[Update: Comments have been closed due to threats from MLM company representatives. Please see comment policy. For lifestyle & beauty brands we added some additional information. Note: Brands that did not disclose fragrance ingredients were given “bad” rankings regardless of claims if they were not verified by a 3rd party with certification. We are encouraging all brands using fragrance to disclose what that fragrance is. We believe that you have a right to know what you put on your body. Any brand that is willing to publicly disclose fragrances online will be reconsidered. Industry giant Unilever ironically agrees with us and is labeling their fragrance soon. ]
Over 20 million people were involved in direct selling opportunities in 2015. Three-quarters of them were women. People involved in multi-level marketing or direct sales sold over 12 BILLION dollars in wellness products alone that year. MLM companies offer opportunities that empower women to make a living without having to clock into an office. For the modern era, it’s a fantastic opportunity. Women are looking for ways to support their families and add some additional income to the pot to be able to stay home longer with little ones. Some of us have even become consultants to get deals on products we have grown to love.
Although MLM companies are fantastic as an opportunity for women, no one is really rating them based on the safety of their ingredients. Almost every week, someone asks us about our favorite MLM companies, so we thought it was time to independently evaluate their ingredients. Which of these companies are safest for your family based on ingredients? We have no skin in the game so we hope you enjoy our investigation on the most popular MLMs in the industry.
Disclosure: Mamavation does not engage in multi-level marketing, but we support the women who sell through multi-level marketing and this post was not created to bash on that industry. In terms of this post, we are only looking at ingredients to rank MLM companies. The only brand here that we have had any financial ties to is Beautycounter. They are sponsors of ShiftCon Social Media Conference.
Table of Contents
Mamavation Looked At Most Popular MLM Companies
We surveyed the Mamavation private Facebook group for the most popular MLM companies in beauty, lifestyle, and food. And then we went searching for their ingredients and what was known about them online. We found good companies, companies that we felt lukewarm about and companies that definitely used unsafe ingredients. For instance, tons of companies in the bad beauty section contained “fragrance”, which is typically an endocrine disruptor called phthalates. But we also found some options that you would feel good using and recommending to your friends and loved ones.
Above all, we valued transparency and the ability to verify what they were saying. If brands certified their own products and we had no way of verifying what they were saying, we brought them down a notch. Saying “made using organic farming methods” isn’t the same as USDA organic.
[Updated image: Moving Lemongrass Spa, Monat, Nikken to “bad” category. They do not disclose fragrance ingredients, which we find important. Don’t you have a right to know what you put on your skin? We think you do, and have left that to the better and best categories. Any company who decides to publicly disclose fragrance ingredients on their website will be reconsidered.]
Direct sales of beauty products began in 1886. 1886 also brought you the Tournament of Roses Parade and an extra jolt of cocaine in your Coca-Cola. That year began a legacy of opportunity for women that still remains today – an opportunity to generate independent income while working from home. But throughout this time, companies have been protected legally from disclosing ingredients. And their lack of transparency is masked as “trade secrets.” As a result, they don’t have to disclose amount of phthalates within their products. But we know they are likely hidden anytime you see “fragrance,” “perfume,” or “parfum.”
Beauty MLMs That Are Bad For Your Health
These brands contain carcinogens, nanoparticles or endocrine disrupting chemicals. They can also contain potentially allergenic ingredients that can make sensitive people react. They use perfumes and fragrances in their ingredients without clear labels communicating what ingredients constitute “fragrance”. They may have something to hide. Phthalates are an ingredient linked to weight gain and a lower IQ in children. In addition, phthalates are also linked to a lack of virility in men. Not too cool if you are wanting children one day.
Perfectly Posh*
Arbonne
Mary Kay
It Works!
Rodan + Fields
Younique
Jamberry
Avon
LipSense
Monat*
[Update: * no public disclosure of fragrance ingredients, but are claiming to use phthalate free fragrance. If these companies decided to label their fragrance ingredients, we would be happy to reconsider their ranking.]Beauty MLMs That Are Better For Your Health
The ingredients on these next MLMs are safer – scoring well on Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep”database. These companies are actively avoiding ingredients like parabens, phthalates & formaldehyde. Brands are also disclosing fragrance ingredients.
[Updated: No brands were avoiding parabens, phthalates & formaldehyde while also disclosing fragrance ingredients. Don’t you have a right to know what you are putting on your skin? We think you do. Any brand that decides to publicly disclose fragrance ingredients, we will be happy to reconsider, provided they are still avoiding what is mentioned above.]Beauty MLMs That Are Best For Your Health
These are the best of the bunch, using many certified organic ingredients. Companies are transparent with their ingredients and offer lists and education about avoided ingredients. These companies are working hard to produce ingredients that are not carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting.
NYR Organic
Crunchi
Lemongrass
Wellness is the number one type of direct sales on the market today, with almost a quarter of multi-level marketing sales done by millennials. Half of millenials with children regularly purchase organic products. Their health is important to them and that is a good thing. Take a look at which MLM companies made the grade when it comes to wellness.
Health Related MLMs That Are Bad For Your Health
Products use gimmicks to yield results that are temporary, or worse, damage your health. Soy and corn are likely genetically engineered. More and more pesticides and herbicides are being applied to GMO crops to combat a growing tolerance to the chemicals. Wheat is typically sprayed with glyphosate to help with the drying process before it’s harvested so it’s likely to test high for glyphosate residue. Companies have ingredients with adverse reactions for some conditions that are not disclosed on product. There can be multiple sources of substances like caffeine and added sugars listed in levels we are not comfortable with.
Plexus
Le-Vel Thrive
Isagenix
Pruvit
Herbalife
Advocare
Agel
Asea
Xyngular
Skinny Fiber
Health Related MLMs That Are Better For Your Health
These companies are better because their ingredient lists contain many whole food ingredients, making them easy to read and understand. They are free from artificial colors, which can cause hyperactivity in children, and instead use coloring from vegetables and sugars from fruit sources. Companies state some organic or non-GMO ingredients along with grass-fed protein sources. Not all are organic or non-GMO, and consequently they still are potentially contaminated with toxic pesticides. Some have exotic ingredients with health benefits.
Limu
Juice Plus
Beach Body/Shakeology
Manntech
Usana
ID Life
New Earth
Health Related MLM Companies That Are Best For Your Health
Certified organic and non-GMO ingredients. Has supportive and informative website with clear labeling.
Purium
You want your whole lifestyle to be as safe as possible. This is why it’s best to avoid harsh chemicals when finding the safest cleaners, hygiene products and supplements for your whole family. Toxins and other junk hide everywhere in cleaning and household products. Watching out for obesogens and other chemicals that can put your health at risk is a priority.
Lifestyle MLMs That Are Bad For Your Health
These companies use plastics or non-stick coatings that have endocrine-disrupting ingredients. Chemicals like PFOA have also poisoned people and waterways. They also have endocrine-disruptors or skin irritants used in household or hygiene products. Supplements have GMO soy or other ingredients including soy protein isolate, which is an endocrine disruptor. Fragrance ingredients are used, which can contain phthalates and other toxins which are not labeled due to allowances for “trade secrets”. Companies may also lack transparency by not labeling ingredients on bottles and only providing upon request. Most noteworthy, some companies have greenwashed their products with claims of ‘natural’ or using green-minded branding in their logos and labels – therefore beware!
Tupperware
Pampered Chef
Melaleuca
Market America (Several brands involved)
Scentsy
Amway
Modere*
Pink Zebra
Sunrider
Shaklee
Nikken*
[Update: * claims to have phthalate-free fragrance but does not disclose fragrance ingredients.]Lifestyle MLMs That Are Better For Your Health
Companies state organic or non-GMO ingredients when applicable, but some still have GMO soy or other ingredients in supplements. This means the products are still potentially contaminated with pesticides. Some consultants and brands making health claims without supporting evidence, i.e. “essential oils cure cancer”. These statements cannot be substantiated by the FDA or the European Union. Brands and consultants recommending unsafe uses for products compared to advice from practicing professionals, resulting in FDA involvement. Companies self-certify their products with their own set of standards. If a company created their own set up standards, that’s not necessarily bad, but we can’t verify it so it went into the “better” category.
Beyond Organic
DoTerra
Young Living
Norwex*
[Update: *has 3rd party certification proving they don’t carry phthalates]Lifestyle MLMs That Are Best For Your Health
These companies have many or all organic ingredients or products that are certified, including organic essential oils. They are transparent with ingredients and offer instructions for use and warnings, if applicable, for safety. As a result, they provide a complete toxin-free lifestyle for you.
goDésana
Miessence
Poofy Organics
Finding credible and safe sources to help keep the pantry stocked is a challenge, especially if you have a family. Therefore, MLM food companies need to give you safe choices with transparency. Because healthy choices are always the most delicious and satisfying!
Food Related MLMs That Are Bad for Your Health
This category contains the worst of the worst brands for your health. This list contains companies selling products that contain additives, preservatives, genetically engineered ingredients, endocrine disrupting chemicals and use of toxic, persistent pesticides.
Tastfully Simple
Food Related MLMs That Are Better for Your Health
This list contains companies that state products are not made from genetically engineered ingredients. These brands are not organic, and as a result they can still use toxic, persistent pesticides in production. These toxic, persistent pesticides are still a cancer or endocrine disruption risk.
Thrive Life
Food Related MLMs That Are Best For Your Health
This list contains organic certified facilities OR products and ingredients are labeled organic when applicable. Organic products are also by definition non-GMO. Organic products are prohibited from using toxic, persistent pesticides in production. Products are labeled gluten-free and nut-free when applicable.
Epicure
BlendFresh
Wildtree
Discussion
Which of these MLM companies have you seen the most of? Do your friends sell any of these brands? Has your opinion of these brands changed at all OR did you discover new ones? Share!
Megan McClain
Soy protein isolate definitely can act
as an estrogen. The American Cancer Society has no official take on all soy, so it really is up to the way it is available.
Yvonne
What I am loving from this is that there are so many strong women who have done he research and are inspired to share it – most in a positive empowered way. We are not a weak people of the US! I honor the verve and spirit of the discussion here!
Megan McClain
Me too! A lot happened when I was unavailable, but I love that it has spurned discussion and more questions. As it should!
Ann
Hello Leah
Would you consider doing a review on Acti-Labs? I recently became an ambassador for my own reason. I have boycotted Avon, Arbonne, and will have nothing to do with Younique. I have seen people in my town flock to a near-by cafe , given the info on Isagenix and are hooked on it. I am taking on Acti-Labs for me, I recent quit smoking, I am aiming to get healthier. I really hope some people will take a look at what they are getting into why doesn’t Arbornne company tell you their ingredients, what is in Isagenix shakes alfalfa and sugar? ( Acti-Labs has less sugar and calories)
Anyways it doesn’t matter, I am doing Acti-Labs for me, no-one else….
But I still like a good read 😉
Oh and if you do a review could you email me the link sometime? Thanks a bunch
Mary Dunham
Add Essante organics to the list. Thank you
Jillian Kelly
I’d love to see where EVER Skincare falls in the mix. I have no doubt that it would fall under the “best” category. EVER is fairly new but the line of skincare only has good for you ingredients, which are botanically derived. I love to use the EWG.org as a great resource and I’m very familiar with the categorization the FDA has for certain ingredients. For instance, the ingredient listed as “fragrance” does not differentiate those with only essential oils or those with harmful toxins.
EVER proudly uses only fragrances from essential oils. ?? Also, transparency is VERY important in our company, which is one of the reason I love to represent the brand and feel safe using the products.
I would love to work with you to include EVER Skincare.
Katie
I was shocked to see Arbonne in the bad rating! Their ingredients policy follow the European standards and are pure, safe and beneficial. What was it that you were not happy with. They also have a nutrition line that is GMO free, verified vegan, soy, gluten and dairy free. I’m curious how their nutrition line would measure up.
Cheri
Thank you for all the hard work that I’m sure went into this article. I speedier the insight into these companies! Great job.
Danielle
Hi! I would love for you to review Limelight by Alcone. I have been more than pleased with their cosmetics!!
Allison S
Isagenix?? Seriously far off!! This is the ONLY nutritional shake and supplement company my naturopath stands behind, she knows the scientist and they have a lot of scientific reports to back them up; not to mention made with grass fed cows from Australia, which are the best made way, all ingredients revealed, no gluten in majority, no soy and low sugar.
Plus you have Beauty Counter in the wrong place-plenty of harmful ingredients.
I hope you review more carefully the next time you do this as customers rely on reports as this!
Very disappointed!
Jessica
Have you looked at Zija products? I would love for you to check them out and their company Ameo essential oils as well. Thank you.
Lori
Please, add IDLife to the next round! The products are amazing and the company is totally transparent.
Megan McClain
They’re there! Under “better”
Warren Lamb
I recommend you check out Touchstone Essentials
Sylvia
Nothing about Metagenics?
Leah Segedie
We can look into that next time. Thanks for asking. We are compiling all the additional companies to look at from monitoring the comments.
Kimberly
I strive to keep my family and me as healthy as we can be. We opt for organic at every opportunity. One company in particular that you have listed as a “bad” company doesn’t have any artificial or harmful ingredients in ANY of it’s products therefore I’m disappointed to see this information being “shouted off the rooftops”. Your followers are counting on you for factual information. Unfortunately, incorrect claims can cost you your integrity.
Megan McClain
Which company are you referring to?
Christine
What about Celadon Road?!
Leah Segedie
We can consider adding that company to the next round. I have a feeling there will a be round two. This investigation has proved quite useful to people.
Leah Segedie
Thank you for stopping by. We found PEG compounds in the following items. I’m not sure if this is ALL the items that contain PEG, but these were the ones from the catalog:
Hello sweetie Big Fat Yumme Hand Creme
Hot Mess Big Fat Yummy Hand Creme
Hips Don’t Lie Caffeinated body creme
PEG compounds are problematic because of how they are processed. Due to contamination concerns for 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, we strongly encourage companies to avoid these ethoxylated ingredients. I would say this brand is almost a “better” but not quite. And I DO think they can also work on their disclosure of ingredients. It’s not 100% disclosure.
Denise
Happy to see NYR Organic there! I joined them specifically because of their stellar reputation for product safety. As a consultant for three years, I know they have received a perfect score of 100 from the Ehtical Company Organisation for outstanding ethics. All ingredients are listed on the website. They are Soil Association certified, cruelty-free and practice fair trade. The brand’s entire purpose is to produce the safest and most effective certified organic products in the most enviornmentally and animal responsible way. Wonderful, caring, family-owned company.
Leah Segedie
And I have their moisturizer in my bathroom!
Amber
I have to admit I am really disappointed in this article. You have only answered the positive comments and haven’t addressed any of the questions brought to you. Why is that?
Megan McClain
There are many positive and negative comments with questions answered. Do you have a specific question you feel hasn’t been answered yet?
Laura
You listed.Isagenix as bad…but it has non GMO, gluten free, soy-free, mostly organic (where products can be labled organic – every country is different) products. All sugar and caffeine is natural. 3rd party studies have showed long term benefits and improvements when using these products. So how does it fit into your bad criteria? Source?
Megan McClain
New Zealand has a recognition agreement with the US that it can certify to USDA standards, so organic milk would be available.
Sweeteners are after protein complex ingredient in the Isalean french vanilla, fructose and isomaltooligosaccharide powder in the IsaLean vanilla – a total of 11 grams of sugar fora 240 calorie meal replacement. It also has ‘natural’ flavors. the chocolate crunch snack bar has ‘chocolate flavored’ coatings which include fractionated palm kernel oil – high in saturated fat.
Pat
I love Modere (livepureproduct.com) and what they stand for. I was sorry to see the rating you gave. Everything is manufactured in their own manufacturing plant and every botanical and any other ingredient used goes thru several checks for purity. If it isn’t 100% pure it is dumped. They have their own scientific team that checks every product thru each of it’s stages and prior to being sold to insure its purity. The fragrance is plant derived. And anyone that wants to tour the factory and learn about the company are always welcome. Nothing to hide. Even the containers are checked on arrival to insure of no chemical contamination prior to use. I only use this company as I believe in what they do and the product they provide. I love the amazing results I have seen. I have been looking for organic makeup and even some of the so called best on these lists I wouldn’t use as their ingredient list looks shady. I want organic not natural.
Another note that should anyone want their scientific results on any product they are happy to send it. Maybe a second look at the company by contacting the Corporate Office would be a great idea before condemning them.
Melani
I am confused. The FDA does not regulate the vitamin, supplement, weight loss, sports performance or cosmetics industries. You stated that your research sources consisted of the FDA among others. Had you done your research on FDA.gov, you would have seen that. What are your credentials to determine if products are safe and green and proven to be effective? Did you personally conduct the research? Did you call each company and ask for its clinical studies and peer-reviewed research? Many of these companies have been around for decades with no incidences. Simply searching the web is not research.
Edie
Very interesting! Are you an MLM? I am also very concerned about how product ingredients are sourced, so will have a look.
Katrina
Bravo Brianne!! ???
Maybe you should talk to the actual companies to get the correct information for your research before you go spreading this crazy information and messing with people’s businesses!
Wanda
Pampered Chef – REALLY?? Did you actually go in and do the research into these products or did you just group based on one finding of other products. This company has been around for nearly 37 years, and I’m pretty sure nobody has died or developed terminal diseases from any of our products. What authority are you anyway? You’re certainly not the FDA. I see companies like R & F, and MK on the bad list. How much interviewing and researching did you do with them? Consultants can’t just say things without a way of backing it up. You’ve got Y & L and DoTerra in the good category, yet each company claims the other has questionable ingredients and business practices. How do you explain that compared to your ‘research’? I also noticed that you only commented or praised the people who agreed with you; yet the ones who challenged your findings were met with no response. Again, who are you? Like someone said, you’ve done nothing but cast inaccurate light on some very prestigious companies that have provided ways and means of survival and living to many.
Megan McClain
Pampered Chef uses Teflon in non-stick – which has poisoned waterways and off gasses. Even with changes in ingredients due to contaminated waterways and a lawsuit, the company is putting out chemicals that are essentially the same. You have GMO risks, especially in the flavored canola oil. FDA lawsuits for DoTerra and YL regarded claims made by consultants. I did not address claims made by each other because of the company feuding history. neither are organic but have excellent distillation practices (self-certification of therapeutic grades did not count. I had limited time and fielded comments in emails and online on this blog and social media but am striving to catch up. Thank you for your patience.
Lorie Durfee
I love this article, thank you for all your research. Before buying any of the products from MLM or otherwise I check the ingredients with a fine tooth comb. This will make it easier for me now to choose. I recently joined a newer MLM company called Essante Organics and would love to see this included in your follow up. This company has Organic certifications from third parties, not just our own labs, something I believe is very important.
Leah Segedie
We can look into them
Kelli
I would love for you to add our company to your next article. Anovite all natural ingredients, organic, non-gmo, gluten free, pesticide free and certified. Thank you for writing the article!!
Leah Segedie
We can look into this company. Thanks!
Arika Hage
WONDERFUL and thank you so much for putting this together! I’m with Beautycounter and am thankful you included our Company. xoxo ❤️
Cindy
I agree with Lisa above. Where are the sources for this article?
Marion
I’d love to know how you based you decisions on which companies are “bad”, “better” and “best”. Did you call the companies and gather all the data you needed, or just what your read on the internet? Please clarify!
Megan McClain
Many sources including the aforementioned Environmental Working Group, FDA, Federal Trade Commission, American Cancer Society, medical journals, white papers… it really depended on the company and what ingredients they had. But every step started with their ingredients list on their products as listed on their web site. (IF they had an ingredients list.). Do you have any specific questions?
Lisa
I would advise everyone to do their own research into any products that they are going to use. These lists are not accurate. I would like to see the scientific research studies cited on these products that brought you to publish this article as though it is based on actual fact. The scientific studies are published and available. I find an article of this nature, concerning products that can impact a person’s health irresponsible when you have not done your own facts and findings but have relied on the opinion of other sources. Don’t believe everything you find on the internet. Take the time to research these products yourself and cite the studies proving what you say is factual.
Jen
Agreed. An actual chemist or biologist should have, at minimum, been asked to review or contribute for an article written in this manner.
Mary Smith
“The most reputable source to confirm ingredients are 1) the source (company)”
Yeah, that sure worked well for Ava Anderson! That is a great example on how the main source lied and pulled the wool over the eyes of all their consultants and customers!
Lei Girl
I am so glad I was forwarded this article by my mentor with Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic since I just joined as a consultant. I have to say, I have used and or repped many of the “bad” companies and I am shocked, disappointed and felt that I have wasted $$$$!!!
I am doing some Spring cleaning and getting rid of ALL of those bad things. I feel bad for my friends that are consultants for those “bad” ones, those are the most popular ones out there. They will deny everything of course. I don’t blame them, I’d be too. But instead of living in denial, I’d try to make a positive change instead!
I’d like to see how Demarle home from France is reviewed since Epicure is only available to Canada and not the US. I love Demarle home so far and looking to join since they are available to the US. Please review! Thank you!!
Christine
I really disagree about your rating of Shaklee. They have over 100 peer reviewed scientific abstracts and medical journals that prove the science of why shaklee is always safe and works. There arent any dangerous ingredients either. I would ask you to look into this deeper and consider changing your review. The Shaklee science board is made up of incredible doctors, one of them a nobel prize winner for her work.
Andrew
This review is not thorough and is faulty. I agree with Your Shaklee comment.
Anne Fulmer
I agree completely..their scientific board is exceptional. One such member is a Japanese Doctor who discovered interferon and it’s role in our immune system 40 some years ago. From his discoveries the interferon shot was developed to help people with severely compromised immune system at reportedly $30,000 a shot. From there he spent the next 40 years developing a natural source for interferon and Nutriferon was born through Shaklee. I have my own personal story on this product and seldom go a day without taking it. Oh, and this Doctor is on their advisory board.
Lynn Crocker
This is very sad because I love Perfectly Posh and wanted ingredients and products that my children could use.
Some products do contain fragrance, but Posh uses a PHTHALATE FREE fragrance. These products do not hide a bunch of yucky behind the generic labeling of “fragrance.”
Posh is free of parabens, phthalates,SLS, no petroleum derived ingredients, no paraffins, no SLES, no lanolin, no gelatin, no soy fillers, no talc, no tallow…..with responsibly sourced palm oil with renowned organizations as well as clean, renewable and consciously made. WE are cruelty FREE.
Posh uses acai fruit extract, loofah, pineapple, mango butter and oil, pumice, cucumber, shea butters and essential oils for pure pampering.
Posh has all the ingredients listed on the products, catalog and online for consumer use and research.
I would love to chat with you if you have additional questions about Perfectly Posh.
As you can see from the facts above, it does not belong on the list in which you placed it.
Leah Segedie
Perfectly Posh has some issues with 100% ingredient disclosure, which was one of the reasons they got marked down. It took us some time to find something that said “phthalate free” but it was old, so we didn’t use it. BUT what we did find that was concerning was use of PEG compounds. PEG compounds are problematic. Due to contamination concerns for 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, we strongly encourage companies to avoid these ethoxylated ingredients.
Sarah
Please do more research on your pegs. Peg 100 STEARATE ranks a 3 on the ewg scale. The same rating sodium benzoate gets. An ingredient used by your best – beautycounter. If you would like more information on being phthalate free I’m sure that can be obtained for you. There is transparency in ingredients. Every ingredient is easily listed on the website and the catalog
Shelly
????
Megan McClain
Currently it is not on the website, It is ONLY on the catalog. I looked several times, including on the ingredients section of the site. that is a transparency issue I hope they resolve for their benefit.
R. Sanford
I’d love to see your sources for these recommendations! I always love to be well informed! Thanks! 😀
Leah
Hurray for Thrive Life freeze dried foods! I’ve been a rep for 2 years and use the food everyday. My husband sells Purium and we love it as well.
I appreciate all of your research and agree that gimmicks and short cuts can ruin your health!
In an effort to support my friends with MLM businesses I have tried many of the products only to discover for myself that they just don’t work. And unfortunately have had to take advantage of the “money back guarantee”. It was never my intention, I honestly wanted to support their business.
Leah Segedie
Thanks for chiming in Leah! (I’m Leah too btw!) I’m glad you found something you can believe in! 🙂
Jennifer Chisolm
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Renae
I agree with many of these that I have extensively researched myself! I’m an ingredient and health junkie, and that’s why I ended up choosing Beautycounter! 🙂 Great article. I’m sad for those reps who’s companies made the bad list. But I know firsthand how some of those companies teach their reps that the ingredients are good when in fact there are many questionable & harmful ones. (I used to work for one of them.) There’s plenty of research out there in medical journals and studies around the world to back this up for those who want the safest of the safe ingredients. Great article!
S Jamail
Hmm, not sure about some of this research and would love to know more details about the findings. At least one on the top of your “bad” list that I know has all the very best ingredients, nongmo, healthy, plantbased, and with no unsafe additives, dyes, sugars or unhealthy caffeine. Definitely No gimmicks (like some others on the list), but simply supplements that promote balance, stronger immune system, overall and especially gut health. I researched thoroughly and also had Drs and naturopaths I know research, and these particular products passed all the tests you mentioned. Also, wondering why would Drs and obgyns wouls be recommending them to their patients and even pregnant mamas too? Perhaps you stumbled onto some old myths and misinformation about one particular (old) product which was actually false? Would really love to know actual details & findings used to make your determinations.
Regardless, I always recommend that everyone do their own (non-google, but reputable sources and experts) research.
Sarah
I completely agree with you! This list isn’t accurate.
Kathi
I agree that this list seems to be someone trying to instill fear into people without appropriate research. Take it with a grain of salt, ladies. And, don’t believe EVERYTHING you read.
Megan McClain
Which company are you referring to?
Dana
Could you advise me in the direction to find more info about melaleuca. I currently use their cleaning products and vitamins and would really appreciate more info on them.
Jenn
Theres a lot of info on their site. I also have articles too.
I disagree with her findings on melaleuca.
Megan McClain
use of fragrance and parfum. Even the air freshener. Sucralose, which is associated with weight gain because it alters the gut biome.
Jen
While I see reference FDA studies, is the article written, or contributed to, by a chemist or biologist with actual training in understanding the studies that the FDA releases? I don’t argue the point of being extremely careful about product ingredients, and it is wonderful to have information available, but I do challenge the current trend that an ability to Google is a replacement actual scientific interpretation. All is not what it seems – even in an FDA study.
Anne Fulmer
Recently, maybe especially an FDA study!
Leslie
????????
Jennifer
What is your companies ingredient selection process? What orginazation outside the company looks at the ingredients and their safety? What are some of your products EWG scores? These would be good arguments for you when responding to your products ‘good for your health’ status. Your company may very well not be bad for you, but anyone can say naturally derived or organic. It is nice to see that the companies that made the better list in the article are actually being evaluated by outside companies and higher standards than what the government requires.
Kym
I also can’t wait to look into some of these other companies mentioned! Both in the post and the comments!!
Sorry for some of my typos above!
Yvonne
Hi – thank you for this article. I just started as a distributor for LifeVantage and sell, and also take, Protandim, which was touted in The Truth About Cancer Quest for a Cure. I am curious to know why this was not included. There are peer reviewed studies that show Protandim supports the body’s ability to produce 300% more glutathione than prior to taking Protandim. As a human rights activist, I signed up with LifeVantage to help children on the Autism spectrum as they are often lacking in glutathione. I have personally witnessed amazing improvements.
Millicent
Woohoo!!! Lifevantage is AMAZING!!! Would love to see them on the best list!!
Leah Segedie
We can consider that for another post
Sabrina
Could you also consider Vida Divination, they launched last year. And also TLC/Total Life Changes?
Wendy Meador
Did you actually speak to any leadership or executives in any of these companies? Or is this solely based on what you’ve read?
Kathi
Yes! Great question!
Anne Fulmer
I would like to know also!
Leah Segedie
That is an interesting question. So you are saying that in order for a consumer to understand a product before they purchase, they need to have a discussion with the CEO? That bar is a bit too high, not necessarily for me, but for the average consumer. I have access to CEOs easily, but the average consumer does not. And if a company doesn’t disclose things on their website, they aren’t really being that transparent. And we marked any company down that didn’t have 100% ingredient disclosure. The cosmetic industry is really the wild west, but if they want to be part of the best category, they really have to prove they are made with safe ingredients. This is why 100% ingredient disclosure OR a 3rd party certificate like organic is good. It means I don’t have to take their word for it. Otherwise, the industry really regulates itself. The laws allow them to introduce things into commerce without FDA review. That is completely legal. And the scientists can’t keep up with the new chemicals being introduced.
Laurena
So exciting to see NYR Organic recognized. I’ve been a consultant for 1 1/2 years and absolutely love the products.
Andrea Trovato
This is great information to have. Thanks for doing all of this research. I have used Purium products for almost 2 years now and love that I can read every single ingredient on the label. The products are absolutely amazing and the purest of the pure 🙂
Mandy
This is dissapointing to me. I wish you would have also went straight to the companies themselves and talked to the creators because one company in particular that you have on the bad list uses non GMO and some organic ingredients, allergens are listed and the products have helped so many people suffering from various auto immune diseases.
Megan McClain
Which company are you referencing?
Rona
Perfectly Posh does NOT use sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or soy. The fragrances are made with essential oils. As for allergens, I can’t imagine any body product companies contain zero potential allergens. Products like coconut oil, she’s butter, and almond oil have benefits to the body. Any good consultant will ask potential customers if they have allergies.
Rona
That should say “shea Butter”. Autocorrect. LOL
Kym
Hi Rona!
Does perfectly posh now list the essential oils in the ingredients? When I’ve looked in the past, the fragrance was listed as “fragrance/parfume” which could be anything.
Are the essential oils listed, are you able to tell me the dilution of EOs in each product and where the EOs come from?
I’d be willing to look at PP again if the ingredients have cleaned up a bit and became more transparent since the last time I checked them out.
Transparency is also very important!
Samantha May
I am highly allergic to fragrance and do not react to any of the fragranced products in Perfectly Posh because they are phthalate free. All the ingredients are clearly listed on each product on the website and in the back of every catalog. Man products have no colors added, many products have no fragrance listed at all. I don’t have the EO origin, but can at least say that fragrance with phthalates should not have landed Posh on the bad list. Because they don’t have any products with phthalates.
Samantha May
There are also over 65 vegan products, which can be nearly impossible to find in soaps and lotions anymore. No petroleum, no paraffin, parabens.. No SLS or SLES. May not be perfect, but better than anything I’ve seen out there under $25.
Marsha Viviano
Thanks for this detailed article! I have spent years vetting products for my family. I have been a representative with Wildtree and Beautycounter for years. Your article confirmed that I made the RIGHT choice for my family. I’m proud to represent both companies and their amazing products!
Sally Holmes Reed
Thank you for all the research. I love Purium with their clean, organic, non-GMO, vegan, high vibe products and my whole family has used their products for 3 years now.
Tara Vancil
As a rep for Wildtree, so very very proud to represent an all natural food company that meets the highest quality available.
Candace
Please look into Max&Madeleine. We just launched last summer and are growing!
Millicent
I’m a former executive with one of the “best ” companies but I now use Max and Madeleine (as well as another MLM brand).LOVE M&M!!
Leah Segedie
Good to know!
Richard Rose
You forgot Kannaway. MLMs are also an FDA workaround.
Leah Segedie
Thanks for that! We can add to our list for an additional post!
Stacy
I would be VERY cautious with Pure Haven. Their past as Ava Anderson Non Toxic along with the products not being certified organic is still questionable. Their facility is certified organic, but the only products that are certified are their essential oils. Many questionable consultants have stayed during the new company transition. These are the same consultants that swore the AANT products were safe when phthalates and other questionable ingredients were or were not used. Trust is everything!
Leah Segedie
Thanks for that feedback. We can consider more of those things in our follow-up post with additional brands. Have you ever worked for them?
Trina Lavoie
As a higher up executive within PUREhaven essentials I certainly would be willing to talk with you about the truth on what happened and how we moved forward as a company. Anyone who has worked to achieve a certified organic status as a warehouse is well aware that you cannot get that status unless everything 100% is above board with every ingredient in all processes that go through a facility. Pure Haven essentials is not Ava Anderson non-toxic. Every product is made in house at this time with no outsourcing. When the company was even Anderson non-toxic the few products in question were out sourced from another manufacturing facility.
Consultants who chose to move on with a new company and new owners did so because it is our goal in life to be able to educate others on making safer, smarter choices. It upsets me to no end to see comments like the one above that make it out like we would intentionally ever move forward with the company we were not 100% trustworthy of for ourselves and our customers. Products beyond the essential oils are receiving the certified organic label daily and many of our products are now back on the EWG website.
Lynn Murphy
Well said Trina. New ownership- tons of new and amazing changes. Happy to have been able to move onward and upward like most have! Great blog, super informative!! Thanks for all the research! Looking forward to sharing!!!
Jamie
I would like to think that everything is above board but you can’t just sweep under the rug that the company was “all abou the ingredients” & then it was found that the ingredients lists were wrong. I was also a consultant that stayed in for a bit after the name change & how they just wanted to move past what happened was too focus on the future.
I’m not saying they are a horrible company but they need to rebuild trust with their customers & frankly they should do more independent testing and make even more publicly available.
Until then you have to take everything they say with a grain of salt as the way things were handled are very shady.
Just saying…
Sondra
Yes, Stacy, always do your homework and check the ingredients! I am currently a consultant for PUREhaven and I was formerly a consultant with Ava Anderson. One of the reasons I decided to stay with PUREhaven was because of all the changes made to make sure there were no third-party contractor issues. All PUREhaven Products are made in their USDA certified organic facility. All this information is listed on their website and you can always contact the home office if you need more explanation. I love that more people are so interested in what is in the products. It’ll only make the world and everyone in it a better place.
Edie
It is no small feat for a facility to be certified. Is even more impressive than having g some or all, organic ingredients. They must submit to annual inspections; provide detailed documentation about their process and production – it’s very complex and involved and other than Poofy Organics – and now PUREhaven, I don’t know of another company that has made the effort and investment to distinguish themselves in that way. It’s really above and beyond.
Sabrina
PURIUM has gone above and beyond to ensure they are pure and organic and true to their word.
Connie Lamb
Touchstone Essentials, would certainly make the best list!
Leah Segedie
Thanks for that. We can add that to our follow-up post with additional brands. There are SO MANY!!
Stephanie Robbins
I am a big fan of DoTerra and Usana
Leah Segedie
I have both Doterra and Young Living oils in my home. Over the years, I’ve supported the women in my life selling essential oils. But luckily with all the competition, other companies are now getting into the game as well providing them. That is always good for the consumer.
Caroline
Great to see Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic (NYR Organic) up there! 🙂
Leah Segedie
I must admit. This is one of my favorite MLMs. The facial moisturizer is amazing.
Rachel
Great article! Thankyou for doing the research and providing this information for consumers. It’s all about the ingredients and knowledge is power!
Leah Segedie
Thank you! And please share with your friends. This took SO MUCH WORK to get organized. We busted our butts for you ladies! XXOO
Andrew
I agree. There is some fallacy to this article.
Fran
Great article, please share how you obtained your information.
Megan
FDA, research in published journals, business complaints, ingredients lists… every company had multiple products looked at and compared.
Nina
Not sure why Shaklee is listed as bad when there has not been any complaints about the purity of their products nor have they ever had lawsuits. Just look at the studies they do and the amount of time they take to make sure their products are safe and pure. Not many companies can say they devote the time that Shaklee does.
Megan McClain
Shaklee does not disclose ingredients very well – I already had someone reach out to me because she as a customer did not feel they did a good job. saying “contains surfectants” does not count H2 cleaner ) and the information is not easily available. Soy protein isolate, even non-GMO, acts like an estrogen with adverse health effects.
Kelly Powell
I faithfully use both companies products, and rep for both NYR Organics and Wildtree. I totally agree with this article, clean ingredients & integrity is why I am involved with both!!
Leah Segedie
Glad to hear that!! Make sure to share this post so you can brag away!
Jen
Great read! Wondering if this was a typo: Isenagex. Did you mean Isagenix?
Leah Segedie
Thanks for that!
Asking
Wondering what your research showed that was bad with isagenix? That the ingredients are not organic?
Susie
As a guide for Poofy Organics, I totally agree:) Nice article!
Leah Segedie
Glad you approve! Make sure to share this for everyone’s health! 🙂
Edie
Hi Leah – In all fairness, the EWG does not distinguish phthalates-free fragrance from “fragrance”. You can contact them to confirm this. MANY companies now using phthalates-free fragrance get a low rating for that ingredient because EWG has not yet separated. Personally, I prefer no synthetic fragrance since with fragrance we are left to make a judgement about whether we believe that fragrance is free of phthalates or not. No fragrance = no guesswork and I would say, is best, IMHO.
Leah Segedie
In the case of fragrance, if they don’t have 100% ingredient disclosure, we ranked them down.
Tavenner Bonsall
I personally believe in full transparency so appreciate when a product using “fragrance” is ranked low. Phthalates aren’t the only endocrine disruptor or other harmful ingredient that can be hidden in “fragrance.” 🙂
Hope
This kind of information is long overdue & so helpful! Thank you for digging into this for us and sharing. All of my choices fall in the BEST category and this report has been very assuring.
Leah Segedie
You are right! It IS long overdue. You guys have been asking us about MLMs for years and I finally took the hint. Keep bringing those ideas to me! Glad to hear you are affiliated with some of the best companies!
Laura Belluomini
So happy to see Crunchi on this list as best- yay!!!!!!
Cindy C.
Wondering where you’d put Steeped Tea or Willing Beauty (launch date Feb 14).
Leah Segedie
We can consider them for another round. If this post proves to be useful to people, you can bet we will do another one and include even more brands.
Cindy C.
I suspect this will be a bug post. Would be interested in the numbers on it after a few days.
Leah Segedie
Let’s just hope this doesn’t crash my server