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Meeting an Agenda and Using Fear to Perpetuate It!
Below is an email that was forwarded to me by one of my customers that is being sent to their subscribers. Although some of what they state here is true about big box companies mainly being the problem, it is again black listing otherwise perfectly good and safe ingredients without the proper substantiated proof. I find this type of marketing reprehensible and responded to my customer with updated information and links to the CIR and Cosmetics Info.org showing that many of the ingredients are perfectly safe for cosmetic use and even natural ones can cause significant issues for some and aren't necessarily safe in some instances. Nothing is this black and white! Used as directed most are safe.
This is the fight we are up against while trying to make our products safer and better than big box brands, but lets face it EWG finds something wrong with just about every ingredient out there and this company is of course carrying products that fall under their marketing strategy.... so it is another agenda for profit perpetuating fear to do it with, and meeting the EWG agenda through offering a coupon code for savings on purchases by providing emails to this company to further spread their marketing message. This message was littered with links back to their site something which I couldn't carry over to here.
Saffron Rouge - Organic Beauty
My Customer (privacy protected) would like to share this article with you
Beautiful Lies
Do you like the idea of rubbing petroleum, silicone and plastic into your skin?
We didn’t think so. But take a look at the products in your bathroom – specifically the ingredients – we think you’ll be shocked!
80%
of all beauty products, including those marketed as natural and/or organic, contain Black List™ ingredients. 93%
of all hair care products, including those marketed as natural and/or organic, contain Black List™ ingredients.
I know you’re probably thinking, “this is impossible”, or “not my brand”, but examine the ingredients in your facial cleanser or hand soap. Now take a look at The Black List™. See what we mean? Your next question is probably, “how do they get away with this?”
The sad truth is that the lack of concern over ingredient safety is not only widespread throughout the beauty industry; it’s actually the norm. So we’ve set out to expose five of the many falsities that keep the public in the dark about the safety of their beauty products.
Lie #1
You can trust big brand names.
Most beauty products are not manufactured by the brand name they carry, but by a contract laboratory on their behalf. So actually, in most cases, the products are made by chemists working for a laboratory and not for the brand itself. As a result, what often happens is that the executives or founders of the brand do not fully understand what their product really contains, where the ingredients come from or how they are produced.
Lie #2
Vitamin infused herbal goodness.
Many brands market their products based on the vitamins or herbal extracts they contain. This is because most of the active (or therapeutically beneficial) ingredients in skin care products are plant oils and extracts. However, when it comes to mainstream products, these ingredients are often on the bottom of the list (meaning they are in the smallest quantity) and are usually surrounded by a host of synthetics and petrochemicals.
Lie #3
Greenwashing.
Products that are not certified organic by a third-party organic body care certification are typically formulated with ingredients that are not acceptable by international organic standards. Despite the fact that these products aren’t really natural or organic, many brands still market their products as such. This practice is known as Greenwashing.
Lie #4
Regulations will protect you.
Cosmetics are among the least regulated products in North America. According to The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, 89% of all cosmetic ingredients have not been evaluated for safety by any institution accountable to the public.
Here is a quote from the FDA’s website: “FDA's legal authority over cosmetics is different from other products regulated by the agency, such as drugs, biologics, and medical devices. Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives.”
Lie #5
Common sense applies.
In 2007, a report was released explaining how out of 33 randomly purchased lipsticks, 20 tested positive for lead. Among the lipsticks that tested positive, higher levels of lead were found in products from L’Oreal, Cover Girl and Christian Dior.
Lead is a known neurotoxin proven to cause learning disabilities and has even been linked to miscarriage and infertility. Many experts warn pregnant women to be extra careful when selecting cosmetics because of the risks associated with lead. Doesn’t that sound like good advice for all of us?
How you can make a difference.
Now that you understand a little more about the dangerous climate that exists throughout beauty industry, we hope you see why Saffron Rouge puts so much effort into evaluating all the ingredients in the products we sell. When we say “We evaluate every ingredient so you don’t have to!” we actually mean that. Our end goal is a world where people can shop for beauty products without worrying about if they’re synthetic or safe.
With your help, we hope to clean up the beauty industry, one bathroom at a time. Please help us by forwarding this article to a friend.
As a thank you for your help, we’d like to reward you with a Saffron Rouge gift code that you can use to save $10-$20 on your next order.
Forward To A Friend »
You will receive your gift code instantly.
Saffron Rouge is a leading organic beauty and skin care retailer dedicated to educating consumers about organic beauty standards.
The End
What say You?
This is the fight we are up against while trying to make our products safer and better than big box brands, but lets face it EWG finds something wrong with just about every ingredient out there and this company is of course carrying products that fall under their marketing strategy.... so it is another agenda for profit perpetuating fear to do it with, and meeting the EWG agenda through offering a coupon code for savings on purchases by providing emails to this company to further spread their marketing message. This message was littered with links back to their site something which I couldn't carry over to here.
Saffron Rouge - Organic Beauty
My Customer (privacy protected) would like to share this article with you
Beautiful Lies
Do you like the idea of rubbing petroleum, silicone and plastic into your skin?
We didn’t think so. But take a look at the products in your bathroom – specifically the ingredients – we think you’ll be shocked!
80%
of all beauty products, including those marketed as natural and/or organic, contain Black List™ ingredients. 93%
of all hair care products, including those marketed as natural and/or organic, contain Black List™ ingredients.
I know you’re probably thinking, “this is impossible”, or “not my brand”, but examine the ingredients in your facial cleanser or hand soap. Now take a look at The Black List™. See what we mean? Your next question is probably, “how do they get away with this?”
The sad truth is that the lack of concern over ingredient safety is not only widespread throughout the beauty industry; it’s actually the norm. So we’ve set out to expose five of the many falsities that keep the public in the dark about the safety of their beauty products.
Lie #1
You can trust big brand names.
Most beauty products are not manufactured by the brand name they carry, but by a contract laboratory on their behalf. So actually, in most cases, the products are made by chemists working for a laboratory and not for the brand itself. As a result, what often happens is that the executives or founders of the brand do not fully understand what their product really contains, where the ingredients come from or how they are produced.
Lie #2
Vitamin infused herbal goodness.
Many brands market their products based on the vitamins or herbal extracts they contain. This is because most of the active (or therapeutically beneficial) ingredients in skin care products are plant oils and extracts. However, when it comes to mainstream products, these ingredients are often on the bottom of the list (meaning they are in the smallest quantity) and are usually surrounded by a host of synthetics and petrochemicals.
Lie #3
Greenwashing.
Products that are not certified organic by a third-party organic body care certification are typically formulated with ingredients that are not acceptable by international organic standards. Despite the fact that these products aren’t really natural or organic, many brands still market their products as such. This practice is known as Greenwashing.
Lie #4
Regulations will protect you.
Cosmetics are among the least regulated products in North America. According to The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, 89% of all cosmetic ingredients have not been evaluated for safety by any institution accountable to the public.
Here is a quote from the FDA’s website: “FDA's legal authority over cosmetics is different from other products regulated by the agency, such as drugs, biologics, and medical devices. Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives.”
Lie #5
Common sense applies.
In 2007, a report was released explaining how out of 33 randomly purchased lipsticks, 20 tested positive for lead. Among the lipsticks that tested positive, higher levels of lead were found in products from L’Oreal, Cover Girl and Christian Dior.
Lead is a known neurotoxin proven to cause learning disabilities and has even been linked to miscarriage and infertility. Many experts warn pregnant women to be extra careful when selecting cosmetics because of the risks associated with lead. Doesn’t that sound like good advice for all of us?
How you can make a difference.
Now that you understand a little more about the dangerous climate that exists throughout beauty industry, we hope you see why Saffron Rouge puts so much effort into evaluating all the ingredients in the products we sell. When we say “We evaluate every ingredient so you don’t have to!” we actually mean that. Our end goal is a world where people can shop for beauty products without worrying about if they’re synthetic or safe.
With your help, we hope to clean up the beauty industry, one bathroom at a time. Please help us by forwarding this article to a friend.
As a thank you for your help, we’d like to reward you with a Saffron Rouge gift code that you can use to save $10-$20 on your next order.
Forward To A Friend »
You will receive your gift code instantly.
Saffron Rouge is a leading organic beauty and skin care retailer dedicated to educating consumers about organic beauty standards.
The End
What say You?
Views: 15
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by dM, CEO on -
Katherine,
Thanks for sharing this. It's interesting that the letter actually seems to suggest that cosmetics should be regulated like drugs, with pre-market testing and approval and all the rest. In that case, the author of the letter would have very little need to worry because such a regulation would decimate the customers that make any of the products she sells.
Thanks again for sharing this.
dM
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Permalink Reply by Katherine Corkill on -
So True and even though I hadn't actually thought of that...it simply stumps me why so many are willing to damage the industry with little regard to the underlying ramifications of their actions...
Thanks dM and others who have been in the forefront of this debate and have fought to get the accurate information out there...I am personally willing to do whatever it takes to do my part to keep the information flowing and defend our rights as small box companies to remain in a free market.
Katherine
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Permalink Reply by Anne-Marie on -
I think this type of missive makes people more fearful. The whole "We're out to expose" and by the way, here's a coupon so you can save money buying stuff from us to protect yourself, is a tried-and-true marketing tactic. I'm disappointed by the email and its fear-mongering tone.
The email essentially asks: "If we can't trust the government to safely regulate within our best interests, who can we trust?" The writer of the email suggests that you trust them. The reality is that the bath and body care market is one of the most safe out there. Pamela Bailey, President of the Personal Care Products Councill (formerly CFTA), stated in her April 12th testimony to the Energy & Commerce Committee, “Cosmetics and Personal Care Products are the safest category regulated by the FDA.”
Additionally, Stephen F. Sundolff of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition stated, “The FDA’s oversight has ensured that the Nation’s cosmetics are among the safest in the world.”
Kayla from Essential Wholesale wrote an incredible article about lead in lipsticks: http://soap-queen.blogspot.com/2009/09/should-we-give-up-lipstick-candy-or.html The gist is that water and candy have more lead than lipstick yet the propaganda pushers would have you believe that lipstick is out to kill you.
There are all too many individuals and businesses out there, ready to jump up and say 'Trust me! Buy my products!' and try and feel that void.
Ultimately, it's up to everyone to read the regulations, follow best manufacturing practices and use only items that are approved for use in bath, body and skincare (so no potpourri fragrances in soap for example) and educate our customers in the best, most reasoned way possible.
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Permalink Reply by Katherine Corkill on
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Thanks Anne Marie, I copy and pasted your response back to this customer citing the key elements in your response. I also let her know that you know way more than I do...;~) Love your videos by the way!
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Lela Barker - Bella Lucce on -
I have sat here, stunned, for a solid 5 minutes. I don't even know what to type... Actually, I do- but I love and respect my fellow indies too much to subject you to such harsh language. :)
There's a major PR war brewing and CFSC is at the forefront of a lot of this (mis)information. It turns my stomach to think of how they've manipulated this industry and- in many cases- their own supporters. I wish their empahsis in transparency in the beauty industry would trickle down and equate to transparency about their funding and motives. But that certainly doesn't seem to be the case...
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Permalink Reply by Katherine Corkill on
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I actually had to reread it and rub my eyes since I opened this at 5 am this morning. I couldn't believe what I was reading...this is an all new low. In fact I had to giggle at your response initially since it took me over an hour to write a well thought out letter back to this poor customer who has since written to me twice more and is really concerned now by this propaganda... She is now grabbing every bottle she owns of products and examining the labels to distraction.
I guess we can actually say "score" one for the other side because it is all I can do to calm this woman's fears. Shame.... shame..... shame on this company for pushing the envelope on "makeup" fairy tales. Key emphasis on make(it)up!
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Permalink Reply by Christine White - Scandle LLC on
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Wow, thanks for sharing this Katherine! Like Lela, I'm stunned and would say more, but am afraid it would have me step out of "God's Kingdom"!
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Permalink Reply by Keith Emmons & Robert Ungemach on -
Katherine,
I took a quick look at Saffron's site. Most of the ingredient listings appear to be incomplete. For example, my understanding is that the EU does not yet have an approve "natural preservation system" and many of the products do not list preservatives other than asorbic acid or grapefruit seed extract (which is really more of an anti-osidant).
Sadly, there is no FDA requirement for listing ingredients on the internet. You can post only the ingredients you choose to list on the web and omit the rest. how many customers actually read the ingredients on the package once they receive it. Talk about misleading.
We market based on the quality of our products and our customer loyalty. This type of comparative/disparaging marketing only takes one so far.
Unfortunately, the internet has turned into the "authority" on so many things.
Regards,
Robert
Shambhala Body Gallery
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Permalink Reply by Katherine Corkill on
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Hi Robert,
Do you have a resource on that interesting example of EU approval for natural preservation system? This could be most helpful for future interest and I would love to do some more research on this.
Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Katherine Corkill on
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Thanks everyone for your replies thus far...I guess the question is, where can we go from here and are there any suggestions on how to negate fears whether in email or on our websites, that may preemptively stop this from happening in the future?
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Permalink Reply by Robin Buerk on -
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I, too, sit here dumbfounded, as well as, feeling quite naive with regard to the depth of this negative campaign of mis/disinformation.
Thanks, Anne Marie for the additional information and citations which I have read and have found informative as well.
I greatly appreciate the sharing of this valuable info as now I will be better informed if my customers have questions regarding this subject.
Robin
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Permalink Reply by Ria Zeinz on -
It's been almost 3 years since I started my mineral makeup company and I remember how 'way back then' I got a lot of mixed feedback about my decision to include educating my clients as a core element in my mission statement.
The general public (including those who gave me the questionable feedback) felt there was really nothing that needed to be 'taught'. Women had been using cosmetics forever and all the ads and magazines tell you exactly what they do anyway!
The truth is that many women did in fact see things this way. What could they possibly have to learn about their skin or makeup? In the end, as long as it works, who cares!?
Ironically, while there was a big part of the population that did want to learn more about cosmetics and ingredients, there really wasn't anywhere for them to turn...until CFSC.
They sprang on the scene and filled what had become a growing void - they offered information that wasn't from the government; wasn't from the cosmetic companies; it was REAL and truthful and they were looking out for us!
Sadly, many of the people who have gotten 'sucked in' by the scare tactics and eroneous 'scientific studies' are the same people I am now seeing as my clients and trying to undo the damage that has been done - erase the brainwashing- is a difficult task.
Companies who continue to use these same fear driven campaigns- like the one example shared here - have no choice but to continue to pander the same bad science over and over because they have no truth to stand on.
Let's just look at the facts presented by this company, and others like them...
they start out by bad mouthing the competition (pointing the finger elsewhere);
follows with claims they are one of the few (or the only ones) who who are willing to do what is right (making themselves look superior);
then finish off by offering you a deal on their products - as long as you sell out your friends email address (pushes the sale & hunts for more victims)
Notice that no where in there do they actually talk about what is GOOD about their company, their ingredients, their products...
My point is that any consumer with a little bit of internet savvy (or who watches the news) knows this is a classic example of a SCAM.
In all the claims they make, they never present any evidence to support them- none. Not one iota of proof.
In fact, over 80% (my guess-timate here) of what they wrote is NEGATIVE REMARKS about what others are doing. They never even mention what ny of their ingredients are! If they are sooo good, why are they not listed somewhere?
I know, I am off track, complaining about the very things we all recognize and are frustrated by....
At the end of the day I guess this serves as a reminder for all of us that remaining positive and promoting our product rather than defaming anothers is a much better approach to business.
At least that's how I see things!
Bramble Berry
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