Dream Product

There are few things worse than investing in a life-changing product only for capitalism and “big business” to come along and ruin everything. This is especially true when it comes to feminine hygiene products. Women already have to navigate toxic chemicals and deal with the Pink Tax.

The Pink Tax is a price discrepancy that calls out products and services marketed to women that cost more than identical, or nearly identical, versions marketed to men.

The market for organic and all-natural products is steadily growing but can be expensive. Customers often accept the higher prices in favor of quality products. Therefore, it is a huge slap in the face to said customer base when the formula and/or ingredients are discreetly changed on signature products to something making them no safer than their competitors. Even worse, personally, when it is a Black-owned business that got its initial success off the coins of loyal, Black customers.

The Incident

This let down recently occurred with The Honey Pot Co. after a TikTok video of a customer noting the discrepancy of ingredients in a previous version of the Aloe Wash to the latest version went viral. The Honey Pot Co’s product packaging has also been updated and no longer includes chemical-free verbiage on the front.

Exhibit A

As you can see in 1A, the new Foaming Wash bottle no longer notates that its contents are free of parabens, dioxides, sulfate; the pH range; or that it is 100% natural. One added ingredient you will notice in 1B is Phenoxyethanol which “is used as a preservative in cosmetic products and also as a stabilizer in perfumes and soaps. Exposure to phenoxyethanol has been linked to reactions ranging from eczema to severe, life-threatening allergic reactions.” ¹

The Founder

Founder and CEO, Beatrice Dixon, subsequently posted her own video following the backlash to “shoot it straight” with customers. Dixon suggests that recent feedback and input from customers inspired the questionable changes to products. However, the comments, frustration, and surprise from many of Black, female customers indicate they were not surveyed, and feel blindsided. This is two years after Dixon was accused of reverse racism² for a Target commercial that stated, “the reason it’s so important for Honey Pot to do well is so the next black girl that comes up with a great idea, she can have a better opportunity.” Black women and girls felt seen! Now, according to Dixon, The Honey Pot Co., “have also included a preservative system that you can trust throughout the lifespan of your wash.” Not sure what that means but that addition of Phenoxyethanol on the side of the bottle is staring out pretty hard.

An August 2020 interview of Dixon covered her experience, success, and “her crusade to destigmatize her ultimate goal: selling her company.” ³ There have been numerous Black-owned companies acquired or sold to larger white businesses or corporations, like Shea Moisture, which profit off the lack of transparency to maintain a Black customer-base. It usually isn’t until customer videos, like the TikTok one above, reveal the sad truth. Selling your company, with full transparency does not necessarily make you a “sell-out.” Selling out your loyal customers and then gaslighting their legitimate concerns does.

Next Steps

As a sidenote, I have noticed an increasing number of white women in the comments of the Honey Pot’s recent posts championing these harmful changes. Nobody asked you, boo-boo.

What comes next with The Honey Pot Co. will be a masterclass on the buying power of Black women. When we feel slighted, betrayed, and targeted with an unhealthy product, we will let others know, move on, and take our coins with us.

Do you use The Honey Pot Co products? If so, how do you feel about the changes?