How to cancel Honest Company in south africa: your complete legal guide to subscriptions and consumer protection
Understanding Honest Company and why you might cancel
Honest Company operates as a consumer goods and digital subscription service in South Africa, offering both recurring product deliveries and monthly digital magazine access to your door and device. You enrol through their website and your payment method charges automatically on each billing date unless you actively cancel beforehand. Unlike some European jurisdictions, South Africa's statutory framework does not grant an automatic cooling-off period for all subscription services, which means your cancellation request must be timely and documented. Yafee specialises in helping consumers understand exactly where they stand legally when cancelling subscriptions, and this guide explains your rights under South African law, the practical steps you must take, and the pitfalls to avoid.
What services Honest Company delivers
Honest Company manages two main product categories. First, recurring physical product subscriptions delivered to your South African address at intervals you select. Second, digital magazine subscriptions charged monthly, typically at rates between R139.99 and R149.99 per issue or subscription period. Both services operate on automatic renewal-your card is charged unless you cancel before the next billing cycle closes. Many consumers sign up during promotional periods and later discover cancellation proves more complicated than expected. Understanding which service you subscribed to is your first step, because the cancellation pathway differs for physical versus digital products.
Why timing your cancellation matters
Once a billing cycle closes, Honest Company processes payment automatically. You cannot recover that charge through cancellation alone; you must request a refund separately and, if refused, escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). Yafee recommends initiating cancellation at least 48 hours before your next scheduled charge to give the system time to process your request. Delaying cancellation costs you money. Acting now protects your bank account and your legal position if a dispute arises.
Your consumer rights when cancelling subscriptions in south africa
South African law grants you specific protections when you cancel distance contracts and subscriptions, and understanding these rights strengthens your position if Honest Company refuses your request.
Consumer protection act and your cancellation entitlements
The Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (CPA) is the primary legal framework protecting you as a consumer in South Africa. Under section 14 of the CPA, you have the right to cancel a distance contract (any purchase made online or by phone) within 14 calendar days of delivery or performance, provided the goods were not customised and you have not opened or damaged them. For digital services and subscriptions, this right applies more narrowly: the CPA permits cancellation if the service provider has not yet begun performance, or if their terms of service do not explicitly exclude your right to cancel.
Section 48 of the CPA requires that all cancellation and refund policies must be clear, accessible, and not unfairly prejudiced against you as the consumer. If Honest Company's cancellation terms are deliberately obscured, vague, or buried in dense legal language, those terms may be deemed unfair and unenforceable. Furthermore, section 5 of the CPA obliges all businesses to act fairly and with integrity toward consumers. Dishonest refusal to honour a valid cancellation request violates this duty.
Your legal position: You have a statutory right to cancel most Honest Company subscriptions before your next billing cycle, provided you notify them in writing (email or postal letter counts). If Honest Company charges you after you have cancelled, and refuses to refund, you can escalate to the NCC for investigation and enforcement.
National consumer commission as your escalation route
If Honest Company breaches the CPA by refusing your cancellation or charging you after you cancel, you can lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC) at www.ncc.org.za. The NCC has statutory authority to investigate consumer disputes, compel businesses to refund money, and impose penalties for repeated violations. You do not need a lawyer to file a complaint; the NCC process is designed for ordinary consumers to use without legal representation. Yafee advises gathering all evidence before filing: email confirmations of your cancellation request, screenshots of your account status, copies of charges on your bank statement, and any responses from Honest Company. This documentation strengthens your case.
How to cancel Honest Company: step-by-step procedures
Cancellation methods vary depending on whether you subscribed through the Honest Company website directly or via a third-party app or retailer. This section walks you through each pathway.
Cancelling a subscription via the Honest Company website
If you subscribed directly through Honest Company's website, follow these steps to cancel your account.
- Log into your Honest Company account using your email address and password.
- If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the email recovery link.
- Check your spam folder if the recovery email does not arrive within 5 minutes.
- Navigate to your account settings or subscription management page.
- This is typically labelled "My Subscriptions", "Billing", or "Account Settings" in the top menu.
- Locate the active subscription you wish to cancel and select it.
- If you have multiple subscriptions, ensure you are cancelling only the one you intend to stop.
- Click "Cancel subscription" or "End subscription".
- Honest Company may present a retention offer (discount or pause option). You are under no obligation to accept.
- Select "Cancel anyway" if the option appears.
- Confirm your cancellation in the pop-up dialog and submit.
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation message and note the date and time.
- Verify your cancellation by logging back into your account within 24 hours.
- Your subscription status should display as "Cancelled" or "Inactive".
- If it still shows "Active", contact Honest Company support immediately with your screenshots as evidence.
Cancelling via email to Honest Company support
If you cannot cancel online or if the website cancellation fails, you can cancel by email. This method creates a documented paper trail, which is valuable if a dispute arises later.
- Compose a plain-text email to Honest Company's customer support address.
- Use a subject line: "Subscription Cancellation Request - [Your Account Email or Order Number]".
- In the email body, clearly state:
- Your full name as it appears on the account.
- Your account email address and phone number.
- The subscription service you wish to cancel (e.g., "Monthly Product Box" or "Honest History Digital Magazine").
- Your request: "I request immediate cancellation of my subscription effective today. I do not wish to receive further charges."
- The date you are sending the email.
- Send the email to Honest Company's support address listed on their website or in your account settings.
- Keep a copy of your sent email and any delivery confirmation.
- Wait for a written confirmation email from Honest Company within 5 business days.
- If you do not receive confirmation, send a follow-up email referencing your original request and the date you sent it.
- Once you receive confirmation, monitor your bank account for 10 days to ensure no further charges are processed.
- If a charge appears after cancellation, gather your emails as evidence of your cancellation request.
Cancelling via postal letter
For formal, recorded notice, you can cancel by registered mail. This method is especially useful if Honest Company disputes your cancellation later, because the postal service provides a timestamped record of delivery.
- Write a cancellation letter on plain paper or letterhead.
- Include your name, account email, phone number, and the subscription service you wish to cancel.
- State clearly: "I hereby cancel my subscription with Honest Company effective immediately. I request written confirmation of this cancellation and confirmation that no further charges will be processed."
- Date the letter and sign it.
- Address the letter to Honest Company's mailing address (see section below).
- Use the address shown in your terms and conditions or on their website.
- Post the letter via registered mail (use South Africa Post Office's registered service with tracking).
- Keep your proof of posting slip.
- Request a return receipt from the post office if available.
- Allow 10 business days for postal delivery and Honest Company's response.
- If you receive no written confirmation within this period, send your follow-up email with the proof of posting attached.
Refunds, charges, and what to expect after cancellation
Cancelling your subscription stops future charges, but does not automatically refund money already charged. Understanding your refund rights and the timeline is critical.
When Honest Company processes refunds
Once you cancel, Honest Company ceases all future charges on your next scheduled billing date. However, money already charged before cancellation is not automatically refunded. The CPA requires businesses to refund you if (a) you cancel within 14 days of delivery and have not used the goods, or (b) the business has breached its obligations or misled you. If you believe Honest Company charged you unfairly or after you had already cancelled, you can request a refund in writing. Yafee recommends specifying the exact charge date, amount, and reason in your refund request email. Honest Company typically responds within 10 to 15 business days with either a refund or a written explanation of why they believe the charge was valid.
Disputing charges after cancellation
If Honest Company charged you after your confirmed cancellation, or if they refuse to refund a charge you believe was invalid, you have two formal escalation routes. First, contact your bank or payment provider and dispute the charge as unauthorised or fraudulent. Most South African banks reverse disputed charges within 5 to 10 working days pending investigation. Second, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission at www.ncc.org.za. Include your cancellation evidence (emails, screenshots, postal proof) and your bank statement showing the disputed charge. The NCC will investigate and can compel Honest Company to refund you.
Subscription pricing overview
| Service type |
Billing frequency |
Typical cost (ZAR) |
Cancellation deadline |
Refund eligibility |
| Physical product box |
Monthly or quarterly |
R299-R499 per cycle |
48 hours before next cycle |
14 days from delivery if unopened |
| Digital magazine (Honest History) |
Monthly |
R139.99-R149.99 |
48 hours before billing |
14 days from purchase if not accessed |
| Individual issue purchase |
One-time |
R49-R69 per issue |
No recurring charge |
Refund only if service not provided |
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Most cancellation failures stem from preventable errors. Stay calm, stay organised, and follow these guidelines to protect yourself.
Mistake 1: not checking your cancellation confirmation
Many consumers assume their cancellation succeeded because they clicked a button, but they never verify that the system actually processed their request. Login to your Honest Company account 24 hours after cancellation and confirm your subscription status shows "Cancelled" or "Inactive". If it still shows "Active", repeat your cancellation request and contact support. Yafee advises taking a screenshot of the cancelled status for your records.
Mistake 2: cancelling less than 48 hours before your billing date
Automatic billing systems process charges in batches. If you cancel fewer than 48 hours before your scheduled charge date, the system may have already flagged your account for payment. Your cancellation request arrives too late to stop it. Cancel as soon as you decide to end your subscription, and assume 48 hours as a minimum buffer.
Mistake 3: not keeping proof of your cancellation request
Screenshots and email copies are your only defence if Honest Company denies receiving your cancellation request or later charges you after claiming they never received it. Save every confirmation email, screenshot of your account page, postal receipts, and correspondence. Store these in a folder on your computer or cloud drive for at least 12 months after cancellation.
Mistake 4: relying on a phone call alone
Cancelling by phone creates no written record. Honest Company staff may assure you verbally that your subscription is cancelled, but without written confirmation, you have no proof. Always follow up a phone conversation with an email repeating what was discussed and requesting written confirmation. This email becomes your evidence if a dispute arises.
Mistake 5: ignoring charges after cancellation
If Honest Company charges you after you have cancelled, act immediately. Contact your bank within 30 days to dispute the charge and file a complaint with the NCC simultaneously. Delays weaken your position. Many consumers assume a single erroneous charge will resolve itself, but companies often repeat unauthorised charges if unopposed.
What to do after your subscription cancels
Your cancellation is complete, but a few final steps ensure your financial security and keep you protected if issues emerge later.
Monitor your bank account for 30 days
Watch your bank statement closely for 30 days after cancellation confirmation. Honest Company should not charge you again. If a charge appears, gather your cancellation evidence immediately and contact your bank. Most banks reverse unauthorised charges if reported within 60 days of the transaction.
Keep your cancellation records indefinitely
Retain all cancellation emails, screenshots, and correspondence in a dedicated folder. Consumer disputes with companies can resurface months or years later if the company re-charges your card or claims you never cancelled. Your documented proof-an email with a timestamp, a screenshot of your cancelled subscription status, or a postal receipt-is your legal protection. Yafee recommends archiving these records for at least two years.
Review your account if you used a saved payment method
After cancellation, log into your Honest Company account and remove your saved payment card or payment method if you do not intend to shop there again. This prevents accidental re-subscription or unintended charges if you ever click a purchase button by mistake.
Check your other subscriptions
Cancelling one subscription with Honest Company is a good time to audit all your recurring charges. Many consumers forget about dormant subscriptions until they see unexpected monthly debits. Review your bank statement and cancel any other subscriptions you no longer use. Yafee helps thousands of consumers regain control of their subscriptions by encouraging this kind of regular financial review.
Comparison: cancellation methods at a glance
| Cancellation method |
Speed |
Paper trail |
Best for |
| Online (website account) |
Immediate |
Yes (screenshot) |
Most consumers; fastest option |
| Email to support |
2-5 business days |
Yes (email record) |
If website fails; strong evidence trail |
| Registered postal letter |
10 business days |
Yes (postal receipt) |
Formal disputes; highest legal weight |
| Phone call |
Immediate |
No |
Never use alone; always follow with email |
| Bank chargeback (after charge) |
5-10 working days |
Yes (bank record) |
Only if Honest Company charges after cancellation |
Key takeaways and your next steps
Cancelling Honest Company is straightforward if you follow the legal framework and procedural steps outlined above. South African law, through the Consumer Protection Act, grants you the right to cancel before your next billing cycle and to dispute unfair charges through the National Consumer Commission. Your three priorities are: (1) cancel immediately using the online method or email, (2) capture written proof of your cancellation, and (3) monitor your account for 30 days afterward. If Honest Company refuses to cancel or charges you unlawfully, you have formal escalation routes through your bank and the NCC.
Yafee has guided thousands of South African consumers through subscription cancellations and disputes. Whether your issue is straightforward or complex, the legal framework remains the same: companies must honour valid cancellation requests, and you have enforcement tools if they do not. Act now, document everything, and keep your records. For further assistance with consumer rights or contract disputes, visit Yafee at yafee.com to access additional guides and resources tailored to your situation.
Honest Company contact details for formal notices
Use the following mailing address for registered postal cancellation letters or formal legal notices:
Honest Company (South Africa)
Legal Notices and Dispute Resolution
[Registered office address as stated in Honest Company's Terms of Service or website footer]
Always send formal notices via registered mail with proof of posting. Keep your postal receipt and any delivery confirmation for your records.