Green Options › Forums › Sustainable Living Discussions › Personal Care & Clothing › My list of Fakers and Not Fakers
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

My list of Fakers and Not Fakers

post #1 of 108
2/26/08 at 8:00pm
Thread Starter 

Organicgal007's List of Fakies and Not Fakies:

I am working on updating this list. It was first created back in 2007 and first posted to this website around 2008. Currently the EWG's ingredient database is not available and it is one of my tools for classifying ingredient's tested safety. I promise to work on this list and bring it up to 2012 as soon as the database is back to being available to consumers.

 

I'm only judging products/companies for their personal body care lines

(ie. shampoos, lotions, cosmetics, etc)

 

  • Body care is not a regulated industry.
  • The USDA Organic regulations/laws only extend to food items or body care items that are food grade.
  • Because of lax regulations a body care company can use the word "Natural" any way they want, regardless of if they threw in chemicals and synthetics to the final product.
  • A company can only use the word Organic (as in the product name, etc) on the front of their packaging if the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients

 

  • 400

    For a company to display a label that reads "Made with Organic ingredients" the product must carry 70% or more organics with no restrictions on the other ingredients.


     

  • 400

    For a company to display the USDA organic label, it must have 95% or higher organic ingredients with the other 5% being from an approved list.

  • 400

    To carry the new Natural Products Association Label the natural product must only contain pre-approved naturally derived ingredients.


     

  • 400

    The Eco-Cert label has fallen under scrutiny lately, for allowing synthetics in products (which is against it's own rules) with many interest groups now not trusting the integrity of the EcoCert logo. I'll let you decide if you want to trust this label.



 

 

THE LIST:

 

4002012 update: These companise have either changed their ingredients since my list was first created back in 2007 or their websites do not have ingredients listed, so I need to contact the companies to have them supply me with ingredient lists... I need to further research them in order to know where to place them. Let's keep fingers crossed these once "bad guys" have tunred in to good guys.

 

  • Avalon Organics - (this is the old list of concerning ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium oleamido succinate, Sodium PCA, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, etc.) Now in 2012 these ingredients are no longer used. I sampled 12 product ingredient lists and saw that many ingredients are certified organic and the preserving agents used have low to no scores of toxicity. The two ingredients that stuck out to me that are being used that are questionable are: Retinyl Palmitate, and Titanium Dioxide. As soon as the EWG data base is up and running I will give final results on where this brand will land. More research is needed.
  • Juice Beauty -  (this is the old list of concerning ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl (octyl) palmitate, Cocamidopropyl betaine.) More research is needed before I add them back to the main list.
  • Kiss My Face Organics - More research is need. They have cleaned up their act considerably since my list was first created...Now to investigate their products again... No decision has been reached as to wear to place them...yet.
  • Mill Creek Organics  -  (this is the old list of concerning ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine, Octyl dimethyl PABA, Acrylates copolymer)   I don't see these listed now, but do see "sage derived" Phenoxyethanol. I need to research toxicity of this Pheno. Plus their website only lists ingredients for their baby line. Adult products have no ingredient lists??? More research needed. Not sure if they have changed their list at all, since I can't find it now.
  • Organix - Their website does not offer ingredient lists. I need to do more research. Old ingredients ---> Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Dimethicone, (Behentrimonium 2 of 4 are toxic, they don't notate which of the 4 types they are using..so this one is iffy), Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone, etc.

 

 

 

400Fake Organics: These companies use synthetics and sometimes very little organics in their finished product. The ingredient names following the brand name are examples (and may not include a full list) of the exact toxic ingredients these companies use, that landed them on my No No list and the USDA Organic regulations do not condone use of. You won't see the USDA Organic logo on any of these brands, yet, they still try to trick the uneducated public into believing they are an organic product by calling their brand name " ____ organic" or slapping a label stating "Made with Organics". Being "made with" and actually being are two different things.

This list has been updated for 2012.

 

  • Alba Botanica - Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Octinoxate , Oxybenzone, Peg-100, Sodium PCA, etc.
  • Babywise Organics - Octyl Palmitate (I'm finding this to be another name for Dimethicone..correct me if I'm wrong), Retinyl Palmitate , Phenoxyethanol, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, etc.
  • Derma E Organic Expressions - PEG-7, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Dimethicone, Peg-175, PEG-200, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, etc.
  • Giovanni Organics - PVP (which is vinyl), PEG-40, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Octylmethoxycinnamate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocamphodiacetate, PEG-8, etc,
  • Head Organics - PEG-7, PVP (which is vinyl), Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Cetrimonium Chloride, etc.
  • Lotus Touch organic & natural - PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Bisabolol,
  • Natures Gate Organics -  Old Ingredients ---> Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-120, Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, PEG-100, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, PVP, Dimethiconol.  New ingredients are free of PEG's, but they still contain: Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, and some others I need to research more thouroghly.
  • Organix South Inc, a.k.a. Thera Neem - Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Lauramide DEA, PEG-7, PEG-40,
  • Pharmacopia Organic - PEG-120, PEG-150, Phenoxyethanol; Chlorphenesin, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Dimethicone
  • Sexy Hair Organics. i can't find even 1 website online, including the company website, that lists the ingredients. next time i'm at the mall i will jot them down, this is where I saw them first and was appalled by the list of toxins.

 

 

400Fake Naturals: These companies claim they are natural, safe, part of wellness, or pure; but use toxic synthetics in their products. The words Natural, Pure, & Safe have no regulations guiding their use. Any company can make these claims regardless to if the claim is true or not.

This list is still under review for the 2012 update

 

  • 365 by Whole Foods (so confusing to me at to why their body care products contain junk ingredients).
  • Alba - Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Octinoxate , Oxybenzone, Peg-100, Sodium PCA, etc.
  • Arbonne - Cocamidopropyl Betaine Coconut , PEG-80, Peg-120, Retinyl Palmitate, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol , Hexylene Glycol , etc. (their baby line is horribly toxic).
  • Arm & Hammer Essentials Deodorant- propylene glycol, tricolsan, (they test on animals, this alone is enough to boycott them)
  • Aveda - Many forms of PEG's, Dimethicone, etc. (sorry list not complete. I popped into an Aveda Salon because Aveda does not list online nor will reply to my emails. I did a brief look over of the bottles before it was frowned upon by the salon staff and I left.)
  • Aveeno - Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Distearyldimonium Chloride, PEG-80, Trisodium EDTA, PEG-150, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
  • The Body Shop - PEG-100, Parabens (1 product alone had 5 different types of parabens), EDTA, Yellow #5, Red #4, PEG-8, Cocamide DEA, Dimethicone, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-18, PVP
  • Derma E - Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Dimethyl MEA , PEG-100, Cocamide DEA
  • Earth Science - Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, benzophenone-3
  • Healthy Times baby line - Parabens
  • Huggies/Pamper naturals. "Yeah, right." yes that was sarcasim
  • Jason pure natural - Cocamide MEA, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol
  • Jackson Reece Herbal baby wipes - cocamidoproyl betaine, phenoxyethanol
  • Kiss my Face - Trisodium EDTA, Retinyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Propylene glycol, Triethanolamine.
  • Korres Natural Products - Propylparaben, Methylparaben, PEG- 8, Aluminium Oxide, PEG-100, Phenoxyethanol, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, PEG-60, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol (one product had 5 parabens & pheno. That's just ludacris)
  • Lush - Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, (this company is at least 1/2 honest...when listing their ingredients, they color code the natural & synthetic so it's easy to read, but they call them "safe synthetics", I have to disagree)
  • Melaleuca - Dimethicone, PEG - 100, Phenoxyethanol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Avobenzone, Ostisalate, Octinoxate, Octocyrlene, EDTA, Triethanolamine, PEG-7, PEG-60,
  • Method - Cocamidopropyl betaine, Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Cocamide DEA, retinyl palmitate, (gets sneaky & shady by not disclosing the name of their preservatives or what type of color they use. it just says "preservative" "color")
  • Mill Creek Botanicals - Disodium-EDTA, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Imidazolidinyl Urea
  • Nature's Gate - Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Octinoxate; Oxybenzone, Dimethicone
  • Pure and Basic - Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-90, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben
  • Shaklee - Phenoxyethanol, Didodium EDTA, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone, PEG-10, Dimethicone, AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, PEG-12, RETINYL PALMITATE
  • Tom's of Maine - SLS, Proplyene Glycol
  • Zia - Phenoxyethanol, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, Octisalate,

 

 

400Real Organic: no synthetics; never ever.

This list is still under review for the 2012 update

 

 

 

400Real Natural: though they might not use all organic ingredients, their finished product has NO added synthetics.

This list is still under review for the 2012 update

 

 

 

400Hit & Miss/ Murky Companies. These companies have some products that are really clean and other products that are not. Read Labels and know what you are choosing before you spend the $$. be on the look out for: Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, PEG's, Parabens, Urea, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine...if those are in it, stay away.

This list is still under review for the 2012 update

 

  • Aura Cacia - Very Hit and Miss. Their certified organic line of esseintial oils are the bomb though, VERY high grade and very clean!
  • Bare Minerals- I found Dimethicone in 1 product out of about 12 that I researched. Seems they have taken out most of their nasty ingredients. I used to have them on my fakers list.
  • Beeceuticals - some products carry the USDA logo, other products have phenoxyethanol in the ingredients. I have spoken with the owner of the company and they are working on an enzyme based presevative to replace the pheno. so be on the look out for this positive change.
  • Burt's Bees - the good thing, is each product tells you on the front of the bottle exactly what % it is natural. they are a pretty clean company. there's not much i would shy away from.
  • Desert Essence - again a truly hit or miss. mostly miss. mostly on my fakers list with the exception of their pure oils and castile face soap, essential oils; those are truly natural and some even organic
  • Eco-Bella. All of their body care is 100% clean, but their cosmetic line still carries several ingredients of concern, including parabens.
  • EO - Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Dimethicone; mostly on my fakers list, though their lip balm is really organic
  • Honey Bee Gardens
  • ikove

 

 

 

 

Please check out www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare for a great petition and more info on the bad companies.

 

If I upset anyone, It's NOT my intention. My only request is that if you don't agree with me, then please offer polite, supported proof so that I can also become educated on new findings. I'm not a scientist, only a consumer empowering myself and also trying to help others on the journey. Please no hate email or hateful posts/replies. I wouldn't do it to you, so please don't do it to me.

This is not an attack on anyone who works for a company or buys from a company I have put on my Fake Lists. If you work for a company on my fake list and you are mad I put you there, contact your company  and be a postitive change, help them become cleaner!

I did my research thoroughly and read ingredient labels carefully. It took me HOURS & Months to put together this list. I also work in the industry and am VERY familiar with many of these companies. (I've worked in the health and wellness field for over 10 yrs)

 

I do commend the companies who use organic ingredients, because this is great for the planet! I wish all companies used more organics. However, I do not think combining them with chemical synthetics is good for the planet or for people. Some body care chemicals are toxic to create, while others are toxic to our health. So if a company is using organics and synthetics in the same product, one has to wonder...who's interest do they really have in mind?

 

 

~ Susanna aka Organicgal 007

 

 

 

Please check out www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare for a great petition and more info on the bad companies.


 

My resources (not only for this list, but for so much in life):

 

BOOKS

*Silent Spring-by Rachel Carlson

*Green Living- by E/The Environmental Magazine
*The Natural House & Nat. House Catalog- by David Pearson
*The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: 77 Essential Skills to Stop Climate Change- by David de Rothschild
*Earth in the Balance- by Al Gore
*Living Green: A Practical Guide to Simple Sustainability- by Horn
*The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time- by Rogers/Kostigen
*The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical
Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists
*The Organic Suburbanite : An Environmentally Friendly Way to Live the American Dream by Warren Schultz
*Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe & Healthy, Non-toxic Cleaning by Jeffrey Hollender

* Baking Soda   and seperate title: Vinegar both  by Vicki Lansky
*The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier
*Healing Home Spa- by Cooksley
*The complete book of essential oils & aromatherapy- by Worwood
*Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child- by Zand/Rountree/Walton
*Prescription for Natural Healing- by Balch

*Physiology of the Skin by Dr. Peter Pugliese

*Common Drug Side Effects by Pamela Hill


Magazines/Journals
*Horticulture
*Organic Gardening
*Natural Home (sometimes seen as Nat. Home & Garden)
*National Geographic
*Mothering
*Organic Style (no longer in print, but if you can find back copies, worth a read)
*Body & Soul
*Organic Spa

*International Journal of Dermatology

*DermaScope

*Natural Beauty & Health

*Natural Health

*Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

 

WEBSITES

* MSDS (material safety data sheets)

 

*http://www.treehugger.com/

 

*http://www.thegreenguide.com

*http://www.organic.org/

* http://www.naplesbiofuel.com/

* http://www.organicconsumers.org/

*http://catalogcutdown.org/index.php

*http://forestethics.org/

* http://www.sociallyresponsible.org/

* http://www.ecogeek.org/

* http://www.environmentaldefense.org

* http://www.generationgreen.org/

* http://www.earth911.org

* http://www.care2.com

* http://www.emagazine.com/

 

 

UPDATE:

As of middle of March. the OCA and Dr. Bronner released shocking news about the personal care world.

Just last week the OCA is getting tough. Check out all this info. Seems 7th Gen, Method, and many others have gotten themselves in a bit of "hot water".

 

"Alert: Stop Bogus "Organic" Misbranding or Certification

To help remove some of this misleading organic labeling from the market, in late March 2008, the OCA and Dr.Bronner's filed Cease and Desist Letters to many of the bogus "organic" brands who utilize conventional and/or petrochemical material instead of organic material in making their main cleansing ingredients, some of whom even tested positive for the carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane in this study. Read the press release here and the Cease and Desist letter here.

USDA Organic SealMany of these companies misbrand “Organics” on their labels but consumers should look for products certified under the USDA like Dr. Bronner’s, because there are other weak so-called “organic” standards that a product can become "certified" under, which do not allow ethoxylation and 1,4-Dioxane, but allow hydrogenation and sulfation of conventional, not organic material, to make cleansing ingredients preserved with synthetic preservatives.

Two of these weak standards consumers should look out for are the Ecocert and OASIS standards; Ecocert actually allows certain petrochemicals in cleansing ingredients. Learn more here.

Surveys clearly indicate that when a product labels itself as "Organic" or is sold by a company with the word "Organic" in its brand name, consumers are willing to pay extra, because they believe that product does not contain cleansing ingredients made with conventional and/or petrochemical material, that may be contaminated with carcinogenic compounds like 1,4-Dioxane.

Surveys clearly indicate that when a product labels itself as "Organic" or is sold by a company with the word "Organic" in its brand name, consumers are willing to pay extra, because they believe that product does not contain cleansing ingredients made with conventional and/or petrochemical material, that may be contaminated with carcinogenic compounds like 1,4-Dioxane. " 

http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/DioxaneRelease08.cfm

 

~ Susanna aka Organicgal 007


Edited by organicgal007 - 10/27/12 at 7:12am
Reply
Reply

Featured Stories on Green Options

Mom Jessica Alba Shares Her Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Vision of the Future
Give Green Gifts
How To Green Your Lunch
post #2 of 108
3/26/08 at 5:24am

thanks for your list and also for listing your sources.

 

It really aggrevates me that companies can use terms like "with organic ingredients" or "natural" and mislead consumers who don't know any better.

 

You always have to check the labels and know exactly what you're getting!

Reply
Reply
post #3 of 108
3/26/08 at 7:23pm

I am screaming in cyberspace. Nearly all of the products I use are on the fake list except Dr. Bronner's and Burt's Bees.  Thank you so much for the thoroughly-researched heads up, so we can support the companies with the best products and don't have to reinvent the wheel doing our own research.

 

 

Reply
Reply
post #4 of 108
4/1/08 at 9:54am

Wow, even though I had read about the controversy regarding 1,4 Dioxane, I hadn't stopped to look at the ingredients of the organic body products I use. Thanks for researching and I'll take a look at your list when I go shopping!

 

For those interested in reading more, check out this EPA report listing the chemical as a "probable human carcinogen:"

 

http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0326.htm

 

 

 

 

Reply
Reply
post #5 of 108
5/25/08 at 12:58am

Thank you Organicgal007!! I REALLY appreciate all the work and time it must have taken to do that research and write that piece.  You Rock!!  I am a new independent rep. (http://happyorganics.mionegroup.com) for miessence products, from the ONE Group company out of Australia, and I'm super excited to see that there is some good competition in the mix. The ONE Group brands (miessence, miVitality, and miEnviron) are all quite unique and amazing (too me at least).  This company is truly on the cusp of the organic revolution as they were the world's-first certified organic products back in Jan 2001.  The skin care and cosmetics, listed here, are quite lovely and the product line is expanding and will be developing over the next few years.  I am not sure about the Corporate Social Responsibility aspects of any of the other companies you have listed on your Real Organics list, but ONE Group gets big points for off-setting all of their production, manufacturing, and transportation with renewable energy credits and tree planting.  They also use minimal, recyclable or biodegradable packaging.  The products are consistently getting very high ratings by users on this site as well and I have personally used most of thier products which almost all get a HUGE thumbs up.

 

Again, thank you mucho.

-Emily

 

 

 


Edited by ewalker13us - Sun, 25 May 2008 07:59:38 GMT
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 108
5/25/08 at 4:26am
Thread Starter 

Welcome to the ONE Group family. I've been with them for years and have loved every minute of their growth. Maybe we'll meet at convention this fall. look for me.

 

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by Ewalker13us:
 
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 108
5/26/08 at 6:49am

Couldn't agree with you more on the Misleading Companies...  I used to use Melaleuca and Shaklee ........... MANY years ago....... How these people can say "Organic" when they clearly have ingredients that are toxic is beyond me. Certifed Organic is the label to look for.......

Reply
Reply
post #8 of 108
5/27/08 at 5:40am

If you think Shaklee is a Misleading company why are they listed on your profile? That seems kind of oxymoronic.

 

 

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by allorganic:

Couldn't agree with you more on the Misleading Companies...  I used to use Melaleuca and Shaklee ........... MANY years ago....... How these people can say "Organic" when they clearly have ingredients that are toxic is beyond me. Certifed Organic is the label to look for.......


 

Reply
Reply
post #9 of 108
5/27/08 at 9:39am

HI

I use their Laundry Detergent at times, ( I  mostly use Soapnuts)  , and I like their Basic H, my husband uses it to wash his hands..... That is the only thing that cleans his greasy oily hands........

Reply
Reply
post #10 of 108
5/31/08 at 6:39am

I hate the fact that they can misrepresent themselves like this.  It makes it hard for consumers to find the real natural and organic products out there.  I had no idea about some of them such as Method and Jason.  It can be so frustrating when you spend more money for products you think are better and safer and they turn out to not be.  Thanks so much for this list!  It will be helpful in my next shopping trip.

Reply
Reply
post #11 of 108
5/31/08 at 6:40am

OrganicGal, I don't know if you are anyone else has made a wiki with this information, but this would be a great wiki topic that people can add to.

Reply
Reply
post #12 of 108
6/4/08 at 2:35pm

Organicgal - what do you think of Keys products?  I really like their Solar RX moisturizer, and their helpful "Therapy Facts" box (similar to the "Nutritional Facts" on food) is great because it states the total organic content and gives lots of detail about the quality of the ingredients (e.g. Shea Butter 5% (> 2.4% Fatty Acid Level)

 

Great catch about Eminence - it turns out that Eminence is copying the original Hungarian Supplier Ilsci, and now that supplier has to use a different name (ilike) in the USA because Eminence won't give up the trademark.

 

Reply
Reply
post #13 of 108
6/5/08 at 5:02am
Thread Starter 

I am very familiar with Eminence. The rep that rules the area here, contradicts herself frequently, which further hightens my suspicions of the company.

I have heard of Ilike, but don't know any of their team. I have a friend that is from Hungary and is returning to visit family in a couple of weeks, she's going to get the hot scoop for me. She says both companies are very popular there.

 

As for Keys products, I do not know of them. I checked the link you provided and was concerned about their use of NanoParticles. In classes I've recently taken I've learned that Nanoparticles are defined as being smaller than 100nm. This allows product to be absorbed into the skin more readily without that white ghost look that zinc displays; however, titanium dioxide (another commonly used sunblock agent) is a chemical that you really don't want to absorb into your skin. It seems they use a Nano size of 25 for zinc oxide, which is alarmingly small. Zinc in large quantities absobed or ingested will get into your system and harm your immune system. Anything above 100 mg of zinc per day will weaken your immune system. So if you are getting zinc in your diet naturally and/or via a multi-vitamin plus globbing on an easily absorbed zinc based sunblock, you could possibly be doing yourself some harm. I could not find a full list of their ingredients, so I have no other opinion on their product.

 

 

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by eric:

Organicgal - what do you think of Keys products?  I really like their Solar RX moisturizer, and their helpful "Therapy Facts" box (similar to the "Nutritional Facts" on food) is great because it states the total organic content and gives lots of detail about the quality of the ingredients (e.g. Shea Butter 5% (> 2.4% Fatty Acid Level)

 

Great catch about Eminence - it turns out that Eminence is copying the original Hungarian Supplier Ilsci, and now that supplier has to use a different name (ilike) in the USA because Eminence won't give up the trademark.

 


 

Reply
Reply
post #14 of 108
6/5/08 at 9:16am

I was interested to know how much Zinc Oxide is used in MiEssence products as it is also on their ingredients list in many products along with iron oxides but they do not tell you the amounts.

 

Would you know Organicgal?  Are the amounts in these products harmful as well?

Reply
Reply
post #15 of 108
6/5/08 at 9:29am

I just wanted to make a note about Burt's Bees- I was buying some lip balm from them today, and between the honey and pomegranate tubes, I saw "fragrance," "flavor," and "carmine."

 

So even if they plan to phase out synthetics, they haven't yet, and not all of their products are vegetarian (something that I tend to assume when I buy natural personal products).  Check your individual product labels!

 

Organicgal- where did you read that they would be phasing synthetics out?  Any idea how soon?  The FAQ on their website makes no mention of phasing out synthetics, and defends their usage.

 


Edited by nitedreamer - Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:36:43 GMT
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 108
6/5/08 at 9:38am
Thread Starter 

The zinc oxide in Reflect is 150nm. Which is well over the Nanoparticle size, thus making it a safer alternative to most sunblocks. When you use Reflect you will notice the sheer white ghost effect from the zinc.

 

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by PUREShop:

I was interested to know how much Zinc Oxide is used in MiEssence products as it is also on their ingredients list in many products along with iron oxides but they do not tell you the amounts.

 

Would you know Organicgal?  Are the amounts in these products harmful as well?


 

Reply
Reply
post #17 of 108
6/5/08 at 9:43am
Thread Starter 

I have direct contact w/  the staff, Demona Charters being my closest contact. When I was doing research for a radio interview I bugged the heck out of BB's (it was just around the time that Clorox bought them). They are looking to phase out the synthetic fragrences and are looking to convert all their not 100% products to be 100% natural. I was given no time line, but I can ask for you.

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by nitedreamer:

I just wanted to make a note about Burt's Bees- I was buying some lip balm from them today, and between the honey and pomegranate tubes, I saw "fragrance," "flavor," and "carmine."

 

So even if they plan to phase out synthetics, they haven't yet, and not all of their products are vegetarian (something that I tend to assume when I buy natural personal products).  Check your individual product labels!

 

Organicgal- where did you read that they would be phasing synthetics out?  Any idea how soon?  The FAQ on their website makes no mention of phasing out synthetics, and defends their usage.

 


Edited by nitedreamer - Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:36:43 GMT


 

Reply
Reply
post #18 of 108
6/5/08 at 9:50am

I was referring to the makeup, not the Reflect?  Any ideas on those products?

Reply
Reply
post #19 of 108
6/12/08 at 9:19am
Thread Starter 

Miessence does not use Nanoparticles of Zinc in any of their products; so the products are very safe. It is the Nanoparticles that are easily and readily absorbed.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by PUREShop:

I was referring to the makeup, not the Reflect?  Any ideas on those products?


 

Reply
Reply
post #20 of 108
6/12/08 at 3:08pm

 This list is a great resource. I'm going to have to print it out and keep it in my wallet. I'm always on the lookout for companies that are greenwashing, so this is very helpful.

Reply
Reply
post #21 of 108
7/7/08 at 7:05pm

Very curious about your inclusion of EO on y our "Faker" list -- they use very good ingredients, by hand, in small batches.

 

In fact, EO products consistently score well on the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Database -- nothing scores higher than a 5.

 

A Camomile & Honey conditioner they make that I like quite well contains these ingredients and scores a "4" -- mostly, it seems, because some people might be allergic to some of the components:

 

EO Organic Herbal Blend [Purified Water, Organic Chamomile* (Matricaria Recutita), Organic Aloe Vera* (Aloe Barbadensis), Organic Calendula* (Calendula Officinalis), Organic White Tea* (Camellia Sinensis), Organic Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) Root*, Organic Comfrey* (Symphytum Officinale), Organic Marshmallow* (Althaea Officinalis), and Organic Dandelion* (Taraxacum Officinale)], Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol, EO Essential Oil Blend, honey, coconut (coccus nucifera) oil, Amino Acids, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60, Behenalkonium Chloride (and) Cetyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate.*Certified Organic

 

The shampoo - Camomile & Honey -- has these ingredients:

 

EO Organic herbal blend [purified water, Organic chamomile (matricaria recutita), Organic Aloe Vera (aloe barbadenis), Organic Calendula (calendula officinalis), Organic white tea (camellia siensis), Organic Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra) root, Organic comfrey (symphytum offinale), Organic marshmallow (althaea officinalis), Organic dandelion (taraxacum officinale)], Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine**, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate**, Sodium Coco-Sulfate**, Polysorbate 60, EO Essential Oil Blend, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitmain A), honey, witch hazel, magnesium sulfate, Citric Acid, Amino Acids, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate.*Certified Organic **Coconut Cleansing Complex


Check out the EO Products Statement on the use of the term "organic" in body care products.

 

Read through the site -- they base their product charter on 5 NO’s: NO artificial color (only colors from botanicals, NO synthetic fragrance (only essential oils), NO sodium laurel/laureth sulfates or cocamide DEA  (only greener surfactant alternatives), NO Propylene Glycol, NO Diazolidinyl Urea, NO Talc.

 

Could you please tell me what you judged to be "fake" or unsafe about their products?  I've actually talked with the founder at GreenFestival and have been using these products for years (when I'm not using Apple Cider Vinegar, but that's another entry).

 

Thanks!

Reply
Reply
post #22 of 108
7/8/08 at 6:18am
Thread Starter 

I included EO because they use ingredients such as Phenoxyethanol and Disodium EDTA. IMO anything over a score of 3 (moderate hazard) is a "Faker" because most commonly they are using synthetic and chemical ingredients to get them that high of a score.

 

This is taken directly from the EO website about Phenoxyethanol:

Phenoxyethanol

Synthetic
Preservative. Protects product from microbial contamination.

 

They admit it themselves that they are using SYNTHETIC ingredients. To be on my REAL list companies aren't using synthetics. Why call yourself all natural if you also include synthetics and chemicals or chemically derived ingredients? IMO that's not natural.

 

Just because a company claims they don't use well known "avoided" ingredients, they often cheat by using other lesser known ingredients that are just as bad as the common ones.

For example, they don't use parabens but they do use Phenoxyethanol which (since you are using the cosmetic data base site as part of your defense) here's what they rate Pheno as (that's a lot of check marks that I would want to avoid in my body care products)

 

PHENOXYETHANOL

Fragrance Ingredient; Preservative  

SCORE

Also listed as

ETHANOL, 2-PHENOXY-; ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOPHENYL ETHER; 2-HYDROXYETHYL PHENYL ETHER; 2-PHENOXYETHANOL; 2-PHENOXYETHYL ALCOHOL; PHENOXYTOL; 2-PHENOXY- ETHANOL; ETHANOL, 2PHENOXY


 
This ingredient:
yes, weak Cancer
no Developmental/reproductive toxicity
yes, moderate Violations, Restrictions & Warnings
yes, moderate Allergies/immunotoxicity
no Contamination concerns
no Other strong concerns for this ingredient:
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
no Other moderate concerns for this ingredient:
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
no Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient:
Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Data gaps

 

 

Thanks for asking and letting me expand on why I put them on my Fakers List.

I do commend EO for using organic ingredients! This is good, but that is negated once you throw synthetics into the mix. (IMO)

Reply
Reply
post #23 of 108
7/9/08 at 12:07pm

So, you're looking at EVERY product that a company produces as your basis for judgment?

 

I only purchase products that have ingredients I recognize -- I tend to stay away from the baddies.  I think most people are pretty good about that, too.

 

Perhaps it is more helpful to provide a list of the worst ingredients to avoid -- and note the companies that use them -- rather than rule out all products by a company because a few of their products use synthetic ingredients?

 

Also, in the spirit of activist bloggers -- have you communicated with them on this subject?

Reply
Reply
post #24 of 108
7/9/08 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jenn:

So, you're looking at EVERY product that a company produces as your basis for judgment?

 


 

More than half (47 of 89) of EO's products have a score greater than 3, which Organicgal says is her general criterion for a faker.  If that's a fair criterion, then I think it's fair to call EO a faker.

Reply
Reply
post #25 of 108
7/9/08 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you Dana, you summed it up for me.

 

I have most certainly contacted all the "bad" companies to voice my complaint. I'm a snail mail writer for things like that. Also calling the 800# helps too, because they seem to take those complaints seriously. At least in my experience. Though I often get the response about how they stand behind their use of synthetics and how synthetics are necessary, blah blah blaaaahhhh. IMO, if they are sooooo necessary, then why are other companies so very successful in not using them? I like to point that out as my response. I normally never hear anything back from them after that. Seems they have no real answer. Hmph. Just goes to show that they know their ingredients are junk and I guess they act like ostriches (if they ignore the consumers who really are in the know, then we don't exist). I dunno, eventually us in the know will out number those who don't. And those of us in the know will help make these companies shape up or ship out.

Funny, true story. About 6 yrs ago I wrote Avalon Organics asking why they used parabens and they wrote me back defending their use to the highest. It was a quite long reply and full of bologna if you ask me, but anyways, in a nutshell they defended parabens and said they would never stop using them because they were necessary. Look at their bottles now...they are proudly free of parabens. So see, a little bit of consumer pressure can really help change the world. Hind sight...wish I had kept that correspondence. Unfortunately they still have other ingredients of concern. If every company removed the petrochemical ingredients, our dependence on oil would drop a bit. That's  win. Small but victorious.

 

 

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by dana1981:
Quote:
Originally Posted by jenn:

So, you're looking at EVERY product that a company produces as your basis for judgment?

 


 

More than half (47 of 89) of EO's products have a score greater than 3, which Organicgal says is her general criterion for a faker.  If that's a fair criterion, then I think it's fair to call EO a faker.


 


Edited by organicgal007 - Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:20:00 UTC
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 108
7/11/08 at 11:03am

I really don't know what I believe when it comes to health and beauty products. I worked in HBA for over 10 years and still know several people in the biz. One develops products for well known companies. What I do know is that parabens serve a very important purpose in these products. It's used as a preservative to ensure that your beloved face cream (or whatever) will not start growing micro organisms (helps prevent mircobial contamination). Has anyone here done research on micro organisms and their effect on your health? Not good. I've been told that the "natural" counterparts to parabens are not very stable. Sure ... companies can produce products without parabens but at what cost?? Are you positive that your "all natural/organic" products are safe to use? Are you sure they will remain stable once you bring them home and they sit around for some time? I'm sure that the science will eventually catch up but are we sure it's there yet? There is no current scientific evidence that parabens cause cancer but we do know scientifically how bad micro organisms can be. Having said that, I do use Weleda Baby on my two young ones (Weleda is a company with a long history of making these products ... if I am going down this road I feel safer using a product from a company like them).

Reply
Reply
post #27 of 108
7/17/08 at 5:43pm

I love this list.  My mom and I just started a new company Called Posergy, and we Have All Natural Personal care Products (some Organic) I was wondering what I needed to do to get on your list.

 

Thanks Liz

Our web site will be up and running in about a week.

Reply
Reply
post #28 of 108
7/19/08 at 4:42am
Thread Starter 

i'm mostly against parabens because there is evidence that they do not breakdown in our systems and can accumilate in our tissues. the jury's still out on their link to cancer, but the facts are there that they do stay in us. ewww. also, i'm not a fan of their being made from petroleum. let's reduce our dependence on oil, since there are other preservatives we can use. that's actually my biggest dislike of parabens. we use oil in so many aspects of life, that cutting it out where we can will make heaps of positive change.

as for naturally preserved products, i totally have faith in them, especially the one's i've listed. i've actually used and am very familiar with each product line i gave a thumbs up on. (and the one's i gave thumbs down on...we'll i've sadly to say have used many of them too, in the past) i've also been in hba for several years, started in a health food store, am currently a massage therapist and esthetician. i am fortunate enough, like you probably are, to attend so many training classes. in the plethora of classes i've taken it's just strengthened my belief that we don't need chemicals or synthetics to preserve our products. i know that many companies test their products stability in real life situations, like the ups truck heat delivery times, shower humidity, etc.  going chem free isn't for everyone, and if you feel safer with knowing your products are preserved one way over another, it's your choice. my list is here for people wanting to make the move towards chem free. some people are very chemical sensative and some people just want to avoid it for personal reasons. i just wanted to put out a list that could help people move in that direction w/out wasting money, like i did. not only did i research the products, the company etc, i also tested the products on me, a human test. this wasn't a list i put together in 1 hour. it took months of research.   ;)

 

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by LiveBetter:

 

I really don't know what I believe when it comes to health and beauty products. ...

Reply
Reply
post #29 of 108
7/19/08 at 4:43am
Thread Starter 

i just need to investigate you. i'm sending out my nija detectives. giggle. in all honesty, i'll look you up online, email you a questionaire, find a store that sells your product, buy the product, use it, and hopefully love it. ;-)

 

 

Quote:
 

Originally Posted by Lizzy:

I love this list.  My mom and I just started a new company Called Posergy, and we Have All Natural Personal care Products (some Organic) I was wondering what I needed to do to get on your list.

 

Thanks Liz

Our web site will be up and running in about a week.


 

Reply
Reply
post #30 of 108
8/13/08 at 8:24am

I just thought I would post this new information from Shaklee. They are removing parabens from all of their products. I know you have them on your Fake Natural list. Not sure if this new information would change that ranking.

 

We guarantee unconditional safety

We start with nature. Shaklee scientists search the world over to source the finest natural ingredients. Then we conduct over 350 tests on every single new ingredient for heavy metals, pesticides, or any of hundreds of other harmful contaminants. And we continue to conduct over 80,000 quality tests annually to guarantee the purity and safety of each and every product.

That’s why we are absolutely sure of this: Every Shaklee product is 100% safe to use. Guaranteed.

 

We Guarantee Unconditional Safety:
 Just Some of Shaklee's NO List:

  • NO Parabens
  • NO Triclosan
  • NO Phthalates
  • NO Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
  • NO Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES)
  • NO 1,4-Dioxane
  • NO Propylene Glycol
  • NO Volatile Organic Cleaning Compounds (VOCs)
  • NO Hydrochloric Acid
  • NO Ammonia
  • NO Sodium Hydroxide
  • NO Butyl Cellosolve
  • NO Formaldehyde
  • NO Bisphenol-A
  • NO Petroleum Distillates
  • NO Toulene
  • NO Chlorine Bleach
  • NO MSG
  • NO Dyes
  • NO Trans Fats
  • NO Artificial Sweeteners
  • NO Toxic Inks
  • NO Banned Substances
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Personal Care & Clothing

Featured Stories on Green Options

Mom Jessica Alba Shares Her Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Vision of the Future
Give Green Gifts
How To Green Your Lunch
Green Options › Forums › Sustainable Living Discussions › Personal Care & Clothing › My list of Fakers and Not Fakers