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Talk about Soap and Cosmetics Ingredients - by Caroline Sposto There are many words on today’s soap and cosmetic labels. Some are meaningful, some are "puffery," and some are debatable. At Paisley & Company, we make every effort to keep our prices down and one of the easiest, and most legitimate ways to do this is to simply avoid charging for hype. Although our customers give our products sincere and enthusiastic rave reviews on a daily basis, we don’t believe in making exaggerated claims about the intensity or longevity of our product benefits. This down-to-earth approach has served us well. Joanne Lapic and I (the co-founders of Paisley & Company) started our line with a strong belief that soap and cosmetic companies owe it to their customers to be responsible when it comes to making product claims. Because we are both mothers of pre-teen daughters, who are on the cusp of being bombarded by appearance-related media messages, this issue hits close to home. Although the FDA does a wonderful job protecting the health of today’s consumer, it is important to understand that this administration does not exercise strict control over advertising and marketing copy when it comes to cosmetic products. According to John E. Bailey, Ph.D., director of FDA's division of color and cosmetics. "Image is what the cosmetic industry sells through its products, and it's up to the consumer to believe it or not." This relative leniency makes for glamorous ads and enticing labels, but it does little to protect the consumer from buying empty promises. Since the cosmetic industry is selling to an increasingly younger market, (not to mention that credit cards are being used by a younger-than-ever demographic) we believe that consumer awareness in this area is very important — so important that we actively promote it. In 1973, stating the ingredients in cosmetics on the labels first became law, this change gave many consumers the impression that all label copy is regulated, but this isn’t really the case. There are a lot of words and phrases being printed on cosmetic packaging that sound scientific or verifiable, when in fact, they are used with no required accountability. In order to make this easier, here are some of today’s most common cosmetic industry buzzwords (words that you will not see on Paisley & Company labels or ads) along with what they actually mean. We hope it helps: Allergy Tested — There is no government or official definition of this phrase. Manufacturers are not required by law to perform any specific tests or provide any data to substantiate this claim. This label may therefore have different meanings on different products. In reality all products can cause allergic reactions in certain people. Botanical — This literally means that the product is derived from a plant source. The connotations of this word are wholesomeness, but the reality is that unless the product is derived from an animal or mineral source, it is somehow the product of a plant. Table sugar, chocolate and coffee are all "Botanicals." If this is the only reason you are paying more for a product, you may want to reconsider. Cruelty Free — These words imply that the finished soaps and cosmetics have not been tested on animals. However, there is no legal definition of this term, and no required verification of its use, and therefore, it means whatever the advertiser wants it to mean. Paisley & Company does not and will not test its products on animals, but we don’t add the phrase "Cruelty Free" to our labels or our ads. This is because we are sticklers for accuracy. Stating a product is "Cruelty Free," we believe, implies to the consumer that no ingredient used in the manufacturing process was ever tested on animals in any stage of the game. It is nearly impossible to verify this. Some companies go so far as to use this phrase simply to mean that they do no testing in-house, meanwhile they outsource to independent animal testing labs on a regular basis. Dermatologist Tested — Unless the ad or label tells you which dermatologist did the testing, what they were testing for, and what they discovered, (which they usually don’t) this phrase is vague and means very little. Environmentally Friendly or Environmentally Safe — These terms in general imply that the product or the packaging is in some way beneficial or harmless to the environment. However, there are no legal or regulated standards for using these two phrases on labels or in ads. Hypoallergenic - While some products are less likely to cause allergic reactions than others, the lack of firm standards, and the highly personal nature of allergies means that every company can make its own determination of what those words mean. The FDA does not require cosmetic companies to substantiate this claim in any way. Natural — This word has no legal definition when used in cosmetic and soap advertising or labeling. Presumably it means that the product does not contain synthetic chemicals, but there is no regulation over the use of this word. Also, there is no science behind the concept that all natural ingredients are good for the skin. (Poison Ivy is "all natural.") Tested in our Laboratories — If the laboratory is funded by the cosmetic manufacturer, it is not exactly independent or unbiased. Often these words are used simply to justify very high prices. We are not questioning the value of scientifically testing cosmetic products, we are only stating that there is no objective standards that a company must meet in order to make this particular claim. In addition to these price-boosting phrases, we want to remind you to view all grandiose claims with a healthy skepticism. Likewise, if a company tries to get your business by implying that you need improvement, think again. If you have a daughter who is developing an interest in beauty products, have fun reading and debunking the ads and labels with her. Help her to develop an effective health and beauty program that is enjoyable without demanding an excessive amount of her time or money. Last, but not least, remember that bath, spa and beauty products should help you to carve out a luxurious little oasis in your life. Enjoy fragrances, textures and the feelings that go with routinely giving yourself the care you deserve. INDULGE! In our Kutztown store, we offer parties and workshops for groups of all ages. (We have successfully hosted Brownie Scouts, Red Hats and everyone in between.) One of our most popular workshops was designed, by request, for Cadette Girl Scouts, to help them to earn the "Fitness to Fashion" badge. This program teaches the scouts about intelligent consumerism in the cosmetic aisle, as well as healthy skin care. If you are interested in booking a Paisley workshop, call our store (484) 646-9515, and ask to speak with Joanne.
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