An antiaging skin care revolution is underway thanks to Arbonne. At least that's the declaration made in an unusual Arbonne press release that a reader sent me today (they were bothered by it). 
In case you weren't clear on the meaning of revolution, they explain "By definition, revolutionary means: radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure." Ok.
The announcement then states that "Nothing else in the industry comes close to the combination of elements that develop into this age defying recipe. Most skin care lines in the United States boast one or two primary elements which address minimal aspects of anti-aging and the skin. Many of these regimens can cause: redness, pain, irritation, and skin flaking."
This is where I got completely lost in the meaning of the announcement.
- Why isn't Arbonne mentioned, just alluded to throughout? Additionally, the Arbonne RE9 Anti-aging product line isn't mentioned.
- How can they support the claim that the Arbonne product works better than others? Have head-to-head trials been performed?
- Do many skin care lines truly cause "redness, pain, irritation, and skin flaking"?
- Isn't it illogical for a product to contain more than 1 or 2 primary elements. Isn't being "primary" limited to one or two things in any context?
I'm going to send a note to Arbonne to help explain this announcement. I'll also ask our friends at the beauty brains to chime in
Return to Beauty in Seattle
2/1/07
arbonne would never send this out. it looks like a arbonne dm did the release. i doubt arbonne corporate would approve.
2/2/07
These are excellent questions you raise. And you are smart to be skeptical. Whenever you hear someone claim that a product is "revolutionary" it almost never is. Real revolutionary products don't have to tell you they are revolutionary. It will be obvious and won't require a press release telling you so.
I looked at a few of the claims from the press release and have a few comments.
"9 key anti-aging elements" This is just marketing bull. They could've called it 6 or 8 or 11. There is nothing magical about 9 anti-aging elements.
"Nothing else comes close..." Sure. This is like when a restaurant says they have the greatest hamburgers in the world. Puffery is what we call it in the business.
"surgeries to do what this set ...can do" No lotion will be as effective as surgery.
"...best I have worked with" - Why tell us they are being "honest"? People only say 'honestly' when they think you think they are lying.
"Vitamin C, Copper, and Alpha Lipoic Acids" this is the same stuff other companies are using. Nothing new here.
Arbonne is one of these Multi-level Marketing companies and we reviewed their products some time back here. They can pretty much say anything they want because they don't advertise on TV or in print. Someday the government might crack down but they've only got so many resources and can't get everyone.
http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/07/19/are-arbonne-products-the-best-skin-care-you-can-buy/
2/28/08
Have you ever tried the Arbonne products?? I have and still do. The products are AMAZING for many reasons personally for me. These botanically based products provide me with a security of knowing that I am putting stuff onto my body and in it that is natural. The web site shows all ingrediants for those who may be allergic to peanuts or coconut etc. Vitamin C, copper, Alpha Lipoic Acid - yes other products have these ingrediants but don't forget they also have MINERAL OIL which we all know is aka as PETROLIUM which we all know is what we see at GAS STATIONS. Mineral oil is there main ingredient. A lot of companies also use ANIMAL FAT fillers in there products - Why? because it is a cheap filler. Who wants petrolium and animal fat on there skin? I don't. Also, Network marketing is on its way to becoming a multi billion dollar industry. Wellness is the now. We are in the Wellness revolution and Arbonne is a multimillion dollar company expanding its greatness to Italy, Spain, France ontop of the present USA and Canadian markets. Try the product if you have not. You won't be sorry.
3/19/08
I agree, I don't think Arbonne put this release out. If you go to www.arbonne.com and then click on "the company" and then "corporate" and then "arbonne in the news". They give you a direct link to any and all press releases or any instance in which Arbonne has been in the news.
I looked and I didn't find anything that looked like this release. Plus, anytime Arbonne does a press release they would be forthcoming in listing the name Arbonne along with the Company Presidents name. This release didn't mention any corprate names.