Eco-Friendly Mama: Safe product recommendations with a focus on organic and Made in USA!

Not Recommended/Greenwashers

All comments are solely my opinion as an educated label-reader. Not ALL of these make “green/eco-friendly/organic/natural” claims.

To read about how I decide what goes where on my lists, please read this info: https://ecofriendlyusa.wordpress.com/product-reviews/how-i-decide-what-to-recommend-please-read-1st/

THESE BRANDS are generally offering products across the board that I cannot recommend whatsoever OR they have been caught in greenwashing scandals from which all trust has been lost. 

***NOTE: In 2024 I’m in the process of reviewing these entries and adding new ones. It’s a continual work in progress, stay tuned! And definitely check out my Approved and So-So Lists for plenty of great (or better than these brands) recommendations!

**I’ve had people ask me to make this info into a pamphlet/book. My take on that is this: as soon as something gets written down it runs the risk of becoming inaccurate due to new formulas, etc. And with everyone having phones these days, I feel keeping these lists here is the best way to keep the info readily accessible. I’m 100% okay with these lists being FREE, I do not expect anything for them. I truly enjoy sharing my opinion on what products are great, or not so great. When you do purchase from the handful of brands that I’m an affiliate of, I appreciate you using my links (they are noted below). All that being said, if you truly value these resources and have a few extra bucks you feel like donating, I would be flattered, and appreciative of your donation. Enough people have asked that I felt like adding those details here is in order. My PayPal is: ecofriendlymamausa@gmail.com. My Venmo is @Jessica-Brandt-56 (last 4 digits of my phone are 1282 if it asks). And for real, I do NOT expect anything in return for me sharing my thoughts with you.

NOT RECOMMENDED/GREENWASHERS

**Formulas can change overnight. If you find any of the following to be inaccurate, let me know and I’ll immediately look into and update it accordingly.

Aloette- Fragrance/parfum, phenoxyethanol, propylparaben, methylparaben, dimethicone, mineral oil, benzoic acid on & on… I didn’t see a product I would recommend.

UPDATE 1/15/16: Still concerning ingredients: also Retinyl Palmitate, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Buthylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, PEG

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Amway/Artistry– NUMEROUS ingredients of concern in every label I looked at. Here’s a shampoo label, which contains Retinyl Palmitate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Polyquaternium-7, Glycol Stearate, Tetrasodium EDTA, PEG-150 Distearate, to name just a few red flags. Body wash: Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Oat Protein, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone. I don’t know that they make any “green”/natural claims, but I was asked about them so I’m sure others have heard of them too, and may be curious.

UPDATE 1/15/16: ABOVE STILL ENTIRELY ACCURATE

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Answers from nature– Line itself not in EWG. Ingredients of concern: numerous products contain Retinyl Palmitate which ranks a very high 8 on EWG,  Methylsulfonylmethane (not in EWG). Testimonial from the person asking about the line on my page: “ I actually bought some of their face cream in august and used it for less than a week and my whole entire face broke out and my face is still recovering from it (in December).

UPDATE 1/15/16: Retinyl Palmitate is now a 9 on EWG. It still exists in first few products I checked. Many products contain Grapefruit Seed Extract. Some of their facial washes are pretty clean with the only concerning ingredient is Grapefruit Seed Extract. Normally I’d put a line on the so-so list if Grapefruit Seed Extract was the ONLY concern, but retinyl palmitate is such a serious concern I’m going to leave them here.

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Arbonne– Updated 03/2019. Someone sent me some new labels. This was my response: I like to start with baby products as they should be the most gentle of all formulas: sodium lauroyl sarcosinate for the 3nd ingredient, cocamidopropyl betaine as the 4th ingredient, yikes…. Polyquaternium, polysorbate, so many acetates & palmitates. I truly cannot believe how terrible this line is, in my opinion.

If I had to point to the worst of the worst of the worst, this company would be it.  Of course they do not list ingredients on their website, you must get them from a consultant which is incredibly frustrating to say the least! A mama on the page got me the ingredient lists for the baby shampoo & baby lotion. THE WORST ingredients I’ve ever seen in any product. I’ve NEVER seen a baby line include Retyinyl Palmitate (rated 8 in EWG, as a known human reproductive toxicant, One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at low doses, Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics, One or more animal studies show tumor formation at very low doses!!!!!). Here are just a few of their BABY lotion ingredients- marketed for babies with extremely sensitive skin: cetyl lactate, glyceryl stearate, isopropyl palmitate, sorbitan stearate, glycine soja (soybean) oil polysorbate 61, dimethicone, stearic acid, retinyl palmitate, ascorbyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, hydrogenated lechitin, citric acid, oleic acid, stearoxytrimethylsilane, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, carbomer, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, disodium EDTA, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid. That’s about 1/2 of the ingredients, to view the entire list see following link:  http://www.arbonnemarketing.com/PK/dl/pk/851_us_eng.pdf. Baby wash ingredients of concern, again marketed for babies with extremely sensitive skin:  cocamidopropyl betaine, PEG-80 sorbitan laurate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Butylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, hydrogenated lechitin, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, hexylene glycol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, limone, to view entire list, here’s the link: http://www.arbonnemarketing.com/PK/dl/pk/850_us_eng.pdf. I absolutely loathe this company, and it’s marketing of their products as pure, safe and beneficial… To see what their ingredient labels look like: https://ecofriendlyusa.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/arbonnethe-longest-ingredient-lists-ive-ever-viewed/

UPDATE 1/15/16: Ingredients now listed on website. Baby Care Hair and Body Wash (not in EWG): Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cellulose Gum, Lauryl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Polyquaternium-10, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Gluconate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Pca, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Anisaldehyde, Linalyl Acetate, Decanal, Vanillin, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil.

Baby Sunscreen: (Now rated a 1 in EWG (old product was a 7), but harmful Phenoxyethanol, (EWG 4) and Tocopheryl Acetate (EWG 3): Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Chlorphenesin, Coco-Caprylate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Tapioca Starch, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water.

Daily Nourishing Shampoo (still horrible ingredients, not in EWG): Aqua/Water/Eau, Sodium C14-16 Olein Sulfonate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lippia Citriodora Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Acrylates/Aminoacrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Peg-20 Itaconate Copolymer, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Glycol Stearate, Quaternium-80, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Biotin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Illex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Ferula Galbanilua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Hexyl Acetate, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Ethyl Acetate, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, 3-Hexenol, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Allyl Caproate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Beta-Ionone, Geraniol, Citronellol, Gamma-Undecalactone, Benzyl Acetate, Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Alpha-Amyl Cinnamic Aldehyde

CONCLUSION: Arbonne has improved over the last 2 years, I’m very thankful  ingredients are now posted online but still the line is full of very concerning ingredients & I  would never use nor recommend a product I’ve seen of theirs.

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Aveda– ingredients not listed on their website. I asked for photos of products & received several which told me what I needed to know. Very long labels with numerous ingredients of concern: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=812202325462076&id=397517646930548

UPDATE 1/15/16: Website only lists one or two ingredients per product on the “ingredients” tab. For a lotion, they list Jojoba and Lavender…no other ingredients. They throw greenwasher terms around like “new aroma with organic bergamot, lavender, and ginger lily” and “naturally-derived ingredients”. They even have an “ingredients glossary” with pictures of all the beautiful plant based ingredients. They also now have a 100% naturally derived ingredient perfume line called Chakra…only one ingredient listed. This is their description, “ An authentic fusion of pure essential oils blended to balance the throat chakra according to Ayurveda, the ancient healing art of India. Essences of organic grapefruit, rosemary and ylang ylang leave one feeling well-balanced.” I did not write the company for an ingredient list.

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Avon Naturals Kids- Body wash: WATER/EAU,  COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE,  SODIUM TRIDECETH SULFATE,
PEG-80 SORBITAN LAURATE, SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE, PEG-150 DISTEARATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID. Enough said. The rest of the line is more of the same. I would never, ever use or recommend any of these products!

UPDATE 1/15/16: STILL AWFUL. Groovy Grape Body Wash (essentially still the same ingredient list): WATER/EAU COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE SODIUM TRIDECETH SULFATE PEG-80 SORBITAN LAURATE SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE PEG-150 DISTEARATE PHENOXYETHANOL PARFUM/FRAGRANCE DISODIUM EDTA CITRIC ACID POLYQUATERNIUM-10 TOCOPHERYL ACETATE METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE RED 33/CI 17200 BLUE 1/CI 42090

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Babyganics–  Best of their products rate a 1, and that’s 3/32 in EWG, rest 2 , with several 3 & 4. Ingredients of concern from baby shampoo & bubble bath: Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosine, Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine,Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate. Several products contain fragrance (which alone ranks 8 in EWG).

UPDATE 1/15/16: 8 products are now rated as 1 in EWG with a total of 34 under the brand, many at 3 and 4. Soothing Protective Ointment marketed to use while diapering contains retinyl palmitate (9 EWG), overall product is rated as 4. Regular diaper cream is rated as a 3. They don’t appear to have a baby shampoo/bubble bath combo anymore. This is an updated ingredient list for the Conditioning Shampoo/Body wash. Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Propanediol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate

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Bare Minerals-    ADDED 3/21/2024

This brand touts: “we have restricted over 2,500 ingredients, including the 1,400+ banned in the E.U.” That’s great, so let’s look what they ARE using…

I went straight for their foundation and was not at all impressed. They are using no organic ingredients and many synthetic ones. This is a very conventional, mainstream-looking brand in terms of ingredients they’re using. Definitely not a brand I would recommend. Foundation, as an example: WATER, DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, CAPRYLYL METHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, ISOHEXADECANE, CAPRYLYL DIMETHICONE ETHOXY GLUCOSIDE, METHYL TRIMETHICONE, ISODODECANE, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, BIS-HYDROXYETHOXYPROPYL DIMETHICONE/IPDI COPOLYMER ETHYLCARBAMATE, BORON NITRIDE,  PUNICA GRANATUM PERICARP EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, POLYSILICONE-11, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM CHLORIDE, CELLULOSE, POLYPHENYLSILSESQUIOXANE, SILICA, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, ALCOHOL, DI-C12-13 ALKYL TARTRATE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ALUMINA, LAURYL DIMETHICONE, C20-24 OLEFIN. MAY CONTAIN: IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891).

Face Cream: Water (Aqua/Eau), Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Olivate, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Trehalose, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Sh-Hexapeptide-2, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Lactate, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.

I could list the ingredients I like in those formulas easier than the ones of concern. I see a lot of peptides being used so spent some time researching them. They are all synthetically produced. In the research I did on them I found a pretty good article stating this: “given the similarity in structure to other peptides in the body, they have the potential to interact with different pathways in the body. There are reported side effects relating to pigmentation. This ingredient’s ability to break down skin pigment could lead to skin discoloration issues. If you’re planning to add products with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 to your routine, do so gradually, and preferably under the care of your dermatologist.” My preference is to stick with natural ingredients, not experimental ones that might have some benefits, but also might carry unknown risks as they’re very novel. In my opinion, any brand from my So-So List would be a better option that this one, and certainly I could point you to great options from my Approved List that cost about the same.

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Beautycounter- UPDATED 3/6/2024. Ingredient labels speak for themselves, and Beautycounter is a GREENWASHER, in my opinion. I have a whole separate note on them here:  https://ecofriendlymamausa.com/2024/03/06/my-opinion-on-beautycounter/

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Beauty Without Cruelty—116 products in EWG, only 3 rate at 1, the rest 2 or above. They use  ingredients such as Retinyl Palmitate which rates 8, and oxybenzone & propylparaben which rate a 7—I don’t trust any company that would use such ingredients in even 1 product.

UPDATE 1/15/16:119 in EWG. 4 at zero (all eyeliners), 12 rate at 1 and the rest are 2 or above. Still have Retinyl Palmitate which rates a 9 now.   I did not see oxybenzone & propylparaben listed any more, but there are numerous ingredients listed as a 5 in EWG. They are advertising on website as being paraben free. ***EWG may be out of date however. I checked the Daily Moisturizer on their website and the listed ingredients do not have retinyl palmitate listed even though it is listed in EWG. They still contain other concerning ingredients such as phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, benzyl alcohol. The Maximum moisture cream still does contain retinyl palmitate.

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Better Life Products- UPDATED 3/18/2024 (and moved from my So-So List)

“Cleaners made with the good stuff” is their motto. However the products contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Synthetic Preservatives such as Methylisothiazolinone, Chloromethylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene glycol. At the time of this update, hand and auto dish soap aren’t listed on their website at all (products many of us used and loved before they reformulated). They have a note stating they are moving to a new site, but when I went there, only a couple products were listed. So, it seems like it’s a time of transition for them. But I cannot recommend this brand due to their inclusion of Methylisothiazolinone & Chloromethylisothiazolinone in just about everything. It’s extremely harsh on skin, maybe suffer allergic reactions when using products that contain it AND it’s very bad for the environment with acute aquatic toxicity as a known effect. Both are absolutely at the top of my Ingredients to Avoid list!

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Branch Basics– https://ecofriendlymamausa.com/2016/02/03/branch-basics-found-to-contain-synthetic-ingredients/

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Buff City Soap-   ADDED 4/22/2024

Fragrances are a unique blend of both synthetic and essential oils. Nowhere did I see any differentiation on if the product used an EO or a fragrance oil. Synthethic fragrance oils are a no-go in my book. Other than the fragrance, some of the products aren’t terrible. Most are quite basic, like the body butter, beard oil. But they’re not organic, include synthetic fragrance oils, and I see other ingredients like: Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Polyurethane-11, Red 7 Lake (CI 15850). This just isn’t a brand I would feel good about recommending.

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CA baby– 0-4 EWG/120 products. While most products rate at 1, they will forever be in the Hall of shame for the reformulation scandal, which I witnessed happen. If you don’t have a problem with the ethics of this company, the products are OK (except Everyday sunscreen rates 4/http://safemama.com/2012/01/21/california-baby-reformulation-drama/. As one mama pointed out, after the scandal, and the way they handled it, she wouldn’t use their products no matter what they contain now. Ethics are very important to me as well!

UPDATE 1/15/16: Only 71 products listed in EWG…all rated 0-2. Everyday sunscreen now rates as a 2. They will always remain on my Greenwashers List after the scandal.

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Charlie’s Soap– 5 products in EWG cleaning guide, 1 rates D, the other 4 F. Main concern= undisclosed surfactants: http://www.ewg.org/guides/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Charlie%27s+soap&x=0&y=0&page=1&per_page=15.

UPDATE 1/15/16: Still 5 products in EWG. 2 rate as D and 3 as F. Uses vegetable and mineral sourced surfactants (C12-15 Pareth 2, rated C in EWG),which come with possibility of by product contamination with carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

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Dapple—Several ingredients rate 3 or higher in EWG (removed my link as it is no longer listed in EWG for  some reason.

UPDATE 1/15/16: Main preservative used: benzisothiazolinone is rated a 6 or 7 in EWG depending on use. Laundry Detergent Ingredients:Water, citric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (natural complexing agent), sodium citrate (natural water softener derived from citric acid), glycerin (natural emollient), coconut fatty acid (natural cleaner derived from coconut), sodium lauroamphoacetate (natural cleaner derived from tree oils and glucose), lauryl glucoside (natural cleaner derived from glucose), protease & amylase (natural enzymes to enhance cleaning power), cellulose (natural derived thickening agent), benzisothiazolinone (preservative).

Dish Soap: Purified water, alkyl polyglucoside (cleaner made from tree oils and glucose), sodium lauroamphoacetate (cleaner derived from tree oils and amino acid), sodium citrate (water softener derived from citric acid), baking soda, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (natural complexing agent), lavender essential oil and benzisothiazolinone (preservative).

UPDATE 6/5/19: NO CHANGE.

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DoTERRA personal care (I don’t evaluate essential oils) You have to get ingredient labels from a consultant, which is incredibly aggravating. Numerous ingredients of concern in the shampoo & lotion labels shared with me- many have NO data in EWG: Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Laurylamidopropyl, Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, C11- 15, Pareth -7, C12-16 Pareth-9, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Butylene Glycol, Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Retinyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol (listed twice in the lotion), polysorbate-20 (these were ingredients of concern from 3 labels shared with me: shampoo, lotion, foaming hand soaop). Like many other companies, the bar soaps look just fine, no ingredients of concern.

UPDATE 1/15/16: I was able to google the entire current consultant product information tool guide (2012) only a few pages list the entire product ingredients, most just offer a “key ingredients” list even to their consultants. Here is the Salon Essentials Protecting Shampoo:Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Avena sativa (Oat) Peptide, Citrus sinensis (Wild Orange) Essential Oil, Citrus aurantifolia (Lime) Essential Oil, Silicone Quaternium-3, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Lauryl Lactyl Lactate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Trideceth-12, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Natural Fragrance, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides

UPDATE 6/5/19: NO CHANGE EXCEPT ALL INGREDIENTS NOW DISCLOSED ON PRODUCTS AND AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

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Earth’s Best— No ingredients included on website- so going by what EWG says: 16 products rate 1-5. 3 products rate at 1 (sunscreen, and 2 baby wipes). 9 products rate 3-5 (moderate hazard) for the following ingredients of concern: fragrance, retinyl palmitate (non-petroleum jelly) (both rate an 8), octinoxate (6). The following all rate at 4: unspecified flavor, calcium lactate, homosalate, benzyl alcohol, cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol, linalool, limonene, and the following at 3: disteareth-75 IPDI (1,4-Dioxane!), polysorbate-60, potassium sorbate, tocopheryl acetate, ethanol. No results in EWG for cleaning products, and since no ingredients are included on their website, which is VERY frustrating, I cannot comment on that aspect. If anyone concerned with/using this line can send me some ingredient labels, I’d love to take a look. Based on what EWG has to say, this is definitely not a line I recommend! Update: I did some digging and found an ingredient label from a 3rd part site, here’s the baby shampoo, which confirms the ingredients of concern listed in EWG: Aqua (Purified Water), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Gel*, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Di-Steareth-75 IPDI, Coco-Betaine, Vegetable Glycerin, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernal Oil, Beta-Glucan, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit.E), Anthemus Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract*, Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Extract*, Panthenol (Vit.B5), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

UPDATE 1/15/16: The website now has an organic seal through NSF (Oregon Tilth and Quality Assurance International). From Website: “We are proud to announce that in 2012 a majority of these products have been certified to the NSF/ANSI 305 Standard for Personal Care Products Containing Organic Ingredients.” Their food products are USDA Organic, while the personal care are “Made with Organic” only. They appear to be owned by Hain Celestial Group. They still do not list ingredients on their website and the consumer is told to check the label on the product for the most up to date ingredient list. EWG update (last updated March 2013): Now lists 19 products. Rated from 1-5. Only 1 at a 1 (vapor rub), 8 at 2, 8 at 3, 1 at 4, and 1 at a 5. Diaper Cream is a 5 (70% organic certified). Non Petroleum Jelly is a 4 (no organic labeling on product). Both contain retinyl palmitate (EWG 9). Sunscreen now a 2 in EWG (product updated April 2015). (no organic labeling). Sensitive Skin Shampoo & Body Wash Fragrance Free (EWG 2) (70% certified organic labeling) . Ingredients at a 3 in EWG…Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate. The rest are 2 or below.

UPDATE 6/5/19: NO CHANGE IN THE ABOVE

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Earth Friendly Products/Ecos: I used to use/recommend this line, but it really depends on the product. I’ve been using their dish soap for years, but am currently in the market for something else. Their ratings are all over the place on EWG. I’m looking for better alternatives for me/you!http://www.ewg.org/guides/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Earth+Friendly+Products&x=0&y=0&page=1&per_page=15

UPDATE 4/5/16: Still NUMEROUS ingredients of concern! Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Coco-Sulfate (possibly containing SLS), Enzymatic Blend (soil remover) (in laundry products), Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazoline, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide

UPDATE 6/5/19: NO CHANGE IN THE ABOVE

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Earth Science- 29 products in EWG rating 2-7. Deodorant contains propylene glycol. All products list fragrance (parfum) without reference to essential oils. Lotions & handcreams contain both potassium sorbate & phenoxyethanol, Japanese honeysuckle. Other ingredients of concern: Retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, ceteareth-5, Vitamin D2, octinoxate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.

UPDATE 1/15/16: (Last EWG update April 2015) 45 products now listed in EWG with ratings from 1-7. Specific ingredients: retinyl acetate (EWG 9) in lotion. Fragrance (EWG 8) in 27 products. Oxybenzone (EWG 8) in 3 lotion products. Octinoxate (EWG 6) in 4 products, and Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate (EWG 6)(formaldehyde releaser) in 17 products. Website does list ingredients: Here is the Daily Defense lotion with spf 15: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Benzophenone-3 4.5%; Inactive Ingredients (INCI): Aqua, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Canola Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Squalene, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Panax Ginseng Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycolic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Steareth-2, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (parfum).

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Ecos/Earth Friendly  Products- Out of 30 products in EWG, 2 rate B (all-purpose cleaner, window & mirror cleaner), the rest C-F. Laundry detergent uses methylisothiazolinone, which includes moderate environmental concern due to acute aquatic toxicity. Many ingredients which score F’s… http://www.ewg.org/guides/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Ecos&x=0&y=0&page=1&per_page=15

UPDATE 1/15/16: Some products to look better, more have A-B now but still mostly C’s, here’s a laundry detergent label to give you an idea, many  products still contains methylisothiazolinone. Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine (coconut-based surfactant), Sodium Coco-Sulfate (coconut-based surfactant), Cocamidopropylamine Oxide (coconut-based surfactant), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), Methylisothiazolinone (preservative), Equisetum Hiemale (Horsetail Plant) Extract.

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Eos– Small line, not in EWG. Lotion ingredients of concern: Cocoglycerides, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, , Retinyl Palmitate, Fragrance (Parfum), Carbomer, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium Hydroxide. Shave lotion ingredients of conern: Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Petrolatum, Laureth-23, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Gluconolactone,  Ascorbyl Palmitate, Fragrance/Parfum, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional. NUMEROUS ingredients of concern!!!!

UPDATE 1/15/16: Also searchable by Evolution of Smooth;Lotion INGREDIENTS: WATER/EAU, GLYCERIN, GLYCERYL STEARATE SE, STEARIC ACID, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, COCOGLYCERIDES, DIMETHICONE, CETYL ALCOHOL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, COCOA (THEOBROMA CACAO) SEED BUTTER, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, FRAGRANCE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CARBOMER, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, DISODIUM EDTA, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, BHT, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL EXTRACT, RETINYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHEROL, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, BENZYL SALICYLATE, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, HYDROXYISOHEXYL 3-CYCLOHEXENE CARBOXALDEHYDE, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, CITRIC ACID

The majority (not all) of their lip balms which are popular with teen girls are actually USDA certified organic (Oregon Tilth) and product packaging carries the USDA organic seal (95%), BUT this is  recent news that is worth taking into consideration: http://wellandgood.com/2016/01/13/the-class-action-lawsuit-that-may-make-you-rethink-your-lip-balm/?utm_campaign=socialflowfb&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social+

UPDATE 6/5/19: NO CHANGE IN THE ABOVE

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Essante Organics- They have been reported to the National Organic Program for violating labeling of their products. There are things that don’t add up. I do not recommend them. Many products contain sodium benzoate and/or potassium sorbate which would normally land them on the so-so list.

UPDATE 1/15/16: SAME, very shady things going on with this company. The have their own seal of approval & claim their certifications are proprietary information and only available in the back office.

UPDATE 6/5/19: NO CHANGE IN THE ABOVE

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Ever–added 5/1/16: full of concerning ingredients. $88 for 1 oz of eye serum that contains retinol (EWG gives this a very concerning 9), this is a sample of a face moisturizer to give you an idea of what they’re using: face lotion: Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 1%. Zinc Oxide 10%. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Ergothioneine, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Ectoin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Lecithin, Jojoba Esters, Phytic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polyacrylamide, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Ceteareth-20, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Glyceryl Isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyl Dimethyl, Taurate Copolymer, Laureth 7, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-100 Stearate, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Mica, Tin Oxide.  Tinted moisturizer, YIKES 😦 Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 4.5%. Zinc Oxide 6% Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Ectoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Teprenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ergothioneine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Hexyl Laurate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Fragrance, Mica, Silica, May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

UPDATE 6/5/19: NO CHANGE IN THE ABOVE

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Grab Green Home- All-purpose cleaner contains both methylisothiazolinone & Methylchloroisothiazolinone . Hand soap contains sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate. Body & Dish soap have numerous ingredients of concern as well.

UPDATE: NO CHANGE AS OF 6/5/19

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Hempz- EWG rates 25 products 4-8 which says a lot, nothing rates lower than 4! Tons & tons of icky ingredients. Artificial colors, parfum, just take my word for it, stay away from this line!

UPDATE 1/15/16: Still 25 products in EWG, but rating is now 5-8, nothing ratings lower than a 5. Hempz website does not list ingredients.

UPDATE: NO CHANGE AS OF 6/5/19

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Honest Company– this explains it all: http://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/honest-company-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-wsj/

UPDATE: NO CHANGE AS OF 6/5/19

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It Works– Not in EWG. NUMEROUS ingredients of concern in various products I looked at: denatured alcohol, phenoxyethanol, methylsilanol mannuronate, polysorbate 20, aminomethyl propanol, RETINYL PALMITATE, dimethicone copoyol, PEG 7 Glyceril Cocoate, Triethanolamine, Ceteareth 12, and the list goes on…

UPDATE 1/15/16: ABOVE STILL ACCURATE

UPDATE: NO CHANGE AS OF 6/5/19

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Isagenix– Added 1/31/17. I do not evaluate supplements, but they have a small offering of personal care which someone asked me about. In my opinion, the ingredients are awful. Here’s the suncream to give you an idea (non-active ingredients). Advertised as:Infused with antioxidants, natural botanicals and specially-formulated vitamins, you’ll experience optimal sun protection, as well as younger, vibrant looking skin.Water (Aqua/Eau), ethylhexyl palmitate, cyclomethicone,dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate,polysorbate 80, caprylyl methicone, sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, isohexadecane, cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, polyglyceryl-6 isostearate, diethylhexyl carbonate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, panthenol, allantoin, disodium EDTA,lauryl PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, triethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethicone, glycerin, butylene glycol, Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, algae extract, alumina, polyhydroxystearic acid, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, chlorophenesin. YUCK!!! All products I looked at were similarly terrible, Also very overpriced.

UPDATE: NO CHANGE AS OF 6/5/19

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Jason-     UPDATED 3/22/2024

I do see a mix of organic ingredients, it’s nice they use some. But to take organic ingredients and surround them with the likes of these just baffles me (grabbed from a variety of products: shampoo, lotion, body wash): Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate and a whole bunch of so-so at best options just leaves me scratching my head. I guess we can just be thankful some are organic, from a production standpoint, that keeps more farmers growing their crops organically. But from an end-user standpoint, the purpose of choosing organic ingredients is to minimize your exposure to unhealthy ingredients, to lower your body burden. Admittedly, some products do contain a smaller amount of ingredients I prefer to avoid than others, there are a few that are so-so at best. But I looked at quite a few products and very few I even felt so-so about. I cannot recommend this brand.

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Jane Iredale-     ADDED 3/22/2024

Interesting to see this advisory statement next to the products. Sorry, but my product better match exactly what is listed on the site when I purchase it: “Please be aware that ingredient lists may change or vary from time to time. Please refer to the ingredient list on the product package you receive for the most up-to-date list of ingredients.” Ummmmm, NO!

Numerous ingredients from my To Be Avoided List, I cannot recommend this brand. There are much “cleaner” options on my So-So List even. From a variety of products I looked at (cleansers, moisturizers, cosmetics) here is a sampling of ingredients to give you a feel for this line: Japanese Honeysuckle Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, isostearyl neopentanoate, cyclopentasiloxane, lauryl polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, stearoxymethicone/dimethicone copolymer dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, I took a minute to look this up and it is: a crosslinked siloxane rubber formed by the reaction of vinyl-terminatedsiloxane and methylhydroxydimethyl siloxane in the presence of cyclomethicone. No thanks!

I do see some recognizable ingredients from nature mixed in with those like aloe leaf juice, green tea, white tea extracts, apple fruit extract. And some products do note organic ingredients (Pommisst lists several) even. But overall, there are just too many ingredients that I would not be comfortable using nor recommending.

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Jordan Essentials– not in EWG. I read ingredient labels for numerous products & didn’t see one that I would recommend. All contain fragrance, and nowhere does it state it comes from essential oils (fragrance is rated 8 in EWG), in addition there are NUMEROUS ingredients of concern in just about everything I looked at (several products such as deodorant do not have ingredients listed)- shampoo: Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Hydrogenated Cocamidoproply Betaine, Aminomodified Siliconepolyether Copolymer, Lauramide MEA, Polyquaternium 7, Sodium Chloride, DL-Panthenol, Fragrance, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprlyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera), Tetrasodium EDTA, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot Oil), Silk Protein, Caprylhydroxamine Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin. Lotion= Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Soybean Oil, Shea Butter, Sunflower Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Aloe Barbadensis, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Benzophenone 4, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

UPDATE 1/15/16: Still awful:Deo Label: Propylene Glycol (Corn Derived), De-Ionized Water, Sodium Stearate, Vegetable Protein, PEG-200/Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Isosteareth-2, Salicylic Acid, Steareeth-100 Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (Chamomille), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, EDTA Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

Hand Lotion: Aqua (Water), Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Soybean Oil, Shea Butter, Sunflower Oil Hydrolyzed Silk, Aloe Barbadensis, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea Benzophenone 4, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

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J.R Watkins-   UPDATED 3/20/2024 (and moved from my So-So to Not Recommended)

They tout FREE FROM: Dyes, SLS, SLES, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, EDTA. BUT this is what the body wash looks like. Water/aqua/eau, sodium cocoyl isethionate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, decyl glucoside, fragrance/parfum, cetyl betaine, gluconolactone, sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, polyquaternium-10, citric acid. Numerous products contain Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol. Polysorbate wo is in a few things. Methylisothiazolinone in their hand soap gel. I really didn’t see a product I can recommend.

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Just Hatched—Line not in EWG. Baby wash ingredients of concern: Cocoamidopropyl Betaine (EWG 4),  potassium sorbate (EWG 3), Glyceryl Undecylenate & Glyceryl Caprylate (both EWG 2),  among others I can’t pronounce & am unsure of.  Most products contain Potassium Sorbate & Sodium Benzoate. Their slogan “No Yucky Stuff Inside!” is just not true!

UPDATE 1/15/16: Still awful– Baby lotion: Water, Glycerin, Disteryldimonium Chloride, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Fragrance, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate.

Baby Wash: Water, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidropropyl Betaine, Cocamide Mipa, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Fragrance, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Hydrolyzed Oats, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryle Undecylante.

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Kirks Castile– EWG lists 7 products with a rating of 0-3. Bar soaps are fine, your classic castile bar soap. I would avoid all other products, liquid soap, shampoo, all contain numerous ingredients of concern: Shampoo: Ammonium Lauryl, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Lauramide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20. Body washes & shampoo rate at 3… Ingredients of concern via EWG: DMDM Hydantoin (EWG rating of 5), Phenoxyethanol (4) ammonium laureth sulfate (3), Lauramide DEA & Aminomethyl propanol both at a rating of 2.

UPDATE 1/15/16: Lists 10 current products with a 0-4 rating. Two bar soaps are 0 and one is a 2 due to fragrance.   Shampoo, liquid soap etc have ingredients of concern and rate as a 4. . DMDM hydantoin is now a 7 in EWF and still in all products except bar soaps. EWG ingredients and website do not match up (I don’t see DMDM hydantoin listed as an ingredient any longer. EWG is most likely outdated. This is the ingredient list from the website, still bad: Shampoo: Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide DIPA, Cocamide AEE, Decyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerine, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Fragrance

Body Wash: Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide AEE, Polysorbate 20, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycerin, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Fragrance, Citric Acid

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L’bri- Like many others, they boast what their products are free from, but one look at this shampoo label was all I needed to know this is a line I would not use nor recommend. Ingredients of concern in the shampoo: cocamidopropyl betaine, Polyquaternium-10, phenoxyethanol & others. Conditioner has dimethicone. Body butter has retinyl palmitate. Ingredients of concern in every product I looked at. Shampoo: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Stabilized Gel), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxpropyltrimonium Honey, Glycerin, Glycol Stearate, PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polyquaternium-10, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Asian Greens Essence. Link to ingredients:

Click to access Ingredients.pdf

UPDATE 1/15/16: Everything is still accurate. Not listed in EWG either.

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Limelight by Alcone- Numerous ingredients of concern. Eye shadow: Talc, Mineral Oil, Methylparaben, Propylparaben among others. Foundation: IPM, Castor Oil. Carnauba, Candililla, Ozokerite, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Propyl Paraben, BHT. Also May Contain: D&C Red #6, D&C Red #7, D&C Red #27, Cos. Green, Cos. Blue. They claim the skin care is paraben-free, but many products contain both forms of Japanese Honeysuckle: Lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract, Lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract, which are an exact mimic to parabens within our body, you can read more about that here: https://www.truthinaging.com/review/honeysuckle-preservatives-and-parabens. Lipgloss: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Tridecyl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Diisostearyl Malate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Ozokerite, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT

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Lush Cosmetics– only 1 old formulation in EWG. Ingredients of concern- bar soap: Blue no. 1 & 3, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, fragrance, tetrasodium editronate. Nearly every product I looked at had artificial colors.

UPDATE 1/15/16: Shampoo and body washes contain; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate , Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Fragrance , Propylene Glycol , Carrageenan Extract, Benzyl Alcohol , Methylparaben , Propylparaben.   Cosmetics contain color dyes (Red 7 lake, Red 30, D&C Red No. 28) etc.)

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Madison Reed– NUMEROUS ingredients of concern, it would be easier to comment on the safe ingredients: water, aloe, ginseng, argan oil, a few others but not many. The rest of the label is full of ingredients I do not recommend putting on you in shampoo, then conditioner.  Cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium benzoate AND phenoxyethanol as well as PEG, Polyquaternium AND fragrance, ick!!  Shampoo:  Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Glucono Delta Lactone, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey, Silicone Quaternium-3, Panthenol, Trideceth-12, Calcium Gluconate, Polyquaternium-10, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance.  Conditioner:  Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Jojoba Esters, Glycolic Acid, Glucono Delta Lactone , Calcium Gluconate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Oat Beta Glucan, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey, Amodimethicone, Trideceth-12, Centrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Bromide, Sodium Benzoate , Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance.

UPDATE 1/15/16: STILL ENTIRELY ACCURATE

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Mary Kay-  (added 8/20/16): No they do not make any “green” claims, but this is also my Not Recommended List for lines that have been inquired about & I’ve been asked about this one several times. I can tell you it’s one of the last lines on the planet I’d recommend, which makes me sad to type as I know millions of women are using it right now. EWG only lists 19 products, of course they have a whole lot more than those! But they start with a 2 rating & go up to 6 which is quite high. Their tinted moisturizer for example, gets a 5 from EWG (10 being the highest). They are using ingredients that have very serious concerns: oxybenzone, propylparaben, DMDM hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser), octinoxate, phenoxyethanol, dimethicone, the list goes on & on & on. YUCK! Then I went to their website & they do not list full ingredient lists 😦 1st product I went to (face cream) lists 1 “key ingredient” & it’s  Petrolatum. The fact that they would highlight this as a key ingredient says a lot. It gets a 4 in EWG, as it sounds it’s derived from petroleum & carries concerns for organ system toxicity among other things. I really wish they listed all ingredients but I can guarantee I’d be absolutely appalled by them.

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Md Moms: Only 8 products in EWG, but none score less than 2-5. Baby wash ingredients of concern: Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Marine Silk complex (Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin), Sodium PCACaprylyl Glycol, 1,2 Hexanediol, Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tropolone. Diaper rash cream ingredients of concern: C12-15 alkyl benzoate, stearoxytrimethylsilane, butylene glycol, glycerin, cyclopentasiloxane, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate citrate, stearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), tocopheryl acetate, panthenol, xanthan gum, hydrolyzed silk, hydrolyzed collagen, hydrolyzed elastin, 1,2 hexanediol, caprylyl glycol, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, fragrance, tetrasodium EDTA, bisabolol. YIKES!!!

UPDATE 1/15/16: EWG lists 9 current products and some old formulations. Range is still 2-5, with most products at a 4. Ingredients have been changed since your last posting and do not exactly line up with EWG in some case. Current Baby wash/shampoo ingredients from website: “Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (certified organic), Cocamidopropyl Hydrosultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Sodium PCA, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2 Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tropolone”

Sunscreen “Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, lsononyllsononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Panthenol (Vitamin 85), Dimethicone/PEG-1 0/15 Crosspolymer, DimethiconeNinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methicone, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Glycerin, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Phenoxyethanol” All this only equals a 2 in EWG!

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Melaleuca— One of the worst of all greenwashers! Next to Arbonne, the worst ingredients I’ve seen in a baby line marketed as safe. I truly despise the misleading that this company is doing! Line not in EWG.  The following ingredients from their Koala Pals baby shampoo/wash is nothing short of horrendous, and makes me very angry. Rest of the labels I’ve viewed are more of the same: “Aqua (water/Eau), Sodium trideceth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, PEG-150 Distearate, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, d-a-Tocopheryl Acetate (Natural Vitamin E), Avena Sativa (Oat) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Amylcinnamyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methypropional, Hexl Cinnamal, Linallol.  Is it possible they make one or 2 safer products– of course. BUT, any company that would make this toxic of a baby wash, what should be their mildest formula, is not a company I would trust to make anything safe. Cleaning product labels are extremely vague, which many cleaning labels are. Things such as non-ionic surfactants, buffering agents, non-disclosed preservatives, doesn’t disclose what IS actually in there, which is very important to know.. Can tell nothing about what they actually do contain by their labels… A post on Melaleuca equaling the very definition of Greenwashing: https://ecofriendlyusa.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/melaleuca-the-very-definition-of-greenwashing/

UPDATE 1/15/16: STILL ENTIRELY ACCURATE

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Method– Mostly D & F in EWG cleaning. A few C’s… Ingredients of concern: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, fragrance, undisclosed preservatives, among a host of other chemicals. Personal Care line- EWG lists 50 products, none scoring less than 3-6. Stay away! It’s possible a few specific products look OK, it’s a huge line, and I obviously didn’t look very far once I started reading a few labels & saw them loaded with ingredients of concern.

UPDATE 1/15/16: Personal care – EWG lists 21 current products. Ratings are from 3-6. Fragrance (rated 8), Cocamide DEA (rated 7), Methylisothiazolinone (rated 7), DMDM HYDANTOIN (rated 8) and Retinyl Acetate (rated 9), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (rated 4). Use of color dyes.

Cleaning – 35 current products listed. Ratings from B to F. The more favorable ratings of B and C are accompanied by a note that there are more than one version of the product and they ranges from a B to F. This is a result of reformulations that occurred while old versions may still remain on store shelfs. Most of the updates appeared in 2012. Majority (>90%) of newer versions still remain with a C-F ratings, with only 3 earning a B.

Dish Soaps use METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE, METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE, and Fragrance (all rated D), as well as SLS (rated c). Updates were last done in EWG in 2012. There is a sticker in EWG stating updates are coming soon. The Method websites printed ingredients were updated in 2014. The most current list on the Method website still contain the previously mentioned ingredients of concern.

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Michael Todd True Organics– Not in EWG. Most products contain sodium benzoate, and many contain trademarked ingredients that we have no way of knowing what they actually are. Eye serum- Eyeliss® (3%), Haloxyl® (3%), Copper peptide GHK-Cu (Copper tripeptide-1)?? Body scrub: Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA. Deep pore cleanser: Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phospholipids, Dehydroacetic Acid, Disodium Edta, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide. Eye serum: Phenoxyethanol, Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl, Tetrapeptide-7,GHK-Cu Tripeptide (Copper Peptide), Betaglucan, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Epidermal Growth Factor, Glycolic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid. It is true that these products contain some organic ingredients, but also many other ingredients that I would never recommend putting on your skin!

UPDATE 1/15/16: I’m very happy about this development, they are now just called Michael Todd and have appeared to drop the “True Organics” from their name. in EWG. They now seem to be listing their trademarks out in the ingredient list (see blue below). Still using synthetic preservatives.

Eye Serum: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Organic Aloe Vera) Juice, Glycerin, Squalane, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) , Glycosaminoglycans, Arbutin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide (and) Glycerin (and) Butylene Glycol (and) Water (and) Carbomer (and) Polysorbate 20 (and) Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Matrixyl™ 3000), Water (and) Glycerin (and) Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone (and) Steareth-20 (and) Dipeptide-2 (and) Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Eyeliss™), Retinol, Pullulan, Whey Protein, Organic Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Organic Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, N-Hydroxysuccinimide (and) Glycerin (and) Steareth-20 (and) Chrysin (and) Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (and) Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Haloxyl™) Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright) Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gellidiela Acerosa Extract, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Lactobacillus/Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom), Extract, Lentinus Edodes (Shitake Mushroom) Extract Ferment Filtrate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract Powder, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Extract, Morus Alba (Mulberry) Leaf Extract, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Hippophae Rhamnoids (Seabuckthorn) Oil, Tocopherol, Lysolecithin, Allantoin, Sorbitol, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthum Gum, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethyl MEA (DMAE), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Phytate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol

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Modere: added 2/23/17: The 1st thing I go for, when it exists in a line I’m looking into, is shampoo. Here’s their label, no thanks! Water, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, decyl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl isethionate, starch hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, caprylyl pyrrolidone, hydroxyacetophenone, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel extract, 1,2-hexanediol, caprylyl glycol, disodium EDTA, butylene glycol, hydrolyzed rice protein, arnica montana flower extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, urtica dioica (nettle) extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, nasturtium officinale extract, fragrance, phenoxyethanol.

Monat- There are many synthetics in Monat.  I’ll list the main ones of concern (scoring 4-8). No notation of whether their fragrance is from Essential Oils or not (synthetic fragrance gets an 8 from EWG). Cocamidopropyl betaine is a synthetic surfactant; it has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis, http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701520/COCAMIDOPROPYL_BETAINE/. Benzyl alcohol: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/700697/BENZYL_ALCOHOL/. This shampoo label=awful: Water (Aqua), Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Decylglucosides Chloride, Polyquaternium-11, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Adansonia Digitata Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Dextran, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Hydroxypropylphosphate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxypropylphosphate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Lauramide MIPA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propoxytetramethyl Piperdinyl Dimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-6, C11-15 Pareth-7, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Undecyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, fragrance.

Also, several products with suuuuper long names get a 0 score in EWG but with ZERO data, that’s a huge red flag. If they had proper data & studies, I have a feeling ingredients like Sodium Hydroxypropylphosphate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, and Propoxytetramethyl Piperdinyl Dimethicone (which aren’t even in EWG) would rate higher. SUPER expensive, people actually pay $90 for a bottle of serum?!?!

UPDATE 1/15/16:ABOVE STILL ACCURATE

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Mrs. Meyers: 63 results in EWG cleaning database, a couple B’s, but mainly C-F, check individual products of interest: http://www.ewg.org/guides/search?page=1&per_page=15&q=Mrs+Meyers&utf8=%E2%9C%93&x=0&y=0

UPDATE 4/12/16: 78 products now on EWG cleaning database for this company now owned by corporate giant S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Most products rate C-F and include ingredients of concern Sodium Borate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Methylisothiazolinone, Polysorbate-20, Benzisothiazolinone, and Fragrance.

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Nature’s Gate–  Just a couple days ago I was staffing at my food co-op & picked up each & every sunscreen on the shelf. Nature’s Gate was one of them & it was terrible! Every product I picked up of theirs (& other brands) left me shaking my head in disgust! Both the mineral & non-mineral sunscreens are awful. Kids SPF 50: Active ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Zinc oxide 6.9%. Inactive ingredients: aloe barbadensis leaf juice, calendula officinalis flower extract, caprylhydroxamic acid, caprylic/capric triglyceride, caprylyl glycol, cetyl dimethicone, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, glycerin, isopropyl palmitate, magnesium sulfate, neopentyl glycol diethylhexanoate, neopentyl glycol diisostearate, polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, sodium chloride, tocopheryl acetate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, water. Their sunscreen contains http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/704203/OCTINOXATE/

Mineral sunscreen, kids spf20: ingredients: Titanium dioxide 8.3%, Zinc oxide 2%. Inactive ingredients: allantoin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, althaea officinalis root extract, bisabolol, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, calendula officinalis flower extract, caprylic/capric triglyceride, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl wheat straw glycosides, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, dehydroxanthan gum, diisopropyl adipate, dimethicone, ethylhexylglycerin, euterpe oleracea fruit extract, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl undecylenate, hydrastis canadensis (golden seal) extract, phenoxyethanol, polysorbate 80, propylheptyl caprylate, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, triethoxycaprylylsilane, viola tricolor extract, water.

Lotion is pretty easy to offer with a safe ingredient list, but there’s again, several ingredients of concern: Water (Eau), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Gluconolactone, Stearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower/carthame) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower/tournesol) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Xanthan Gum, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai/açaï) Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea/karité) Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond/amande douce) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot/abricot) Kernel Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai/açaï) Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia (Camu Camu) Fruit Extract, Bertholletia Excelsa (Brazil Nut/noix du Brésil) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuacu/cupuaçu) Seed Butter, Allantoin, Polysorbate 60, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum)*.

As with all lines, there may be a few products I might recommend, but as EWG shows, they use MANY ingredients of concern: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/brand/Nature%27s_Gate/

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Neora– ADDED 3/16/24         This brand uses a LOT of buzz words and places emphasis on the 70 ingredients they don’t use. However, that leaves thousands of ingredients that are still not good, in my opinion. They claim: “All the good stuff. None of the Bad. Clean Formula Guarantee.” That is a pretty strong commitment. Let’s look at the ingredients. I always start with shampoo when possible, it gives a good feel for the line and what they’re using.

Peg in multiple forms, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, parfum. Honestly, the list of ingredients I CAN recommend would be easier (coconut oil stands out). Other products contain both polysorbate-20 AND 60, and numerous ingredients ending with numbers which as a general rule of thumb, I avoid. Let’s look at their night cream which is $120 for 1 oz. The page advertising it is FULL of buzz words, let’s look at the ingredients: Water (Aqua),PVP,HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Disodium Tetramethylhexadecenyl Succinyl Cysteine*, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract, Trehalose, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Pullulan, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Silica, Sorbitol, Galactoarabinan, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Phosphate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 60, Tromethamine, Cyclohexassiloxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Xylitol.

While it does have more ingredients from nature than some of the others I looked at (aloe, fruit, plant and seed extracts), it has numerous ingredients on my to-be avoided list. Many listed I’m not super familiar with, and upon looking them up via EWG I find they score 2 at best generally. Some receive a 1 in EWG but with NO data, such as Cyclopentasiloxane which is listed as Cyclopentasiloxane/ Dimethiconevinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer by them. Ingredients such as Cyclohexassiloxane as suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or bioaccumulative. Also, in addition to concerns for the effects of an ingredient on the human body, I always take into consideration what these ingredients are doing when they’re washed out into the waterways via their production cycle, or end cycle such as in a facewash.Disodium Tetramethylhexadecenyl Succinoyl Cysteine also scored a 1 with NO data. Googling these ingredients further outside of EWG points to some research that they are novel and may show some promise in reducing inflammation for example (with wrinkle reduction goals), but it’s my opinion that there needs to be more studies to prove they don’t carry risks that outweigh the benefits.

They boast that they don’t use propylene glycol, but they DO use Pentylene Glycol which according to EWG carries concerns of allergenic effects. It is a penetration enhancer, which means it helps get the rest of the ingredients in this product into your skin. Personally, looking at these ingredients, there are numerous that I would not want to make it past my skin barrier.

I don’t weigh in on supplements as that’s medical advice and I’m not comfortable with that. So inquire with someone you trust for medical advice about those if interested.

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Nerium– Here’s their day cream Ingredients: Water (Aqua), NAE-8® (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Nerium Oleander), Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Jojoba Esters, Squalane, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate, Allantoin, Superoxide Dismutase, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Ubiquinone, Magnesium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Potassium Sorbate. May Contain: Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid. Warnings:  Designed for adult use, this product is a dermatological cream for topical and external use only. Keep out of reach of children and away from eyelid and soft tissue around the eyes. If swallowed, consult your health care provide

UPDATE 1/15/16: Not in EWG. Ingredient list is still accurate.

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Norwex- Not in either EWG database. The use of  micro-silver is controversial in terms of it’s safety for both humans & the environment, there are many who will not touch them….  Here’s a lotion label to give you a feel of their personal care line: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Parfum, Aqua, Glycerin, Cetearyl Wheat Straw Glycosides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tricaprylin, Cetearyl Olivate Sorbitan Olivate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii*, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Crambe Maritima Extract, Simmondsia Chinesis Seed Oil*, Plukentia Volubilis Seed Oil*, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beeswax*, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin Caprylate Acid, Benzoic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/leaf Extract* May contain: Alpha Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Limonene, Linalool. Face serums/creams contain numerous ingredients of concern. Even the best of labels contain potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol. I definitely don’t recommend any personal care products I looked at, which were many. Here’s a link to their pdf with ingredient labels: http://media.norwexcs.com/Product-Manual-2,0.pdf. As to be expected, cleaning product labels are extremely vague, many say what is not in them, but not at all what is in them, or labels such as: Laundry Pre-Wash contains enzymes, ascorbic acid, citric acid and water. Which enzymes are being used is very important…

UPDATE 1/15/16: Personal Care: Still incredibly frustrating to get an ingredient list. Not printed online or in catalogs. Consultants only have access to partial ingredient lists from the MSDS sheets that can’t be distributed. Revamped their personal care line. Lotion, Shower Gel, and Hand Cream is certified by BDIH and NATrue. The Naturally Timeless Skin Care line carries no certifications. The only truly certified organic (by European Ecocert) is the Mediterranean Mediation Olive Oil Salt Scrub and The Timeless Organic Shea Butter. Ingredients for lotion is found on a consultant’s website: Water, Alcohol Denatured, Glycerin, Glycine Soja / Soybean Oil, Cocos Nucifera /Coconut Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Isoamyl Laurate, Vitis Vinifera / Grape Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis /Sweet Almond Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii /Shea Butter, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ananas Sativus / Pineapple Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum / Lemon Peel Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annus / Sunflower Seed Oil, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Parfum / Fragrance, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool

Cleaning Products do not disclose ingredients, but rather a list of what they don’t have in them.  Customers are encouraged to contact home office if they want to check on individual ingredients due to allergies, but they will not provide a comprehensive ingredient list and hide behind “proprietary ingredients” statements.

One popular product, the cleaning paste boasts just 3 ingredients; marble flour, natural soap and coconut oil. A call to home office will confirm that it also contains sodium laurel sulfate and methylisothiazolinone.

UPDATE 7/23/2019:

I found a 93-page product manual here http://aumedia.norwexcs.com/Product-Manual-AU_FINAL1.pdf. There is no date, it just says Version 2.0, so no way to know if this is current. Personal care products do list ingredients for each one. Only about half of the products had the Ecocert certification on them for certified organic ingredients. This product line is not on EWG so each ingredient would need to be looked up separately. I didn’t have to look far to see the following: The Marine Organics Bath Shower Gel (which shows a child using it in the picture) contains the preservative sodium benzoate. Linalool (5 on EWG), Limonene (6), and Citronellol (5) are listed as ‘may contain’ ingredients. Parfum (fragrance) also listed as an ingredient, as well as benzyl alcohol (5).  The cleaning products were hit or miss. Some listed ingredients but some did not.

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Origins– List key ingredient only, which is highly aggravating! They must have recently reformulated, because EWG only has 3 products in their database that list new formulation but those 3 products rate 4-7. The rest of the line has a few 1’s, but the vast majority are 2+, with several 5-9! If you have a recent formulation label you can share with me, I’d love to see it. It’s very frustrating they don’t disclose ALL ingredients on their website, which leads me to believe they don’t want us to know. Based on the data I did see, and the lack of disclosure, I’m not comfortable recommending this line.

UPDATE 1/15/16: Origins is made by Estee Lauder. 16 products listed in EWG, ranging from a 2-7. Has a product using Dr, Andrew Weil’s name. Eye Cream contains Retinyl Acetate (rated a 9), also contains Dimethicone, PEG, Phenoxythanol. Their skin corrector foundation contains Oxybenzone (rated an 8). Their lower rated products (2-3) still contain Phenoxyehtanol and PEGs. Most products now have ingredients listed on the website. Newer products don’t have ingredients listed. Face Wash ingredients: water\aqua\eau; lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower water; myristic acid; glycerin; behenic acid; sodium methyl cocoyl taurate; palmitic acid; potassium hydroxide; lauric acid; stearic acid; anthemis nobilis flower oil *, mentha viridis (spearmint) leaf oil*, pelargonium graveolens flower oil*, lavandula hybrida oil*, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil*, styrax benzoin gum, linalool; peg-3 distearate; tourmaline; laminaria saccharina extract; hydrolyzed wheat protein; cetearyl alcohol; polyquaternium-7; butylene glycol; disodium edta; methylchloroisothiazolinone; methylisothiazolinone

UPDATE 7/23/19: There are now 42 products on EWG with ratings of 1-5. Clicking on individual products shows ingredients with much higher ratings. Blooming Bold Lipstick, for example, contains geraniol and citron, both rating 7 on EWG. A look at this product on the website shows these ingredients are still being used. Not to mention the ingredient list goes on and on and on and ends with a long list of artificial colors. They are still using retinol, phenoxyethanol and dimethicone, as found in the Retinol Night Moisturizer. The Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Defense Advanced Daily UV Defender SPF 45 contains geraniol and eugenol, both having a score of 7 on EWG. All new products had their ingredients listed.

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Perfectly Posh– not in EWG. Several products contain artificial coloring, which is something I’d never recommend (Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 33), and numerous other ingredients of concern Here’s a body crème label to give you an idea, NUMEROUS ingredients of concern: Water/Aqua, Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate-20, Cocamide MEA, Polyquaternium-7, Fragrance/Parfum, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-150 Distearate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol, Glycerin, Yellow 5 [CI19140], Blue 1 [CI 42090], Citric Acid. Bath bombs contain: PEG-180, Titanium Dioxide, Polysorbate-20. The few baby products offered look much better, but contain both Potassium sorbate & sodium benzoate. Every product I looked at has numerous ingredients of concern!

UPDATE 1/15/16: They do not appear to carry any baby products now. They have cleaned up their ingredient lists somewhat but products still contain fragrance, Dimethicone, PEGs, Phenoxyethanol. Body Wash Label: Water/Aqua, Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate-20, Cocamide MEA, Polyquaternium-7, Fragrance/Parfum, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-150 Distearate, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol, Citric Acid

UPDATE 7/23/19: Still not in EWG. Nothing has changed here. Fragrance, dimethicone, PEGs, and phenoxyethanol found in the Social Butterfly Hand Crème. They actually have a good search feature where you can put an ingredient in and do a search. I searched for phenoxyethanol and it seems to be in almost every product, as well as fragrance.

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Planet- What is extremely frustrating about cleaning products is EWG can rate them an A, but when you click for further info you see they contain individual ingredients that rate poorly. Planet laundry detergent rates an A, but contains Laureth-7 and PPG-5 Laureth-5, which rate a C due to concerns over chronic aquatic toxicity, cancer, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, acute aquatic toxicity, damage to DNA, respiratory effects, nervous system effects, digestive system effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage, damage to vision. The entire line is the same, A ratings, with ingredients of concern I definitely advise against using–VERY frustrating, always click for more info on specific ingredients in EWG. http://www.ewg.org/guides/brand/2504

UPDATE 1/15/16: All products still rated as A, except 2 are Cs. Interesting 1 product was reformulated an updated in the EWG and actually went to a C due to the addition Methylisothiazolinone and Benzisothiazolinone. Liquid detergent observations are still correct.

UPDATE 7/23/19: The powdered detergent which received an F on EWG for sodium borate doesn’t seem to contain it anymore. Ingredients are: Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Laureth-7, Sodium Laureth, Sodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Silicate, cellulose gum, and water.

The dishwasher pacs: Sodium Citrate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Percarbonate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Polyaspartate, Sodium Silicate, C12-14 Pareth-11, Citric Acid, Protease, Amylase, Polyvinyl Alcohol (dissolvable pac casing).

The same holds true as previously for this company. Individual ingredients rate worse than the overall rating. They are still using sodium laureth sulfate in their dishwashing liquid.

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Pure Haven Essentials = Ava Anderson re-branded. Still not certified organic except for essential oils, which they are just re-bottling. None of their other products are certified organic (as of most recent update, 06/2019).  I’m beyond appalled at what the company known as Ava Anderson got away with. They were not held responsible for the million dollars they made while committing fraud. They closed their doors, sold to a team of investors, opened with a new name (Pure Haven) and went about their business. Search my blog by Ava Anderson in case you missed that scandal. No amount of “rebranding” will ever clear them of the reason for the need to do so. They will never, ever have my support. Ethics are very important to me.

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Rodan & Fields– they don’t make “green” claims, and indeed they are a completely terrible, conventional line, but for some reason many are led to believe they’re a safe option. ABSOLUTELY, positively horrible ingredients:  $60 for 1/2 oz of THIS nastiness (eye cream): Water, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric/Myr istic/Stearic Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Steareth-2, Glycerin, Macadamia lntegrifolia Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Steareth-20, Polyuretha ne-40, Lecithin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Honey Extract, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Tetrapeptide-21, Tetrapeptide-16, Tranexamic Acid, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. May Contain(+/-) Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

Hand cream: Water, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Solidago Virgaurea (Goldenrod) Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sericin, Arginine, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Distearate, Polysorbate 60, Fragrance, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Caprylyl Methicone, Sucrose Stearate, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Seventh Generation– I DON’T like what I see. I’ve mentioned I don’t use anything on my family that rates above a 1 with EWG, and I like to keep it at 0 honestly. Baby wash/shampoo-the overall product rates a 2 (you may be fine with that…), but components of it rate at 4, a couple come in at 3, several at 2. When ingredients rate that poorly, I don’t go for it, no matter how much is in the final product, etc. I don’t use, nor recommend anything with either sodium benzoate, or potassium sorbate, this product has BOTH in it, not to mention tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, all 3 synthetic preservatives. I did also look at the bubble bath, and the baby lotion, wayyyyy too long of ingredient lists, with numerous questionable ingredients. Sunscreen: hydrogenated methyl abietate (skin conditioner), magnesium sulfate, polyaminopropyl biguanide (synthetic preservative), polyglycerol-10 laurate, sorbitan stearate.. Are there worse products on the market? Sure. Are there safer products on the market? YES– thankfully! If you want my opinion on an individual product, please ask & I’ll take a look! As far as cleaning products, EWG rates a couple at A, but many at D or F, please take a look: http://www.ewg.org/guides/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=seventh+generation&page=1&per_page=15&x=0&y=0

UPDATE 1/15/16: MANY products contain the very nasty preservatives benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, which many people have developed sensitivities to! Cleaning Products: 32 products in EWG with over 40% of them being a D or F. Personal Care: only 12 products listed in EWG. Most rate a 2 in EWG. Containing Potassium Sorbate (rated 3) and Sodium Benzoate (rated 3). Ingredients are still correct as verified by a website search; however I was unable to find sunscreen, bubble bath or baby lotion on their website (perhaps they aren’t carrying it any longer)?

UPDATE 7/23/19: They have a pretty extensive baby line (diapers, diaper cream, detergent, baby wipes, shampoo, body wash, and lotion) but the only two products listed in EWG are the old formula –  very out of date and no help if looking at the baby line. Baby lotion ingredients: Water, cetearyl alcohol and cetearyl glucoside acetal (plant-derived emulsifier), butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter (plant-derived skin conditioner), cetyl alcohol (plant-derived emulsifier), caprylic/capric triglyceride (plant-derived skin conditioner), organic cocos nucifera (coconut) oil (plant-derived skin conditioner), sodium carboxymethyl starch (plant-based thickener), glycerin (plant-derived humectant), organic theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter (plant-derived skin conditioner), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil (plant-derived skin conditioner), xanthan gum (plant-derived thickener), citric acid (plant-derived pH adjuster), rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract (plant-derived antioxidant), d-dodecalactone, delta-decalactone, dimethyl heptenal, gamma octalactone, hexyl acetate, jasminum sambac (jasmine) flower extract, maltol, sweet orange peel oil, vanillin, glyceryl caprylate (plant-derived preservative), caprylhydroxamic acid (synthetic preservative booster). d-limonene is a component of these fragrance ingredients.

They are still using the nasty preservatives benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone.

If you are interested in this line, each product on their website has an attached ‘safety data sheet’ (pdf) with very detailed info and an HMIS rating (hazardous materials identification system) which can be very helpful.

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Shaklee– The ingredient labels speak for themselves. Here is one label from their personal care line to give you an example of why I placed them where I did on my list- just about every, single ingredient from this label from the Hydrating Moisture is of concern. I would never, ever use, nor recommend this product, and the other labels I’ve viewed are very similar. If these are the types of products you consider the best & safest on the market, then let’s just agree right now that we will never agree on what makes a safe product. I’m really in disbelief that anyone would try to argue with me that these are the “greenest & safest” products on the market. As ALWAYS, I encourage you to do your own research, and come to your own conclusions!!: WATER/EAU, CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, CETYL LACTATE, OCTYLDODECYL NEOPENTANOATE, DIMETHICONE, POLYSORBATE 60, STEARIC ACID, PANTHENOL, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, SORBITAN STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, GLYCERYL ISOSTEARATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, GLYCERIN, BETA-GLUCAN, PPG-20 METHYL GLUCOSE ETHER, SODIUM COCO PG-DIMONIUM CHLORIDE PHOSPHATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, TRIETHANOLAMINE, CARBOMER, CERA ALBA/BEESWAX/CIRE D’ ABEILLE, DISODIUM EDTA, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, PEG-7M, FRAGRANCE/PARFUM, BISABOLOL, RETINYL PALMITATE, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED EXTRACT, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE, MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, BENZOIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE. No ingredients to cleaning products listed on their online labels as they are for the personal care line, a consultant shared a pdf with me. Basic H Cleaning Concentrate: naturally derived cleaning agents (corn- and coconut-based surfactant), natural thickener, biodegradable preservative, and water. Not one of their cleaning labels actually discloses a single ingredient, just more of the same vagueness…

UPDATE 1/15/16: Still no disclosure on cleaning products. Moisturizer label is still accurate.

UPDATE 7/23/19: Still using nasty ingredients like PEG’s (petroleum based compounds), preservatives and retinyl palmitate which rates 9 on EWG. Here’s an example – sunscreen: Water/Eau, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Microcrystalline Wax, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Beta-Glucan, Retinyl Palmitate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol

You can view the product label in their cleaning line for each product, but still no ingredients disclosed. That should be enough to cause anyone to steer clear.

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*Shea moisture-    UPDATED (and moved to not recommended) 4/3/2024

I formerly had this brand on my So-So List, but truly, but in the years since I last looked at them, they’ve gotten less than So-So. Numerous ingredients that are so-so at best, 1-2 organic ingredients out of formulas with 20+ in them, and no indication of natural scents means I simply cannot recommend this brand. There are a lot of options on my So-So (and of course on the Approved) list that are much better at same price points.

They offer a LOT of shampoos, wow! I see numerous ingredients I prefer to avoid:  Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Polysorbate 60Fragrance (not noted to be natural). In the lotions I see Polysorbate 60, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol. Salicylic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate. They use 1 organic ingredient (shea butter) in most of the shampoos I looked at, out of 20+ ingredients total. I guess, good for the organic shea farmers though, which I just read up on in their Story section, the Shea connection is their legacy, and is evident by their name too. So I’m happy they’re sourcing that organically. Deodorant= YUCK: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Synthetic Wax, Glycerin, Calcium Chloride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycine, Fragrance (Parfum), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Honey, Retinol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Cinnamate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Farnesol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool

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Trader Joe’s- EWG has 3 products listing new formulation, rating 4-7. 6 more products listing old formulation rating 3-5 (one at 0)…Had to do some diggin’ because I didn’t see the products linked to from their website. Trader Joe’s Nourish shampoo & conditioner have several ingredients of concern: C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Methylparaben, propylparaben. If anyone can point me to more of their products & labels, I’d gladly take a look, but don’t need to look any further than the 2 I looked at to know this is a line to stay away from!

UPDATE 1/15/16: EWG only list 2 products (both sunscreens). 1 is a 4 and 1 is a 7. Both containing oxybenzone (ewg 8) and Homosalate (endocrine disruptor, rated a 4). Could not find the shampoo on website to confirm the ingredients. However I found this article for August 2015 that confirms they still use parabens. http://www.livestrong.com/article/164466-ingredients-in-trader-joes-shampoo/

UPDATE 7/23/19: All products in EWG are old formulas. The tea tree tingle shampoo however does contain Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate which rates 6 on EWG. The moisturizing cream has many nasty ingredients like PEG’s, polysorbate 60, dimethicone, and parabens, just to name a few, as found on Amazon

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WEN Haircare– no ingredient labels on their website that I could find, but 3^rd party searches brought back several threads which shared labels. Ingredients of concern from shampoo, conditioner & hair crème: Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Dimethiconol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Citral, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Polysorbate 60, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Amodimethicone, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone. Whole line is more of the same!

UPDATE 1/15/16: This Doosie of a company gets a front page article on EWG. I don’t have to look to much further to know they should stay right where they are on this list: http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2015/12/products-alleged-cause-hair-loss-full-synthetic-chemicals-not-just-herbs

UPDATE 7/23/19: No info on EWG. Some digging around the website revealed these ingredients in the cleansing conditioner: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry) Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, HydrolyzedWheat Protein, Vegetable Oil (Olus Oil), Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polysorbate 60, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Amodimethicone, Citric Acid, Menthol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance (Parfum), Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde. MANY ingredients of concern!

Whole Foods- 365 line:  No ingredients listed on Whole Foods site, or EWG, but found some info in Good Guide, which is similar to EWG but with a different rating system. Ingredients of concern in shampoo: sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, sodium cocoamphoacetate, glucono lactone, sodium benzoate, phehethyl alcohol, glyceryl caprylate, polysorbate-20. Lotion ingredients of concern: Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, gluconolactone, sodium benzoate, phenethyl alcohol, polysorbate 20 & 60. I don’t have a Whole Foods within 2 hours of me, but many people who have shopped there & picked up bottles from the 365 line chimed in and said they contained way too many questionable ingredients. If you have a specific product you’d like me to take a look at, and an ingredient label, I’d be happy to!

UPDATE 1/15/16: All information still accurate (EWG, Good Guide) etc. I did manage to find an ingredient list directly from whole foods. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/shampoo-oily-and-normal-hair-herbal-mint

UPDATE 7/23/19: Still using ingredients of concern.

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Willa– Small line, but I didn’t see a product I’d even put on my so-so list. This tinted SPF= ICKKKKKKKKK: cyclopentasiloxane, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, cyclomethicone, polyhydroxystearic acid, dimethicone crosspolymer, tribehenin, stearoxymethicone/dimethicone copolymer, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, camellia sinensis leaf extract, palmitoyl hexapeptide-4, ethoxydiglycol, peg-10 dimethicone, dimethicone, polysilicone-11, aluminum stearate, alumina, isostearic acid, triethoxycaprylylsilane, iron oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499). Benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol in the face cream. Cosmetics have artificial coloring as well as other ingredients of concern. Concealer pen: Water, Isoamyl Cocoate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sorbitan Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Magnesium Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum,Triethoxycaprylysilane, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. MAY CONTAIN: Iron Oxide (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) *Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Bismuth Oxychloride, (CI 77163). *Contains Titanium Dioxide, which is listed on prop 65.

UPDATE 7/23/19: above still accurate.

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Yes to Carrots- 54 products in EWG rating 1-6. Only 2 products rate 1, they go up from there. Some  major ingredients of concern: retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate– both rated an 8 by EWG. Most products contain Potassium Sorbate & Sodium Benzoate.

UPDATE 1/15/16: 25 products list in EWG. Rating from a 1-6. Eye cream is the worst with a 6 rating, contains retinyl acetate (9), fragrance (8), potassium sorbate (4), and phenoxyethanol (4). 4 Yes to Baby Carrots listed (rating from 3-4)   Contain retinyl palmitate (9), potassium sorbate (3) and sodium benzoate (3). Company’s website ingredients align with EWG.

UPDATE 7/23/19: Nothing has changed. First product I looked at (vitamin-enriched kale facial wipes) has many ingredients of concern: Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Amyl Cinnamic Aldehyde, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool. There were no baby products listed on their webpage so maybe they have done away with the Yes to Baby Carrots line.

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Younique-  absolutely, positively not recommended! No better or different than any other conventional make-up on the market. The 3D fiber mascara has Propylene Glycol in it, definitely don’t recommend putting that on your eye. Here’s a random choice of an ingredient list, all are more of the same- cream foundation: WATER, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, OZOKERITE, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, MALTODEXTRIN, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER. And a lipgloss, not 1, but 2 petroleum-derived ingredients, among others of concern, ick: Squalane, Polyisobutene, Mineral Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Triisodecyl Trimellitate, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydroxy Stearic Acid, Beeswax.  A few of the products look a little better: the eye shadow isn’t terrible, IF they’re using the best micas available, concerns with ingredients in that product come from impurities if they’re not using the best of the best. Again, if you’re looking for something along the lines of Revlon, Mary Kay, Avon, this is fine. If you’re looking for an alternative to mainstream, preservative & synthetic-filled make-up, this is not an option!

UPDATE 1/15/16: Not in EWG. The new 3D mascara does not have propylene glycol in it, but still have a host of other concerning ingredients.

Transplanting Gel: Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Acrylate Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Polyvinylalcohol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Tromethamine, Beeswax, Bentonite, Microcrystalline Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Allantoin, Silica, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Ppg-2-Deceth-30, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Dehydroacetate

The Fibers: Rayon, Carbon Black CI77266, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Iris Pallida Leaf Cell Extract, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Lip Gloss is slightly different than you have posted: Ingredients: Squalane, Polyisobutene, Mineral Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Beeswax, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica

Foundation: Ingredients:Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane,Isododecane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone, Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Isohexadecane, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium, Hectorite, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Arylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Propylene Carbonate, Methicone, Parfum, Alaria Escaulenta Extract, Hydrogen Dimethicone

UPDATE 7/23/19: Nothing new to report. Here’s a few examples of products with their worst ingredients and EWG rating. Face primer: Dimethicone (3), Retinyl Palmitate (9), Tocopheryl Acetate (3). 4-D One-Step Fiber Mascara: Acacia Senegal Gum (3), Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax (3), Aminomethyl Propanol (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Polysorbate 60 (3), Iron Oxides (2). A quick look at a lip gloss shows it still contains petroleum based ingredients, preservatives, and mineral oil.