Stem Organics
in the early morning of August 26th, 2007The Stem Organics story…
“At Stem Organics, we believe everything that you touch or that touches you matters. Our philosophy is that the best skincare you can get is that which is created with skin, health, and life in mind. This is why we have replaced the harsh and potentially ageing chemical ingredients traditionally found in skincare with the innocence and effectiveness of organic and natural alternatives. Stem Organics products soothe, hydrate, and promote anti-ageing benefits for healthy, glowing skin.”
The co-founders of Stem tout the use of indigenous products from Australia in their product lines. With native fruits and bush flower essences, it all sounds impressive, but is it just clever marketing and hype?
They then go on to claim the following:
“What we put in…
-Free radical, age fighting antioxidants
-Natural anti-inflammatory and skin super nutrients
-Certified organic and natural ingredients
-Premium quality and organic essential oils
-Vital essential fatty acids
-Nourishing cold pressed and organic nut, seed and fruit oilsIs as important as what we leave out…
-Petrochemicals
-GM ingredients
-Parabens
-Sulphates
-Artificial colouring
-Artificial fragrances
-Dioxins, and more”
On further investigation, Stem Organics is disappointing and misleading the public with their claims of being natural and safe, and to then say that they exclude a token of harmful ingredients is simply a gesture on their part as you can see below.
The flagrant use of Phenoxyethanol and Hydroxymethlglycinate, also known as Suttocide Glycerin both of which are toxic and cancer causing is of serious concern.
In a water-based solution such as a moisturiser or shampoo, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate decomposes to release formaldehyde into the product. The total free formaldehyde content in a product containing 0.5% sodium hydroxymethylglycinate (the recommended usage level) corresponds to 0.118%, which is 1,180 parts per million (ppm).
So, who are the guinea pigs for the cosmetic industry and these so called companies espousing that they’re safe?!
The risk, no matter how slight, shouldn’t need to be taken by you or your family, should it?
Thanks Stem Organics, but I think I’ll have my Kakadu Plum on the barbie!
These are the opinions of the author.
It has been brought to our attention that your blog site presents incorrect and slanderous comment about Stem Organics.
We bring to your attention our concerns:
We do not see activities as these beneficial or productive and ask that you do not get into commenting about other companies on whole especially when your comments are not correct.
Slander is unprofessional and it is something we choose not to enter.
As first contact we kindly ask you either add these opinions of this writer, unedited, in full below your comments on Stem Organics or remove all reference to Stem Organics from your website.
We would like to bring to you attention the following queries we have about your products.
Preservatives
You state you do not use preservatives in your products. Firstly we are concerned about companies who provide unpreserved products which are susceptible to harmful yeasts, molds and often invisible microbes. Presented with the facts I’m sure consumers would prefer low a level of preservative in products than run the gauntlet of a non preserved product.
Borox
We are curious about the nature of your companies own claims. We note in some of your products you include borax, which is a well known preservative and rodent killer (or as you call it Organic Sodium Tetraborate) . This ingredient goes against your claims of preservative free.
Borax is estimated to have a fatal dose from 0.1 to 0.5g/kg. Which incidentally is 0.000005%. Amounts used in cosmetics are up to 1.4% These substances are quoted as being toxic to all cells, and have a slow excretion rate through the kidneys. Kidney toxicity is the greatest, with liver fatty degeneration, cerebral edema, and gastroenteritis.
Boric acid solutions used as an eye wash or on abraded skin are known to be especially toxic to infants, especially after repeated use because of its slow elimination rate.
It would be interesting to learn where you source this “organic” borax (ie “Organic Sodium Tetraborate”), To date there is no known organic certification by any certifying body.
Fragrance
We are also curious as to why you list fragrances in your products then write don’t be fooled by experts who may label all aromatics under the term ‘Fragrance’.
You mention you may use nature identical ingredients, strictly speaking that’s not 100% natural, which is also a claim you make about your products.
–
We are disappointed by the comments and views from Elixir.
We are both in the natural skincare market to reduce the
number of chemical loaded offerings and increase the quality of a
customers skin health.
Again, as first contact we kindly ask you either add these opinions of
this writer, unedited, in full below your comments on Stem Organics or
remove all reference to Stem Organics from your website.
Kind Regards
Stem Organics
yola :: 1 week, 2 days after
yola :: 1 week, 2 days after
I am impressed with the detailed discussion here
davidLy :: 1 year, 2 months after
Dear David,
It makes this blog worthwhile when people take time out from their busy lives to leave a footprint. Thank you for yours.
Regards,
Yola
Yola :: 1 year, 2 months after
I must agree the detail is very outstanding! I’m extremely happy to have stumbled across this blog.
TheZ :: 1 year, 9 months after
Thank you so much for your comment. I am delighted that you appreciate the information in this blog and hope you continue to enjoy the posts that come your way.
Yola
Yola :: 1 year, 9 months after
Thanks Yola for doing thorough research on the topic. Just curious, have they tried to defend themselves again? Many companies are exposing consumers to dangerous chemicals by using the word “natural” on their packages. I think the FDA should so more to get these rogue manufacturers.
David-Skin Roller Expert :: 1 year, 11 months after
Hi David,
Thank you for your comment. No, I have not heard from Stem Organics since.
Cosmetics as we know, are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but compared to food and drugs receive little scrutiny. Virtually anything can be put into a cosmetic product and no safety testing is required.
The FDA in it’s own words “is only able to regulate cosmetics after products are released to the marketplace. Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by FDA before they are sold to the public. FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetic products before marketing”. Fortunately regulation is more stringent in the European Union.
A cosmetic maker doesn’t have to report product injuries. The FDA collects this information on a voluntary basis only! Only cosmetic manufacturers that want to be a part of this program send reports to the FDA. (Elixir is a part of this program).
Product recalls are also voluntary. The FDA can’t enforce cosmetic recalls.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a law defining the use of the word “natural” to describe a cosmetic ingredient. For the consumer this often results in confusion and distrust. Despite its widespread use, no standard, certification or central authority exists at present to guarantee both product and process in the cosmetics industry as being “natural”.
The Soil Association (UK’s leading organic certification organisation) is announcing new standards that require 95% of a health or beauty product’s content to come from certified organic sources (excluding water) to earn certification.
We are seeing a positive outlook for the cosmetics industry but as they say, big wheels are slow to turn.
Yola :: 1 year, 11 months after