Greenwashing: Why it’s Awful and How You Can Avoid it

In case you’re new here, let me first say that I am an Organic freak! I talk about it constantly, and I am always trying to get my friends and family to make the switch to organics. From produce to skincare and household products, I know that using organic products is the only way to avoid chemicals, toxins, pesticides, and other nasties. I don’t want to eat toxins. Yuck! And I certainly don’t want to absorb them into my skin - my body’s largest organ - like a literal sponge. I am SUPER careful with the products I use - for myself, for my son, and for everything in my home.

So, naturally, when I found out there was an organic market near my house, I dropped my old store and switched to buying all my products there. From moisturizers and shampoo to makeup and kitchen cleaner. I found a sunscreen I liked, and for several years, it was my go-to option for my son. If he was in the sun, he was slathered in this natural, organic, totally safe sunscreen.

Or so I thought. 

Imagine my surprise when, on a whim, I’d been using a oily lotion on my son for over a year and I decided to read through all the ingredients and discovered that that’s not organic at all! It’s just as full of chemicals as the next brand. Well, maybe not QUITE as packed to the brim as the sunscreens in big-box stores, but toxic nonetheless.

I was so upset. How could this be? I had been purchasing it from the organic market for years! Were they deliberately scheming to get my money? 

Not quite. 

The culprit was greenwashing.

Greenwashing is when companies want to capitalize on the “green” trend, so they falsely represent their products asgreen, clean, organic, non-toxic, cruelty-free, or other traits that are difficult and expensive to achieve. 

Greenwashing can also happen when companies use all organic ingredients to get the Organic label, but then use unsustainable packaging, water down their products with fillers, or engage in other practices that make it obvious that they don’t really care about the environment - they just want the label. 

And because the FDA doesn’t regulate the skincare industry, it’s easy for companies to get away with this. And it’s easy for unsuspecting store owners to buy these products from the vendors and sell them in their stores, believing the organic claims.

 Why is Greenwashing So Bad?

It’s Horrible for the Environment: Greenwashing is terrible for the environment because it makes it easier for companies to pretend to be eco-warriors just enough to get your money without actually doing what they claim to do. This makes it harder for legitimately green companies to compete in the market, which pushes up the prices of truly green and healthy products. 

 It’s Toxic:When you unknowingly buy greenwashed products, you expose your skin to all kinds of toxins and chemicals. These toxins can have very serious long-term health effects. The only way to protect yourself and your family from dangerous toxins is to buy clean, organic products (including organic skincare products) without fillers or other hidden nasties.

 Clearly, if you care about the environment and your health, you should try to avoid greenwashing at all costs and only buy certified organic products from companies that put their money where their mouths are.

So, how can you avoid toxins and greenwashing?

 First, read the labels. No matter what. Even if the brand says 100% organic. Even if the product comes from a usually organic company. Always. Because you simply never know. 

Second, check for things like glycerin which is technically plant-based, but it harvested from Palm Oil, a very NON-cruelty-free ingredient that’s responsible for deforestation and the death of thousands of orangutans. 

Finally, research the companies for more than their ingredients. What kind of packaging do they use? How do they source their materials and ingredients? Do they test on animals? Do they use unsustainable ingredients or fillers? How do they treat their employees? Do they give back to their communities in any way? This step is more time-consuming, but your skin (and conscience) will thank you. We have done some of this for you HERE, and keep a look out for more.

At Pink Seed Co., we see greenwashing as well, words can't explain it. We started thiscompany not just to bring you organic hemp-based skincare, but to do some good in the world. It’s why we always put our money where our mouths are. We use unrefined hemp to keep in all the goodness. We use recyclable bottles and boxes. We are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Plus. we give a portion of each purchase to our Deliberate Acts of Kindness program - spreading love to all corners of the earth. And we guarantee that you won't even need to research our ingredients- you will know what every single on is. 

Conscious Beauty. No Compromise. It’s literally our motto.

Want to learn more about our clean, organic, hemp-based skincare products? You can shop our collection here.