Update/correction to Tela Beauty Organic review

I was wrong about this product line. A few days ago I wrote the review and basing the statement "100% organic" from the company website, I gave the implication that that statement was true, right? They have "organic" in the name and they so seductively state, "This blend consists of 35 organic USDA certified ingredients selected to penetrate and enhance every hair type." Makes you think they're certified? Nah, just two products in the line are certified. This blog entry may enlighten.

Organic marketing at its finest simply by the way they've chosen to list ingredients. They list "active ingredients", "ingredients" then the "organic enhancing blend and base." For two months I've thought it was organic, because of the long list of what are essentially herbs. Here's the ingredients in order of amount as listed on the box: white, green and oolong tea, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, polysorbate 20, phenoxyethanol,  caprylyl glycol, prop. herbal blend, organic aloe juice and organic lavender EO.

I'm no scientist, so I'll list some of the ingredients found on the box for "Guardian." Sadly, I threw away the boxes for the shampoo and conditioner, cause my curiosity is now peaked.

• Benzophenone -3 -- used as a sunscreen, and has been shown to be readily absorbed into the body. Some studies have shown this chemical promotes harmful effects on adults and warrants extensive studies
• Ku Shen -- an herb that, while natural, poses toxicity if used in large amounts. Large amounts is certainly subjective, but those with heart and liver issues are most at risk. BTW, this is the first ingredient in the "organic enhancing blend."
• Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D₅), part of the "organic base blend", is an odorless, colorless non-oily siloxane fluid used as an ingredient in personal care products and dry cleaning. While the sites states it safety, my question is about the organic nature of this ingredient. Anybody?
• Chlorphenesin -- Know where I found information about this one? WebMD. It's a drug. Not necessarily a good one based on this FDA warning in a press release a few months ago. While the press release is about a Nipple Cream containing this ingredient, I'm still confused why my hair care would need muscle relaxant. The release states, "Chlorphenesin relaxes skeletal muscle and can depress the   central nervous system and cause respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing)   in infants." Its inclusion in this product is minimal, but why is it there at all in a "100% organic line"

So, if any of you OBE readers are scientists or work for the USDA department, or even better, if the owner or PR people from the line could provide a little clarity, I'd be interested in learning more about why these ingredients are in a stated "100% organic line." While some ingredients may have low toxicity, the use of chemicals is not what consumers are expecting when buying an organic line. So, for me, this is again an example of "organic gone wild" with a fairly large price tag.

So if I'm coming across a bit snotty, believe me, I'm not. I get very angry when it seems as if manufacturers have very good copywriters and skate a very thin line when selling a product. In this case, I really would like to know the full story.

Comments

[Andrea]

BeautyScientist,

I absolutely LOVE your analogy! And I mostly agree with what you say regarding chemicals; I view some as necessary, especially preservatives. Others... well, it depends on just how much (where it is on the ingredient listing).

That being said, however, this line is simply ridiculous in their approach. Seems to smell heavy marketing, less honesty.

Thanks for the comment and please come back again!

AK

[beautyscientist]

An interesting review there. The ingredients you mention don't sound very natural. I am a chemist. I don't really buy into all this organic is good and chemicals are bad idea. I regard chemicals a bit like I regard people. A lot of them are my friends, some are a bit dodgy and one or two are downright nasty. But they all have a personality and it pains me to see perfectly good molecules traduced just for not being natural.

Having said all that, I was very surprised to see polysorbate 20 on this supposedly natural product's ingredient list. This is an ethoxylated sorbitan ester. Its a powerful solubiliser but I would say very disruptive to the skin's barrier function. I hope they aren't using too much of it. My take on this one's character is it is a bit like a heavy guy you might want with you if you were drinking in a rough pub, but not someone you like to be seen out with. It isn't particularly harmful but I would not use it on my own skin.