Today, we talked about whether "organic", “natural” or “eco-friendly” automatically means non-toxic. The short answer? Not necessarily. Just because something is labelled organic etc doesn’t mean it’s free from harmful chemicals.
Many products—especially in beauty, cleaning, and even food—use organic ingredients alongside toxic additives. That’s why checking the full ingredient list is so important.
So, how do you know if a product contains toxins?
1️⃣ Check the ingredients list. Don’t rely on marketing claims—turn the bottle around and read what’s actually inside.
2️⃣ Take a photo or copy-paste the ingredients. If you’re not sure what they mean, you can use ChatGPT (or an ingredient-checking app) to analyse them.
3️⃣ Ask ChatGPT to flag the toxins. Just paste the list there, and it will break down any questionable ingredients for you.
What is greenwashing?
Brands know we’re looking for safer, cleaner products, so they use sneaky marketing tricks to make their products seem better than they really are.
The reality? Many of these claims are meaningless. You could be paying extra for the same harmful ingredients you’re trying to avoid.
Let’s break down five of the biggest greenwashing tricks companies use—and how to avoid falling for them.
1. Buzzwords that mean nothing
Words like “natural,” “organic,” “pure,” and “plant-based” sound great, right? But did you know many of these terms aren’t regulated?
A company can slap “natural” on a product even if it’s full of synthetic chemicals, preservatives and endocrine disruptors.
A 2019 study found that parents believed drinks labeled “natural” were healthier and had less sugar—even when they didn’t. Some even assumed “natural” meant no added sugar at all. That’s how powerful these buzzwords are. Another thing when it says "sugar free" it means: "we replaced the sugar with even something worse".
How to protect yourself:
✅ Ignore the marketing on the front.
✅ Flip the product over and read the ingredients list.
✅ Look for legit certifications, like COSMOS Organic or Ecocert.
✅ Flip the product over and read the ingredients list.
✅ Look for legit certifications, like COSMOS Organic or Ecocert.
2. Packaging that tricks your brain
Ever noticed how “natural” products love to use green colours, leaves, or plant imagery? That’s not a coincidence—it’s called the “green packaging effect.” The design makes you feel like the product is safer and more eco-friendly than it actually is.
A perfect example?
🚼 A baby product with words like “pure” and leafy designs—but the actual materials inside are no different from cheaper, conventional brands.
💄 A skincare product in a fancy glass jar marketed as “sustainable,” yet filled with the same harsh chemicals as any drugstore product and full of synthetic fragrances and petrochemicals.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Don’t let pretty packaging fool you. Always check the ingredients.
✅ A recyclable bottle doesn’t make a toxic formula any safer.
✅ A recyclable bottle doesn’t make a toxic formula any safer.
3. “Free-from” labels that hide other toxins
You’ve seen the labels: “paraben-free,” “phthalate-free,” “BPA-free.” Sounds reassuring, right? Not so fast.
This is a classic greenwashing trick called “regrettable substitution.” Brands remove one harmful ingredient but replace it with another equally concerning one.
🔹 Many “PFAS-free” nonstick cookware brands still contain GenX chemicals, which are just as toxic.
🔹 Some “10-free” nail polishes exclude a few bad ingredients but still contain others just as questionable.
🔹 Some “10-free” nail polishes exclude a few bad ingredients but still contain others just as questionable.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Don’t assume “free-from” means safe.
✅ Always check the full ingredient list.
✅ Research what safe alternatives actually look like.
✅ Always check the full ingredient list.
✅ Research what safe alternatives actually look like.
4. Fake certifications & false claims
Some companies take their deception a step further by creating fake seals and certifications.
For example:
🚨 Some brands use “FDA-approved” badges—except the FDA doesn’t regulate personal care or cleaning products.
🚨 Others slap on words like “pure” or “non-toxic” without any third-party testing to back it up.
A nappy investigation I conducted on 30 “non-toxic” brands? Only a handful actually provided real test reports.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Look for real third-party certifications—not just a brand’s own claims.
✅ If a company says its product has been tested, ask for lab reports. If they ignore you or send something vague, red flag. 🚩
✅ If a company says its product has been tested, ask for lab reports. If they ignore you or send something vague, red flag. 🚩
5. Overpriced “Eco” products that aren’t worth it
Many people assume safer, healthier products must cost more. Sometimes, yes. But not always.
Plenty of brands slap an “eco-friendly” label on a product, jack up the price, and call it a day—even when there’s nothing special about it.
In reality, truly safer products often:
✔️ Last longer
✔️ Are more concentrated
✔️ Don’t need to be replaced as often
How to find affordable, low-tox options:
✅ Stick to traditional materials like wood, glass, and stainless steel—they last longer.
✅ Choose simple, recognisable ingredients like olive and coconut oil and shea butter for skincare.
✅ DIY when possible—many household cleaners and beauty products can be made for pennies using pantry staples.
✅ Choose simple, recognisable ingredients like olive and coconut oil and shea butter for skincare.
✅ DIY when possible—many household cleaners and beauty products can be made for pennies using pantry staples.
The bottom line: Don’t fall for greenwashing
Greenwashing is everywhere, and companies are counting on you not knowing the difference. But now you do.
By being aware, you can:
✅ Shop smarter
✅ Save money
✅ Support brands that are actually transparent
✅ Save money
✅ Support brands that are actually transparent
Regulation on this kind of deception is weak in the U.S., but the European Union is cracking down—banning vague “eco-friendly” claims without proof. Hopefully, the U.S. will follow.
Until then, always:
🔍 Read the ingredients list
🔍 Look for real third-party certifications
🔍 Ask for proof if a company claims a product has been tested
Want to check if a product you use contains toxins? Drop the ingredient list here, and I’ll break it down for you! 🚀
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