Almost 400 products sold in the U.S. contain chemicals prohibited from use in cosmetics in other countries! For more information and to see which brands contain ingredients banned in other countries (including Maybelline, Sally Hansen, Avon and more):

"Bleach Bees!" Oh my!

I didn't know Burt's Bees was owned by Clorox! Which brings up another issue. If a particular ingredient isn't listed as organic, couldn't it be genetically modified, especially if it's derived from corn or soy? A couple months ago I sent them a message asking whether they use any GM ingredients and never received a response.... The GM stuff kinda weird me out, whether it's going on or in me.

Tom's of Maine is now owned by Colgate.  It does seem to be a disturbing trend.

I appreciate your bringing up the idea that just because a big company buys it, doesn't mean it's crap. Clorox bought Burt's Bees because it's very successful as is, and they want to jump on the green bandwagon. Let's hope they actually do! Supposedly, the new head of BB intends to keep all products "edible" thereby passing the "if you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin" test. They have simply tweaked the packaging and made it MUCH more widely available. If you ahve reservations, then check the Skindeep database. I still feel good using their products.

Also, look into Keys products. Their sunscreens and moisturizers get excellent marks from Skindeep!

Thanks Pepper - after finding out that Burt's bees is now owned by Clorox I will need to find another supplier.

I was using Burt's Bees lotion for my hands and it worked quite well.  *sigh*

Anyway, as for shampoo, I've been using Giovani.  It uses soapwort and yucca root as sufficants.  I just hope it's not owned by a mega chemical company as well.

Please tell me that it isn't.

I also have problems with products with soy. I am going to look into that product

Burt's Bees was just purchased by Clorox.

I'm in the UK and here, too, the market is dominated by the poison-pushers. They're the ones that can afford the marketing, etc.  

Around 25 years ago, living in continental Europe, I found a small range of products which were unusual and excellent.  Sadly, they were bought up by L'Oreal, altered and then, apparently, removed from the market altogether.

I have looked into MiEssence fairly thoroughly and it does seem like a good and safe range, with the possible exception of their use of sunflower oil (there are links on this site to articles that say this is one of the 'paint stock' oils that we should not eat or allow to touch our skin) - I would prefer coconut oil.  

But my objection to regularly buying or indeed distributing this range here in the UK is the same as the problem with using/selling stuff made in the USA: the cost, both to the pocket and to the planet, of transporting it halfway around the world.  

If I win the lottery, I'll be developing my own safe, animal-friendly, environment-friendly range - and I will take every effort to avoid its getting swallowed up by a pharma/cosmetic giant. Heck, I might just start developing it anyway in a tiny way.  

In general, I also agree with the comments about strong perfumes - terrible. Years before I was interested in organic stuff, I searched out unperfumed washing powder.  I now use Ecover laundry detergent, only very mildly perfumed, and find the way most people's clothes, deoderants and other products smell to be highly unpleasant and overpowering.  

And don't even get me started about air fresheners!