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Hall of Shame
  • tsunamino
    Nominees?

    For me:
    Smashbox Halo powder
    -uses encapsulated water to give a "hydrated" appearance
    -misleading product information leads consumers to believe that their skin is being moisturized by the water
    -claims to deliver antioxidants and prevent aging, but gives no timeline

    Givenchy Le Soin Noir
    -the black moisturizer with "Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate" to help "restore communication between cells" and "prolong cellular longevity"
    -is also $360 for 1.7 oz

    Lavanila Healthy Candle
    -claims that paraffin candles are as dangerous as second-hand smoke and that this is the "healthy" candle
    -says paraffin releases "at least 20 dangerous chemicals that release choking toxins and black soot"
    -claims paraffin candles are the leading cause of indoor pollution because burning paraffin releases toxins and cites EPA and American Lung Association studies, yet does not cite how MUCH needs to be burned in order to release a substantial amount
    -all-natural this and that

    And of course...Detox foot pads!
  • music
    Jurlique's sunscreen:
    - claimed to be "all natural", organic, etc.. bah!
    - overhyped, overpriced: there are more affordable sunscreens that are more "natural"
    - caused huge reaction on my skin: so I'm bias here. :)
  • Janis
    Anybody who sells anything "all-natural" that isn't, and anyone who sells anything that's not tested on animals when it damned well has been.

    And that's pretty much everyone.

    Then there's the Paranoiac's Wing of the Hall for anyone who tries to convince you that your normal personal care products are killing you, poisoning you, destroying the planet, and who repeat nonsense like, "Anything you put on your skin is absorbed as if you'd eaten it! Would you eat your shower gel?!?!?!?!?!"

    It's not that businesses haven't been stupid and craven in the past or played games with people's health; they have been and still are if they're not watched like hawks. But ALL of them are -- the belief that the crunchy, herbal hippie companies can be trusted any more than the Evil Megacorps like P&G is a whole separate entry into the Hall of Shame.
  • tsunamino
    Janis, you mean you DON'T lick your mascara every time you put it on?
  • PurpleRulesPurpleRules
    I wonder if those people sit in a tub of water when they're thirsty. It makes about as much sense.
  • PurpleRulesPurpleRules
    I nominate the Aveeno Nourish hair care line. Actually, Tsinamino gets credit for finding this, but anyway:
    "AVEENO’s exclusive Nourishing Wheat Complex has a positive electrical charge, which attracts to the negatively charged damaged parts of the hair follicle. When the complex is attracted to the damaged areas, it delivers the right amount of proteins needed to help moisturize and repair dry and damaged hair. All in a bottle."
     
  • Janis
    It repairs dry and damaged hair in a bottle? How about dry and damaged hair on your head?

    And suppose you're south of the equator, where positive and negative change? What then, I ask?

    *innocent face*
  • tsunamino
    LOL Janis, you're on a roll.

    Purple, I completely forgot about Aveeno's line!
  • Janis
    Hey, I'm still laughing my ass off over Purple's natura-derma-luxe ...
  • JamiSingsJamiSings
    ProActive.
    They make it sound like they work on all acne. They don't. Mine is stubborn and has to be treated with round after round of antibiotics. ProActive only made my acne worse and bleached my clothing.
    I told mom I didn't believe anything hyped by rich tone deaf blonds works. They can afford $1,000 facials every single day to deal with their acne.
  • JeffB31JeffB31
    "hair follicle"???? Looks like the copywriter doesn't know histology. A hair follicle is otherwise know as a "pore". They could have meant the hair bulb or shaft. Thank god they are selling to the public and not hairdressers.
  • JeffB31JeffB31
    "They can afford $1,000 facials every single day to deal with their acne."

    (I've gtot to remember to send them my business card)
  • mo
    Paula's Choice Products.

    I still read all her reviews and swear by them and even buy what she recommends, most of the time.
    However, her cleansers are either over drying or pore clogging. Moisturizers are iritating to the skin I guess due to too many fragrant plant oils.

    What a paradox huh?
  • PurpleRulesPurpleRules
    I can't believe I didn't notice this before. My St Ives body wash proudly proclaims NOW WITH MORE MOISTURE. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "but moisture is just water." Yes, yes indeed, they added more water. Not just ordinary water, mind you, they added "swiss glacier water" which I'm sure is far superior to the water coming out of the shower head  and thank God for that because really high quality moisture is so hard to come by in the shower.
  • Left BrainLeft Brain
    I've always thought it funny that people respond so positively to "added moisture".
    Although, technically adding more water to the formula isn't how "added moisture" is done.  The formulator will add a moisturizing ingredient like a humectant or moisture binding polymer.
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