Quest for Cruelty Free {Alba Botanica--Brand Intro}

When I saw this brand on the shelf next to Burt's Bees I was pretty stoked. I used their lip balm YEARS ago and loved it, that was back before I new about Leaping Bunny Standard. I did know that their label stated they did not test on animals. I was re-introduced to this brand when I finally ran out of my Clean and Clear acne spot treatment ointment and wanted to go with something cruelty free and with more natural ingredients.
I went to the store with the intention to purchase the Burt’s Bees brand of spot treatment but I saw that the price had gone up several dollars. Almost resigned to the fact that Clorox realized they could force us to pay more for the natural products we desire…I spotted Alba in all its Hawaiian designed glory.
At first I thought it looked cheesy and I didn’t recognize the brand. Then I saw the acnedote which was several dollars cheaper than the product I went in for. After reading the label and ingredients and checking for the Leaping Bunny logo I decided to give it a try. Then I saw ALLL the other stuff they had and I knew I would have to try out some more. I only purchased the acnedote that day.

I researched this brand as well as I could and found that they are owned by a larger company called Hain Celestial Group. Their website claims they are “a leading natural and organic food and personal product company in North America and Europe.” All of the brands listed appear to be mainly natural, organic, or at least healthy in some manner. The only negative aspect I stumbled onto was that Hain Celestial was sued May 2011/June 2011 for falsely labeling products as organic. The brands belonging to Hain Celestial that were falsely labeling products were Jason Naturals and Avalon Organics, both of which now boast certified organic on their label—which can be verified with the certification group.
I was unable to find any trouble relating to Alba Botanica brands, who does not claim to be organic but 100% vegetarian and cruelty free. On their label they may have a few ingredients listed as organic, but most states require at least 70% of the product’s ingredients to be organic in order to label it as such (California). 
Here is a breakdown-- The USDA has identified categories of labeling organic products:

• 100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients
• Organic: Made with at least 95% organic ingredients
• Made With Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
• Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package.

So I’m not sure where those brands fell short but Alba doesn’t appear to have a problem and the other brands associated with Hain Celestial have been in the clear for a year or so.
Alba Botanica was created in 1979. They offer natural, 100% vegetarian, cruelty free personal care products. They state they do not use parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors, propylene glycol, aluminum, mineral oil, petrolatum, oxybenzone, PABA, nano-particles, DEA, MEA or TEA, PEG’s, PEG derivatives, ethoxylated ingredients associate with 1, 4 dioxane, formaldehyde donors, or GMO’s. (whew, that was a lot). They are Leaping Bunny certified which means they do not test any of their ingredients or final product on animals and they also state that their products DO NOT contain by-products of animal killing or cruelly obtained animal ingredients (even if the animal is not killed). They limit use of those products to ingredients that are naturally created by the animals who would have no future use of the ingredient, like beeswax.
Look out for the next “Quest for Cruelty Free” post which will review the acne spot treatment and whatever else I decide to get at walmart with my $30 gift card (thanks Mom!).
Other Sources: USDA 2008 National Organic Program—Organic Labeling and Marketing Information
Disclaimer: I am not being paid to review, blog, sample, or talk about any of these products or brands. I am simply trying to find the best products out there that are 1. Cruelty free and 2. Natural (organic is a plus). All opinions expressed in any posts on this blog are entirely my own. If I am ever being compensated to express an opinion on an item/brand/etc that opinion will always be my own despite any compensation. I will always inform you if I am receiving free product or other payment.

Quest for Cruelty Free Products {Intro and Face Cleansers}

So one of my tweaks for 2012 included finding more cruelty free and natural products. I’m looking for stuff that is natural, good for the environment, and doesn’t test any part of the product on animals/cruelty free. There are a few associations that help govern products that have these claims.

The Natural Seal: http://www.npainfo.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=NaturalStandard_new&category=NaturalStandard

The NPA natural standard is based on natural ingredients, safety, responsibility and sustainability.

 

 

• Natural Ingredients: A product labeled "natural" should be made up of only, or at least almost only, natural ingredients and be manufactured with appropriate processes to maintain ingredient purity.
• Safety: A product labeled "natural" should avoid any ingredient with a suspected human health risk.
• Responsibility: A product labeled "natural" should use no animal testing in its development.
• Sustainability: A product labeled "natural" should use biodegradable ingredients and the most environmentally sensitive packaging.

The Leaping Bunny: http://leapingbunny.org/indexcus.php

The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program administers a cruelty-free standard and the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo for companies producing cosmetic, personal care, and household products. The Leaping Bunny Program provides the best assurance that no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or suppliers. Cruelty Free Shopping Guide: http://leapingbunny.org/shopping.php

 

That being said, I went to publix and marched myself into the cosmetics aisle towards the end that had the “natural” stuff. I chose two products: Burts Bees ‘Soap Bark and Chamomile Cream Cleanser’ and Yes to ‘Cucumbers hypoallergenic facial wipes’.

The Review

Yes to Cucumbers: The facial wipes are convenient and super easy and quick to use but they don’t leave me feeling very clean. It’s probably that they are just so mild it doesn’t work for my skin. I purchased them in hopes of using in a pinch like if I over sleep and don’t have much time. Their products are NPA certified (natural seal) or USDA Organic but they do not have the leaping bunny seal. They have some kind of bunny on there that is supposed to resemble the leaping bunny but it is in fact some seal from PETA. (YUCK, we hate PETA and their pet killing asses. http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=8651) So overall, I won’t purchase this particular product again.

Burts Bees: The cream cleanser smells awesome and makes my skin feel smooth and soft. It makes your skin tingle if you let it sit for a few seconds before rinsing. Really great in the morning. Burts Bees is NPA certified and leaping bunny certified. They also try to use recycled materials for their packaging. The only thing that I’m concerned about it that the company was recently purchased by Clorox, a company well known for animal testing and not being very environmentally friendly. However I am led to believe that although Clorox owns Burts Bees it will no way change the integrity of the line/product. I guess we will see. I would purchase this product again provided that the formula hasn’t changed to add anything non-natural.

So between the two I definitely prefer Burts Bees for a facial cleanser. I also use their plain honey lip balm and one of their tinted lip shimmers. This review wasn’t prompted by any free products or payments, I am simply trying to find the best products for myself and wanted to share. I will always always inform you if I am receiving some kind of compensation, if I’m asked to do a review, and it will ALWAYS be honest. I refuse to do paid posts that require me to give an instructed opinion.

If you have any products you like that are cruelty free and natural please let me know, I’ve love to check it out.