Sandra Says: I read about Aveda products being derived from plants. Wanting to move away from toxic products, I excitedly bought shampoo and conditioner. The first ingredients sound great…then the list grows with increasingly complex multi-syllable chemical words that I find hard to believe are just plants! Technically I suppose everything on earth comes from ‘nature’ but I was expecting plant extracts ONLY not plant extracts and the same old chemicals. Whats up here? Is it marketing hype?
The Left Brain laments: 
Sandra, I think you guessed it…Aveda is mostly marketing hype. Consider Aveda’s Color Conserve Shampoo
Shampoo Ingredients
Their ingredient list (as taken from Drugstore.com)
Aqueous Purified Water Extracts: Camellia Sinensis Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract (Bitter Orange), Astragalus Root (Membranaceus) Extract (Milk Vetch), Schizandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Pinus Tabulaeformis Bark Extract (Pine), Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract (Grape), Sedum Rosea Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium 80, PEG 7 Dimethicone C8-C18 Ester, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Amyl Salicylate, Amyl Cinnamate, Lycopene, Lecithin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Sucrose Palmitate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycol Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Polyglyceryl 10 Oleate, Polyquaternium 7, Fragrance, Cistus Ladaniferus Oil, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone
They actually aren’t following the naming conventions of the INCI Dictionary because the term “Purified Water Extracts” is not an official name. If you strip away from this list all the stuff that is just marketing fluff, you’re left with the following ingredients that actually make the product work.
Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium 80, PEG 7 Dimethicone C8-C18 Ester, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycol Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Polyglyceryl 10 Oleate, Polyquaternium 7, Fragrance, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone
You have the same kind of formulas you find in conventional shampoos.
That includes water, detergents (ALS, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, lauramidopropyl betaine), conditioning ingredients (all the ones after betaine up to fragrance), fragrance, adjustment ingredients (to make manufacturing easier), and preservatives (parabens, isothiazolinones).
And you’ll find many of these ingredients in store brands like Pantene, Suave, Dove, Fructis, Tresemme, etc. There is nothing particularly natural about Aveda shampoos anyway. They do have a requirement that all the ingredients can be traced back to some plant but ultimately, this is a ruse.
The Beauty Brains bottom line:
Aveda produces good, high quality products, but they are no more natural or good for you than anything else you can buy. They have some environmental stances that are laudable which may help make you feel better about buying them. But these marketing shenanigans sure make me lose faith in them.
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THANK YOU! LADY, WHO COLORED MY HAIR SAID AVEDA IS ALL NATURAL. I BELIEVED SO I BOUGHT SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER. THAN I BROUGHT IT BACK. WE ARE FOR ALL NATURAL.!!!!!!
I thought I would add for you my own review of the Suave Professionals’ Rosemary Mint.
The shampoo is listed as being for ‘normal’ hair, which is what Aveda RM is recommended for use on. The Suave shampoo’s scent is not as ‘natural’ or ‘strong’ smelling as Aveda. It kind of smells like hand soap. The shampoo lathers very well compared to Aveda and the rinsed feeling is squeaky clean.
The conditioner scent is more true to the Aveda scent. It takes less Suave conditioner to get a nice smooth feeling than the Aveda RM conditioner. The hair has a weird after feeling, but this is consistent with the after feeling of Aveda RM conditioner. The Suave conditioner is runny, but this is consistent with all Suave conditioners.
The pumps on the “salon bottles” pump out less product than the Aveda bottles to. It takes several more pumps of Suave conditioner to saturate my hair than Aveda, but overall it takes less Suave than Aveda to saturate.
After drying, the scent of the conditioner is covered by other products. You wouldn’t know I used Rosemary Mint after my hair is styled. It adds a pleasing amount of volume and a nice clean feeling.
Over all I am please with Suave’s Rosemary Mint shampoo and conditioner, with the exception of the scent of the shampoo, which could be much better and more true to the original Rosemary Mint.
the most comments here are really crap. There is plenty of choice in the pure organic cosmetics – and I mean pure. Try naturkosmetik in google, and you gonna find from Logona to Alverde (cheap) till Neal’s Remedies, Aquabio etc. Look at the INCI’s – tha is natural cosmetics, not such crap. On what planet are you living? Aveda is NOT a biological cosmetics company – if I am allowed to use European standards
CALL AVEDA! They can tell you where each and every one of those “chemical” words are sourced BEFORE you write an article based on assumptions. The products are naturally derived and certified organic. Have you ever looked up the difference between organic and “certified organic?” Did you know the cosmetic industry can claim a product is “all natural” when in actuality it only HAS to be 5% natural? The less expensive products are all water/ wax based, and you pay for what you get. Dont knock it ’till you try it…… Beauty is as Beauty does.
@Sasha – There is no such thing as “certified organic” Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.
@beautybrains: i genuinely urge you to thoroughly research before posting incorrect information. Unfortunately, there are individuals who will be blinded to the truths of a great company – all because you are prepared to attack.
It is true that Aveda is now an Estee Lauder brand. However, if you had done the correct research, you would have learned that Horst set requirements and guidelines to Lauder when he decided to move forward with his journey. Nothing about the manner in which Aveda did business was to change, unless it was for the better.
The “change” that has happened over the past eight or so years is that of advancement in the green science movement. Without Lauder, there would not be the funds to perform the intense green research that Aveda has accomplished in recent years. Furthermore, this “change” has prompted Lauder to change for the better.
Research. It’s a beautiful thing!
Do consider calling 1-800-AVEDA-24 to learn more. Learn more about the integrity of the culture (rooted in Ayurveda), integrity of the products (ingredients & packaging), integrity of the people (indigenous peoples to scientists & chemists).
It is a disgrace to learn that websites like yours are so entirely feebleminded. I sincerely pity you and your advocates.
@Jessica – Thank you so much for your comments. What specifically did we say that you disagree with?
You realize that if your research only involves reading the material that the company sends you, it’s not exactly unbiased, right? What independent evidence do you have that demonstrates Aveda is more “natural” than anyone else?
These green employees turn soo agressive and condescendent in the presence of evidence, such attitudes dont bring any benefit to their companies, i dont understand how this person talks about integrity.
Ill keep cheering the Brains for their scientific base that no one can beat!!
Frankly, at least for me, it comes down to one thing. Does it work? I wouldn’t use the purest product in the world if it made my hair look horrible. I started using Aveda products in 1991. I worked in two concept salons. All of the sales reps are completely brainwashed. They always were, but I used to be as big of a fan as they apparently still are. I thought I would use Aveda till my deathbed. I don’t know whether to blame Horst or Estee Lauder, but I don’t feel the products are as good as they used to be. I have been looking for something else ever since they discontinued my beloved Curessence conditioner.
The efficacy of some products has quite possibly decreased over time as a result of the limitations that continue to be made on companies such as Aveda. It is truly difficult to make the product that everyone claims to want; widely available, more natural, and with all of the qaulities of a product that isn’t restrained by the same regulations. Additionally, because Aveda is such a large company it doesn’t escape this sort of criticism, whereas smaller companies are able to fly under the radar a little more. Many of those smaller companies can and do make claims that, although possibily unsubstantiated, are less likely to be investigated.
When push comes to shove, every company is trying to make a product that the masses will want to purchase, without causing harm to anyone in the process. There are always new discoveries being made that continue to change the face of large scale research and development groups. With new information, comes new challenges to their work. Their employees are hard at work everyday trying to edit and revamp their products into something that you and I will percieve as beneficial and will therefore want to buy. And contrary to what I seem to be reading here, none of them are out to overtly lie you or give you cancer. We are talking about a company (not a cult) made up of individuals who believe in what they’re doing and care equally about the products impact on the world and the sales bottom line. Lighten up and listen to each other a little bit. This back and forth, low-blow banter is childish and not at all enlightening.
Does anyone know what is going on with Aveda currently? I don’t use
the products myself but my friend is a fan and says that most of the
makeup has been discontinued and many of the skincare products too.
She said they told her that they are being reformulated but the
products have not been available for several months. She said that
they have discontinued all of the SPF products and they told her
to go somewhere else to buy her sunblock!
If not Aveda then what salon/products are effective to cover grey hair, add highlights that are actually safe, chemical free and suitable for extremely sensitive scalps?
just wanted to leave a note about the hairsprays. the hairsprays are actually aerosol. However. the push out a 35% v.o.c. which is the lowest on the market. the wind turbines that aveda funds guarantees that there is a net 0 impact on the earths climate, from production to spraying the can day to day. i.e. the wind turbines they fund, clean the amount of air that their hairsprays dirty. in terms of hairspray, i would say that is pretty involved. aveda never has claimed to be more natural, or 100 percent organic, nor do they want you to believe this. this is simply bad verbiage from stylist to consumer. aveda is up to 98 percent naturally derived. and yes every ingredient can be traced to a source from the earth. aveda is also now, polymer free, metro-petroleum free, and parabin free. a leader in the industry. when it comes to aveda, you have to look beyond at just whats in the bottle. you have to look at their sourcing and who they are supporting globally. being green isnt just about what you use, but also where it comes from. can you say you know where redken sources its essential oils for it aromas? probs not. but with aveda, we know where each and every source is, whether it is organic or not, bio dynamic or not. research the uruku line, also all of the packaging is between 50 – 90 percent post consumer recycled materials. aveda is not all natural. however they are extremely globally friendly and reputable. do your research. dont bash aveda for claims that it has never made as a company. bash suave, and paul mitchell, who are trying to jump on the aveda wagon and say their products are “just as natura;” or “just as effective naturally”. while that may be true. their sourcing just isnt what aveda’s is. and you arent supporting the same mission.
also, i keep seeing this, “show me the information outside of what aveda says that proves they are more natural” “how can you be unbiased if this is what they tell you” this seems to be the response across the board from you “beauty brains”.well i ask you this then…….show me the black and white information, that says aveda claims it is “more natural” than other products. this is what i want to see! i want black and white, solid clear as crystal, claims by aveda that they are “more natural” or “all natural” than the leading brand. because you wont find them! aveda prides itself not on just the quality of ingredient, but its mission and beliefs. every company has a mission, and avedas is quite lovely. check the sourcing, check the raw herbal ingredients list. check the clinical tests. these are proven, scientifically, aveda or not, if you test these products out in a lab, you are going to get totally different, results, answers, effects, and information.
You ladies are hiLArious. I’d hate to see you all in a salon together where there’s scissors and hairspray and such…
REBECCA,
AN AVEDA STYLIST OF 9 YEARS…. DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE HUH… WELL AS MUCH AS AI WOULD LOVE TO SPEW TRUTH… TO BE HONEST MOST OF YOU HAVE ALREADY TOUCHED UPON WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID ONLY AVEDA IS DEF NOT CHANGED BC OF OWNERSHIP ONLY GOTTEN BETTER AND MOST PEOPLE THAT DO NOT ENTRUST EITHER CANT AFFORD WITHOUT A RUDE CONITATION AT ALLL, OR ARE NOT ON THE EARTH” MOVEMENT SOME HAIRDRESSERS ARE MOM AND POP STYLISTS THAT ARE USED TO KEEPIN THINGS THE SAME WHETHER ITS BAD FOR THEM OR NOT , THEY RE AFRAID OF CHANGE,NOT NEC. PASSIONATE FOR EDUCATION OF A PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE THERFORE THEY EASILY JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON OF NEGATIVITY LOL I FIND IT HILARIOUS AND OBVIOUS WHO MAKE S THE TOP DOLLAR IN THIS INDUSTRY, NOT AS THOUGH THERE ARE NOT GREAT PRODUCTS OUT THERE ASIDE FROM , GOD KNOWS I LOVE WELLA AND GOLDWELL FOR THEIR WARMTH OF BROWNS AND REDS , BUT I MEAN LETS BE REAL … YOU ALL KNOW OUR PRODUCS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING REFORMULATED TO FAR SURPass YOURS LOL I MEAN REALLY GET WITH IT. ASIDE MOST STYLIST DONT LIKE AVEDA COLOR BECAUSE THEY ARE USED TO THE COMPANYS “PREMIXED” FORMULATION LOL I MEAN U ACTUALLY HAVE THE CONTROL OF HOW MUCH” OR HOW LITTLE TO MIX AND THAT PROCESS DOESNT USUALLY COME EASY TO HIGH SCHOOL DROP OUT “HAIR DRESSERS” MORE SO THE EDUCATED KNOWLEDGABLE CONSTANTLY FURTHERING OF THEIR LIFE INDIVIDUALS THAT ACTAULLY LOOK AT THIS PROFESSION AS A “PROFESSION AND NOT JUST A “JOB” WHOM MIGHT ACTAULLY HAVE A DEGREE AS WELL THAT PROVES YOUR THEORY INCONCLUSIVE…NOT JUST TO BUY THEIR BUTTS AND SODA POP LOL ANYHOW… BE WELL DRAMA QUEENS THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING> TATA meryy xmas *REBECCA
I bumped upto this blog searching for the best product for the skin. I would like to know what is best for the Ezema skin. I have really bad eczema on my face around my lips, some parts of cheek and hands. Any clue what is the best product to use out there. Because nothing seems to work. I had a really bad breakout and I had to go to the ER. I will really appriciate help on this.
Aveda has the most amazing hair and skin products. I have used them on myself and guests that have been in my chair. I have also compared other products to Aveda… and trust me, being a student, and not having very much money to spend on product was LOOKING for ways to say what the article was saying…but I failed. Aveda is not only 100 percent organic, but it is also enviornmental friendly. Plus, its the only beauty company that is pwoered by 100 percent wind power. Aveda’s mission says it all: ” Our mission at Aveda is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for enviornmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world.”- Horst Rechelbacher
So I’m an Aveda Institute grad, work in an Experience Center, and am working in a concept salon, so yes, I’m biased. but to have a truly natural product, you would have to use whole, natural ingredients sourced from your own garden or produce market. All the sulfates in any shampoos a natural sulfates, the surfactants are from fair trade farms in Brazil and are derived from a nut. Ever notice how labels are all in scientific names? So there are scientific names for natural ingredients as well.
Also, it’s true, the aerosol sprays are carbon neutral, meaning for what little nastiness they do have is offset by the way the products are manufactured, etc.
Aveda was purchased by Estee Lauder in 1998; after all the training and product knowledge I have gone through, I’ve noticed that Aveda has done A LOT more environmentally and globally than Horst could do on his own. the stipulation of the buy out was that Estee Lauder couldn’t take anything away from Aveda’s mission, and be a big nasty lying corporate company. Whenever a major corporate company does something right, fair and good for everyone, there always have to be naysayers to get people to “save money” and use petrochemicals and unnatural ingredients and detergents on their hair. Yes, Aveda does have “detergent” that is drives from the babassu tree. So do some research. Theyre doing pretty good for a giant corporation, IMO. Kudos to the other, informed commenters here on this blog.
Also, another note, a friend had me smell her hair the other day to smell how good her hair smelled from the products she uses, and I almost gagged. I’m just not used to synthetic/ artificial smells anymore. I can tell a huge difference when shampooing a clients hair that regularly uses Aveda vs a non Aveda product. It lathers differently, smells different, and leaves the hair feeling completely different post blow dry. Jus sayin.
@hennalakeland
I stumbled across your comment after wanting to find out more about the AVEDA products that I like to use.
For your eczema, might I strongly suggest that you see your doctor for a prescription cream. As for over the counter remedies, my sister (who has suffered from eczema since she was born, but is much better now), a product known as E45 is very good for when your skin becomes dry and itchy. Our family also found that my sister’s eczema also became so much better after she’d spend some time in the sun.
Perhaps those are things you could talk about with your doctor when you next see him/her.
Rhys
I have been with Aveda for 4 years. I worked with another ‘brand’ as an educator. So education is my background not to say that I know it all but I try to be well versed and offer the best advice I can to my guest. I take pride in my work and i love Aveda. I have worked with many other product line and as my clients have followed me, they rant and rave about the product and how there hair has never felt so good! Our hairspray contains Alcohol that is derived from barley. It is a perpellent (i’m unsure of that spelling:)) and as soon and it hits the air it disappates. there are low vocs so Aveda funds wind energy to have a net 0 impact on the enviroment. Aveda doesn’t claim to be all natural, silly stylist do!! our products are 97% plant derived. i have looked into alot of the long lettered names and most of them are plant derived! I love my industry and I don’t fall for hype. I have seen all the wonderful thing this company has done for our enviorment, indiginous cultures, and local causes as well. you are not likely to find another company who has there hand in so may things! our color is 97 to 99% plant derived and i have seen the results and if there were something better or more natural that worked, i would move on. My loyality is to myself and my clients. and I do truely believe in our products! P.s our natural ingredents are tracible.
Great question. Here is the answer. Aveda is actually owned by L’Oreal. Yep, one of the most toxic beauty brands in the market is trying to ‘green-wash’ themselves. Did you notice on Aveda’s own website they do not list the ingredients of any of their products? I had to actually call them to get full disclosure, only to find out how horrible the ingredient list is. What are you hiding Aveda? The FACT that you use toxins in your products?