Is Eminence Tomato Sun Cream Fake-Organic? - RealSelf blog

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 (39)

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Hal Veggio 23 Oct 2008
Everything you wrote is true.Eminence nowadays is a scam.We made the mistake of not researching it further when we brought it into our shop,we assumed it was the same products that impressed us years ago. Turned out the products were subpar at best.The company is based on lies and backstabbing,they have horrendous reps that will promise one thing and forget it as soon as they think they can catch a bigger fish. More and more people are getting aware of the scam and this company will go to hell sooner or later.
daniel82 11 Aug 2009
Hello Hal, I was suprised with your review. I'm located in canada and I'm thinking of introducing these products into my spa. Can you please tell me more info on your experience? Thanks!
Vancouver (unregistered guest) 1 Nov 2008
Thanks for the update. So Attila Koronczay is still running things? Based out of their Granville office or on Cook St? Anyway, I won't be wasting anymore time with Eminence.
flagstaff (unregistered guest) 12 Jan 2009
I decided to try Eminence after being recommended by a friend I went to the salon carrying it in town and after being told they had no samples bought a cleanser it left my skin burning when I went back with it they all of a sudden had samples but would not give my money back I would not recommend this line to anyone
june smithson (unregistered guest) 13 Feb 2009
Beware of Eminence 'Organics' - this company is NOT certified organic and have been passing themselves off as organic for years, misleading the public, stating their membership in the Organic Trade Association (which anyone can join, there is no strict certification assessment necessary for OTA membership), all the while dodging any requests for proof of certification. They have so many spas and people hoodwinked. They may use 'all natural' ingredients, but it is hard to know, because neither do they reveal their ingredients list in full. It is nowhere to be found on their products or on their website, and when asked, they refer their customers only to the website and the product labels, which carry at most very incomplete lists of ingredients. For all anyone knows, this company could be using pesticides and poisons up the yin yang. They are scammers. Beware!!!
Mary Wentworthe 27 Feb 2009
They are the kings of marketing. in the US you can hide up to 100 ingredients under any trademark (TM) name - ask them what is in their biocomplex - no. Ask them to list their entire ingredients and they cannot. Also that is why they arent certified becuase of the 'TM' - you cannot have this. That is only in place to hide the nipagin and PEGs that are laden in their line. Made in Hungary - ya right. Stole from Hungary maybe, but not made. Try visiting Hungary to look for Eminence and know one has heard of them. NO ONE. Find this ODD? Doesnt anyone? Yes - I forgot you already figured it out on here. I still cannot believe how many haven't. We LOVE the ilcsi line and use ilike in our spa. Our clients actually started asking us for it when we carried Pevonia and Jurlique. Why use extracts when you can use whole ingredients and then we found out about Eminence and how they copied everything. My goodness. Get some originality will ya! Thanks everyone for keeping it real and honest. FYI. I LOVE the tomato suntan gel from ilike - it is spf 30 but according to US mandates they have to say spf 22. In the US you have to have synthetic ingredients in order to receive an spf qualification so you have fun with yours and I will stick to something tried tested and yes, true:-)
Michelle M (unregistered guest) 12 Mar 2009
Um - Mary, my dear. I just called Eminence. Biocomplex is • Vitamin A from carrots • Vitamin E from tomatoes • Vitamin C-Ester from rosehip • Co-enzyme Q10 from spinach • Alpha Lipoic Acid from evening primrose I asked for the full ingredients of several products and recieved them. You obviously work for Ilike. Get over it, already.
Mary Wentworthe 13 Mar 2009
Michelle the whole point I made about the 'trademark' ingredients is that you dont have to divulge all of your ingredients. That is why you see all the drugstore brands that advertise with their 'protophyalackia' complex or whatever else they come up with. When the USDA was regulating back before 1994, the cosmetic companies were able to lobby the government to allow them to 'trademark' their ingredients so they were not giving away 'company secrets'. This is history and this is FDA history. Look up the history on how it was formed in 1938. Honestly, there is alot more to it and really our standards in the US are really low. There are up to 152 ingredients that are banned by the European Union that are allowed into our skincare in the US. This is also fact. INCI European standards are much different then INCI US standards. They dont allow 'trademark' ingredients there and that is why Eminence didnt have to tell you everything because no one their would know. The owners/manufacturers would know and their lab guy. That is the cosmetic world. You learn alot when you are developing your own makeup line and it is scary how poor our standards are here. I am just sharing. I found out some other uncertainties along the way, you just go with it and keep your eyes/ears open. I dont work for ilike. My rep does and she also used to work for eminence along time ago too. I am over it. Peace and thank you.
Beeme 8 Jul 2009
No she does not work for ilike. I know the whole office because I have been researching this for the last 3 years. I have even been offered a job with them because of my understanding of the products. No I have heard many fishy tales from aestheticians in regards to this line. They will gladly send you an ingredients list but if you take that list an also the product to a lab they don't match. I am an independent researcher the reason I got to doing investegation was my sister who is an aesthetician asked me to assist her in getting some facts. Eminence is not the only company who is doing, this putting out bad information and because of a big budget for advertising and marketing you think you are seeing the truth if it is in print. It is scary the false information that is out there.
G. Et Bent (unregistered guest) 12 Mar 2009
Let me get this right. You ‘read’ someone else’s anonymous posting on another website and base your information on that? My, aren’t you clever – everyone knows everything on the internet MUST be true! Anyone within the Spa and Skincare industry with any experience knows that Ilike / Ilcsi / whatever were the original private label of Eminence. When Eminence went into producing their own product in 2005 (taking away 90% of Ilcsi’s business) Ilcsi saw red & put out their own version. Lawsuits followed as it was pretty obvious Ilcsi / Illike / whatever was trying to mislead Eminence’s client base. They’ve now had to drop the claim that they started up on 1958 and change their packaging. As for backstabbing Reps who turn their back, etc. It’s a business; I know many Reps in many skin care lines and if they care about their brand they will NOT affiliate themselves with 2 star spas who want a cheap deal. Just because it’s an organic skin care company, do you really think they do not have business aspirations? Try asking the company before you post slanderous comments and they will offer any information you need.
Mary Wentworthe 13 Mar 2009
I didnt have to read a thing on someone else's anonymous website. I contacted every company personally and worked with both Eminence and ilike products and their distributors. I also contacted Ilcsi in Hungary myself. You can too: www.ilcsi.com - hit English and cruise around a little and look at their history and their associations, etc. Better yet, go to Hungary and visit any spa (salon there) and they carry Ilcsi. Eminence lost their rights and trademarked ilcsi and some of the products so they couldnt be reintroduced into the market. It is not about who the brand carrier is, it is about the ilcsi line. . This is the caviar of Hungary; not to be mistaken or forged. There are plenty of 'K-Car' models out there of other brands and many knock offs. I believe this topic is about what is real, not about a lawsuit we have no idea of the details (unless you are an Eminence relation?) so I cannot see how this is persuant to be a point. There is no slandering, this is simple fact that is out there. Quite a few of our neighbouring spas know this as well, so I am surprised you are learning this. We used to have to answer alot of questions for our clients when we were switching and even called Hungary. Now we just lead anyone (although no one asks much anymore) to the ilcsi site and give them some articles to read, but all they have to do is open the jar and you see the difference! Also, you do not know my education nor my background so I would appreciate it if you would keep to the topic and not be personal. I have a passion for certain subjects and health is one of them, however when there is misinformation I am happy to be a catalyst so others will also learn and keep learning, instead of arguing. Thank you for your time and have a great time. Thank you
Beeme 2 Jul 2009
Really you think you have the right information. You should have been at the Las Vegas Show this year. Aunt Ilcsi's son was there and they have document proving when they started. I had a very long talk with Mr Molnar using a translator since he speak very little English. Eminence never took away business from them. They were the distributor for them in the US then until they decided to try and copy them. They also tried to take this copy into other markets where ilcsi's products were already being distributed and the product were laugh out. Also if they are the original product why do you not find them in Hungary?... That is right if you travel to Hungary which I have many of your proffessional aesthetician have never heard of it and you will not find the product in Hungary. Good luck and maybe you should check your sources instead of doubting others. I have done real research and not just over the internet. Try the product I dare you and you will see a difference.
ssinative 28 Aug 2010
Wow..some people should do their homework before speaking..Eminence was allowed to distribute ilcsi's product until 2005 when they were DROPPED by the manufacturer. It was picked up by Szep Elet who could not use the ilcsi name because Eminence trademarked the name to prevent it-Ok...smart marketing. So they gave it the nickname of ilcsi--ilike. I made close to 40 phone calls to US regulatory and APSCO--compliance for USDA..NO ONE could tell me where it comes from or where it is manufactured. ONLY 2 products have ingredients that are USDA organic...and they would not release those ingredients citing privacy issues. They claim to have been making this for over 50 years..Well if you had to reformulate and find new products in 2005 PLEASE explain how you have been around 50 years...go to ilcsi.com and ANYTHING you want to know is posted..Companies that have nothing to hide..HIDE NOTHING!
Beeme 6 May 2009
It is nice to see that people still do their homework. It is so easy to take things at face value and not really see what is really there. No Eminence does not have it all. I am not saying the ilike does but it the real deal. This product does not change in every batch. What is up with the new Eminence product with biodynamic thing? This should be redundant because if you do have an organic certification like from BDIH (German cert. one of the highest if not the highest as of now) biodynamic farming is a given. Oye people please we are not stupid!
spice 21 May 2009
I read an ad and Eminence's website stating that "Eminence is the first in the world" with biodynamic farming and skin care. In fact, biodynamic farming dates back to early 1900s in Europe and even in the US it has an association since 1938. But Eminence always states that they are the "first", the "best", the "only" etc. Beeme, you are right, you can read on the BDIH website that biodynamics is part of their requirements. It doesn't mean that a biodynamic farm is organic though! If ilike has BDIH certificate, that's the real deal. I found their manufacturer (Ilcsi) listed on BDIH's website and in the description it says that their products are branded as Ilcsi or Ilike. Who needs better proof then about authenticity and organic certs?
Beeme 2 Jul 2009
You are right biodynamic farming does not mean you are organic. However my findings have been with organic product certifiers they require the ingredients to be from field using biodynamic farming. The reason are it cause less stress on the soil and does not deplete as many of the trace minerals in the soil. Trace minerals help with absorptions and potency.
Mary Wentworthe 25 May 2009
Spice - if every consumer in North America was like you, we wouldnt have this problem to begin with of lower standards. The public in NA is really in the dark - these blogs are fantastic for guiding people in the right direction. Thank you for your info and taking the time to share what you have discovered.
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.
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!
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!
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.

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