Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why did you choose the name Just?

Answer: We chose the name Just for two very important reasons. First, ‘just’ means simple and our products are carefully crafted in small batches, with as few, natural ingredients as possible. Our recipes are bio-degradable and our re-usable container system is structured to eliminate waste. Second, ‘just’ means equitable and our aim is to make our products accessible to everyone. We know that compared with standard brand prices, our prices are high. Because we are crafting small batches from high quality ingredients, they have to be. That said, if you want to participate in our community, but cannot afford our prices, we understand and want to help. Please contact us (at the bottom of our home page) and we will find a way to work together.

Question: You use the term ECOCERT approved a lot. What does that mean?

Answer: ECOCERT is an organic certification organization based in Europe which conducts inspections in over 80 countries. It is one of the largest organic certification organizations in the world.

Question: Are all of your products certified organic?

Answer: We do the best we can to find products which are organic or locally sourced. For some products, this is near impossible, given our geographical location. A lot of our products rely on oils which are derived from plants and only grow in warmer climates. That said, we aim to ensure that our products are fair trade, cruelty free and naturally derived from the best sources.

Question: Why do you charge more for scented products than for unscented products?

Answer: We charge more for scented products than for unscented ones because it requires a lot of energy to generate those lovely scents we’ve all grown so accustomed to. Second, essential oils are expensive. I love my rosemary mint conditioner as much as the next person, but it’s only fair to pay more for it than the person who opted to go without.

Question: What if I want to participate in your program, but cannot afford the prices?

Answer: Please reach out to us (via our contact form located at the bottom of the home page) and we will do our best to find a way to work with you.

Question:  Why do you charge a deposit for containers?

Answer: We charge a deposit for containers as an incentive for our clients to care for and return them for re-use. Every time we re-use a container, we reduce our impact on the environment and the deposit fee compensates for the time and energy spent washing and sanitizing.

Question: Will I receive the same kind of container every time I order a re-fill?

Answer: In an ideal world, our containers would remain as consistent as our products. Unfortunately, demand for containers is higher than usual and it’s been difficult for us to find some of the containers we were originally working with. Though we cannot guarantee you will receive the same type of container every time you order, we can guarantee that the container will meet the needs of each product. For instance, hand soap will always come with a pump and hand-wash dish detergent will aways come with a spout.

Question: Why do we charge $3 for every container, even though some are clearly more valuable than others?

Answer: Some of the containers you receive are worth as little as $1, while others are worth as much as $7. Because we cannot guarantee that our containers will remain consistent, standardizing the deposit value seemed like the most viable solution. As long as you return it in working order, you are guaranteed a $3 refund for every returned container.

Question: After you pick up my container, how soon will I receive my refund?

Answer: You will receive your refund within 2-3 business days.

Question: What if I don’t want to run out of a product and need to order a refill before I am ready to return my bottle?

Answer: This will likely happen. You may find that you need to place two orders before you have empty containers to return. Go ahead and order another bottle and hold on to your almost empty container; it will retain its $3 refund value.

Question: Should I wash my container?

Answer: No, you do not need to wash your containers.

Question: How is delivery environmentally friendly?

Answer: One vehicle traveling in a loop is more eco friendly than ten cars traveling from point A to point B.

Question: How long do your products last?

Answer: When stored properly (at room temperature, unless otherwise noted), our products have a shelf life of 3-4 months from the purchase date. Mouthwash is the one exception to this— it needs to be refrigerated and used within 3 weeks of purchase.

Question: Why do most of the products say to shake well before use because products may settle?

Answer: We suggest you shake well before each use because natural ingredients tend to separate over time. For our eye love, it is especially important that you shake well and in the winter months, you may need to run warm water over your container until the product softens. We use natural butters in some of our products and they will harden in colder temperatures. We know it requires a little more work on your end, but the quality makes it well worth it.

Question: How can I feel safe that my containers are sanitized properly?

Answer: In times like these, sanitization is an essential concern for everyone. We want to assure you that we thoroughly wash, sanitize and dry our containers before re-use.

Question: There are some weird products listed in your ingredients. What are they?

Answer: We use several bio-degradable surfactants (cocomidopropyl betaine, coco glucoside, decyl glucoside, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate and sodium lauryl sulfate) in our recipes. If you want to read more about them, we offer a quick break down of their properties on the “our story” page. In addition to surfactants, you’ll also see these strange items listed in our ingredients: Euxyl®PE-9010, Euxyl®K-903, Liquid Germall Plus, Gluconolactone SB and potassium sorbate. These are preservatives, which may lead you to the next question….

Question: Why do you use preservatives?

Answer: In some consumer circles, preservatives have earned a bad reputation. In some regards, we get it; not everything needs to be made to last forever and some preservatives are plain awful. That said, it is important for our products to be safe and we’ve learned that water is both our best friend and a ticking time bomb; as soon as you mix anything with it, its shelf life quickly diminishes. This is why preservatives are essential in hydrous products. We have labored over our preservative choices. The ones we have chosen are all biodegradable and ECOCERT approved. They extend the life of your product, but not indefinitely. This is why our products (aside from mouthwash) have a shelf life of 2-3 months.

Question: Do you test on animals?

Answer: We never test our products on animals and only purchase products from vendors who guarantee the same.

Question: What is a soap?

Answer: This may seem like an obvious question, but the term is mis-used frequently. A lot of the store bought items we think of as soap are actually loaded with surfactants (detergent). Traditionally, soap is a cleansing agent made by the chemical reaction of a fatty acid, with a salt composed of an alkalimetal, such as sodium or potassium; these are the saponifiers (the chemicals which turn oil into a cleaning machine). If you want to make bar soap, you’ll use sodium hydroxide to saponify your oils. For liquid soaps, we use potassium hydroxide (KOH).

Question: Does soap kill germs as effectively as sanitizer?

Answer: Oil based soaps have been used for centuries. They are extremely effective at breaking down grease, dirt, germs and bacteria.