Actress Jessica Alba and her company Honest have been lambasted on social media for its sunscreen, which many say is ineffective and leaves customers sunburnt.
The company owned by the actress claims it’s a safe, non-toxic product that adheres to the guidelines for protecting skin from the sun.
Those slathering on the product before stepping outside have taken to social media to post photos of their red and scorched skin after apparently using the Honest SPF30 sunscreen.
.@ABC7 So true! @Honest sunscreen doesn’t protect & is a nightmare to spread on the skin! Not recommended @carbon350 pic.twitter.com/oBBCj0Lrsi
— Sierra Dallas (@SierraDallas) August 3, 2015
Don’t buy @Honest sunscreen unless u want to look like this. Second time I’ve tried this stuff and got fried pic.twitter.com/pEhO5GYIkQ
— Lindsy (@LindsyMarshall) July 26, 2015
@Honest sunscreen sucks! My child got sunburned today with if cakes on! https://t.co/oqOce82OYG — Revel Social MKTG (@RevelSocialMKTG) August 3, 2015
@Honest this is my very real result from Honest 30 SPF sunscreen. Only spent 1 hour outside. Burnt. #nothappy #red pic.twitter.com/T42TNeg5mj
— Brandon Atherton (@bdatherton) June 1, 2015
The Honest company responded to the criticism in a statement to People magazine in the States, saying it stands by the product.
“Our Sunscreen Lotion was tested, by an independent 3rd party, against the protocols prescribed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) monograph for over-the-counter sunscreen products. The results showed that our product is effective and safe for use as an 80 minute water-resistant (FDA’s highest rating), SPF 30 sunscreen lotion in accordance with FDA regulations when used as directed (Shake Well. Apply liberally and evenly 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying and at least every 2 hours).
“The number of complaints received on our own website about our Sunscreen Lotion constitute less than one half of one percent of all units actually sold athonest.com.”
While the testimonials on the Honest sunscreen website are positive, reviews on Amazon and social media weren’t quite as polite.
One reviewer said: “This is hands down the worst sunscreen ever. I’ve tried dozens of different sunscreens and words can’t come close to describing how terrible this product compares even to the cheapest stuff you find at discount stores.”
Some 58 per cent of Amazon reviewers posted only a one star rating.
US publication Fortune, in partnership with Entrepreneur, had a few suggestions for what the brand can do to stop burning.
One, Honest needs to be proactive, issuing a statement on its actual website instead of just to a few media publications.
Two, it needs to empathise with the pain of the consumers. And three, it needs to offer a solution for the annoyed customers.
Lead image via Olivia Palermo blog.
