FAQ
About Our Products
Although we were founded in NYC in 2012, as of March 2019 we handcraft all our skincare products in Waterbury, Connecticut (USA). Orders are shipped from our Connecticut studio and our warehouse in Brea, California.
All our products are made with fresh botanicals—whole plants, cold‑pressed oils, essential oils, and carefully crafted natural extracts. To enhance their effectiveness, we incorporate scientifically proven “actives,” such as vitamin C, CoQ10, and niacinamide, which are safe for your skin and gentle on the environment. We never use synthetic fragrances, dyes, or harsh preservatives. For a closer look at our ingredient philosophy and sourcing, explore our About Us page and individual product ingredient lists.
Absolutely—when fresh and carefully crafted, natural ingredients can be remarkably effective. Unlike their synthetic counterparts, they often contain a complex array of nutrients and bioactive compounds. This complexity can make them more delicate, so we use high‑quality, fresh botanicals and formulate each product to maximize stability and efficacy. To ensure you’re getting the full benefits, we also guarantee product freshness. Want to see real‑life results? Visit our product pages to read customer reviews and see how others have enjoyed healthier, more radiant skin.
We’re committed to supporting your skin’s natural microbiome. Around 65% of our products have already earned Kind to Biome® certification, demonstrating that they’re gentle and barrier‑friendly. We’re working toward certifying the rest of our line, but all of our formulas are created with the same care: they’re designed to be non‑disruptive to the skin’s ecosystem, support a healthy barrier, and respect its natural balance.
Yes! Our entire line is cruelty‑free, and we’ve maintained Leaping Bunny certification—the gold standard in cruelty‑free assurance—since 2015. This means we never test on animals, and we only partner with suppliers who adhere to the same ethical standards.
Most of our products are completely vegan, using only plant‑derived ingredients. We make two exceptions: our Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud contains locally sourced honey, and our Vitamin C Regenerative Balm uses beeswax to achieve its rich texture. We source these ingredients responsibly from local beekeepers who prioritize bee health and sustainability.
We use certified organic ingredients whenever possible (USDA or Ecocert). Where this is not possible, we prioritize ingredients grown with organic farming methods, wildcrafted ingredients, or responsibly sourced conventional ingredients. Please refer to your batch # for specific ingredient sourcing.
Our products do not contain gluten.
When kept unopened in a cool, dry, and dark place, our products maintain their quality for up to two years. Once opened, refer to the “period after opening” symbol on the packaging—such as “6M,” meaning the product should be used within six months of opening—to gauge how long it will stay fresh. For the exact use‑by date, locate the batch number printed on your packaging and use our batch lookup tool.
Since our formulas rely on fresh, naturally derived ingredients, their potency begins to diminish after a few years. We set a “use by” date based on testing to ensure you enjoy the product at its peak effectiveness. While a product that’s slightly past its date may still be safe if stored properly, we cannot guarantee its efficacy. For best results, use it within the recommended timeframe and watch for any changes in color, scent, or texture as a sign it’s time to replace it.
Choosing The Right Skincare Routine
We’ve got you! Start with our skin quiz to build your perfect routine, and feel free to reach out to us with questions—we're here to help and guide you.
You can also explore our Skincare 101 Blog and follow us on Instagram for how-to videos and more educational content.
Think of your skin “type” as its natural personality—some skin tends to be oily, some dry, some in-between. That basic tendency comes from your genes and doesn’t change much. Your skin “state,” on the other hand, is like its mood. It can shift depending on the season, the weather, your diet, stress, or even how much sleep you’re getting. For example, someone who’s usually oily might feel dry and tight during a cold, dry winter. Paying attention to how your skin feels and looks at different times of the year helps you choose products that support it best. Reassessing the state of your skin on a seasonal basis will help you find the best skincare ritual.
Not sure what your current skin state is? Take our Skin Quiz for guidance!
Many of our products are considered safe for use during pregnancy, but because we formulate with essential oils and other active botanicals like willow bark extract, we encourage you to review each product page for detailed pregnancy-related information. To help you determine what feels right for you, each listing includes a dedicated note about pregnancy safety which can be found in the product FAQ section at the bottom of the product page.
As always, we recommend consulting with your physician, midwife, or medical practitioner. Everyone’s comfort level and pregnancy journey is unique, and we believe you should feel fully supported in making the choices that work best for your body.
All of our products are formulated with sensitive skin in mind, although if your skin is extremely sensitive or irritated, we recommend sticking to our most gentle products. We have curated this collection of skincare products for those with very sensitive skin.
Yes, it can be! The right facial oil can actually help balance an oily complexion. Our Herbal Clarifying Facial Oil and Sea Berry Balancing Facial Oil are lightweight, non‑comedogenic moisturizers formulated with oils high in linoleic acid—known for their light texture and suitability for oily and breakout‑prone skin. When applied after our Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist, these facial oils absorb quickly and leave your skin soft, calm and clear. If you’ve never tried a facial oil before, you might be surprised at how light and comfortable these feel. We’ve even curated a special collection for blemish‑prone skin to help you find the perfect fit for your routine.
We like to compare essential oils to salt. Too little and there will be no effect, too much and it can be dangerous to your health, but just the right amount can improve your health and overall well-being. All our products are formulated by a certified aromatherapist who understands the delicate balance between an essential oil-containing formulation that might irritate your skin vs one that will be beneficial to skin health while improving the aromatic experience of products.
This attention to detail is not evident in the ingredient list. If a skincare product that irritated your skin in the past appears to have a similar ingredient list, this alone may not be a clear indicator that essential oils are not a good fit for your skin. Potency and the nuances of a formulation can vary substantially from one product to another, even if the ingredient list is similar or the same. Rest assured that all our essential oil containing products are not only safe to use topically, but formulated to nourish and benefit the skin.
If you prefer to use essential oil free products, the following products are essential oil free:
Nope! Our facial oils are formulated to absorb into your skin quickly, delivering nutrients deep within the skin without leaving your skin looking oily or greasy. We recommend massaging a few drops onto clean skin. For faster absorption and deeper hydration, liberally mist your face with one of our hydrosol-based facial mists and apply your facial oil on damp skin.
Yes, but use with care. Our facial oils and balm contain essential oils which may irritate the eyes. Apply below and around the eye area—avoid direct contact with your eyes.
Yes! All our soap bars are designed for facial use and won’t dry your skin like commercial soaps. Use once daily, ideally in the evening.
Our Pumpkin & Wild Carrot Complexion Soap recently received its Kind To Biome certication, officially making it skin microbiome friendly. We are currently awaiting results for our other bars.
Ingredient Sourcing & Sustainability
Sustainability starts with where and how our ingredients are grown. We prioritize working with farmers and suppliers who uphold ethical and eco-conscious practices, including:
✅Certified Organic
✅Grown without pesticides
✅Fair Trade
✅Indigenous-Owned or Managed
Beyond certifications, we carefully research the sustainability of every ingredient. If an ingredient is inherently unsustainable, we avoid it—unless a supplier can prove that their harvesting or production methods meet our rigorous sustainability standards. This is why, for instance, we choose to use RSPO Identity Preserved Palm Oil, helping support sustainable & ethical production of palm oil production.
What to know more about the ingredients in your product? Look up your product’s batch # to learn more about its ingredients' country of origin, certifications and more.
Check your batch number on our Track Your Batch page.
We introduced our Batch No. system in 2015 to be transparent and traceable about when our products were handcrafted and the ingredients that are in them. This gives you the ability to not only make sure that the product is fresh, but also more insight into the supply chain of each ingredient and an understanding of what your dollar is supporting.
All skincare ingredients, whether natural or synthetic, gradually break down when exposed to light, heat and air. Prolonged UV exposure can especially accelerate this process, diminishing a product’s freshness and performance. We use dark, UV‑filtering glass to limit light exposure and help preserve the potency of our formulas from the first drop to the last. It’s an extra step we take to deliver consistently high‑quality products. While some brands opt for clear packaging, we believe that protecting what’s inside is worth the investment—so you get the full benefit of every ingredient.
We do our best to make our packaging as eco‑friendly as possible. Nearly all of it is recyclable glass and paper—materials that are already recycled and can be recycled again. We’re working to reduce plastic wherever we can; at the moment, our pumps and lids still require some plastic to ensure product safety and usability. To lessen this impact, we partner with a program that removes five pounds of ocean‑bound plastic for every pound of plastic used in our packaging. Every order we ship is plastic‑free, and all of our products come in glass bottles or jars.
If you’d like to learn more about how we’re improving our packaging and other sustainability initiatives, please visit our About Us page.
To find out how to best recycle your product's packaging, please visit your product's page on our website. Once you are on the product page, find the "How to Recycle" tab for detailed information.
For any components not accepted by your curbside recycling program, either from our brand or any other brand, we subsidize recycling through our partnership with Pact. Recycle with Pact and get 25% off your next order. Learn more about the program here.
Recycle and get 25% off? Yes please!
We subsidize recycling hard-to-recycle beauty packaging from any brand through our partnership with Pact—and as a thank you, you get 25% off your next order when you recycle!
You can claim your discount one of 2 ways:
1. Mail-in 8-10 empties following Pact's directions. Once your package is received by Pact, you will receive an email from Pact with a coupon code to get 25% off your next Apoterra order.
2. Find a local Pact drop off bin near you. Email a photo of yourself with your beauty packaging empties, in front of a Pact bin, to info@apoterra.com. We'll respond with your 25% off coupon code.
Being plastic negative means we remove more plastic from the environment than we use.
We are currently recovering FIVE TIMES more plastic from the environment than the amount we use in our packaging and operations! That means for every 1 lb of plastic we use, we ensure 5 lbs of plastic waste is removed from the environment, making a dramatically larger positive impact on our planet's future.
To learn more about this initiave, please visit our About Us page.
Being Carbon negative means we sequester more carbon than we emit.
Every purchase you make funds planting of trees, in collaboration with TREES—an effort estimated to capture more carbon than we emit each year. In 2024, we emitted an estimated 14 metric tonnes of carbon and planted 40,651 trees—sequestering an estimated 71.21 metric tonnes of CO2, far surpassing our emissions.
To learn more about this initiave, please visit our About Us page.
Shipping & Returns
We’re confident you’ll love our products, but if not, you can return them within 30 days for a refund or exchange. Choosing the right products can be overwhelming, so we recommend taking our skin quiz to help find the best match for your skin.
We want you to love your purchase, and we stand behind our products. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can return or exchange your items within 30 days of receiving your order for a refund or an exchange.
Here’s how it works:
1. Visit our Returns page and complete the return form within 30 days of receiving your product.
2. Once we review your form, we’ll send you a prepaid return label.
3. Mail the item back using that label
4. After we receive your return, we’ll issue a refund (minus shipping charges) or offer store credit—whichever you prefer
We’re here to help if you have any questions along the way. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@apoterra.com
We know you’re excited to receive your order (we're excited too!), so we process and ship all orders within one business day. Delivery times vary based on where you live, but most packages within the continental USA arrive in about two to three business days. As soon as your order ships, we’ll send you a confirmation email with a tracking number so you can follow its journey to your doorstep.
For more detail, view our full shipping policy here.
Managing My Subscription
You can manage your subscription anytime by logging into your Apoterra account. Once logged in, head to “Subscriptions” to update delivery frequency, swap products, skip a shipment, pause or cancel your subscription.
Yes! Subscriptions are completely flexible. You can cancel, pause or edit anytime before your next billing date, no fees, no commitment. To manage your subscription, log into your Apoterra account.
Yes! Earn 2x points on your subscription orders That’s essentially 10% cash back in points! Plus, you'll earn 200 bonus points for every 3 subscription orders. Learn more about our Apoterra Perks Loyalty Program by logging into your Apoterra account.
You choose your delivery frequency at checkout (every 1, 2, or 3 months). You can adjust this schedule anytime through your account.
Subscriptions are available for most full-size products, but bundles and travel/sample sizes are excluded.
Apoterra Perks Loyalty Program
Apoterra Perks is a three-tiered loyalty program that lets you earn points with every purchase and referral. Redeem points for cash-back discounts or free product perks. The more you spend, the more you save.
Simply place an order to start earning points! You'll automatically be enrolled in the program, no separate sign-up required!
Once you've place your first order, you can access your Apoterra Perks dashboard by logging into your Apoterra account.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent
- Earn 2x points if you’re subscribed to a product
- Earn 200 bonus points for every 3 subscription orders
Depending on which tier you are in, 1 point is the equivalend of 5% cash back (Seed tier), 8% cash back (Sprout tier) or 10% cash back (Bloom tier)
Yes! Earn 2x points on your subscription orders That’s essentially 10% cash back in points! Plus, you'll earn 200 bonus points for every 3 subscription orders. Learn more about our Apoterra Perks Loyalty Program by logging into your Apoterra account.
Log into your Apoterra account. Once logged into your account, click on "Loyalty" to view your points balance, tier level, and to claim rewards.
To redeem your points, log into your Apoterra account and claim a reward based on your point balance. This will generate a discount code, which you can then enter at checkout to apply your reward.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains active.
Level up your Apoterra Perks tiers to access better rewards! Tiers reset every January 1st, but don't worry, your points never expire!
Seed (0-249 Points)
Entry-level tier with access to essential rewards (equivalent to 5% cashback)
Sprout (250 – 499 Points)
Mid-tier members get better perks and more exclusive offers. (equivalent to 8% cashback)
Bloom (500+ points)
Top-tier VIP members receive top tier perks, gifts, and most exclusive offers (equivalent to 10% cash back).
Share the Apoterra love with your friends! When you refer someone using your unique referral link:
- They get 20% off their first order
- You earn 200 points once they make a purchase
You can access your referral link by logging into your Apoterra account.
Other FAQs
You can find our products at select boutiques and retailers worldwide. Visit our Find Apoterra Near You page to see a list of locations near you.
If you’re looking for a particular product, it’s a good idea to contact the store first—each retailer carries a curated selection from our line, and we’d hate for you to make a trip and find they’re out of what you want. We hope you find a local spot you love!
To experience our products in a professional facial, head to the “Find Apoterra Near You” page on our website. There, you’ll see a list of spas and holistic skincare practitioners who carry our line. Look for the “holistic facial” icon next to a partner’s name—this indicates they offer treatments using Apoterra products. Once you’ve found a location that interests you, we recommend calling ahead to book an appointment and confirm the services offered. We hope you enjoy your Apoterra facial!
We do! Our wholesale program is tailored for estheticians, spas, and other skincare professionals who want to use Apoterra products in treatments or offer them in their boutiques. As a wholesale partner, you’ll have access to special pricing, professional‑size products, professional-exclusive products, and exclusive support. For details on minimum order quantities, pricing, and how to apply, please visit the Wholesale Program page on our website. We’d love to collaborate with you to bring Apoterra to your clients.
We do! Email us at info@apoterra.com for more information