Here’s another reason why you should never go by the claims printed on packaging or in advertising… Lenan, the Australian distributor of Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy products, between March and August 2011 falsely advertised their products as “formaldehyde-free”, “sulphate-free” and “sodium-free”, when in actual fact they most certainly were not! Thankfully Lenan has been caught out by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, and the penalty has been high. Lenan must comply with Australian Consumer Law in truthfully representing its products, including correct labelling and marketing, publishing corrective notices on its website and in various publications, refunding affected consumers and fulfilling a trade practices compliance program – forcing them to inadvertently highlight the dangers of using products containing these toxic ingredients.

If you want to be more proactive about the products you buy (and get away from the hype/lies), I highly recommend the book A Consumer’s Dictionary Of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter, M.S. Stick to simple ingredients, and never believe what advertisers’ claim. It could cost you your health!