But if you click on the picture they’ll be happy to have you buy the product through their affiliate program.” - Perry Romanowski, Chemists CornerĪn organization that reflects the opinions of the scientific community. A 10 rating is the most dangerous product that can be found in the Skin Deep Database (according to them). “Here is the Aveeno Active Naturals Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with a rating of 10. ![]() When someone, especially when they’re propped up on a pedestal, tells us that natural products are safer (or greener), that your products are killing you, that cosmetic scientists are evil and corrupt, well it would be dangerous not to believe them… My friend Sam Farmer put it perfectly “ they’re using consumer ignorance of cosmetic science - and ignorance isn’t a bad thing here, of course, consumers don’t have a background - to sell products and make money.” The EWG also makes money through their affiliate programs. A general flaw for us humans at thinking critically, we’re emotional decision makers. Fear mongering is an incredibly effective strategy to sell products. Their certifications are not cheap for brands, but they’ve got such a rapport with consumers, even larger companies like Procter & Gamble with Herbalescense, are jumping on the bandwagon. ![]() For example, in the fiscal year of 2015, they raised nearly $13.7 million and spent $12.5 million, with their president Ken Cook earning $289,022 in reportable income. Unbeknownst to consumers, they are heavily funded by the organic lobby. ![]() For their role in cosmetics, they certify companies, are active politically, and have their own Skin Deep Database - a place where you can find a hazard scores for ingredients used in your cosmetic products. They are a nonprofit organization, founded in 1993 be Ken Cook and Richard Wiles, headquartered in Washington DC. You can be assured that I’m not spinning the research and conversation for a company's favor.Īccording to the EWG, they are an American activist group that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of agricultural subsidies, toxic chemicals, drinking water pollutants and corporate accountable. Disclaimer, I am a neutral scientist with no brand affiliation - outcomes of this topic has zero implications on the work I do. Before you exit this page because you’re now feeling like I’m part of the problem, another industry member okay with ‘poisoning’ consumers at large, I would just urge you to read through my points. This blog post will be a case against the EWG. They are not, and we need to be thinking more critically about the information we receive from them. ![]() It really irks me to see them constantly referred to as reliable, even from Universities. Here in North America, one of the bigger drivers for this misinformation, fear and mistrust is the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization that coins themselves as science based, but seems to always be complacent with half truths. Instead, we’re bending to the fear-mongering trends to appease consumers. There’s so much fear and mistrust, I find this is seriously stunting our ability as an industry to do better. Misinformation - one of the biggest challenges I see in the cosmetic space today.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |