leonie nimmo
ECRA STAFF
Senior Member
Posts:6
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| 10 Feb 2010 03:58 PM |
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Register here to comment on forum
Hi,
I'm writing a Buyers' Guide to shampoo for the next issue of Ethical Consumer. I'm using our new forums to get some input from other campaigners, professionals and members of the public about the products they use and the issues important to them.
Some of the areas we'll be looking at are:
Animal testing
This is a major issue in cosmetics and as usual in the magazine we'll be reporting on the animal testing policies of the companies covered. If you would like us to highlight any particular campaigns, or have any information about what companies have been getting up to in the labs, please post below.
Ingredients
More and more companies are making claims that their products are 'natural', but is this all hot (h)air? Which companies do you trust? How organic is organic?
Shampoos can contain a whole load of ingredients, and we are bombarded with different messages about whether these are safe or unsafe, environmentally friendly or bioaccumulative. From parabens to sodium lauryl sulphate toalkylphenols to parfum - what can we believe about the hype? And how come lots of 'natural' products contain these things too?
Quality
One of the things we haven't traditionally covered in the magazine is the quality if products we cover, as we usually focus on the ethics of the companies. But we are interested to know your thoughts... Personally I use Faith in Nature, as it's the cheapest, ethical and most available to me (although I have to confess that since my conditioner has run out I've been using up an ex flatmate's ASDA smartprice bottle - 35p!).
Have a look at the brand list below and let me know if you've got any comments.
Thanks in advance for your input,
Leonie
Alberto-Culver Co - Alberto Balsam, Tresemme, VO5
ASDA
Body Shop
Boots
Faith in Nature
Green People
Hain Celestial Group - Jason
HealthQuest International - Organic Blue
Henkel KGAA - Schwarzkopf, Henara, Gliss
Johnson & Johnson - Neutrogena, Johnson's Baby Shampoo
Kao Corporation - John Frieda
L'Oreal - Elvive, Fructis, L'Oreal, Garnier
Lavera
Lush
Morrisons
Neal's Yard
Proctor & Gamble - Aussie, Clairo, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, Silvrikrin, Vidal Sassoon, Wash & Go, Wella
PZ Cussons - Original Source
Sainsburys
Suma
Tesco
Unilever
Urtekram
Weleda
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Rob Harrison
ECRA STAFF
Senior Member
Posts:30
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| 10 Feb 2010 05:19 PM |
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Previous ethical consumer reports on shampoo have had some flack from readers for not looking into sodium laureth sulphate/sodium lauryl sulphate in enough detail.
Quite a few websites out there have some damming things to say about SLES.
I know ethical consumer often uses the Environmental Working Groups www.cosmeticsdatabase.com which only classifies SLES as a 'moderate hazard'.
Having said that, I understand that a lot of SLES is made from palm oil - which is a whole other issue - and perhaps a more convincing reason to avoid it? |
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t h
New Member
Posts:1
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| 12 Feb 2010 02:41 PM |
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Hurtful essences campaign might be a good place to look |
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Tabitha Small
New Member
Posts:2
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| 15 Feb 2010 11:28 AM |
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I'm not sure what to believe about SLS - there's so much info on the web, it's a job to trawl through it all. However, I suppose if anything's being used as an industrial cleaner it'd be advisable to avoid rubbing it into your head...
The American Cancer Society say that SLS is not a (known) carcinogen, just an irritant, and they seem to be suggesting that the only people saying otherwise are those who have a vested interest in the sales of SLS-free shampoos.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_6_1x_Shampoo.asp
However, this website says that "SLES is commonly contaminated with dioxane, a known carcinogen."
http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.html
The way I see it, if in doubt, steer well clear!
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Bryony Moore
ECRA STAFF
Senior Member
Posts:6
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| 15 Feb 2010 11:50 AM |
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http://www.uncaged.co.uk/animaltesting.htm
PZ Cussons are listed here as a company who test on animals themselves or pay researchers to carry out animal tests on their behalf.
As you have mentioned above PZ Cussons make Original Source, and these products carry the Vegan Society logo.
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Tabitha Small
New Member
Posts:2
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| 16 Feb 2010 09:46 AM |
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http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/52/1/Shampoo-and-the-planet.html
I read on his website that Lush had removed SLS from their solid shampoo bars (no packaging!) and started using sodium coco-sulfate instead, but in 2009 started using SLS again due to supply problems.
This is only from comments on the Green Living Tips site, not from the company themselves mind you so they might have something different to say about that.
Another comment on the same site links to this site, which might be useful:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?category=shampoo
T |
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sharon davies
New Member
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| 17 Feb 2010 03:09 PM |
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As far as quality goes, I love Vidal Sassoon, leaves my hair really soft and shiny, which is no mean feat. I have no idea how ethical it is, but when it comes to my hair I don't want to make any compromises. I do try to buy environmentally friendly washing poweder and washing up liquid, so I do my bit there. |
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claire bright
New Member
Posts:2
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| 17 Feb 2010 03:17 PM |
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LUSH solid shampoo bars are my faves  they're not tested on animals AND they work |
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Tim Hunt
ECRA STAFF
Senior Member
Posts:8
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| 18 Feb 2010 01:34 PM |
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Vidal Sassoon scores a big fat 0 on the Ethiscore at the moment! Lets see if it fairs any better in the next report. |
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judy craig
New Member
Posts:1
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| 19 Feb 2010 06:05 PM |
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what is SLS? |
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A Subscriber
New Member
Posts:2
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| 22 Feb 2010 12:14 AM |
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Could you also look at Dr Hauschka please? They have 3 shampoos. I haven't tried any of them but I love their skincare products so I would be interested to know how they rate. Thanks  |
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Rob Harrison
ECRA STAFF
Senior Member
Posts:30
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| 22 Feb 2010 12:24 PM |
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SLS is used to refer to sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate, a chemical compound used for its cleansing properties in cosmetics and other consumer products. Like other detergents, they are known to be irritants for some people. |
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Gwyneth Morgan
New Member
Posts:1
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| 25 Feb 2010 05:01 PM |
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Hi
An extra UK small company you might wish to add to your list is PureNuffStuff www.purenuffstuff.co.uk. Both their shampoos & conditioners are excellent quality, good value for money and critically are not tested on animals & do not contain palm oil. In fact the ingredients lists are pleasingly minimalist.
And from the US - Burts Bees www.burtsbees.co.uk/ . Fabulous shampoos, shame about the price - only really viable to buy if you happen to be in the US. Ingredients pretty sound but have never looked into company background in great detail.
In the past I've used Lush - specifically their Marilyn brand which I liked very much. Only gave up because of palm oil concerns - appreciate Lush try to use sustainably sourced but my feeling is that only by cutting down overall use will we get anywhere on this one. I may be behind the times with this info - will await your report with interest.
Have also used Neal's Yard - nice but too expensive!
Gwyneth |
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Bryony Moore
ECRA STAFF
Senior Member
Posts:6
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| 26 Feb 2010 10:56 AM |
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Thanks for that suggestion Gwyneth, I've used Pure Nuff Stuff products in the past and they do seem like a great company. We'll try and squeeze them in! |
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Belinda Thomas
New Member
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| 26 Feb 2010 10:59 AM |
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Only use Faith in Nature and don't use conditioner as I was advised that if you have fine hair it exacerbates the situation. Never noticed the slightest difference since dropping that expense and I usually go swimming most days! One comment about sodium laureth sulphate - since avoiding it in everything I now hate using toothpaste with it in and find it odd to deal with all that froth in my mouth - I use Green People toothpaste and love it. |
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Alison Taylor
New Member
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| 26 Feb 2010 03:37 PM |
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I don't use any shampoo that is tested on animals. I use the Naturewatch 'compassionate shopping guide' for reference though it isn't very comprehensive and I sometimes have to write to manufacturers myself.
I habitually use Honesty Cosmetics and Animal Aid products, which are also made by Honesty; Avalon Organics; Lush; Faith in Nature and Sainsbury's own brand when money is tight.
I have used Jason in the past and have nothing against them ethically but don't really like their hair products.
I have not set foot in Body Shop since they sold out to L'Oreal.
I used to use Yves Rocher, largely because certain of my friends were adamant they did not test on animals and kept giving me their stuff, but having written to them to get a definitive statement on their animal testing policy and not received a satifactory answer do not use them any more.
I support the Proctor and Gamble boycott but anyway do not tend to fall for the 'natural ingredients' gimick used by eg herbal essences.
I am very concerned about the palm oil issue and if I can avoid it then I will but animal testing, or rather the absence of it, is top of my priorities. Ethical consuming is a bit of a minefield when there are so many variables to take into account!
One of my main issues is the fact that companies are allowed to state 'not tested on animals' on their products even when this is not strictly true, eg they use the 5-year rule or it is only the final product which is not animal tested. I know this is outside your remit but I take every opportunity to have a moan about it. |
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A Subscriber
New Member
Posts:2
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| 26 Feb 2010 08:44 PM |
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I also haven't set foot in Body Shop since then. Good to know there are others! Have you also looked at Naked products? Hair stuff here: http://www.nakedbodycare.co.uk/hair-cid224.html They appear to be quite ethical but I don't know that much about them - just got some bodywash as a present. Thanks  |
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claire bright
New Member
Posts:2
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| 27 Feb 2010 05:51 PM |
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My friend was talking about Naked products recently. She's just got some of their shampoo and conditioner from Boots. I kind of assumed they weren't as ethical as they say they are, just because of who's stocking them! But I have just bought some Faith in Nature soap from a massive online chemist, so maybe that's not a good rule..
I'm a Body Shop boycotter too, hooray! Although I didn;t say no when someone gave me some of their coconut body butter as a pressie... |
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Hilary Humphrey
New Member
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| 28 Feb 2010 04:14 PM |
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I started using Green People when The Body Shop sold out. I love their shampoos (The Body Shop ones never really worked for me). My only complaint is the packaging - it doeas not appear to be easily recyclable.
I have tried Jason and Lush shampoos and didn't get on with them.
I would like more informaiton on where products are stocked as it seems hit and miss as to if an ethical prodcut is stocked on the high street or not. Is this a decision made by the manufacturer?
Palm oil is a continuing concern along with the truth about what is in these products and what harm they may/may not do.
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susan hotchkiss
New Member
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| 07 Mar 2010 01:30 AM |
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I discovered a range of products about a year ago called 'Australian Organics' which they sell in both Holland and Barratt and John Lewis stores now. The thing which attracted me to the shampoo initially was the fact it's non-animal tested AND uses sodium coco sulfate as a lathering agent rather than sodium lauryl sulfate. I became aware of the palm oil issue associated with SLS when working for Lush, who are a company whose ethical standards I believe could be a leading beacon to others in the same commercial field, except for the fact that they focus so little on these issues in staff training and seem almost determined to 'dumb themselves down' to the same mindless consumerism level as all other high street chains when it comes to overall focus. With the (far too subtle) introduction of coco sulphate as an alternative lathering agent to the shampoo bars at the time, I researched the problems associated with SLS. It wasn't so much the health controversy which bothered me, but the massive environmental impact of deforestation, coupled with the fact we are essentially culling a species: the orangutan; albeit indirectly, through globalized, mass-product demand fuelled by ignorance; and worse - total apathy.
I appear to have rambled on a bit but what I really wanted to say was that I recommend Australian Organics shampoo very highly from experience- not just for ethical reasons (though they are sls free, paraben free, colour free, non animal-tested and of course organic) but for performance too. |
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