When I tell people about my business, they often ask if I worry about competing with big all-natural beauty brands like Arbonne. They wonder how my natural products compare to the ones offered by this in-home party darling. I, of course, have had no idea how to answer their questions because I couldn’t find Arbonne’s ingredient lists for any of their products.
This past weekend I co-hosted a booth at the local Mind Body Life Expo, a big homeopathic love fest of salt rocks, acupuncturists, healing stones, beauty products, and even motivational speakers. In between the guy who was reading auras to diagnose allergies and the latest and greatest in anti-aging smoothies was the Arbonne booth. I took advantage of this rare opportunity to ask an Arbonne rep about the contents of their “pure and safe” skin care. She replied that they did not have the information about their natural products, but I was more than welcome to find complete ingredient information on the Arbonne website.
Rather than rant about the minutes of my life I wasted trying to find even one list of ingredients anywhere on the website, I will simply tell you that they do not exist. I knew I could not be the only one determined to know what was in the stuff, so I did a little web-sleuthing. Thanks to brave blogger Winking Brunette, I can now provide you with the dirty little secrets that apparently we’re supposed to be able to get via Arbonne consultants (let me repeat, I asked one and she quickly referred me to the website). Let’s take a look, shall we?
Ingredients for Arbonne’s Line Defiance Liquid Foundation SPF15: Water, Octinoxate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Peg/ppg-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dimethylacrylamide/acrylic Acid, Polystyrene Ethyl Methacrylate Copolymer Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cetyl Peg/ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Dimethicone/divinyldimethicone, Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Stearoxymethicone/dimethicone Copolymer, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Ethoxydiglycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oligopeptide-10, Aminobutyric Acid, Barium Sulfate, Glycerin, Steareth-20, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Chrysin, N-hydroxysuccinimide, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Alumina, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Mica (77019), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499).
It’s practically like rubbing a garden all over your face!
Now I realize I’m likely to get more than one angry comment from someone linked to Arbonne, and to that I say, bring it on! Please, if this information is incorrect, enlighten us! I couldn’t help but notice, however, that the angry comments under the Winking Brunette post did not dispute the accuracy of the ingredients. So are they just upset to see the truth plastered on the web without a sales rep there to explain away our concerns?
The bottom line is that the vast majority of Arbonne customers are under the distinct impression that Arbonne products are natural. Yet, one quick look at the ingredient lists – should you exert the considerable effort necessary to find them – and it becomes quite clear that it takes some serious spin cycles to wash this line green.
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This is a great post and one that needed to be written! I continue to hear from family, friends and acquaintances about this “natural” skin care line and its baffling that none of them know what’s really in the products (they just heard it was natural, so it must be so!). I too had to dig for the ingredients, which are shocking to say the least.
This is a great post and one that needed to be written! I continue to hear from family, friends and acquaintances about this “natural” skin care line and its baffling that none of them know what’s really in the products (they just heard it was natural, so it must be so!). I too had to dig for the ingredients, which are shocking to say the least.
This is disturbing… “green” must be Arbonne’s latest marketing scheme. I ran into an Arbonne rep at a sustainable business gathering who was pushing her products as green and informed her the plastic containers actually were not recyclable in our county. She said she would research and get back to me… while she did send one email that she had contacted a higher up to confirm an in-house recycling program… I never heard back. And I just received an invite to a house party… I cautioned the host against promoting these products as green and got a long email back about how they don’t test on animals and that the inks were FSC certified… Not exactly my idea of sustainable and green.
I agree, Jenn.
Have you found a more sustainable and green line that you're happy with yet, or are you still on the search for one?
Lacey : )
This is disturbing… “green” must be Arbonne’s latest marketing scheme. I ran into an Arbonne rep at a sustainable business gathering who was pushing her products as green and informed her the plastic containers actually were not recyclable in our county. She said she would research and get back to me… while she did send one email that she had contacted a higher up to confirm an in-house recycling program… I never heard back. And I just received an invite to a house party… I cautioned the host against promoting these products as green and got a long email back about how they don’t test on animals and that the inks were FSC certified… Not exactly my idea of sustainable and green.
I agree, Jenn.
Have you found a more sustainable and green line that you're happy with yet, or are you still on the search for one?
Lacey : )
Jenn, I recently started using Miessence Certified Organics skin care and cosmetic line. I was so impressed with their product content and how well it worked that I signed up to be a distributor. Their skin care line is organic and so safe it is edible. They fully disclose all of their ingredients and their products are listed in the Environmental Working Group’s database http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com.
http://www.hgnaturals.miessence.com
I too have a friend who started raving about Arbonne a few years ago, and how “natural” it is. Not being the type to just assume that someone else’s version of natural matches mine, I attempted to find an ingredients list on the website — which is not to be found. I emailed the company and they immediately referred me to a rep. I dropped it at that point, knowing that the only reason to be so secretive is if you have something to hide. Bravo to you and to others who are outing this deceptive company, SHAME on them!
I too have a friend who started raving about Arbonne a few years ago, and how “natural” it is. Not being the type to just assume that someone else’s version of natural matches mine, I attempted to find an ingredients list on the website — which is not to be found. I emailed the company and they immediately referred me to a rep. I dropped it at that point, knowing that the only reason to be so secretive is if you have something to hide. Bravo to you and to others who are outing this deceptive company, SHAME on them!
What really upset me was that I had my brands that realy are natural in the same location as this (and other faux natural) “natural” skin care companies – and I felt like their deception jeopardized the reputation of my own products. The truly natural and organic brands work so hard (and spend so much extra money) to keep their products safe and their packaging and practices eco-friendly, and to end up getting lumped alongside these brands….it’s totally unacceptable.
What really upset me was that I had my brands that realy are natural in the same location as this (and other faux natural) “natural” skin care companies – and I felt like their deception jeopardized the reputation of my own products. The truly natural and organic brands work so hard (and spend so much extra money) to keep their products safe and their packaging and practices eco-friendly, and to end up getting lumped alongside these brands….it’s totally unacceptable.
That reminds me…has anyone gotten their hands on a bottle of Victoria’s Secret’s new “natural” line? What’s the scoop on the actual ingredients in those products?
That reminds me…has anyone gotten their hands on a bottle of Victoria’s Secret’s new “natural” line? What’s the scoop on the actual ingredients in those products?
I am an independent consultant with Arbonne and I applaud your convictions. I’m embarrassed to say that like in any company there are a lot of uneducated ‘consultants’ out there! My apologies!!! Please know that Arbonne in fact does NOT IN ANY OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS say that they are “organic” or “green.” As for ingredients lists, you’re right you have to be a ‘consultant’ to pull them up. But any business builder with integrity would be educated enough to know that they have to be the ones to access the site to pull the lists for whom ever asks for them!
Have a great night!
I am an independent consultant with Arbonne and I applaud your convictions. I’m embarrassed to say that like in any company there are a lot of uneducated ‘consultants’ out there! My apologies!!! Please know that Arbonne in fact does NOT IN ANY OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS say that they are “organic” or “green.” As for ingredients lists, you’re right you have to be a ‘consultant’ to pull them up. But any business builder with integrity would be educated enough to know that they have to be the ones to access the site to pull the lists for whom ever asks for them!
Have a great night!
Christy is right! “Maverick” consultants are a problem in any direct sales company. I’ve been in the skin and body care industry for several years and have never heard Arbonne corporately declare themselves as green or organic, but as a naturally-based skin care company. In Arbonne’s defense, you pulled the ingredients of a product that is difficult to make “natural”: liquid foundation with SPF. They are many natural ingredients and peptides in the product, but their are also lots of synthetic ingredients that are necessary to make the pigments and the sunscreen in the product spread properly across the skin to achieve smooth foundation coverage and consistent sunscreen application.
I also agree with you that it’s ridiculous that customers don’t have access to the ingredients!!
Christy is right! “Maverick” consultants are a problem in any direct sales company. I’ve been in the skin and body care industry for several years and have never heard Arbonne corporately declare themselves as green or organic, but as a naturally-based skin care company. In Arbonne’s defense, you pulled the ingredients of a product that is difficult to make “natural”: liquid foundation with SPF. They are many natural ingredients and peptides in the product, but their are also lots of synthetic ingredients that are necessary to make the pigments and the sunscreen in the product spread properly across the skin to achieve smooth foundation coverage and consistent sunscreen application.
I also agree with you that it’s ridiculous that customers don’t have access to the ingredients!!
Great article, Terri! I too wonder about the green-ness of the new Pink line by Victoria’s Secret. I contacted someone at Vicky’s a couple of weeks ago who gave me a number to call where I could get more info on the products and their ingredients lists. I will keep you posted!
Great article, Terri! I too wonder about the green-ness of the new Pink line by Victoria’s Secret. I contacted someone at Vicky’s a couple of weeks ago who gave me a number to call where I could get more info on the products and their ingredients lists. I will keep you posted!
Interestingly, I attended an exhibitor meeting for the Earthday Expo the day after this post. Guess who showed up on the roster as having a booth?
Interestingly, I attended an exhibitor meeting for the Earthday Expo the day after this post. Guess who showed up on the roster as having a booth?
“In Arbonne’s defense, you pulled the ingredients of a product that is difficult to make “natural”: liquid foundation with SPF.”
I’m of the mind that 1)it can be done, as I use a natural SPF, 2) stop saying it’s natural. The root of the word natural = nature. Arbonne is purposely misleading people, to their advantage.
“In Arbonne’s defense, you pulled the ingredients of a product that is difficult to make “natural”: liquid foundation with SPF.”
I’m of the mind that 1)it can be done, as I use a natural SPF, 2) stop saying it’s natural. The root of the word natural = nature. Arbonne is purposely misleading people, to their advantage.
There are plenty of natural foundations, and plenty of natural face products with SPF. I chose the foundation specifically because there are so many natural and organic foundations that are truly free of nasty synthetics. Besides, it’s not the actual ingredients list that upsets me – it’s the image Arbonne projects and the extent to which it runs contrary to the actual products. I have asked many, many people who say they use Arbonne (including someone today) if they were under the impression it was a natural skin care line, and they all say yes. That isn’t a “rogue” or “maverick” sales person. That is the image the company is trying to project.
if something is all natural it would be in liquid form, expire in a few hours and have to be refrigerated so no they are not natural, "green" maybe as they really try to make things recycleable and use natural botanical ingredients…Mary Kay uses MANY natural botanicals, but they will not claim their products to be all natural because they know that is not true, even though they have enough natural ingredients to do so according to fda standards, but Arbonne markets their products as very natural safe etc…which they may be safe, but they MARKET as natural…when they shouldnt and that's all I hear from people is that Natural stuff making Mary Kay sound bad and others that are basically similar and alot of the same ingredients…and Mary Kay spends lots of money time and scientific research to be sure their products are safe, safety is their highest concern…they are no less "natural" and safe…you just dont market things that way…I also learned that food products that say they are made with real fruit are really probably fruit juice and sugar…no real actual fruit is in them…they can claim lots of stuff and get away with it…
There are plenty of natural foundations, and plenty of natural face products with SPF. I chose the foundation specifically because there are so many natural and organic foundations that are truly free of nasty synthetics. Besides, it’s not the actual ingredients list that upsets me – it’s the image Arbonne projects and the extent to which it runs contrary to the actual products. I have asked many, many people who say they use Arbonne (including someone today) if they were under the impression it was a natural skin care line, and they all say yes. That isn’t a “rogue” or “maverick” sales person. That is the image the company is trying to project.
if something is all natural it would be in liquid form, expire in a few hours and have to be refrigerated so no they are not natural, "green" maybe as they really try to make things recycleable and use natural botanical ingredients…Mary Kay uses MANY natural botanicals, but they will not claim their products to be all natural because they know that is not true, even though they have enough natural ingredients to do so according to fda standards, but Arbonne markets their products as very natural safe etc…which they may be safe, but they MARKET as natural…when they shouldnt and that's all I hear from people is that Natural stuff making Mary Kay sound bad and others that are basically similar and alot of the same ingredients…and Mary Kay spends lots of money time and scientific research to be sure their products are safe, safety is their highest concern…they are no less "natural" and safe…you just dont market things that way…I also learned that food products that say they are made with real fruit are really probably fruit juice and sugar…no real actual fruit is in them…they can claim lots of stuff and get away with it…
I have a friend that introduced me to Arbonne a few months ago, She let me test some of the products… I too found it odd that the ingredients weren’t listed on any of the bottles or the boxes they came in. I ran upstairs to look at some of my REAL natural products to see if their ingredients were listed, and they were proudly displayed right on the lable on all of the products I had… It did make me doubt the integrity of Arbonnes products.
So, could any of you give me some names of the best Organic, Natural facial products out there? Thank you for being brave and determined enough to post this!
WOW! NOT LISTED ON THE BOX OR BOTTLES!? yeah that's wrong…not ok…Mary Kay lists all their ingredients on the packaging!
I have a friend that introduced me to Arbonne a few months ago, She let me test some of the products… I too found it odd that the ingredients weren’t listed on any of the bottles or the boxes they came in. I ran upstairs to look at some of my REAL natural products to see if their ingredients were listed, and they were proudly displayed right on the lable on all of the products I had… It did make me doubt the integrity of Arbonnes products.
So, could any of you give me some names of the best Organic, Natural facial products out there? Thank you for being brave and determined enough to post this!
WOW! NOT LISTED ON THE BOX OR BOTTLES!? yeah that's wrong…not ok…Mary Kay lists all their ingredients on the packaging!
Oh my gosh there are tons of them! Our top sellers include suki, Logona, Organoderm Foaming Facial Cleanser, and Santaverde. Intelligent Nutrients has a fabulous USDA certified line coming out in April. Other great brands include Jurlique, Shea Terra, and Dr. Alkaitis, just to name a few!
Oh my gosh there are tons of them! Our top sellers include suki, Logona, Organoderm Foaming Facial Cleanser, and Santaverde. Intelligent Nutrients has a fabulous USDA certified line coming out in April. Other great brands include Jurlique, Shea Terra, and Dr. Alkaitis, just to name a few!
Hey all, I was reading through all of this, and I just thought I would share some thoughts. The #1 problem with all of this is that there is absolutely NO regulation on what “natural” means. You can slap that on pretty much anything. This, of course weakens anyone’s argument that says Arbonne is “natural”, but it also weakens anyone’s argument that says that some other products are actually “natural”, and Arbonne’s aren’t. There is no “natural” certification.
So yes, there are a lot of companies out there that love using this “buzz word” to increase sales, and I am sure that some of the Arbonne consultants out there do it, also. BUT, I am an Arbonne consultant (for 3.5 years), with a degree in Biology (not saying that to sound impressive, but to explain that I enjoy researching products/ingredients), and I know for a FACT that Arbonne teaches us NOT to say that we are “all-natural.”
Here is what I say at presentations, with all being true: We are botanically based, hypoallergenic, pH correct, do not use animal products or by products, do not test on animals, are free of mineral oil and artificial dyes. I never once say we are all-natural. I do go into detail about each of those points and why they are all important. But I ALSO SAY, that we blend the best of science and nature. That is an Arbonne quote.
As much as I know that going more natural is good, there are also a lot of natural ingredients that are not beneficial to the skin/body, but people don’t care because it’s “natural” or “organic.” I appreciated Arbonne because of the extensive human panel tests that they do with all of their products. A lot of $$ goes into that, which is why a lot of companies aren’t willing to do it.
Anyway, I’m not here to say Arbonne is the best, or that you can’t find other good products out there, but I have done some hard core research on everything from parabens to triethanolamine to grape seed extract, and I know the scare tactics used by “all-natural” and “organic” companies to make people think that anything with a scientific ingredient in it means that you’re not safe. I’m not saying you guys are doing that, but I just ride the fence on that arena. It’s all about the integrity of the company that makes the products. Which, by the way, it is ILLEGAL to not put ingredients on a label. If you received an Arbonne product without the ingredients on the label, you probably bought it off Ebay. Every box has the ingredients listed. The bottles themselves may not, but the box they are shipped in will have them.
And lastly, the proof is in the pudding. If you love your products, rock on, and don’t worry about Arbonne. For me, I have never had better skin until Arbonne. Truly. So, I know they work, and I know they are safe, and that is all I care about.
Sorry that was so long.
)
Hey all, I was reading through all of this, and I just thought I would share some thoughts. The #1 problem with all of this is that there is absolutely NO regulation on what “natural” means. You can slap that on pretty much anything. This, of course weakens anyone’s argument that says Arbonne is “natural”, but it also weakens anyone’s argument that says that some other products are actually “natural”, and Arbonne’s aren’t. There is no “natural” certification.
So yes, there are a lot of companies out there that love using this “buzz word” to increase sales, and I am sure that some of the Arbonne consultants out there do it, also. BUT, I am an Arbonne consultant (for 3.5 years), with a degree in Biology (not saying that to sound impressive, but to explain that I enjoy researching products/ingredients), and I know for a FACT that Arbonne teaches us NOT to say that we are “all-natural.”
Here is what I say at presentations, with all being true: We are botanically based, hypoallergenic, pH correct, do not use animal products or by products, do not test on animals, are free of mineral oil and artificial dyes. I never once say we are all-natural. I do go into detail about each of those points and why they are all important. But I ALSO SAY, that we blend the best of science and nature. That is an Arbonne quote.
As much as I know that going more natural is good, there are also a lot of natural ingredients that are not beneficial to the skin/body, but people don’t care because it’s “natural” or “organic.” I appreciated Arbonne because of the extensive human panel tests that they do with all of their products. A lot of $$ goes into that, which is why a lot of companies aren’t willing to do it.
Anyway, I’m not here to say Arbonne is the best, or that you can’t find other good products out there, but I have done some hard core research on everything from parabens to triethanolamine to grape seed extract, and I know the scare tactics used by “all-natural” and “organic” companies to make people think that anything with a scientific ingredient in it means that you’re not safe. I’m not saying you guys are doing that, but I just ride the fence on that arena. It’s all about the integrity of the company that makes the products. Which, by the way, it is ILLEGAL to not put ingredients on a label. If you received an Arbonne product without the ingredients on the label, you probably bought it off Ebay. Every box has the ingredients listed. The bottles themselves may not, but the box they are shipped in will have them.
And lastly, the proof is in the pudding. If you love your products, rock on, and don’t worry about Arbonne. For me, I have never had better skin until Arbonne. Truly. So, I know they work, and I know they are safe, and that is all I care about.
Sorry that was so long.
)
Oh and one more thing. 90% of my customers are people who buy their skincare from Wally-world. They aren’t buying products that even have a single botanical or natural ingredient in it. So to them, when I talk about some of our ingredients, they ARE very different and MORE NATURAL than what they are used to. I am sure that is why the people you talk to would say that Arbonne’s products are “natural.” Everyone’s definition of natural is different! So though they may seem misled in your eyes, if they switched from some $1 lotion with mineral oil in it to an Arbonne lotion with botanical oils, to them that IS natrual…even if it does have some “un-natural” ingredients along with those botanicals.
In other words, if I had a customer that was all about organic and all-natural products, such as yourself, I would be honest with them, and I have been in the past. I tell them that we use less than .5% of preservatives, and we also have other scientific ingredients. I’m not going to lie to anyone. But I also back that up with Arbonne’s extensive testing to reassure that it’s safe. If they decline on purchasing, I totally understand. They have a different conviction, and that’s fine with me.
Oh and one more thing. 90% of my customers are people who buy their skincare from Wally-world. They aren’t buying products that even have a single botanical or natural ingredient in it. So to them, when I talk about some of our ingredients, they ARE very different and MORE NATURAL than what they are used to. I am sure that is why the people you talk to would say that Arbonne’s products are “natural.” Everyone’s definition of natural is different! So though they may seem misled in your eyes, if they switched from some $1 lotion with mineral oil in it to an Arbonne lotion with botanical oils, to them that IS natrual…even if it does have some “un-natural” ingredients along with those botanicals.
In other words, if I had a customer that was all about organic and all-natural products, such as yourself, I would be honest with them, and I have been in the past. I tell them that we use less than .5% of preservatives, and we also have other scientific ingredients. I’m not going to lie to anyone. But I also back that up with Arbonne’s extensive testing to reassure that it’s safe. If they decline on purchasing, I totally understand. They have a different conviction, and that’s fine with me.
Thank you so much! I will check them out!
Thank you so much! I will check them out!
Rachel, I was wrong about the ingredients not being on the box that the arbonne product came in, I later saw that it was on the box. It would be a good if the ingredients were listed on the bottles as well. (of course that is out of your hands)
Thank you for pointing out some REALLY valid points. I really enjoyed the products my friend allowed me to try.
I agree with you about everyone’s opinion about “natural” being different. Most people who use regular soap that they buy in a store are not aware of the animal bi products in them… so switiching to Arbonne would be a great benefit to them and to their body. And is a lot more “natural” than dove!
All in all, you just have to know what you are getting and know what you are selling if you are a distributor! People just need to wise up!
Rachel, I was wrong about the ingredients not being on the box that the arbonne product came in, I later saw that it was on the box. It would be a good if the ingredients were listed on the bottles as well. (of course that is out of your hands)
Thank you for pointing out some REALLY valid points. I really enjoyed the products my friend allowed me to try.
I agree with you about everyone’s opinion about “natural” being different. Most people who use regular soap that they buy in a store are not aware of the animal bi products in them… so switiching to Arbonne would be a great benefit to them and to their body. And is a lot more “natural” than dove!
All in all, you just have to know what you are getting and know what you are selling if you are a distributor! People just need to wise up!
I’ve naively tried a few arbonne products a few years ago, and somewhat liked a few, such as the herbal vapor rub, men’s aftershave lotion, vitamin c lotion, but they are sooo stinkin’ expensive, I won’t be buying them again (at the time, I was getting a big discount through someone for a first-time-try).
That being said, their makeup is not good…not good at all. I tried to find the ingredients and couldn’t…then decided to try it anyway since they claimed it was so wonderful for sensitive/problem skin…it’s Not. Point blank. No wonder, now that I can see some of the ingredients. Only recently did I realize that my skin is not bad….it just can’t take all the chemicals in artificial cleaners and makeups! Going green is not Just good for the earth, it’s good for people, too! What I am most grateful for, is the opportunity to learn how to give the gift of a natural and gentle environment for my sensitive-skinned boy and my makeup-enthusiastic girl. =)
I’ve naively tried a few arbonne products a few years ago, and somewhat liked a few, such as the herbal vapor rub, men’s aftershave lotion, vitamin c lotion, but they are sooo stinkin’ expensive, I won’t be buying them again (at the time, I was getting a big discount through someone for a first-time-try).
That being said, their makeup is not good…not good at all. I tried to find the ingredients and couldn’t…then decided to try it anyway since they claimed it was so wonderful for sensitive/problem skin…it’s Not. Point blank. No wonder, now that I can see some of the ingredients. Only recently did I realize that my skin is not bad….it just can’t take all the chemicals in artificial cleaners and makeups! Going green is not Just good for the earth, it’s good for people, too! What I am most grateful for, is the opportunity to learn how to give the gift of a natural and gentle environment for my sensitive-skinned boy and my makeup-enthusiastic girl. =)
Arbonne never makes direct claims that their products are natural, but people make that assumption based on the company’s marketing. They often use photos of plants and nature in their catalogs and web site, and their slogan “pure, safe, beneficial” is often misinterpreted as “natural”. “Pure” to them means using the “best” ingredients that nature and science have to offer. So, they purposely use synthetic ingredients because they feel they are the best.
I agree they need to be more forward with their ingredients. Their ingredient lists ARE on their web site, but only in a consultant-only area of the web site. You will need a consultant # and PIN to get to it. It sounds like the consultant you spoke with didn’t know this, and thought everyone had access to the lists. Non-consultants are supposed to be able to get them through consultants, that’s how their business is set up. Sounds like this lady needs to go back to Arbonne University (yes, here is such a thing) and re-take Basic Consulting 101.
I love Arbonne’s products because they work for me. I don’t really care that they’re not 100% natural. I’m not one of those people that worries about every single ingredient in my personal care products. Life is too short for that. However, if you’re the type that likes natural beauty products, Arbonne is not for you. I would stick with Burt’s Bees or similar lines.
Arbonne never makes direct claims that their products are natural, but people make that assumption based on the company’s marketing. They often use photos of plants and nature in their catalogs and web site, and their slogan “pure, safe, beneficial” is often misinterpreted as “natural”. “Pure” to them means using the “best” ingredients that nature and science have to offer. So, they purposely use synthetic ingredients because they feel they are the best.
I agree they need to be more forward with their ingredients. Their ingredient lists ARE on their web site, but only in a consultant-only area of the web site. You will need a consultant # and PIN to get to it. It sounds like the consultant you spoke with didn’t know this, and thought everyone had access to the lists. Non-consultants are supposed to be able to get them through consultants, that’s how their business is set up. Sounds like this lady needs to go back to Arbonne University (yes, here is such a thing) and re-take Basic Consulting 101.
I love Arbonne’s products because they work for me. I don’t really care that they’re not 100% natural. I’m not one of those people that worries about every single ingredient in my personal care products. Life is too short for that. However, if you’re the type that likes natural beauty products, Arbonne is not for you. I would stick with Burt’s Bees or similar lines.
Rachel, I am a new consultant with Arbonne and absolutely love this company and their products. I would love to chat with you about ingredients if you have the time. Are you still a consultant? do you have a myarbonne site??
Rachel, I am a new consultant with Arbonne and absolutely love this company and their products. I would love to chat with you about ingredients if you have the time. Are you still a consultant? do you have a myarbonne site??
Hi Teri
It’s unfortunate Arbonne Consultant’s have been uninformed or dishonest with you. Arbonne’s corporate claims are botanically based products and do not state they are all natural or organic. It is up to each person selling the product to be as upfront and direct as possible with individuals asking about the products and the ingredients. I have encountered this at many stores with various types of products whether the sales person is uninformed or dishonest is unknown. Arbonne does encourage consultants to be honest about everything from products to the business aspect of the company. Arbonne is not for everyone, just as rose water toner and pumpkin/sugar scrub is not for everyone. I hope that individuals encounter honest, upfront consultants who uphold the integrity the company desires. And I also hope people aren’t hearing what they want, botanically based or a mixture of the best of nature AND science, vegan certified, no animal testing, FSC certified packaging, soy-based inks, formulated without parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA,petrolatum, paraffin or diethanolamine, using organic botanicals when possible ( all company claims) is different from ” 100% organic”.
Hi Teri
It’s unfortunate Arbonne Consultant’s have been uninformed or dishonest with you. Arbonne’s corporate claims are botanically based products and do not state they are all natural or organic. It is up to each person selling the product to be as upfront and direct as possible with individuals asking about the products and the ingredients. I have encountered this at many stores with various types of products whether the sales person is uninformed or dishonest is unknown. Arbonne does encourage consultants to be honest about everything from products to the business aspect of the company. Arbonne is not for everyone, just as rose water toner and pumpkin/sugar scrub is not for everyone. I hope that individuals encounter honest, upfront consultants who uphold the integrity the company desires. And I also hope people aren’t hearing what they want, botanically based or a mixture of the best of nature AND science, vegan certified, no animal testing, FSC certified packaging, soy-based inks, formulated without parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA,petrolatum, paraffin or diethanolamine, using organic botanicals when possible ( all company claims) is different from ” 100% organic”.
Thank you for posting this. As an ex-Arbonne consultant, I feel stronly that the truth be unveiled. I have since moved on to truly organic lines.Thank you again!
Same here, Rebecca. What organic lines have you found and love? Lacey
Thank you for posting this. As an ex-Arbonne consultant, I feel stronly that the truth be unveiled. I have since moved on to truly organic lines.Thank you again!
Same here, Rebecca. What organic lines have you found and love? Lacey
Having all the right product information is a must! Nothing is worse then signing up as a consultant, only to be told things about the Company that are not true. I just signed up to be an Arbonne Consultant because I like these products so much and I like the way they feel and the benefits. It has been an interesting ride so far and I can’t say it has been a good experience dealing with up line and miss information. With all this said, I am going to try to make a go of this because I believe in it.
Having all the right product information is a must! Nothing is worse then signing up as a consultant, only to be told things about the Company that are not true. I just signed up to be an Arbonne Consultant because I like these products so much and I like the way they feel and the benefits. It has been an interesting ride so far and I can’t say it has been a good experience dealing with up line and miss information. With all this said, I am going to try to make a go of this because I believe in it.
I just read more comments and would like to share what I have learned so far.
#1. To be 100% natural means NO preservatives at all! That means the product you buy that is 100% natural will have a very short shelf life.
#2. Arbonne will only add 0.05% paraben to their products and as of late some products do have paraben but only 0.05%. The FDA allows 25% in the United States.
#3. Make up with no preservative can produce mold and make up without some form of alcohol can allow bacteria growth.
#4. Be aware of the fact that all substances have a chemical name, even olive oil . When you see product ingredients that look ominous, it could literally be the name of a vitamin or an oil of some sort.
I combed the Internet for this because I was challenged and believe in being 100% honest! In no way am I a Doctor or a Chemist but a consumer who did the best I could by researching as much as I could on the net. If I have stated something that is incorrect I am always open to correction.
AND…water is a chemical, we are made up of chemicals people…air, oxygen…is a chemical..there is a difference between putting rat poison or lead into products that are going to be ingested or rubbed onto the skin and testing the safety and acceptable levels and yes being lower than the acceptable levels, even cosmetic grade mineral oil used in small amounts is not as harmful as people try to make it sound…and there you go Arbonne is NOT paraben free…people need their facts…
I just read more comments and would like to share what I have learned so far.
#1. To be 100% natural means NO preservatives at all! That means the product you buy that is 100% natural will have a very short shelf life.
#2. Arbonne will only add 0.05% paraben to their products and as of late some products do have paraben but only 0.05%. The FDA allows 25% in the United States.
#3. Make up with no preservative can produce mold and make up without some form of alcohol can allow bacteria growth.
#4. Be aware of the fact that all substances have a chemical name, even olive oil . When you see product ingredients that look ominous, it could literally be the name of a vitamin or an oil of some sort.
I combed the Internet for this because I was challenged and believe in being 100% honest! In no way am I a Doctor or a Chemist but a consumer who did the best I could by researching as much as I could on the net. If I have stated something that is incorrect I am always open to correction.
AND…water is a chemical, we are made up of chemicals people…air, oxygen…is a chemical..there is a difference between putting rat poison or lead into products that are going to be ingested or rubbed onto the skin and testing the safety and acceptable levels and yes being lower than the acceptable levels, even cosmetic grade mineral oil used in small amounts is not as harmful as people try to make it sound…and there you go Arbonne is NOT paraben free…people need their facts…
I almost became an Arbonne consultant. As a completely organic girl, I only use organic and safe products with ingredients I can identify and pronounce.When I found an Arbonne catalog, I thought..this is perfect for me! What an opportunity! I met with the rep and inquired as to the ingredients. Apparently (as you say) this information is NOT available to most people.
Ding! Ding! Warning bells began ringing. When she finally gave me a print out of the ingredients, I was horrified. I immediately backed out of the process, my reason being that I will not promote anything I wouldn’t use myself. Beware of green washed products!
Thanks for posting this informative article.
Hi Robin,
So, as a completely organic girl, what have you found instead of Arbonne?
Lacey : )
Hi Robin.
Have you found an alternative yet that you're happy with as a "completely organic girl"?
Lacey : )
I almost became an Arbonne consultant. As a completely organic girl, I only use organic and safe products with ingredients I can identify and pronounce.When I found an Arbonne catalog, I thought..this is perfect for me! What an opportunity! I met with the rep and inquired as to the ingredients. Apparently (as you say) this information is NOT available to most people.
Ding! Ding! Warning bells began ringing. When she finally gave me a print out of the ingredients, I was horrified. I immediately backed out of the process, my reason being that I will not promote anything I wouldn’t use myself. Beware of green washed products!
Thanks for posting this informative article.
Hi Robin,
So, as a completely organic girl, what have you found instead of Arbonne?
Lacey : )
Hi Robin.
Have you found an alternative yet that you're happy with as a "completely organic girl"?
Lacey : )