Are we being misled with organic labelling?

Organic Labelling Are we being misled? Little Soap Company Greenwashing
Disclaimer - *PR Samples

The world of organic cosmetics can be a little confusing and even I end up in a muddle trying to figure out what is right or frowned upon. I wrote an article back in 2013 which outlined the certification brands can obtain to verify their organic status. The problem is many brands cannot afford to sign up so they formulate with organic ingredients but the end product isn't certified. I have featured brands that fall into this bracket. I’d like you to consider this for products not certified organic, do you think it is misleading to include the word organic in a company name, to boldly display the word organic across packaging or display an in-house designed organic symbol which might imply you are certified to the untrained eye?

I admit that despite what I know I often overlook these misdemeanors. It's fair to say that my blogging relationship plays a part in why I do so. I'm friendly with many founders and I feel I know them on a personal level. However, if I pushed that all to one side would I feel differently about their products? Without the knowledge I have gained from the Green community would I even understand I was possibly being mislead? I received an email from a reader which made me stop and think. It simply voiced the doubts I was already having. Let’s just say the Little Soap Company has raised a few eyebrows since I mentioned them in a YouTube video. As bloggers we often accept products, the liquid and solid soaps met with my ingredient standards but the little green devil on my shoulder asked is it misleading that Little Soap Company have the word "organic" dominant on their bottles when the end product isn't certified? 

When I accepted products I hadn't seen the ingredients on the bubble bath and foaming body wash, these products were not sent to me. Now I am left wondering whether Little Soap Company can honestly claim their products are "free from detergents and synthetics" when they include cocamidopropyl betaine? Is it fair to say this goes against the original ethos and the rest of the product range? A few people have mentioned they feel this is “Greenwashing” so could there be double standards going on within the brand?

Shopping for natural and organic skincare shouldn't be this difficult. Do you ever feel like Sherlock Holmes each time you consider buying products? I often forget things on my checklist and then I feel dreadful when a reader tells me I have let them down. I feel the need to politely remind everyone that my "green" journey is self taught so I do make mistakes. I adore natural and organic skincare, I live and breathe it daily but I'm a consumer like everyone else, the only difference is I decided to write about my shopping habits. I wish organic certification was more affordable because I know there are honest brands out there who feel like the playing field isn't fair.

At the end of the day, I like Little Soap Company hand wash. I've been using it daily at work and at home. It doesn't dry out my skin and they offer an unscented version. The Little Soap Company is in a position which I am sure most natural brands would be envious of; the opportunity to compete on the shelves with mainstream products and bring green beauty to the masses must be the ultimate dream for many. It’s a huge bonus for Green Beauty consumers to be able to purchase natural products in the supermarket.

Let me leave you with something to contemplate. Do you think some brands are seduced by commercial opportunities resulting in a loss of integrity and ethics? Are some maybe partly selling out but doing it under the umbrella of their original ethos?

Sarah x

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