Greenwashing: The Urban Legends We’re Done Believing

Greenwashing: Urban Legends We Hope to Deconstruct

Urban Legend #1: “Natural Is DIY”

Natural isn’t baking soda and vinegar whipped up in a kitchen.
It’s an evolving science — complex, precise, and deeply researched.

Urban Legend #2: “Chemical-Free Cleaners”

Everything is a chemical — even water.
There is no such thing as a truly “chemical-free” cleaner.

The real question is which chemicals, in what concentration, and with what long-term impact on human health and the environment.

Urban Legend #3: “Food-Based = Always Safe”

Food-grade is a starting point — not a safety guarantee.

Food-based colourants and preservatives can still cause irritation or allergies with repeated household exposure.

That’s why our products are tested for skin safety (allergy and inflammation) and biodegradability in the environment — not judged by labels alone.

Urban Legend #4: Ethoxylated Ingredients Are Always Mild

Ingredients such as SLS, SLES, and Ceteareth-20 are effective surfactants, but they are typically petroleum-derived and can be poorly biodegradable.
Manufacturing processes may also leave trace by-products if not tightly controlled.

Effectiveness is real — so are the trade-offs.

Urban Legend #5: “Eco-Safe” Without Proof

Terms like eco-safe, green, or earth-friendly often lack certification or transparency.
Without validation, they remain marketing language — not guarantees.

Urban Legend #6: Fragrance / Parfum

“Fragrance” often hides dozens of undisclosed chemicals masquerading as freshness.

At Green Molecule, scent is treated as a functional ingredient — chosen for low-VOC impact and designed to fade gently, not overwhelm.

Urban Legend #7: PEGs Are Natural

PEG stands for Polyethylene Glycol (and related glycols such as Propylene Glycol).
Despite being paired with “plant-based” claims, PEGs are synthetic polymers, often petroleum-derived.

Urban Legend #8: Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates Aren’t the Whole Story

Parabens, sulfates, and phthalates are familiar targets — but they’re not the only ones that matter.

Many other ingredients remain hidden in plain sight, masked by technical names and vague claims.
What we talk about most is often just the tip of the chemical iceberg.

Urban Legend #9: If Ingredient Lists Look Like Code, It’s Because They Are

Ingredient labels are written in letters and numbers — not plain language.
They’re designed for standardisation, not storytelling.

That’s where greenwashing thrives.

Clarity shouldn’t be optional.

Where We Stand

At Green Molecule, we don’t chase labels - we question them.

Natural must be intentional, not performative.
Safety must be baked in, not embellished later.

Plant-led. Science-backed. Safety-anchored.
Natural, standardised, powerful — the way it should be.