Is Eminence Tomato Sun Cream Fake-Organic?

Eric K on 4 Jun 2008 at 12:00am

Did you know that skincare products aren't regulated, and the USDA organic label only applies to products that are food grade?

Eminence Organic's Tomato Sun Cream SPF 16 looked like a great organic natural daily moisturizer with SPF and no chemical ingredients, so I bought a jar. Then I read a post on Huddler Green Home that said Eminence was fake organic because they don't reveal which ingredients are organic or reveal their certification.

Then I read Lisa3559's comment on RealSelf.com that mentioned that Eminence lost their original supplier and has copying them with lower-quality versions of the ingredients. Sure enough, the website for ilcsci.com says "Ilcsi products are being copied in the USA":

Eminence Organic Skin Care Ltd. (Vancouver, Canada) was the distributor for the territory of USA and Canada of Ilcsi products under the brand Eminence from 2002 until 31st March 2005 only... Ilcsi Beautifying Herbs Hungary have not supplied any Ilcsi products to them. The current Eminence products are no longer associated in any way with Aunt Ilcsi Molnar or her family owned company.

Eminence Organic Skin Care trademarked the word "Ilcsi", which is the international brand and the nickname of the creator of the products they used to distribute from Ilcsi Beautifying Herbs Hungary until the spring of 2005. For this reason Aunt Ilcsi's products can not be marked under her name in the U.S. or Canada and are now called ilike, which is another nickname for her. The ilike organic skin care products are the same Ilcsi products and are not associated in any way with Eminence Organaic Skin Care.

ilike does have a "Tomato suntan cream, spf 22" although the description is worrisome, and I don't think it's just a bad translation:

The only tanning lotion allowing the UV "A" and the long UV "B" rays through, which are important in vitamin D development... almost entirely screens out the harmful UV "C" rays, which come through the thin ozone layer.

Uh, no. I think I'll stick with zinc oxide and block UV A, B and C

So was the "faker" Eminence Organic Tomato Sun Cream worth it? No, it causes a tingling/burning sensation, especially when I breathe through my nose or after shaving. Maybe it's one of the oils that it contains (pine needle oil - why?), or maybe it's the alcohol-based extracts like the primary ingredient, "Tomato Extract".

Thankfully, I've found a much better natural daily SPF moisturizer that's actually a joy to use. It goes on clear, smells and feels great, has better sun protection, and is produced by a company that is passionate about disclosing the exact percentage used for each ingredient: Keys Solar RX.

Comments (42)

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Sabinam 4 Nov 2012

Eminence is a fake company. It's not made in Hungary, it's made in Richmond B.C. by a company called Vitelle Labs. They use numerous preservatives and non-organic ingredients. If their ingredients were ever tested to compare against the ingredient list, they would be busted.

Nutrition 24 Mar 2012

I just have to say as a dietitian that it is actually good that the sun screen allows UV A and B to be absorbed into the skin because they ARE necessary for Vitamin D production in the body. SPF's that block those UV rays are one reason Americans specifically are so Vitamin D deficient. The sun is good...just not too much of it. And UV C is the bad UV ray, the one that really needs to be blocked. I don't know anything about the company itself, but the description of the suntan cream is actually refreshing to hear from a dietitian's standpoint.

Palmarosa 10 May 2012

Lisa...but, Jennifer Aniston absolutely DOES use and endorse Neal's Yard Remedies. Robt. D. Jr. shops @ the NYR shop on the Kings Rd., and so does Jade Jagger and her 2 daughters, who are all in a Youtube video that takes place @ the same Kings Rd. shop for an opening for a book signing, called Be Beautiful, by Alice-Hart Davis. NYR is a 30 yr. old company that's owned by an organic farmer and his family. Integrity, total transparency, and very comparable product to ilikes--and priced much lower, overall, than ilikes! Both are a fine, handmade brand ( -

Lisa3559 28 Feb 2012

As you can see on most of Eminence's celebrity pictures there's absolutely no endorsement. The ones where they have notes from celebrities work this way: the company keeps sending products to the assistants of celebrities hoping that one day there's a thank you note coming back. 99.9% of the time no notes come back, sometimes the assistant sends one in the name of the famous person. Eminence probably sends out at least 300 packages to get a thank you note back. And who pays for these? The customers of course as marketing costs are all built into the price. But for example let's look at Jennifer Aniston the name Eminence likes to advertise themselves with the most. Eminence was once at the premier of JA's movie providing some touch-ups and gifts to the cast and crew. Jennifer Aniston was not treated with the products as she has her own team to do that but because Eminence was at the premier (again paying thousands of dollars for this event that customers ultimately pay) they put Jennifer Aniston's face on their marketing materials ever since. Note again, absolutely no endorsement message from Jennifer! You know why? Because she uses Dr Hauschka as she clearly stated in this month's InStyle magazine (still out at the stands if you want to check).
So yes, I go for iLike Organic Skin Care as they are always truthful, transparent, they are listed on the BDIH website and the green Spa Network website and certified by Green America. Whatever they sya I can trust. Not even mentioning the superior quality of their products versus the big mouth copycats.

Palmarosa 23 Feb 2012

@Sunny88~I have not yet tried licsi, but have taken a long look at some of their lines, and their products seem to be very comparable to the ones I use, Neal's Yard Remedies, (just not as expensive!), ie., handmade (in England), a passionate, family-owned business (v/s the corporate dictated paradigm), certified organic, using only the finest herbs, and pure essential oils from organically-grown and wildcrafted plants; some, they either grow themselves at the owner's own organic farm, in Berkshire, or get from Fair Trade Organizations around the world, etc.-I live in the USA, so if you live here too, you can order NYR via their American Channel, NYR Organic, through a authorized Consultant like myself: https://nyrorganic.com/shop/socal_ukbird or through the UK webshop: https://nealsyardremedies.com.
Cheers,
P

Sunny88 23 Feb 2012

I am Hungarian and have never heard of Eminence before. I have met this product abroad and was surprised to see it. I have used Ilcsi products before, but unfortunately they are not available in the country where i live now. Now that I have read about the story I am very sceptical to try E. I am not really sure what their connection to Hungary is, I haven´t really found any info in Hungarian either.

Palmarosa 29 Dec 2011

If Eminence is lying about where the products are made, the TM ingredients, ect., on top of having such a dodgy history, such as (after reading the above)--I believe they do--they CAN NOT be trusted. Period! And if the whole precept of their line is based on deception and corruption, and unprincipled practices--I, too, would avoid them like the plague on those grounds alone. I'm sure that a spa treatment, such as the kind that the Ritz Carlton would administer, would have given the same results, no matter what product line was used. Really, the skin care products one chooses should involve a decision that's based on more than "quick fix" results. Not that the Ritz Carlton is a quick fix, it's not. But, the products they use, has no bearing on other aspects of the said products, which in this case, in the long run, smells like a RAT!

ritzs 14 Apr 2011

Yesterday I had a full spa day at the Ritz Carlton. I am someone who is has always had great skin but have recently developed, slight lines from stress, dark circles and a small break out once in a while. In any case I suffer from extremely dry skin, that being said the esthecian used the stone crop line of eminence products on me and also a yam and pumpkin peel, latte masque, wild plum eye cream and a lip balm, my skin/face felt awesome afterward and they wanted me to purchase the product but I wanted to see next day results just in case there was a delayed reaction and if I would have a breakout, well the next morning my face felt absolutely fabulous and still moisturized (keep in mind I normally wake up to tight dry skin no matter what I use. in addition the small breakout that was on my right chin was barely noticeable and as the day progress it is completely gone! I also take bikram yoga 3-4times a week (hot hot yoga) after yoga and a quick wash of warm water on my face and I'm still glowing. I will be throwing my current product in the garbage and heading back to the Ritz to purchase eminence. Just keep in mind all ingredients aren't on all products not just eminence as some have stated also keep in mind if you discuss your history with your esthecian the eminence line has products for all types of skin, you may have just used the wrong line. My face looks and feel great,so far I have only rinsed with water and still have managed to achieve a smooth Hydrated look. P.S Nothing was stinging or itching at any point!

Alex London 16 Mar 2011

I like it because i was seeking for such type of info.

I hope it benefits all one who land up here.

Thanks for sharing!!

{Edited by Kirsty: Please do not link to third party sites}

MGong 31 Dec 2009

Oh - btw - BDIH is a record keeping qualification; nothing regarding organic content whatsoever.

MGong 31 Dec 2009

It irks me that blogs like this exist. If any one of you Ilike lovers said your comments in public & showed your faces; you'd have your arse handed to you in a lawsuit.

Beets 29 Nov 2011

Oh really, is freedom of speech now illegal? Nazis like you wish it was. Everything being said here is true, don't like it? Figures....

Palmarosa 2 Feb 2013

Oh I'm really scared, come and get me MG!! ha! ...a lawsuit for taking part in a discussion forum! Nazi is right MG--atta girl, Beets, we know our rights ( -

Laurie Lupkas 19 Aug 2009

I find the Ilike products too "homespun" and often irritating. Eminance is more polished, contains more results-oriented ingredients, and has an exciting array of face and body products which can be custom blended for outstanding treatments. I feel the quality and results of their treatments and products far outweigh that of Ilike.

Beets 29 Nov 2011

Eminence is more polished= Contains more synthetic ingredients.

Ilike is the real deal, but when you've been using Oil of Olay for 20 years thinking it's good, you aren't qualified to judge skin care.

Guest for a Day (unregistered guest) 28 Jul 2009

I was so excited to have found a gorgeous "organic" product in Eminence. But I've been doing a LOT of research on them because I'm in the middle of holistic therapy which requires me to do so. To my dismay, I'm afraid I have to agree with the FACT that Eminence products are NOT "organic" in the true sense of the word/how they are sold to the public. The biggest problem I can see with these and other so called "organic" prodcuts is we are being sold on an idea - because it's always niced to have "lovely" things than the things which are truely good for us. If you REALLY care what you are putting in your skin (yes, IN your skin/body because your skin is actually a sponge soaking up every scent, cream, toxin around you) then I recommend researching, researching and researching some more. I have a feeling you will find that all these lovely, pretty, nice smelling products aren't "organic / safe" at all. It's the unscented, unattractive packaged goods which you should be using and which are hard to fidn in your local "lovely spa. But again, that's if you REALLY care about your health and skin. Look into a holistic approach to LIFE - WITHOUT meds or anything synthetic or "fix it" creams and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Beeme 28 Jul 2009

If any one needs any help speak with either Stefany (sale manager)or Debby (national educator) at ilike and they can help you in so many ways 888-290-6238. I love this stuff and it has done wonders for my skin. My sister turned me on to it and I have been researching this line for the last year and a half just trying to get the real story, been strange where it has taken me.

IndoorCatsOnly 27 Jul 2009

Wow, thank you, thank you! I am a new spa owner and was about ready to pull the trigger and bring Eminence on. I actually did a google search for "Eminence private labeling" because I had no idea they did until I was talking to a rep from Revitalight who said they private label through them?? So I was curious and wanted to know what this person meant. That led me to this site - I'm sure glad I found it! I was considering either Eminence or Ila out of France. I actually did read about iLike when I was perusing through the Skin Inc. magazine and thought it looked interesting! I, too, wondered what the heck the real difference was between the BioDynamic line and the rest of it... didn't make too much sense to me! Thanks so much for this information!

Mary Wentworthe 9 Jun 2009

Lucie - show your boss or owner the ilcsi site and go to BDIH site. All of the info is here in this blog page. there are some VERY savvy readers on here. this is the first I have come across such clear/honest thinkers. Anything that has a trademark ingredient can hide ingredients under the FDA. Tak your products to a lab and have them tested for parabens and other harsh chems and it will blow your mind! Interesting though about Get Bent's comments. How would they know about a lawsuit? Sounds like an insider or rep for Eminence is on this too. Be very leary and use your common sense. Good luck and all the best!

Lucie 5 Jun 2009

Ah! I just purchased $250 worth of their products from a spa I work at b/c I get a huge discount off the products and I wanted to try a more high end skin care line... are you telling me that this stuff is all junk? I'm 29 and have purchased an exfoliating mask, the herbal eye cream, the apricot whip moisturizer and others... the clients that buy if from us rave about it... so am I damaging my skin by using this stuff? I clearly can't return it b/c it's from my work, and I can't just chuck it, cause it cost me an arm and a leg!

learn (unregistered guest) 30 Jun 2009

So I have worked at two spas and one had Eminence and one had ilike. Eminence is a joke everytime I used it on my skin it broke me out and I usually had great skin. Also a majority of the people I worked with including other estheticians said they couldn't use it cause it did the same to their skin. My spa would often do product training for the product lines we had and when eminence came they would tell us if we mixed certain things together or used a specific product it would do amazing things to the skin but when we tried it it didn't do anything they said it would! At the spa I worked at we had other product lines so I used those instead unless specifically asked to use eminence. At the other spa we used ilike and I saw it do amazing things for my clients skin. And even had great benefits for my skin. If you wanna go with organic skincare that works invest in ilike. You will be happy you did.

lexx35 21 Jan 2010

Lucie Eminence is a great product hav worked with it for 3 years I love it my clients lov it and come back for more. Be smart use your own judgement!

jnk 31 May 2010

My aesthetician is a detmatologist and has had me on an Eminence skin care regimen for the last 5 years...began when I was 27. Not very educated on "organic" vs truly organic or who private labels for who within the industry. What I DO know is that my skin has never looked better since commiting to this product line. I've had no reactions or breakouts and have practially zero wrinkles around my eyes. Whereas At age 32, I should have some lines developing around the eye area and I do not. I'm consistently told I look 25. For me, I see results and I'm sticking with Eminence as the products have been great to me. My favorites...tomato sun cream, grape perlette moisturizer, sugarplum revitalizing masque, linden calendula treatment, bearberry eye repair, lime cleansing masque and chocolate mousse masque. I should probably do some more in-depth research to see if there is something better out there, but in the meantime, I've been VERY impressed.

Beets 29 Nov 2011

This forum is amazingly well informed, my hat goes off to you all. I in fact can confirm everything said here and add plenty, as I was directly involved with Eminence from the beginning, even being part of coming up with the name Eminence. Now, Boldijarre was a scammer from the word go and had no intentions of ever dealing honestly with the trust he was given by the parent company, Ilike. BTW, Ilike is not a nickname or newly conjured name, it's their official Hungarian name and has been for ever. Ilike dropped Boldijarre because he was copying the products, which they suspected he would do. Boldijarre was not some unfortunate character who lost his distribution rights and had to find another way, he is a born liar and will do and say anything to get what he wants, just ask one of the thousands of women he's used to get what he wants. Eminence is NOT made in Hungary, this is stupid obvious, if it was, why don't you find it being sold there? Duhh... Eminence is made by local manufacturers in Vancouver, and always has been. Spas in Vancouver are truly being played the fool thinking they're buying exotic Hungarian products with Hungarian ingredients, when it's being made in their back yard with standard ingredients found in any skin care product. All Eminence has going for them is the continued deception of the public and some ripped off formulas, created over lifetimes of work by the Ilike family. Way to go Boldijarre, steal someone else's life work and pretend you did it. Like I said, this guy has no ethics whatsoever and should be avoided like the plague, along with his phoney company.

CharlieLost 7 Jan 2013

I am unfortunately one of the thousands of women he's used to get what he wants. Yes, he sucked me in with his charm and humor and pursued me very strongly and made me feel so special. Lets just say to get exactly what he wanted. I appreciate this site because I always had my doubt but as any young women I had hoped for the best and fell into his trap. He is liar, cheater, and womanizer. There's not a day that goes by I don’t feel guilty for being so stupid and believing his lies. My hope for this post is some other women he is trying pursue comes across this post and realizes he is just using you to get what he wants with no remorse for your feelings.