Cosmetic Chemists React to the Mielle Organics Hair Loss Controversy

In Mielle Organics latest TikTok video , founder and CEO Monique Rodriguez sits in a chair and addresses the camera with a serious but friendly tone. Claims have been pouring in online that her haircare products are causing hair loss.

“Hey y’all,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to take a quick moment to connect with all of you all, our amazing community.”

Rodriguez covers a lot of ground in the five minute and 31 second video, including how Mielle Organics started 10 years ago, the company’s partnerships with the WNBA and Historically Black Colleges and Universities and, maybe most notably, the claims of hair loss now coming out against Mielle.

Recently online users have accused the haircare line of selling products, specifically the extremely popular Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, that have adverse effects. Along with hair thinning and loss, some say the products are causing scalp irritation, itching and flaking. Many of those making the claims seem to believe the alleged negative results are a byproduct of Proctor & Gamble’s acquisition of Mielle in January 2023 .

Rodriguez addressed the concerns around the acquisition in the video that now has more than 650,000 views. She says the decision to partner with the major global brand was driven by her vision to expand Mielle to new heights and continue her work in the community.

“Our products are created with healthy ingredients and they are formulated to deliver safe and effective results,” Rodriguez said. “If you have any doubts I encourage you to explore our labels from 2019 to 2024. You will see that there have been no formula changes.”

Cosmetic Chemists React to Ingredients

Los Angeles-based cosmetic chemist Javon Ford did a label comparison on his TikTok account.

“I don’t think that associated hair loss has anything to do with the P&G acquisition or a formula change because the formula has changed very little if at all,” Ford said in the video.

He goes on to show the Rosemary Mint Oil’s ingredient list from 2022 and 2024.

“The ingredients are the exact same,” he explained.

He then does a comparison of the Rosemary Mint Shampoo ingredients from 2020 and 2024.

“The ratios might have been tweaked because the order is different below the one percent line, but that also could have been a marketing change. Either way the ingredients are the exact same” Ford said.

Ford adds that certain Mielle products include ingredients, like rosemary oil, peppermint oil and menthol. These can be potentially irritating to some people. Cosmetic chemist Julian Saas told 21Ninety that while ingredients may be an issue for individual users that doesn’t mean the company is doing something wrong.

“People can have different reactions to a particular product used by any brand so that piling on to a brand like that doesn’t make any sense,” Saas said. “Nothing from my perspective makes me think these products are harmful, bad, damaging in a general capacity.”

Similar to Ford, Saas took a look at the ingredient list for the Rosemary Mint Oil. He also noted that certain ingredients could be irritating to people with sensitive skin.

“Essential oils can have adverse effects on hair follicles but nothing that is like a red flag to me,” Saas said. “However, because this is a leave on product versus a shampoo for example, essential oils can be irritating.”

Sourcing Questioned Post-Acquisition

While ingredients are one thing, where those ingredients come from is another. One commenter responded to Rodriguez’s video with a question about the brand’s ingredient sourcing since the acquisition.

“Even tho the ingredients are the same, sourcing of those ingredients could be different from the OG owner,” the commenter wrote. “That could be the change, … where P&G is getting the ingredients from, could be the issue.”

Another commenter asked, “Do you have control over the ingredients anymore?”

Saas says ingredient sourcing is very important and it’s not uncommon for sourcing to change post-acquisitions.

“When another company acquires you there might be, for example, a supplier for an ingredient that Proctor & Gamble already uses and let’s say Mielle is getting their rosemary oil, for example, from company A, but Proctor & Gamble is already buying hundreds and hundreds of gallons from company B. They might say ‘Hey, Mielle now that you’re part of our family you’re going to get your rosemary oil from company B,'” Saas said.

He says this may be done for cost or supply chain reasons. Saas adds that the ingredient list would not reflect any changes. He also adds that sourcing can impact quality. That’s something cosmetic chemist Ava Perkins, deserves special attention when dealing with naturally derived products.

“Ingredients that are naturally-derived are quite literally coming from nature, meaning the quality in the material may vary based on various factors including the weather, location, and the processing methods. It’s important for brands to vet trusted suppliers,” Perkins said.

None of the chemists know if there has been a change to the sourcing of Mielle Organics’ ingredients. 21Ninety reached out to both Mielle Organics and Proctor & Gamble to inquire about any sourcing changes. Neither responded by time of publication. On Mielle’s website, a “Mielle and P&G Facts” page answers several questions about the acquisition and products. In response to the question, “Will the product change?” the site reads, “We are deeply committed to the integrity of the Mielle product and can promise that you can rely on the same highly effective products tomorrow that you use today. We have no plans to change the product.”

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