Come Clean About Beauty - League Table

Greenwashing is rife in the health and beauty industry, despite our previous campaigns which have raised awareness of this problem amongst brands and consumers. Our new investigation has produced a league table of products which are not certified as organic but which are using the term organic on the labels, and consumer research which provides clear evidence that people feel misled by this. We’re calling on brands to Come Clean About Beauty labelling and use the terms organic or natural responsibly or not at all.

Beauty Products - Worst Score Higher (out of 25)

(click a product to find out more)

1. Boots - Beautiful Hair Moisturise & Nourish Shampoo With Added Organic Argan Oil - (19/25)

   What's misleading?

   The organic statement stands out on the front of the bottle but it only refers to one ingredient, the argan oil. Only a tiny amount of organic argan oil is actually included in the product. The product also contains five ingredients from the Terrible Ten and contains one additional ingredient that would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

   Terrible Ten Ingredients:

   • PEG-40
   • PEG-200
   • Polyquaternium-10
   • PEG-7
   • Polyquaternium-7
   • + 1 ingredient not permitted in a certified organic product.

    

2. COOLA - Makeup setting spray Green Tea & Aloe - (14/25)

   What's misleading?

   This product says ORGANIC SUNCARE prominently on the front.

   It also contains three ingredients from the Terrible Ten and four additional ingredients which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

   Terrible Ten Ingredients: 

   • ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)
   • homosalate
   • ethylhexyl salicylate (octisalate)
   • + 4 ingredients not permitted in a certified organic product.
3. Aloe Pura - Organic Aloe Vera After Sun Lotion - (14/25)

   What's misleading?

   The label states ORGANIC in large letters which suggests it applies to the whole product, not just the aloe vera, which is the main ingredient.

   This product includes one ingredient from the Terrible Ten and five additional ingredients which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

   Terrible Ten Ingredients: 

   • Retinyl palmitate
   • + 5 ingredients not permitted in a certified organic product.

    

4. Rituals - Heavenly Hammam Organic Argan Oil And Eucalyptus Revitalising Bath Oil - (14/25)

   What's misleading?  

   The label states Organic Argan & Eucalyptus but these are not major ingredients.

   This product contains two ingredients from the Terrible Ten and six additional ingredients that would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

   Terrible Ten Ingredients:

   • ci 26100 (red 17)
   • ethylhexyl salicylate
   • + 6 ingredients not permitted in a certified organic product.

    

5. COOLA - Pina Colada Sunscreen Spray - (13/25)

   What's misleading?

   This product makes two organic claims on the front of the packaging: ORGANIC SUNCARE in a silver band and 70%+ organic ingredients.

   It contains three ingredients from the Terrible Ten and two additional ingredients which would not be permitted in a certified organic product. 

   Terrible Ten Ingredients: 

   • ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)
   • ethylhexyl salicylate (octisalate)
   • octocrylene
   • + 2 ingredients not permitted in a certified organic product.
6. Korres - Basil Lemon Shower Gel With Organic Althea Extract (11/25)

   What's misleading?

   The label states ‘with organic althea extract’ and ’89.2% natural content’.

   This product contains two of the Terrible Ten ingredients and four additional ingredients that would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

   Terrible Ten Ingredients:

   • Imidazolidinyl urea
   • Polyquaternium-7
   • + 4 ingredients not permitted in a certified organic product.
7. Aloe Pura - Organic Aloe Vera Gel - (11/25)

   What's misleading?

   The label states ORGANIC in large letters which suggests it applies to the whole product, not just the aloe vera, which is the main ingredient.

   This product does not include ingredients from the Terrible Ten but contains four ingredients which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

8. Korres - Fig Shower Gel With Organic - (10/25)

   What's misleading?

   The label states ‘with organic althea extract’ and ‘90.4% natural content’.

   This product contains two of the Terrible Ten ingredients and three additional ingredients that would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

   Terrible Ten Ingredients:

   • imidazolidinyl urea
   • polyquaternium-7
   • + 3 ingredients not permitted in a certified organic product.
9. Dr Organic - Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo - (10/25)

   What's misleading?

   Organic appears prominently twice on the front of the packaging for this product.

   This product does not include ingredients from the Terrible Ten but contains two ingredients which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

   Terrible Ten Ingredients:

   • None, but contains 2 which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.
10. Dr Organic - Organic Dead Sea Mineral Night Cream - (10/25)

    What's misleading?

    Organic appears prominently twice on the front of the packaging but this product contains a large proportion of salt which cannot be certified organic.

    This product does not include ingredients from the Terrible Ten but contains two ingredients which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

11. Faith in Nature - Raspberry & Cranberry Shower Gel & Bath Foam With Organic Fruits - (10/25)

    What's misleading?

    The label states ‘With organic fruits’ but no further information is given about which fruit or how much.

    Also includes a logo which shows ‘Certified Organic Ingredients’.

    The brand name and the term ‘Natural Skincare’ suggest the entire product is natural, but it contains an artificial ingredient which is also one of the Terrible Ten.

    Also contains one additional ingredient which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

    Terrible Ten Ingredients: 

    • Polysorbate 20
    • + 1 ingredient which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.
12. Faith in Nature - Pomegranate & Rooibos Hand Wash With Organic Pomegranate - (9/25)

    What's misleading?

    The label states ‘With Organic Pomegranate’ and includes a logo which shows ‘Certified Organic Ingredients’.

    The brand name and the term ‘Natural Skincare’ could suggest the entire product is natural.

    The product contains one of the Terrible Ten ingredients and one additional ingredient which would not be permitted in a certified organic product.

    Terrible Ten Ingredients:

    • Polysorbate 20
    • +1 ingredient which would not be permitted in a certified organic product