Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Essentially Yours FAQ page! We want you to feel confident about the products you choose, so we've answered some of the questions we hear most often. Whether you're wondering about ingredients, shipping, returns, or finding your perfect blend, we're here to help. Don't see your question here? Send us a message — we'd love to hear from you!

1. Why Has My Product Separated? At Essentially Yours, we don't use synthetic ingredients commonly found in conventional products to help keep ingredients from separating. Our plant-based formulations may naturally separate over time, and that's normal for many products made without these types of stabilizers. The fix is simple: just give it a good shake before use!

2. Why Did My Order Arrive in a Box With Another Company's Information on It? We believe in making thoughtful choices, including reducing unnecessary waste. Whenever possible, we reuse clean, suitable shipping boxes and packing materials instead of using brand-new materials for every order. So, if your package arrives in a box with another company's information on the outside, don't worry! It's simply one of the ways we help conserve paper products and give packaging materials another life.

3. I'm Vegan. Can You Make a Product Without Beeswax? Absolutely! Many of our products are customizable, and we want you to feel comfortable with the ingredients you use. Some listings already offer ingredient customization options. If the product you'd like doesn't have those options listed, simply send us a message. We'll discuss your needs and see how we can accommodate your request.

4. I Live Nearby. Can I Pick Up My Order Instead of Paying for Shipping? Of course! We offer free local pickup, so you don't have to pay for shipping when you're just around the corner. You can arrange to pick up your order at our production location or coordinate pickup at a nearby pop-up market. Simply contact us before placing your order, and we'll help arrange the best option for you.

5. I Bought a Lip Balm at a Market, but It's Very Gritty. Can I Return It? Absolutely! We stand behind the quality of our products and want you to be happy with your purchase. If something you've purchased doesn't meet our quality standards, bring it back to us, and we'll replace it with another of the same product. We're happy to make things right when a product doesn't meet our expectations for quality.

6. I Bought a Roll-On Oil at a Farmers Market, but I Don't Like the Scent. Can I Return It? We're sorry the scent wasn't quite what you expected! Unfortunately, we can't accept returns on opened products when the reason is scent preference, due to hygiene considerations. We always encourage you to sample a scent before purchasing whenever possible. At our pop-up events, we bring scent testers and a variety of products so you can explore the different blends and find one you love before taking it home. Check out our Find Us page to see where we'll be next!

7. I Bought a $5 Sample at a Market, but I Can't Find That Size on Your Website. Why? We understand! Sometimes you find a product you love at a market and want to reorder that same small size. The smaller sizes offered at our live events are often trial sizes, designed to let you try something new without committing to a larger product. Our website generally features larger sizes that offer better value per unit, but we understand that a smaller size may be exactly what you're looking for. The good news? You can find our trial-size products at local pop-up events! Visit our Find Us page to see where we'll be next and stop by to stock up on your favorites or discover something new.

8. I Can't Decide Which Blend to Try. Can You Help? We love helping you find your perfect blend! There are a few ways we can help you explore our products and choose something that suits your preferences. A. Visit Us at a Local Pop-Up Event If you're local, come see us in person! You'll have the opportunity to sample products, smell different scents, and explore various combinations before deciding what you'd like to try. B. Explore Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils Not sure which type of scent to choose? Essential oils are derived from plants and have characteristic aromas associated with their botanical sources. Fragrance oils are formulated scent blends and may contain synthetic aromatic compounds. Although our fragrance oils are phthalate-free, their scent profiles may differ from the aroma of the original plant. If you're looking for a scent that resembles a particular botanical, an essential oil may be a good place to start. Keep in mind that natural essential oils can also vary in aroma and may not smell exactly like the fresh plant. C. Let Us Know About Allergies or Sensitivities If you have ingredient allergies or scent sensitivities, please message us before ordering. We'll work with you to review the available options and help you make an informed choice. Please note that natural ingredients and essential oils can also cause allergic reactions or irritation, so we cannot guarantee that any product will be suitable for everyone. D. Ask About Hosting a Home Party Love sharing new finds with friends and family? Ask us about hosting an Essentially Yours home party! Hostesses may earn product credit by inviting friends and family to explore our products. You and your guests can see, touch, and smell different products and scent combinations in a relaxed, comfortable setting. It's a lovely way to discover new favorites together!

9. You Say You Don't Use Dyes, but My Lotion Has a Color. Why? Essentially Yours products are made without synthetic dyes or artificial colorants. Any color you see comes naturally from the ingredients themselves, including botanical extracts, plant oils, and herbs. Natural ingredients can vary in color depending on their source, harvest, and other factors. Because of this, the shade of a product may differ slightly from one batch to the next. These subtle variations are normal when working with natural ingredients and are part of the nature of small-batch production.

10. Are Your Essential Oils Organic? All of our organic essential oils are marked with an asterisk (*) on our available Scents page. Look for the asterisk when browsing our selection to identify the organic options.

11. Can I Customize the Scent of Every Product? Most of our products are customizable! Depending on the product, you can choose your preferred essential oil, fragrance oil, botanical extract, or a fragrance-free option at no additional cost. Many product listings include customization options right on the page. If you don't see the option you're looking for, send us a message, and we'll let you know what may be possible.

12. I Take Medication for a Medical Condition. Could Essential Oils Affect My Medication? Essential oils and other concentrated botanical ingredients may pose risks for some people, depending on the specific oil, how it is used, the medication involved, and individual health factors. Some essential oils may interact with medications or affect certain medical conditions. If you take prescription or over-the-counter medication, please consult your physician or pharmacist before using essential oils, particularly if you plan to use them regularly or apply them to your skin. They can help you determine whether a particular essential oil is appropriate for your situation. Essentially Yours cannot provide medical advice or determine whether an essential oil is safe to use with your medication. Our product information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please do not discontinue or change any prescribed medication without consulting your healthcare provider.

13. I'm Allergic to Nuts or Certain Plants. Is It Safe for Me to Use Your Products? We understand how important it is to know what's in the products you use! The answer depends on the type and severity of your allergy, the specific ingredients in a product, and how the product is used. A. An Allergy to a Plant Isn't Necessarily the Same as an Allergy to Its Essential Oil Essential oils are concentrated, volatile aromatic substances extracted from plants. They have a different chemical composition from the plant's other parts, such as its nuts, seeds, leaves, or flowers. Because of these differences, an allergy to one part of a plant does not automatically mean you'll react to every substance derived from that plant. However, it also doesn't guarantee that an essential oil will be safe for you. For example, sweet almond oil is a fixed oil obtained from almonds, while lavender essential oil is a volatile oil obtained from lavender plant material. These are chemically different types of oils, but that distinction alone cannot establish whether a particular ingredient is safe for someone with an allergy. Nut-derived ingredients may pose a risk for people with relevant nut allergies, and essential oils and other botanical ingredients can cause allergic skin reactions in some individuals. B. What About Patch Testing? Patch testing is sometimes used to assess whether a product causes skin irritation or a delayed allergic reaction. However, testing a product on a small area of skin at home cannot rule out an allergy or guarantee that you'll tolerate the product with repeated use. It may also be inappropriate if you've previously experienced a severe allergic reaction. If your healthcare professional advises that home testing is appropriate, follow their guidance on which product to test and how to do so. Do not test an ingredient or product yourself if you've previously had a serious reaction to it. C. When in Doubt, Consult Your Healthcare Professional If you have a known nut allergy or an allergy to a particular botanical, we recommend speaking with your physician or allergist before using products containing those ingredients or related botanical ingredients. They can help you determine which ingredients you should avoid based on your individual allergy history. At Essentially Yours, we're happy to help you review a product's ingredient list and discuss available customization options, including fragrance-free alternatives where available. Please let us know about your concerns before ordering so we can help you identify the ingredients in a product. Your safety matters, and we cannot guarantee that a product is safe for someone with a specific allergy. If you experience signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

14. I'd Like to Buy a Gift for a Friend, but I Don't Know Her Favorite Scents or Whether She Has Any Allergies. What Should I Get? A gift card is a great choice! Let your friend browse our selection and choose the products, scents, and options that are right for her. It's an easy way to give something personal while letting her make the final choice. Gift cards are available for purchase by clicking on the "SHOP" tab at the top of the page on our website.

Still Have Questions? We're always happy to help! Whether you need help choosing a product, want to ask about a custom blend, or have a question about an order, just reach out. Can't find what you're looking for? We're only a message away!