?
Yes! We don't use any gluten-derived ingredients (wheat, barley, or rye) in any of our products or on any of our equipment in our studio.
Why do you use beeswax?
Bees are an essential part of our ecosystem and are crucial when it comes to pollinating 1/3 of all crops we eat today. Unfortunately, bees have entered the endangered species list because of unsustainable bee farming, modern urbanization, and pesticide use. Because of this, it's so important to support sustainable and ethical bee farming that focuses on the growth and health of bee populations by prioritizing a symbiotic relationship. Harvesting honey and beeswax from the hive helps to maintain the health of the colony by preventing disease and pests. That's why we source our beeswax from a local, family-owned beekeeping farm that is helping maintain existing bee populations and supporting the local environment and economy. They value sustainable beekeeping practices and put the bees first by prioritizing their health and happiness.
DEODORANT
I have tried so many natural deodorants, how can I trust that this one will actually work?
We hear you. And we’ve tried basically all of them too before we created our own formula. We tested different recipes for about 2 years before finding one that actually worked! We can confidently say that our deodorant is one of the most effective formulas on the market. Just read our reviews! In the unlikely event that it doesn’t work for you right away, we highly recommend doing an armpit detox and trying again. You won’t regret it ;)
I have really sensitive skin, is this gentle enough for me?
Yes! Our deodorant cream doesn't contain any common irritants. We use magnesium hydroxide instead of baking soda because it is super gentle and non-abrasive. All of our other ingredients are gentle on sensitive skin as well. If you experience irritation, you may have an allergy or sensitivity to a citrus essential oil, in this case we recommend switching to our Rose Geranium or Unscented Deodorant Cream, and perhaps doing an armpit detox as well.
Which deodorant scent is the most effective?
We consider all of our deodorant scents equally effective. However, since essential oils have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, our citrus scented deodorants may be considered “stronger”, like our Grapefruit, Lemon Lavender, and Cedarwood. Our scented deodorants may also act like a perfume, leaving a fresh lingering scent. But our formula is effective enough on its own at canceling BO, without the help of essential oils, so don’t let this effect your scent preference!
Do I need to do an armpit detox before using your deodorant?
No. We recommend detoxing if our deodorant doesn’t initially work for you within a week, even if you’ve been using natural deodorant for years. Our formula is very effective, most of our customers report not needing to detox at all, even those who just made the switch from an antiperspirant to our deodorant.
Is your deodorant an antiperspirant?
No. Our bodies are designed to sweat. It is an essential function of the human body. Antiperspirants actively block sweat glands in the armpits to prevent sweating. So when you switch from an antiperspirant to natural deodorant, it’s possible you’ll go through a little transition period and experience more sweating. This transition period depends on person to person. We recommend doing an armpit detox if yours lasts more than a week.
Will your deodorant stain my clothes?
No. Our deodorant won’t stain your clothes or leave oil residue behind. Just make sure to rub it in well after a warm shower to prevent white streaks.
How long does one jar last?
This really depends on person to person- how much you apply, if you use it every day, or several times a day. But with customer feedback and personal experience, we estimate:
1 oz Travel Mini: 1+ months
2 oz: 2-3 months
4 oz: 4-6 months
8 oz Bulk Refill: 8-12+ months
How often do I have to reapply?
Our formula is strong enough to last an average of 24 hours. But everyone is different! So this can depend on person to person, especially when looking at lifestyle, stress, and diet. Most of our customers report being odor-free for 24+ hours with one application, especially those who have done an armpit detox.
Does it work if I have armpit hair?
Absolutely! If you have armpit hair, we recommend rubbing the deodorant cream between your fingers to get it all nice and melty for an easier application.
Does it still work if it melted?
Yes! Just make sure the ingredients haven’t/don’t separate. Give it a good mix with a chop stick and put it in the fridge (optional) to resolidify. If you don’t have AC and the consistency stays melty at room temp, keep it in coldest spot possible (cool, dark, and dry) and make sure the ingredients don’t separate.
Does your deodorant contain aluminum?
Nope! All of the ingredients are listed on our deodorant product page.
What are the dark specks at the bottom of my jar?
Not to worry! Some products may have sediment from the shea nut through filtration. Since we use pure, unrefined shea butter, specks are normal (and harmless) and only go to show how natural our ingredients are! Yay!
Do you have a recycling or refill program?
Not at the moment. We don’t have the resources or team to properly sterilize jars, and shipping refills back and forth creates an unnecessary carbon footprint. Hopefully when we grow a little more, this will be a viable option!
ARMPIT DETOX
Is an armpit detox necessary?
No, but we recommend it! It’s like self care for your pits.
There are many reasons to do an armpit detox. We highly recommend doing one if our deodorant doesn't work for you within the first few days, even if you’ve been off antiperspirants for a while. Many customers report that our deodorant is highly effective, even after detoxing just once. But most customers don’t need to detox at all, even after switching directly from an antiperspirant to our deodorant cream. Just depends on your body!
Another reason to do an armpit detox is if our deodorant suddenly stops working for you. It’s important to cleanse your pits regularly just like your face. Our sweat glands can get pretty gunked up! It’s also important to note that lifestyle changes can cause fluctuations in sweating and BO patterns, like diet, stress, hormones, environmental factors, and especially if you’re going back and forth from natural to antiperspirant deodorants.
How long does an armpit detox take?
Depends on the person. There isn’t a set time frame that will work for everyone. It can take from a single use to a few weeks. Everyone is different and there are a lot of different factors that play a role. If you’ve been using natural deodorant for some time, it’s likely you won’t need a detox, but if the ingredients are different than ours, you may still need to do one, especially if you’ve never detoxed your pits before. Just speeds up the transition period and makes natural deo more effective!
How often should I detox?
Until natural deodorant works for you! Preferably throughout the day without needing to reapply.
If our deo doesn't work for you right away, try detoxing every day if you don't have sensitive skin, and every other day for mildly sensitive skin, until our deodorant is effective. The detox process can be a single use and up to several weeks. Just depends on your body!
To maintain pit freshness, detox once a week, twice a month or once a month to clean out your pores. Detoxing regularly is totally optional, but you will be blown away by the results. A single detox removes a lot of impurities, like oil, bacteria, dirt, dead skin cells, toxins, yesterday’s deodorant, etc. If you accidentally skip your deodorant one day, and end up smelling like a high school gym locker, we highly recommend detoxing regularly. Deodorant dependency is a sign of gunked up pit pores. And detoxing once a month can help keep you BO free for over 24-hours. But don’t take it from us ;) try it for yourself!
PACKAGING
What are your labels made of?
We use compostable labels made from all-natural and unbleached sugar cane paper with naturally occurring fibers made with compostable adhesive that is vegan and tree-free! All of our labels (excluding circle labels) are hand cut.
What do you use to package your products?
All of our products are plastic-free. We use reusable/recyclable glass jars with metal lids, compostable cardboard tubes, and reusable/recyclable aluminum tins to package our products. Our Bulk Lotion Bars are packaged in biodegradable parchment paper with compostable tape and 2 of our compostable labels.
Do you have a jar return program?
We do! A store credit program is in the works, but in the mean time, you can return your sanitized jars to:
-
Sustain Yourself
2400 North 2nd St #310
Minneapolis, MN 55411
-
DROP OFF
If you’re local to the Twin Cities, you can return all packaging to us at the address above, and we will reuse, or responsibly recycle it. This includes boxes, packing peanuts, paper, and product containers. We will only accept our own packaging, so please do not send us another company's packaging. You can mail it to us or drop it off in person. For local no-contact drop off, please email us at hello@sustainyourselfshop.com and we will send you instructions.
MAILING
You can also send us your clean empties to the address above. Unfortunately, because we are such a small business, we cannot offer prepaid shipping labels for jar/packaging returns.
STORE CREDIT
Only 2oz, 4oz and 8oz glass jars will be eligible for store credit. They must be Sustain Yourself empties, not another company's jar, must be completely sanitized (we will sanitize them again, but receiving clean jars will make this process easier for us), and include a non-damaged lid. Containers that contain product or are damaged, will not be eligible for store credit.
PARTNER DROP OFFS
Tare Market, in East Minneapolis, accepts our empties for a discount on your next purchase of our products with them. Jars must be completely sanitized, include a clean and undamaged lid, and must be our jars.
REFILLS
Zeroish Co, in South Minneapolis, carries our deodorant cream in bulk, currently they have grapefruit and cedarwood in stock (these scents are not permanent, so make sure to call or message them first to make sure).