Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies are hard to ignore online. Women have found a way to have an independent business without having to leave the comfort of their home and we are happy for them. However, which companies are selling products with questionable ingredients? When the cosmetic industry virtually runs itself, it’s paramount for consumers to know which brands have the safest ingredients and which ones contain ingredients that can cause harm to the health of your family. Never fear, Mamavation is here! You’ve trusted us to bring you topics like 10 homemade natural DIY deodorant recipes, 10 reasons to avoid school lunches like the plague, & which 30 retailers are protecting your family from toxic chemicals, now join us as we investigate the disclosed ingredients of MLMs online.
The most important part to understand is this was a complicated feat. This is not easy for your average person to navigate at all. That’s why we decided to go down the rabbit hole and investigate as many MLMs as we could find and uncover the real truth behind the business. We did the work to verify mountains of information, using our expertise to categorize each brand based on a number of important factors including ingredient and label examination, ease of access to get that ingredients information and overall company quality. Above all, we valued transparency and the ability to verify claims. For instance, “made using organic farming methods” isn’t the same as USDA organic and is unverifiable, so brands asking us to “trust us!” were demoted. It’s important to understand that. We have no way of verifying the information. But brands that disclose 100% of their ingredients, have 3rd party certifications and avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals fared very well.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Ingredients to Avoid
While examining each MLM, we scoured their products to determine if they contained any of our top 10 worst offenders. The Best category only lists companies that don’t use any of these ingredients. The Better list has MLMs that may use small amounts of less serious offenders like natural flavors, PEG ingredients, and certain surfactants. And lastly, the Bad category contains brands that don’t disclose their ingredients or use many of the most toxic ones including synthetic fragrance, parabens, quats, and artificial sugar substitutes.
- fragrance is an umbrella term that legally encompasses over 3,000 different ingredients. The scent of a product is considered proprietary, so the manufacturer isn’t required to disclose the specific combination of ingredients on the label. That means they could potentially be using dozens (or more) undisclosed ingredients in one single product. Fragrance chemicals can be extremely toxic to the body in multiple ways, so avoiding this ingredient is the top priority when choosing a product.
- phthalates are endocrone disrupting chemicals (EDCs) frequently present in fragrance chemicals with exposure causing serious ailments including asthma, harm to the reproductive system, and impaired brain development and immune system functioning. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that phthalates are not safe for children.
- parabens mimic hormones in the body and disrupt functions of the endocrine system causing low birth weight, pre-term birth, early puberty, decreased sperm levels and neurodevelopment disorders. The CDC has also confirmed that parabens were present in the urine of 96% of people tested which raises concerns of bioaccumulation.
- toxic preservatives are linked to obesity, organ system toxicity, cancer, endocrine disruption causing developmental and reproductive toxicity.
- natural and artificial flavors are umbrella terms that can hide any number of ingredients. Manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the specific makeup of these additives which is problematic for purposes of analysis, especially for those with food allergies.
- artificial sugar substitutes can contain methylene chloride which can cause headaches, mental confusion, nausea and depression, and can negatively affect the liver and kidneys after long-term exposure. Artificial sweeteners have also been investigated as a possible cause of brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, fibromyalgia and diabetes.
- retinyl palmitate may increase skin cancer risk in combination with sunlight due to its photocarcinogenic effects. The California’s Prop 65 identifies retinol/retinyl esters as developmental toxicants at a higher average exposure.
- petroleum-based ingredients are often contaminated with carcinogenic compounds including 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide which can also cause reproductive system toxicity, headache and nausea.
- formaldehyde-releasing quaternary ammonium compounds are known human skin toxicants and allergens that can cause asthma and cutaneous cell death, and they’re toxic to aquatic life. Some quats are also phenolic and are confirmed endocrine disruptors.
- proprietary undisclosed ingredients are obviously problematic because they can’t be analyzed for safety.
MLMs Ranked From Bad to Best
Here we rank all 60 MLMs from bad to best based on their ingredients lists or lack thereof, the availability of product specifics, safety of ingredient choices, label accuracy, and overall company transparency. We came up with a lot of MLMs in the red. Some of those brands ended up in the red based on lack of ingredient disclosure. If these brands change their ingredient disclosure practices, we can reconsider them for another category. The better category was full of plenty of good brands that just didn’t make it to best. And the best category is the brands that we are very excited about. You’ll also note that these brands have shuffled around a bit since the last time we took on this subject. More is available online for us to make educated decisions about where they should go. And we also found some great options that you can feel good about using and recommending to your friends and family.
BAD–The Red Zone
These MLMs have failed to make their ingredients lists available and/or use multiple toxic ingredients like synthetic fragrance, toxic preservatives, endocrine disrupting chemicals and those contaminated with persistent pesticides and carcinogens. Non-organic ingredients are the overarching norm, and most of these brands have not taken the time to become informed about toxins that should be avoided or taken the care to spare their customers from hazardous substances. With obscure, non-existent or misleading labeling, products are greenwashed using popular taglines and gimmicks to make the sale. With near certainty, many ingredients including soy and corn are very likely GMO. Information is sparse on these websites, so it wasn’t possible to verify many of the plastics and non-stick coatings that frequently contain endocrine-disrupting ingredients.
Many of these MLMs use perfumes, synthetic fragrances and proprietary ingredients in their products. This is problematic because thousands of ingredients are hidden using this method that allows for the legal protection of trade secrets. Several of these MLMs are engaged in greenwashing, claiming their products are natural or green when they’re far from it.
- Advocare–natural flavors, artificial flavors, proprietary ingredients, sucralose, carrageenan
- Amway–PEGs, fragrance, parabens, quats, propylene glycol + food products contain natural flavors, sucralose, acesulfame potassium
- Anovite–only key ingredients are disclosed, no full ingredients lists available
- Avon–fragrance, SLS, cocamidopropyl betaine, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, PEGs, quats
- Herbalife–cocamidopropyl betaine, unknown fragrance, PEGs, phenoxyethanol, quats, cellulose, triethanolamine + food products contain soy, artificial flavors, carrageenan, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, moderate to high sugar content
- Isagenix–PEGs, perfluoro ingredients + food products contain natural flavors, carrageenan, high sugar content in bars, cellulose
- It Works!–PEGs, propylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, BHT, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate + food products contain natural flavors
- LifeVantage*–phenoxyethanol, dimethicone, unknown fragrance, polysorbate, tocopheryl acetate, quats + food products contain natural flavors, mono and diglycerides
- LipSense–fragrance, benzyl benzoate
- Mary Kay–only key ingredients are disclosed, no full ingredients lists available
- Melaleuca*— cocamidopropyl betaine, PEGs, quats, fragrance, methylisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol
- Pampered Chef–missing information on plastics and cookware coatings + food products contain soy and corn ingredients, moderate to high sugar content, natural flavors
- Perfectly Posh*–phenoxyethanol, tocopheryl acetate, quats, unknown fragrance
- Pink Zebra**–no ingredients lists available, although fragrances are stated as phthalate-free and plastics are BPA-free
- Rodan + Fields*–PEGs, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, fragrance, polysorbate, parabens
- Sasa Demarle–silicone bakeware, uncoated aluminum
- Scentsy–fragrance, phenoxyethanol, PEGs, polysorbate, tocopheryl acetate
- Shaklee***— retinyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, PEGs, cocamidopropyl betaine, quats, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, fragrance + food products contain soy, natural flavors
- Sunrider–only key ingredients are disclosed, no full ingredients lists available
- TLC/Total Life Changes–undisclosed ingredients + food products contain natural flavors, acesulfame potassium, sucralose
- Tupperware–all items are BPA-free but no available information on bisphenols as a whole. Plastic is problematic for human health and the environment.
- Usana*–cocamidopropyl betaine, tocopheryl acetate, quat, unknown fragrance, polysorbate, dimethicone, retinyl palmitate + food products contain mono and diglycerides, soy, natural flavors, cellulose, moderate to high sugar content
- Vida Divina–only key ingredients are disclosed, no ingredients lists available
- Younique–cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol, BHT, fragrance, petrolatum, PEGs, polysorbate, tocopheryl acetate
*No public disclosure of fragrance or ingredient details. If this company decides to identify fragrance publicly, we can reconsider ranking.
**Phthalate-free fragrance disclosure, but not 100% transparency. If this company decides to identify ingredients publicly, we can reconsider ranking.
***Inconsistent fragrance disclosure among products. Some phthalate-free fragrance while others don’t identify any fragrance ingredients. If this company decides to identify ingredients publicly, we can reconsider ranking.
BETTER–The Yellow Zone
These MLMs are transparent with acceptable labeling practices, and most of their ingredients are good or safe enough. The brands in this list may use small amounts of ingredients we prefer to avoid like sugar substitutes and petroleum-based substances, but they’re knowledgeable about avoiding the most hazardous chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and toxic preservatives. These MLMs often make a point to choose the most naturally occurring source of ingredients for their products, and several brands state their use of non-certified organic. However, because it’s unverifiable, some in this list may contain GMOs — especially in their soy and corn ingredients — which means there can still be toxic, persistent pesticides used in production and present in the final product. A special note about phenoxyethanol–this chemical isn’t a top 10 problematic chemical. Phenoxyethanol is not safe for children or around your mouth like lipstick, but other uses are fine. Some of our best brands have been allowed this chemical, however, you’ll notice it’s also found in better brands along with other chemicals. All food brands not 100% transparent with ingredients would find themselves here or in the bad category.
- Arbonne–polysorbate, phenoxyethanol, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, publicly stated phthalate-free + food products contain natural flavors
- Beachbody–-beet sugar, natural flavors, cellulose
- Beyond Organic (Youngevity)–cetrimonium chloride, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, retinyl palmitate
- Celadon Road–grapefruit seed extract, some proprietary ingredients, phenoxyethanol, botanical fragrance
- DoTerra–tocopheryl acetate, cellulose, cocamidopropyl betaine, PEGs, quats, phenoxyethanol, undisclosed natural fragrance
- EVER Skincare–tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, publicly stated phthalate-free fragrance, polysorbate, PEGs
- Le-Vel Thrive–food products contain natural flavors, sucralose
- Metagenics–food products contain natural flavors, cellulose, retinyl palmitate
- Modere–tocopheryl acetate, cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol, publicly stated phthalate-free fragrance, carrageenan, polysorbate, cellulose
- Monat*–-cocamidopropyl betaine, publicly stated phthalate-free fragrance
- Nikken (not organic even though the skincare name says so)– carrageenan, cellulose, publicly stated phthalate-free fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol, tocopheryl acetate
- Norwex*–only key ingredients are disclosed, no full ingredients lists available but the company has a statement with certifications and details on safe ingredients used and toxic ones avoided
- Plexus–tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol + food products contain natural flavors, soy
- Pruvit–natural flavors
- Sipology (Steeped Tea)–natural flavors
- Tastefully Simple–food products contain natural flavors, corn syrup, some soy, some high sugar content
- Thrive Life–food products contain soy, natural flavors, cellulose, moderate to high sugar content, mono and diglycerides
- Xyngular–food products contain soy, natural flavors, acesulfame potassium, sucralose
- Young Living–tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, PEGs
- Zija–cocamidopropyl betaine, PEGs, phenoxyethanol + food products contain cellulose, natural flavors, carrageenan
*No public disclosure of fragrance or ingredient details. If this company decides to identify fragrance publicly, we can reconsider ranking.
**Phthalate-free fragrance disclosure, but not 100% transparency. If this company decides to identify ingredients publicly, we can reconsider ranking.
***Inconsistent fragrance disclosure among products. Some phthalate-free fragrance while others don’t identify any fragrance ingredients. If this company decides to identify ingredients publicly, we can reconsider ranking.
BEST–The Green Zone
These MLMs were selected for the best category because they contain certified organic ingredients, they’re transparent about their ingredients and sources, and they have clear labeling, and easily found explanations about the ingredients they use and the ones they’ve banned from their products. These companies are knowledgeable about toxins and allergens and how to avoid them, and many of them have gone through the process of becoming USDA certified organic. We favor certified organic products because there are strict manufacturing guidelines they must follow, they’re also non-GMO and do not contain toxic, persistent pesticides. We’ve also found that these MLMs are available and eager to answer customer questions, and are equipped to do so. When it comes to personal care products, there are no perfect brands. However, these brands balance quality with transparency in a way that we feel should be celebrated. We’ve also allowed cosmetic brands to contain synthetic dyes because we feel heavy metal contamination is more problematic than synthetic hues. And we have allowed some personal care products to contain synthetic preservatives that were less troublesome provided the rest of the ingredients were fine. Examples of this are sodium benzoate or phenoxyethanol.
- BlendFresh
- Crunchi
- Essante Organics
- Epicure
- goDésana (Green Organics Int’l)
- Kannaway
- Lemongrass Spa
- Max and Madeleine
- NYR Organic
- Poofy Organics
- Pure Haven
- Purium
- Skinny Fiber
- Touchstone Essentials
- Willing Beauty
So What Do You Think & Did We Miss Anyone?
Now that you’ve seen our investigation, what do you think? Did we miss anyone that you would like us to consider? Do you work for any of these MLMs? Do you feel like this investigation was fair? And if you are from a brand that has better ingredients and just haven’t disclosed everything, will you send them a message for us? Please let them know that we would really like to see 100% ingredient disclosure in this industry and they can make a difference!
Houseplants That Heal You Should Grow
A few weeks ago my new lab result shows that I tested negative for I am HSV1&2after using WHC Herpes formula, so happy I did gave it a try. Currently, my 65 years old mom is using ” herbs” to eliminate her diabetes and the recovery process is amazing. I am recommending this product for those that are willing to give it a try as these holistic remedies do not have any side effects. It’s also crucial to learn as much as you can about your diagnosis. Seek options check out: ( worldrehabilitateclinic. com )
I used Shaklee and Arbonne for years, I now used Bamboo Earth for my skincare at 52 I am so amazed at the difference in my skin. Also I switched my nutritionals to Purium!! What a game changer, nothing has ever made me feel this good. I have lost weight on other programs, used their supplements etc. but not the healing and health I have had from Purium. Great blog article, there is definitely a difference in quality and purity when it comes to our products. thank you for all you do!
I’m curious as to why BeautyCounter is on this list. They have a store in Soho (NYC) and a website you can order from and now I gather they’ll be at Ulta Beauty. An MLM is something like Melaleuca – only sold by Melaleuca people, who can only make money if they recruit more people to sell it. Or Amway, and so on. Personally, I avoid all MLMs. As long as anyone can purchase form the website (even if they do offer a regular subscription purchase option), it’s not really an MLM, at least not as I understand the term.
Hi Leah!
I use Tropic but am not sure whether you can get this in the States?
Sally
What about Seint?
What about Ariix Partner Co
You don’t have Jordan Essentials on your list! Have you investigated them?
I am curious why Purium didn’t make the list since we have the best products, non toxic, earth friendly, compostable packaging and the best compensation plan too!!
Oh I see it on the list, but we aren’t on the image posted
I saw Purium on the list LOL
What are your thoughts on Earthley?
It’s a good brand
What about Aloette?
Curious about where H2O at home would fall on the lists?
Yes H2O at home is the BEST!!! Without a doubt
Wow ???????? What a list! Thank you so much for putting this together, because it is very valuable and informative.
What about Stem Tech, Quiari and Asea?
What about L’Bri products?
How comes Farmasi isn’t on any of the list that’s a MLM
Company
I’m also visiting this site regularly, this web site is really nice and the users are genuinely sharing good thoughts.
Love this site-curious about NuSkin
Same. Was there ever a reply about this ?
What are your thoughts on
Limelife by Alcone
Seint formerly Maskcara
Bellame
Tori Belle
Everra
Vic Beauty
I am wondering the same. As a makeup artist who is looking for pro quality with the benefit of healthy and safe ingredients in what I use personally and professionally I’ve chosen to use LimeLife, but recently have also wondered about Farmasi.
I am curious about seint as well.
I have sold and used younique (bad) farmasi (worse) limelife (good) young living (cosmetics were ok but don’t cover well) and now sell l’bri (buildable coverage and skin care is amazing) but I’m curious about seint
I would love more insight on Farmasi being bad. My mom got trapped into Farmasi and both my parents consume their “coffee” and my mom uses their makeup.
I’m being offered Melalucca but was doubting on the ingredients I think thus helped me decide not to move forward.
ID like to find a truly clean company that I can sell either cleaning products or Beauty/health products.
Any word on 4 life? Supplements?
Anyone wants to talk to me about their clean brand 🙂 ? ID love to learn more
I just came across this website. And after typing everything out I see your comment is from 2022 but I’ll finish and send anyway.
I apologize to the site if this is not allowed (leaving my info &also THANKS for doing the research on mlms!)
iIntegrouswellnessproducts.com
Integrouswellness.com/8pillarswellness
(Questions, concerns promo)
[email protected]
Transparency
100% clean non toxic ingredients
COAs
Studies and references
Source of ingredients
And more
Absolutely amazing
Fast growing
Multiple streams of income
Awesome products in the pipeline
EMF and Quantum products
We so created an app for healing!
Did I mention mushroom coffee with only 12mg of caffeine (its SO good)
Tea & latte plus cocoa on the way.
If anyone sees this and is interested in joining( btw for FREE)
I’ll offer 10$ off of 110$ or 23$ off one of the kits or free shipping.
Just email me confirmation of purchase and say Danie23
XX
Stay far away from seint!!!
tocopheryl acetate— so Vitamin e is bad? Can I get an explanation?
I was wondering that too!
Do you take into account that Monat has been linked to hair loss and hundreds of cases of chemical burns? I wouldn’t risk using this on myself, much less on my children. They’ve been implicated in more than one class action lawsuit.
Interesting! I’m curious about Sisel International!
Best MLM company out there, a powerful mission to keep you and your family safe from toxins. Their products undergo vigorous testing, they use pure water (some companies were found to put sodium lauryl sulfate (a toxin) in the water used to create the product as the FDA doesnt require it to be on the label if it’s in the water, and their employees and distributors are educated to answer questions about the ingredients in their products.
A company with a strong mission for toxin free living and even stronger products! Makeup, cleaning, health and fitness.
Sisel? I’m seeing they are not certified organic, use whey, and silicon dioxide, just to mention a few concerns. ????
Thank you! This is so so helpful because I’ve been trying to figure out which is better: Young Living or Doeterra? And I felt like both weren’t great but couldn’t find better options.
I like Doterra more, but we haven’t done an essential oil investigation yet. So take that with a grain of salt until I do. I’d like to test some of them for phthalates.
I am here for when you do the EO investigation! Soon please?!!????????
Hi, could you look into Asea for me please.
Young Living uses all pure ingredients that have safe chemical compounds but are safe. For FDA approval they must be listed as the chemical compound
Young Living uses all pure ingredients that have safe chemical compounds but are safe. For FDA approval they must be listed as the chemical compound
Curious what you think about this new wellness box? Supposed toxic free and made in USA
Melaleuca is better- their EOs are tested at 10 levels and are a clean company (they have ranges for the crunchi to super crunchi type :]) but they are the original EO company as well and cut out the middle man so their prices are also competitive ie- less expensive than both mentioned companies.
Hugh and Grace. I’d be interested to see where that lands. A lot of beauty counter reps left for HG
What about Beauty Society and Nu Skin? Didn’t see either of them listed.
We can add those to an update.
What about senegence or Modere?
Modere earned a yellow rating.
Let me know when you do. I’d love to know more.
Not really fair because Melaleuca is not even an MLM.
Actually it is.
Based on the definition of an MLM melaleuca does not qualify as an MLM…
Curious about Q Sciences and Black Oxygen Organics
Yes I keep hearing conflicting things about BOO. The claims of how well it works are intriguing, but the lack of transparency makes me a little nervous.
BOO went out of business. Were caught using raw ingredients that were contaminated. ????
Farmasi?
They have fragrance in their products so I would think bad.
You should put MIG at the top of your best list!!!
I’m curious about Limelife and Nu Skin
What about Limelife?
Any interest in doing a Watkins investigation? They have been around forever, and I wonder about them.
What about revive essential oils?
Interested in a review of L’Bri and Farmasi.
I’d love to see where Farmasi lands.
I would like to see a report of a 40 year old Aloe Vera company … Forever Living Products
This company is almost unknown in the USA and very well known around the world… 150+ countries.
Thank you in advance!
Lucrecia
Please can we know more about Neolife MLM
I’d love to see where you’d put NeoLife!
Yes you missed Live Ultimate. Im a brand ambassador and its the best company out there with the cleanest products on the market.
Any and all MLM’s are bad. Every… Single… One…
I concur
Nope. Not true. That’s only a perception based on what anti-mlm’ers want you to believe.
Info on TruAura please
I would love to see info on Q Science, please!
I am interested in the same company. I used to use them after BeautiControl so I’d like to see where they fall on the list.
Please take a look at Thrive Life again. 90% of the products are simply fruits, vegetables, meats & dairy with nothing added. They have some meals (Simple Plate & ToGo) that have small amounts of preservatives, but they are a very small amount compared to the bulk of what they sell. The soy products have been phased out as well.
Also, I don’t understand what’s wrong with cellulose?
What a lot of work this must have been! Thank you for your efforts to keep consumers safe and informed.
Regarding Melaleuca, as a long time customer, I am curious to know which products contain ocamidopropyl betaine, PEGs, and quats. I checked myself and double checked with the company’s product and ingredient information center and did not identify any products that contain those ingredients. I did verify that a handful of products – two shampoos and several hand soaps – do use either methylisothiazolinone or phenoxyethanol as a preservative. So, not pervasive ingredients; certainly, easily avoidable if one is quite concerned. It seems then that the common business practice of not disclosing proprietary information is the greater facor in the company’s rating. Understandable, but unfortunate.
Hi, I have been doing lots of research about their product ingredients because I was curious about joining as a business and on the website u can see all of their ingredients, there are a lot of products in the beauty and personal care that use PEG’s , aluminum, i remember the sunscreen based products having a few ingredients that are labeled unsafe, ect.
Also their use of mineral oil in the products is a huge concern. One rep told me mineral oil is “fine because they use it all the time in hospitals”! ????????????
colchicine generic pharmacy
In which of Shaklee products do you find your listed toxins?
Masckara Cosmetics?
Thanks!
Thank you so much for putting together this list! I am hoping you can add Uforia Science and Q Sciences to this list the next time you update it. Thanks in advance!
Limelife by Alcone? They allege to be ‘clean’ but I can’t find any info on them.
Please look into including the brand new company: Emris International!!
A great way to make some extra cash is to enter giveaways and sell what you win. A great site to get started at it https://prizezooma.com
I would like to see a review of L’bri and Purely.
I currently sell l’bri and have sold many other cosmetics. I have horrible skin. The skincare is wonderful and the make up is good. I’m curious to try seint make up though
So proud to be with Epicure and so excited for us to launch in the USA this summer!
Hi! Can you send me info on Epicure please? [email protected]
I would like to see Nature’s Sunshine, NuSkin, and Uforia.
What about Foreverliving products?
Specially their beauty and skincare products.
And could you please investigate ASEA redox molecules to? I’m quite confused about the ingredients.
EVER uses PTFE in their eye makeup. I can forward their response to me when I asked them about it.
What about Nu Skin? I would like to know where it stands in this list.
Thank you.
I love this list! Could you add Wink Naturals in there?
Please let me know if I can do anything to help add them in!
This article is excellent! I would love to see where you rank LimeLife! Will you be adding to this anytime soon? Thanks for the hard work!
Interesting, that your completely missing the only company with an extensive line of food standard certified organic skin and body care products: Miessence, first to the market with food standard certified organic products. They have been food standard certified organic since 2002.
Some companies I would like to see are …. Limelife, Acti-Labs, Jordan Essentials, TruAura….
Thanks for chiming in! We can include these brands in the update.
Will you also look into including Bravenly Global in the update?
Could you also add Bravenly Global in an update? Thank you!!
I look forward to it. I am trying to use better brands and those are a few I have tried. ????
Yes please Truaura!!
Yes! I am curious about Limelife by Alcone
Thrilled to see the company I am with there- NYR Organic. But of course I knew they’d be since they like to use the safest ingredients possible and go with the motto “ when in doubt we leave it out”.
I’d be curious to see hbnaturals , joy organics, vitalibis and a few others mentioned above in other comments.
Thanks for this great post and review!
I would love to know where Fit-Team ranks next time! 🙂
There is a new company that has just gotten into CBD called Genusity. Next time you do CBD related report I would love to have your opinion on them. They have a 900 mg and an 1800 mg along with a CBD patch that is 100 mg per patch. Thank you for your consideration in looking into Genusity.
I’d love to see something about Lime Life Make-up. A family member was invited to a party and said it was “more natural”…. I compared the foundation ingredients in the Lime Life to Poofy and Lime Life had so many extra things (junk!?). I’d love to point my family member to a real, researched review. I did try to steer her clear, but I don’t think it worked.
Please review Revii skin care products. I have been a long time customer and would value your opinion on their products.
Hi Leah,
I know you published this last year and I do not see any changes. Did you ever have a chance to look at TruAura Beauty? I would love your feedback. Thank you.
https://truaurabeauty.com/inmyprime
We can add them to the update!
I am in the UK and would be interested in your findings on Neal’s Yard and MooGoo, please. I am hoping they would be in the “good” zone…
Neal’s Yard is best and MooGoo we can add to the update!
Just curious on what products you found bad within amway.. i know the Nutrlite Vitimins are pretty good.
Hempworx and HeartandBody Naturals not on the list…?
We can include them in the next update. This is the 2nd post we’ve done on MLMs.
Mannatech is not on the list.
Hello! You left out Miessence One Brand. I’m a Brand Partner for Miessence and Essante and loved the article! Organic and pure is the way forward.
Yes, I’d like to see the review on Miessence too.
I am a Kannaway brand ambassador and after having a lengthy conversation yesterday with a friend who sells another brand of CBD oil, who tried to claim that her product was more *everything*, I was delighted to find this article and send her the link. I am proud to represent a company that provides the purest CBD oil on the market, which we’ve always known and touted truthfully, but it sure helps to have the validation in print! And thank you for doing all this research. I have been curious about several of the companies listed here. Very helpful.
You missed Rebeauty. I’d love to know about that one!
Would like to know about Juice Plus
I can help you with that. Email me, [email protected]
I would like to know more about Juice Plus also because I have a niece who’s is pushing it on me.
Thank you.
This is an awesome report. I appreciate all of your hard work and research. I was particularly happy to see that Purium Health Products made it on the green list. I love the fact that the ingredients are organic and the amount of contaminants is virtually zero throughout the entire product line.
Have you taken a look at Multipure Drinking Water Systems and Kangen Ionizers?
I represent PureHaven, HempWorx, Wildtree, and Steeped Tea. I see PureHaven on here but not the others. Can you rate the others too please?
I was looking for Wildtree too. I’ve been with them for over 3 years and would love to know what she thinks.
I loved this investigation. I am with Pure Haven…which is the only company (that I have ever been able to find) that provides a full line of products (personal care, cleaning, baby, pet, makeup, etc). where every single product is 100% free of all harmful toxins. I love that we are included here since we are a newer company! So many have never heard of PH. They believe in complete transparency. They will even tell you where each ingredient is sourced from and why we source from that place/manufacturer. Also, we use organic ingredients and the facility is USDA certified organic. Love Love Love.
Why aren’t their actual products certified organic? The facility being certified but most products not only raises red flags for me. They have the capability to produce certified organic products but don’t? A sugar scrub and essential oils are the easiest products to create so it’s questionable that these are the only products PH offers as certified organic, at least the last time I checked. Something is keeping the rest of the products from being certified. I’d love to know what it is. As a rep interested in toxin free products, I would dig deeper into this ????.
Not every single ingredient is available in “certified organic” form. And some would make it have to be more outrageously priced perhaps? Having a certified organic facility is really an extra step to take in assuring great product quality control. There is accountability with having to maintain the certification.
Many of their products are certified organic, just not every single one.
I am an Isagenix product user and seller. When I was looking for something to make eating healthy easier for myself, I researched all the companies and settled on this one due to its no-compromise mentality and transparency. When I read any negative reviews I immediately check into them. I am responsible for the health of hundreds, including my own, and I take it very seriously.
There are scare tactics all over the internet. Many are vague and tell you something is bad but do not divulge the reasons why. You have to do your research to understand why something is used. Health and wellness companies are in business to stay in business. They don’t aim to get sued by producing a product that would cause harm. Their budgets don’t go to marketing (which is why many are MLMs), that budget goes to quality of ingredients, research and testing and retesting.
Per this article, Isagenix has the following: PEGs, perfluoro ingredients + food products contain natural flavors, carrageenan, high sugar content in bars, cellulose
Regarding PEGs and perfluro – why no specific ingredient? Difficult to look up this generic term in the ingredients list.
http://www.isagenixhealth.net/safety-in-isagenix-skin-care-products/
All natural flavors are listed in the ingredients. Do a search for Isagenix ingredients PDF. It’s at the back of the product catalog.
Use of carrageenan:
http://www.isagenixhealth.net/isagenix-use-safe-food-additives/
http://www.isagenixhealth.net/beware-ingredient-scare-mongering-2/
Sugar:
http://www.isagenixhealth.net/sugar-smarts-how-sugar-is-used-purposefully-in-isagenix-products/
Cellulose is a component of fiber found in leafy greens like lettuce and spinach. Here’s what you need to know:
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/nutritional-value-cellulose-have-1789.html
You can use these articles to look up other sources on the same topic. Hope this info is helpful.
Waiting for my comment to post.
I’m a huge advocate for Isagenix too and find this report disturbing and so am grateful for your insight and response
A New MLM company that I believe would meet the GREEN category is TrūAura Beauty
https://blog.truaurabeauty.com which explains in detail about our Microbiome skincare and makeup products. Our list of “NO” ingredients is pretty extensive.
I use Nature’s Sunshine! They’ve been around 45 years, and only put herbs/plant based items into their products. Certainly one company to look into. Great article!
I use their products too.
Interesting reading! It would be great to see who your consulting scientists and physicians are, as well as the research criteria and methodology.
I’m a bit confused, as I don’t see any background except a Master of Communication degree and a wonderful story. You deserve lots of credit for your journey. But where is the footnoting and substantiation for your determination of “toxic” ingredients, and your analysis of the formulations?
These are some serious accusations, and I am sure you can support your determinations with real science? It would be great to have the substance.
Great job on your lovely website and blog!
Regarding Cocamidopropyl Betaine in MONAT…
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is listed as a 4 in Skin Deep and it is only ONE ingredient found in MONAT products. I don’t think this warrants a yellow score.
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701520/COCAMIDOPROPYL_BETAINE/#.Wd7rEBNSxZ0
Your definition of a yellow score: “The brands in this list may use small amounts of ingredients we prefer to avoid like sugar substitutes and petroleum-based substances, but they’re knowledgeable about avoiding the most hazardous chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and toxic preservatives. These MLMs often make a point to choose the most naturally occurring source of ingredients for their products, and several brands state their use of non-certified organic. However, because it’s unverifiable, some in this list may contain GMOs — especially in their soy and corn ingredients — which means there can still be toxic, persistent pesticides used in production and present in the final product. A special note about phenoxyethanol–this chemical isn’t a top 10 problematic chemical. Phenoxyethanol is not safe for children or around your mouth like lipstick, but other uses are fine. Some of our best brands have been allowed this chemical, however, you’ll notice it’s also found in better brands along with other chemicals. All food brands not 100% transparent with ingredients would find themselves here or in the bad category.”
MONAT does not use any petroleum-based substances. Also, they do use non-certified organic ingredients, but this is for hair, not something you are ingesting like food. And they publicly state that they do not ever use phenoxyethanol.
Based on the above, I think you should move MONAT to green.
Phenoxyethanol not safe around children, and your lips but other uses are fine. Our skin is our largest organ and everything we put on it gets in and directly into our bloodstream without a detoxification. Our groin, armpits and scalp take in these ingredients even quicker than other areas of the body. I am always going to air on the side of caution on this ingredient. If it’s not safe in some situations I don’t see how it’s fine to be in others.
If it’s not safe to put in your mouth, it’s not safe to put on your skin. Both ways enter your bloodstream and cause the same amount of problems.
As a pharmacist I can assure you topical absorption is way less than oral ingestion. If you consume alcohol, you’re consuming toxins that are bad for your entire body. Topical absorption does not equate to oral absorption, which is way less than IV absorption. If you put a product in an open wound that would increase absorption but thatbjsnt advised by any healthcare professional unless it is treating the open wound.
Also, MONAT does not use petroleum products in any of their formulations. Because petroleum is not used, phthalates are not in MONAT products.
As I say in this post: http://www.cheeseslave.com/are-monat-hair-products-toxic-debunking-the-myths/
“Furthermore, note that although fragrance is allowed in Europe (see above), the EU is much more strict about which fragrance ingredients are allowed. There are many ingredients under the label of “fragrance” that are allowed in the US but banned in Europe.”
Sorry I was trying to comment under my other comment.
I sold Market America products for several years. I don’t any more because we’re many things I thought we’re not above ground. How about some info in that? Thanks! Found this interesting!!
I would love to see where Seacret Direct and our Seacret 7.2 line up on this list. Green, for sure, in my opinion. 🙂
http://Www.seacretdirect.com/jennifermagee
Great list! Thanks for compiling and sharing!
What a thourough investigation! Thank you for putting this together
I enjoyed last year’s article on nutraceutical companies. This one focused on the beauty industry. Both industries are largely unregulated. For me, I invest in companies that have a positive social impact not just ones looking out for their bottom line.
In order to get Norwex ingredients you have to connect with a consultant. They’ll give you what you seek. Companies have made an effort to try to steal recipes in the past. Beautycounter has phenoxyethanol inside some of their skin care and a couple other questionable things that I don’t accept to be put on my body. You listed other companies that are on the bad list that had phenoxyethanol in them. I find it important to be consistent. People have been trained to think that the lower on the ingredients list means that it’s the least amount, however there is bioaccumulation, what is the point of even being exposed at all. if you purchase a natural product that has no preservatives you have a maximum of two years to finish it . Let’s end the collection of junk and just use what you purchase . Thank you for sharing this great strides 4 people who care about others. Although consistency is key to trust. Just like the limonine and linalool issue people need to really take the time to research or connect with someone that they can rely on to avoid toxins.
I’m wondering if Beautycounter was still listed because on their website you get an explanation of why they use phenoxyethanol. There transparency is unbeatable as they give you lot’s of information to allow you to feel confident in knowing what your applying to your body and make a decision that is best for you and your family. Here is the information they provide about phenoxyethanol: https://www.beautycounter.com/elizabethnewton?goto=/faqs Click on Product & Ingredients FAQs then Why do you use phenoxyethanol?
BC is a better choice than most available. But I have to say, as someone who chooses toxin free products, there are many on the market that do not have the unnecessary synthetics BC uses. It makes me see that they just aren’t necessary so why risk any unknowns? Most side effects aren’t noted until an ingredient has been around and in use for many, many years…and even then, the information has to get out somehow. We all know there are lots of people and agencies working very hard to hide all of this info from us. So with lots of options available without these questionable synthetics, I wonder why people choose the products that include them?
I know this was such a detailed and well researched article, so thank y’all so much! Your time and efforts are so valued! Hoping this leads to many people choosing to prioritize their health and not take things at face value!
I am curious what PEGs you are referring to in Young Living products. I have not found any, and their blog post sets out their promise not to use them.
Youngliving.com/blog/ingredients-youll-never-find-in-yl-products/
Who qualifies “MLMs Ranked From Bad to Best” and what are their qualifications?
I am happy to see Kannaway on the clean list. There is a ton of miss information out there. Do your homework and research. I’m learning something new every day.
I’m guessing you have never heard of https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-name-you-can-trust–usana-on-list-of-most-trustworthy-companies-in-the-united-states-300724322.html?tc=eml_cleartime
Even so, this is specifically MLM.
Normally blog posts about MLM’s drive me nuts because the info isn’t accurate, but this was actually very well done and is in line with much of what I’ve been saying. I advocate against many of the companies in the Bad list because of their ingredients and quality.
My company (Plexus) is in the Better list partly because you weren’t able to verify if the corn/soy was non-GMO or not, it looks like…. all of the info I have read says that we do not use any GMO ingredients 🙂 I may email customer service and see if I can get verification on that 🙂 And we’re switching to plant-based protein (our newer protein powder comes from pea and ancient grains), so I hope the original soy protein powder will be reformulated soon if it isn’t in process already 🙂
Great list! I am glad it shows which products to avoid. It would be nice to see where Purely falls on this list.
I am with Keep Me Safe. I believe we ace this list!! Love to hear your analysis of it!
I was wondering about this brand too… it’s starting to pop up in our area
https://my.keepmesafeworldwide.com/
Hi, What an honest and fabulous article. Happy to see Kannaway and Le-Vel on the good and best list. Please check out TruAura Beauty as we searched for 4 long years to find a product that worked with our skin (after another company closed) and found one with incredible efficacy and has health benefits as well. TruAura is formulated with clean, safe and natural pre- and probiotic ingredients that are microbiome friendly. Please check out our “No List” here: http:bit.ly/TheNOlist or here: https://truaurabeauty.com/inmyprime/products-overview
Thank you again and I look forward to any follow-up articles.
Cheers, Michelle
Thank you Leah, Love this and it’s important for us to know what companies are safe for our families. I know so many that are in MLM companies that are being duped. I used to be in Global Wealth Trade, as of this year they changed their name to, Opulence Global. They were mainly fashion, but now have crossed over into the health and wellness realm. Not sure if you could add them? Also, I didn’t see Asea, or NuSkin? It would be great to know if these are good or bad. Thank you for all you do. Grateful!
Best,
Jeanne
I’d love to hear what you think about TrūAura Beauty. Just launched in Feb 2018. Its a skin care and cosmetics made with clean, safe and natural pre- and probiotic ingredients that is microbiome-friendly. They even have a purity promise with a “No List” of bad/toxic ingredients. You can check it out here: https://truaurabeauty.com/sandralemus
Quelle merveilleuse idée votre site! Ça nous permet d’y voir plus clair!
Bravo et merci pour ce travail!
Merci et surtout, ravie que ma société est dans le vert!
Love CBD avec Kannaway!
Very happy to see Willing Beauty listed on the Green Zone! My tween girls and I absolutely love their skin care. Thank you for doing this!!
I also use and love Willing beauty. A new better for you skincare that is affordable.
heureux de voir mes favoris kannaway en liste verte 🙂
Hi,
Have you had a chance to look at Vemma?
I love their liquid vitamins and friends take their Bode weight-loss products.
Wondering how they would fare in your research.
Thanks,
how about jeunesse?
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Hi Leah- I’d be so happy if you could investigate my MLM. I’m with HempWorx. We provide organic, pesticide free, CO2 extracted CBD Oil products. There are so many CBD brands out there using toxic ingredients. I want everyone to feel confident knowing our products are safe. Third party lab results are posted on my website every batch.
Thanks for pulling this list together!
Yes it is awesome, works amazing
Yes I love Hempworx and would also love to see your review
I am very surprised to see USANA on the bad list. you can contact them directly and even Ask the Scientists as to why each ingredient is used. https://askthescientists.com/ They are a public company and are very transparent.
Can you look at L’BRI PURE N’ NATURAL please? I have always wondered if they are as natural as they say they are.
But Kannaway is a absolutely amazing!! <3
I’m interested in your opinion on H2O at Home and Purely. Also curious about Beautycounter being green as I had heard that their ingredients are synthetic.
YES, please review H2O at Home!
Can you add Jordan Essentials to your list? JE offers non-toxic bath and body care that is safe for the whole family to use. They are based out of the USA and are cruelty free as well. Thanks!
Jordan Essentials uses fragrance oils which are #1 on her list of what to avoid. They also use Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin so the products are nowhere near non-toxic – completely misleading marketing. If they were added to the list they would certainly not be in the best category.
I’m quite upset that Shaklee is in your red list.. Please help to specify which products contain the ingredients that you mentioned?
Shaklee has made their ingredients list public from this link http://healthresource.shaklee.com/ingredient-glossary/
Shaklee uses retinyl palmitate in their Youth Advanced Anti-aging skin care line.
I’m also disappoint that Shaklee was on the bad list too. Makes me wonder how much was really researched on the company.
Hi.
Thanks so much for looking into this and exposing companies that use toxic ingredients. I’ve done months worth of research into MLMs and turn away from most on this basis. Please can you rate Ariix (Ariix.com)? All ingredients available for all products online and EWG approved skincare. I think nutritionally they’re the best supplements too with IS & BSCG certification (amongst others). Be great to see your view too. I also love Kannaway but they’re already in the green list. ????
Can you add Ariix to your list please?
Could you review Maskcara beauty??
This list is great!! Thank you!! I am bookmarking it because it is very useful!!
I am a bit surprised about the comment regarding Nikken skincare not being organic. I don’t know about the US, but in Europe they have the ECOCERT certification which means it is an organic product.
You should compare ecocert and USDA Certified Organic. Ecocert is a great certification to have but it is not quite up to the same standard as USDA certified organic. This may help you understand how this rating system is used ????.
For example, Crunchi is ecocert but not USDA Certified Organic. As far as I can tell, they can’t be USDA Certified Organic without altering their products. They use a few ingredients that wouldn’t be allowed. They are however allowed in a ecocert products. I hope this helps!
I just started distributing NYR Organics because I have been using their facial products and love them! ❤️ So happy (and proud) to see them on the green list ????.
Thanks so much for all that you are doing. I love the fact that you are opening a window for those of us that want the best for our families. It was great to see my company Purium on your green list once again since as a company there such integrity about what is in our products. Thanks again for all your work and allowing us to see what is really out there and if it is so we can make informed decisions.
I would love to see Jamberry on the list!! I know we’ve joined with M. Global, but if needed, could they be 2 seperate entries possibly?
Can you add Yoli to the list please? They have drink mixes and protein shakes.
Just wondering if you have looked into where Wildtree stands? Thanks!
Check out H2O at Home . . Manufactured to European standards and full ingredient lists are available. . https://www.myh2oathome.com/kimdiane
They are also very environmentally responsible
Go Kannaway!
We build a global business!
What about Essens company? Thanks
Can you add Forever, Nu skin, Zinzino??
Yes! Agree! ????
Go go Kannaway !!!!! The best CBD company out there! Beescbd.com
Love seeing Pure Haven on the list! Have you looked at Optavia? It is MLM in my opinion because people become health coaches with no training. It is for weight loss but a lot of soy & sugar alcohols. Thanks so much for creating the list!
Could you please check on Jordan Essentials? https://www.jordanessentials.com/
As I mentioned above, Jordan essentials uses Fragrance oil which hides all kinds of toxins, carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. They also use Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin so in no way is Jordan essentials non-toxic. Cut through the marketing and read the labels.
Great list! Curious about juice plus and nerium…thanks!
Me too about Nerium!?
Curious also about J+
Curious about Sisel International.
Look into H2O at Home. Here is the main website: http://us.h2o-at-home.com/. Our products meet strict European standards and are amazing.
That’s interesting. Arbonne also meets the Euro standard. If you check the review in the yellow list, do any of those bullet points compare to your company? I don’t know anything about H2O at Home
Please check out PrimeMyBody!
Love seeing Lemongrass Spa here! I am in love with their skincare, makeup and hair care. And wonderful CEOs. They are the best.
Could you look at PURE, People United Reaching Everyone?
NYR Organic, is the US direct sales channel of Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic, a 35+ year old family owned and operated iconic brand from England. We grow a significant percentage of our raw materials that go into our products and source what we don’t grow from long-standing relationships, fair trade, fair wild. Our products are made by hand in our eco factory in England and are distributed through many channels around the world. I’m proud to represent Neals Yard Remedies, NYROrganic here in the US, and it might also interest your readers to know they don’t have to take my word or even your word for what’s in our products. In fact, our products are third party certified organic by the SOIL association and are also some of the first to be MadeSafe certified here in the US. MadeSafe is an ibcredible initiative that Amy Ziff has championed to establish strict standards for US consumers to be able to rely on. I am so thankful people are now shining a light on product safety, ethical safekeeping of our people and our planet. Great read. Appreciate the info!
This is great research and quite the comprehensive list. Thank you! I’d be curious to hear about the Genesis Pure products.
How Truvision? Weight-loss supplements.
Thank you so much for all of this incredible information, Leah! I am stoked to see Beautycounter on your list, with one clarification I’d like to offer.
Beautycounter is not an MLM. ????
Our CEO purposefully built our business model as direct retail. Customers can shop through our 3 different channels: online through our website, in-person cash-and-carry through our retail partners & pop-up shops, and with an independent Consultant for amazing customer service.
Pro-tip: you can also support your Consultant’s business by attributing your purchase at a retail partner or pop-up shop to them.
Traditionally, MLMs allow customers to shop ONLY through a company rep/consultant. Beautycounter believes we need to meet today’s modern consumer where they are with multiple channels available for them to use.
All sales transactions made through our independent Consultants are legitimate and do not fall under any illegal pyramid schemes.
But it is a MLM company. Most carry the same model Beauticounter does. Nothing to be ashamed of.
Super excited to see Lemongrass Spa on the BEST List!
I love ALL of our products and knowing that they so affordable & safe for my entire family to use makes me love them even more. I even use some of the products on my pets regularly. Everybody deserves the truth when it comes to what’s in your products. We all want products for our family that are Safe, Clean & Natural. Thanks for your research and sharing your findings.
~Wendy Gerlach
“LemongrassWendy”
Curious about SeneGence!
Isn’t the the same company as Lipsence that was listed as bad?
Is that the same as lipsense?
Yes…its the same company
Thank you for doing this work & sharing! I’m glad to see others recognizing Willing Beauty. I became a Beauty Advisor with WB, in April 2017, after seeing the ingredient transparency with clear labeling. I also love that the safer ingredients are effective & have given me my best skin results. #GetYourSkinHappy
Loved seeing NYR Organic on your list!! ????????????
Very curious about Sweet Minerals! I’m considering trying their foundation.
Hello! I am
Curious if you can tell me what products of Younique’s has formaldehyde in them?? I am a presenter and questioned my black status presenter and the company about the accusations and was told they were false! I just am looking for answers and would love to know what products these ingredients were founds it! Thank you so much!!
Also, what does it mean when it says “nail polishes are 5 free”? We do not sell nail polish lol
Younique has had nail polish before, I’ve purchased some.
WOOT WOOT!! Excited to see Lemongrass Spa on your list of best! What an amazing company!
What about LimeLife? I wanted to try their products. They seem pretty clean!
Same!
I’d like to see their research on Limelife, as well.
I LOVE 100% Pure for mascara and matte lipstick. Check them out!!!
I also love 100% pure!
What an amazing article, thanks for the hard work! What about Melaleuca?
It was listed under Red Zone.
It is on the bad list
What about Limelife by Alcone? I have been looking at it and am curious to see what you think.
https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/
They do not seem to be transparent or safe. Water or aloe is In a lot of their skin care ingredients, but I don’t see a list of preservatives being used so it looks like they’ve omitted them from their labels. Their makeup (see ex of their foundation pictures) contains parabens and BHT.
The foundations used to contain parabens, but they are now a paraben free company. They are also leaping bunny certified. They should be on the green list.
What about Q Science? Especially their FUSE CBD oil?
Thanks
Please add shakeology as well. Thanks
Beachbody is on the list.
If you get the chance can you look into both Truaura Beauty at https://truaurabeauty.com or New U Life at https://newulife.com? I’d love to see where both of these companies land on your list.
I’d love to see TruAura Beauty on the list somewhere. Used to be Beauty Control but the company switched directions.
To be clear, TrūAura did NOT used to be BeautiControl and switched directions. It is an ENTIRELY new company. However, I would agree about wanting them on this list.
NeoLife which was once GNLD ~ supplements, skin care and cleaning products
What about hemp worx?
Thanks for this awesome list! Curious about young living products as it’s such a huge line. Also my kids love the isagenix shakes- hate that natural flavors are the unknown . I’m a big fan of yours and appreciate all your hard work. Happy about beauty counter getting a good score. Will be sharing this for sure
Thank you!
Young living is on the yellow list.
How about Nerium!m?
Yes I’d like to know about Nerium too
Why would Metagenics be on a MLM list? It is difficult to rep their pharmaceutical grade supplements and medical food products. Only doctors and nurses can become a rep. You have to submit a copy of your medical license in order to be considered. There is no down line. They are wholesale buyers and sell the products retail to their patients. They are not an MLM. Please respond/clarify.
Looking at your green list and checking out each company and what they offer. Noticing that Willing beauty has phenoyethanol in their Do Over Cleanser and in their moisturizer just to name 2.
Phenoxyethanol isn’t a top 10 problem. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not really problematic. I’m WAY more concerned with undisclosed fragrance as a problem. But you don’t want it in things like nipple cream.
Went back to re-read your top 10. I guess, for me I look at it as, it shouldn’t be used as nipple cream, it shouldn’t be used on children or around lips yet it is okay to put on our skin to be absorbed? I know this is one of those ingredients that can be a hot topic, some are okay with it and some aren’t. Thank you for all the work you did to create this list!
Hi! Just so you know, Norwex Consultants may disclose full product ingredient lists to our customers when they ask. We have 6 products with Phthalate free fragrances added. Hope this moves us to green! =)
Why not just disclose and save people the hassle? Seems kinda silly to me.
I agree, If I have to contact a rep just to ask about ingredients I will not bother. Full disclosure if there is nothing to hide.
FYI Norwex is working on making this information more easily available for customers to see. I believe there is a lot of legal paperwork and reasons why it cannot just be shared publicly. Any Norwex rep would be happy to share all the ingredient lists with you should you want them.
As a consumer we shouldn’t have to ask what is in a product. It’s just something else to do in our busy life. Just disclose it upfront. I will never understand the “Just ask” thing.
All Monat complete ingredient lists are available online.
what about Jafra?
Curious about Nuskin?
Me too!
The Lifevantage fragrance us from Japanese grapefruit and is a natural fragrance.
I am proud to be with a company that is on the best list and will soon be available in the USA. Epicure has been working for years on producing clean eating products that are delicious!
I know Young Living has removed or is working to remove retinyl palmitate, from it’s products. This was from 2017 so it may be out of all products by now.
“Retinyl palmitate was in 19 products. It has been reformulated out of 9, with plans to be out of 13 by next year.” (2018)
Michael Buch, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer
YL removed the soy proteins but not considered soy free, tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate are derived from non-GMO soy, but don’t contain the soy proteins.
I’ve been with them for almost 4 years and I’ve seen them reformulate products to make them better many times. They really listen to their members concerns and make the changes needed to have the best products available.
Thanks for that!
I agree and have witnessed how YL listens to their members’ concerns and reformulates products when new research shows a nonfavorable ingredient. Always improving.
Thank you so much for the list. I am happy to see fairly new Willing Beauty was looked at.
Hi, how about Foreber Living?
What an amazing list! Thank you for all the work that went into compiling this. I always wonder about Revital U. It’s an instant coffee that is marketed as a weight loss miracle. It is difficult to see what exactly is in it on their website.
Kyani Triangle of Health and there skin care line Fleuresse??
What about L’Bri?
We can look into that!
I wonder about LBri too
I would also like to see L’Bri included
Wow, what a HUGE help this is for those of us who are contacted regularly about joining MLM companies! I can’t imagine the time and energy you must have invested to gather all this info.
Yes, lots of work. Thank you!! XXOO
This is an awesome list… thank you! I feel like I learn new things every day because of your website. I have recently been introduced to entegro liquid probiotics. They claim to be completely natural. I would love to see you investigate their product and share your discoveries.
Can you link me to this brand please!
What about Wildtree? They are USDA certified Organic.
Thanks! We can look into them! Come back tomorrow for more!
Wildtree!!!❤️ Love it and you will too I’m confident in that!
Also could you please add nature sunshine and juice plus to this list. Juice plus is very popular
I’d really like to know about Juice Plus too. Oh and Beachbody Shakeology and Energize!!
What about Zurvita/zeal for life? Also, while product lists for companies like Mary Kay and Norwex aren’t available to the open public, they are available to consultants who sell the brands. Not saying that seeing them would change their list status, just saying they are there but have to be asked for.
They may as well just post it online then. Seems like something silly to hide. As with most things, when the market speaks brands have to get on board or get left behind. This issue is incredibly important to cleaning up cosmetics. The Feds aren’t going to protect us anytime soon from proprietary ingredients. Good brands need to step up for the consumer. And we at Mamavation will be celebrating brands that are disclosing.
I’m wondering about hempworx from My Daily Choice? I didn’t see it on the list or mentioned in the comments!
We can look into them!
H2O at Home?
Can you link me to them please!
Yes, yes! Please review H2O at Home! http://us.h2o-at-home.com/
What about PartyLite candles? They claim to use food grade paraffin wax, and cotton lead-free wicks, but what about the fragrance? This is a great list! Thank you!!
We can look into them. Thank you!
Paraffin is petroleum and therefore not safe.
Bellame! Its new and i’m curious.
I’ll take a look at them.
Me too!
Wink naturals? They consider themselves anti MLM but they still are direct sales
Thanks! I’ll look into them!
I JUST heard about Wink and bought their Zen anxiety drops. The way the rep described it to me is that they are direct sales BUT they don’t just let ‘anyone’ join which I thought was an interesting concept.
This is so good!! I’m curious about Senegence. So many girls sell it.
It’s on the list as bad
Great lust! Any idea where Senegence fits in? One of their products—Lipsense— is listed, but I’d like to know about the rest of their products and the company as a whole.
I’ve added them to our list of updates! Can you check back tomorrow?
Curious about this myself. I’m not a huge fan of LipSense, but would like to know more about other SeneGence products.
Alot of work went into this, I’d love to see Gia Wellness on one of the lists …in addition to their TerraGIA line they also have a beauty and nutrition line I’d be interested in seeing the results. Thanks, this is a study I’ve been looking for a long time!
Thanks! I’ll look into them!
Curious about limelite now actually limelife…
I know their skincare is ok but I thought there was several bad ingredients in the makeup line last I checked.
Was about to comment the same – a good example is their Limelife Liquid Sunshine: ceteareth-100, petrolatum, Benzophenone- 3 ( ie Oxybenzone) …May contain: Triethanolamin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Fragrance
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Agree. They have several questionable ingredients in their cosmetics.
I’m happy to see Purium health products on here because of the transparency and purity they really stand by. The companies integrity really shines and the formulation of the foods are exceptional.
Thank you for the hard work and research you’ve done for us to easily share. ????????????????????????????
You’re welcome!
Hurray for Purium! We have been Brand partners about 4 years. It has completely changed the way we eat and we’re healthier than we’ve ever been. We also represent Thrive Life freeze dried food, it’s the perfect combination for travel and having portable flex foods.
Poofy Organics ????????????
I’m curious about Beachbody with all their meal shakes and supplements. This list is awesome. Thank you!
I second the Beachbody question!
Thanks for that! We are gathering a bunch of suggestions tonight and adding them to the site tonight and the next couple of days. I’ll make sure Beachbody, Juice Plus and a bunch others are added. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. 🙂
Nurium and Nuskin. Curious how they fare.
Please add My Daily Choice / Hempworx
Beauty Society? We have used some of their products. I know they list a number of things that they don’t have in their products but I haven’t researched what they do contain.
That’s a great recommendation. I’ll add them to the list of brands to add. Thanks again!
Doesn’t BeautyCounter use Dimethicone and Phenoxyethanol, as well as dyes? Not confident this belongs in the Green.
It’s actually a really good thing that Beautycounter uses dyes. That means they not using natural hues, which are contaminated with heavy metals. We’ve also been doing a cosmetic investigation that is taking us some time to finish because of how impossible it is to find natural hues that are not contaminated. And the companies producing cosmetics with natural hues have not been forthcoming showing us heavy metal testing. So the synthetic dyes in non-toxic makeup is a very GOOD thing. Heavy metals are WAY MORE TOXIC than synthetic dyes.
I really appreciate your thoughtful response to this, as a girl who has partnered with BC for years and is constantly trying to explain this myself! What appears to be the “safest” on the surface is not always what it seems. Gotta dig deeeeep. Thanks for all you do, Leah!!
It really isn’t as simple as this. We ingest heavy metals just by eating spinach. Our bodies are capable of riding ourselves of some heavy metals. It is about the levels we ingest which does include what we use in our makeups, etc. But to say a synthetic is better than an ingredient found in the earth just isn’t accurate. We have to weigh the positives and negatives. Synthetics have so many unknowns that it’s hard to believe they’re just automatically better than natural colorants such as Mica. BC supposedly did some heavy metal testing a few years back but refuses to release the results. That is highly questionable especially for a company that touts transparency. Nobody hides amazing test results. It’s best to use makeups like lipsticks sparingly so you limit exposure to any heavy metals naturally found in them. The same could be argued for lipsticks that use synthetic colorants.
I agree with you, Anne. They don’t belong on the green list.
Was hoping to see Juice Plus somewhere!
We can add them later today and tomorrow. I’m monitoring comments right now to see if there are more we need to add on the fly. If you see any others you think are big enough to add, let me know. We are already adding Beachbody to the mix tonight as well.
Yes, I was looking for this one as well!
Monat is green? When I called them last year they would not disclose their fragrance ingredients.
Thanks for that catch. We pulled them and put them with the group of brands we are adding tonight.
Hi Leah! Fantastic list! Thank you. I’m also curious about Monat. I have a good friend who sells it and I really like their products but have heard mixed reports on their safety.
I’ll be posting them with a bunch others. I went to double check and saw undisclosed fragrance so that would for sure prevent them from being best. Let me know if you have other brands you’d recommend.
Hey Leah this list is AWESOME! Thank you so much for doing this.
I got the list of fragrance ingredients from MONAT corporate. It’s on my website – compiled in a spreadsheet.
http://www.cheeseslave.com/monat-review-why-i-switched-to-monat-hair-products/#monat%20review%20least%20toxic
Click down to this section and then click on the spreadsheet: MONAT is One of the Least Toxic Hair Product Lines on the Market
Here is the direct link to the spreadsheet (scroll down to the bottom for fragrance): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ne_LrK1RZQN1vEbSo4HjbG-M9HTYWrlraEhcgb0HoU/edit#gid=0
The reason they can’t disclose the fragrance ingredients publicly is because then competitors would knock them off. It’s like “secret sauce” at a burger joint.
I got the fragrance ingredient list from corporate – it is here: http://www.cheeseslave.com/monat-review-why-i-switched-to-monat-hair-products/#monat%20review%20least%20toxic
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ne_LrK1RZQN1vEbSo4HjbG-M9HTYWrlraEhcgb0HoU/edit#gid=0