“Toxic” products are something we all want to avoid, especially when they involve our baby or our personal health. Brands like The Honest Company recognize this fear and promise to offer a solution.
Founded by A-List actress Jessica Alba, The Honest Company is a wellness brand that focuses on non-toxic, eco-friendly personal care and baby products. On the site, you can purchase everything from organic tampons to irritation-free diapers for newborns to toddlers.
But does the brand stand alone above the prestige of its celebrity founder? We’ll assess the products and the company’s reputation here so you know where the Honest Company is one you should shop at.
Pricing Comparison
The Honest Company operates as an online store with health and wellness products.
Below is a chart of some of the most popular products sold by The Honest Company and the prices for equivalent products from other brands. In the cases where the other retailers carried The Honest Company brand, we included that product in the chart.
As this chart shows, The Honest Company pricing is fairly aligned with the other retailers. You can expect to pay slightly more for baby products, though there are cost savings associated with signing up for a subscription.
We also found that The Honest Company product pricing seems to be consistent, regardless of whether you’re buying directly from the company or another retailer like Target or Walmart.
So, while shopping around might help you save money on similar products, there’s not necessarily an advantage to purchasing Honest Company products elsewhere.
Are The Honest Company Products More Natural and Better for You?
The Honest Company’s primary appeal for consumers is that it sells products that it claims are better for both you and the environment. Is this grounded in fact or merely good branding?
To start, the company is transparent that some, but not all, items are certified organic. Many others include organic components, even if the full product isn’t certified. You can view the entire ingredients lists for every product sold on the site.
The company was involved in a nationwide class-action lawsuit in 2017 for misleading customers about the ingredients in its laundry detergent and dish soap.
According to this case, these products contain the common cleaning agent sodium lauryl sulfate, despite its claims to avoid it for gentler components instead. On these products, the ingredient was labeled as sodium coco sulfate instead.
Diapers are a top seller for the Honest Company, and the brand claims that they are eco-friendly. The fine print states that the diapers are made from eco-friendly materials, including a “bio-based core with sustainably harvested fluff pulp.” The brand also stays away from chlorine bleaches that could potentially irritate sensitive baby skin.
However, these diapers still contain plastic components made from sodium polyacrylate that prevent them from breaking down in landfills. This means you’re still contributing to the pollution problem if you use them, even if some of their interior components were harvested sustainably.
Subscription Program
The Honest Company currently offers two separate subscription programs:
Diapers and Wipes Bundle Subscription
This plan lets you sign up to receive your preferred pattern of diapers and wipes on a regular schedule. You’ll first choose your diaper size (newborn through size six) and select up to seven prints for diapers and a separate print for the wipes pack.
Note that all print patterns are subject to availability and that the Honest Company might choose alternatives for you if your choices are out of stock.
You will receive seven diaper packs (18–32 count, depending on size) and four 72-count wipes packs for $79.95 ($96.45 for a one-time purchase). The default subscription period is every four weeks, but you can adjust it from every three to every twelve.
It’s possible to change or cancel your subscription at any time through your online account. You can also adjust it to include multiple diaper sizes as well.
Single Item Subscriptions
If there are specific Honest Company products you use regularly, then it makes sense to sign up for a single item subscription. You’ll save 5% per item and earn free shipping for orders over $50.
The company will send you email reminders about your order five days before it ships, and you can adjust the frequency or cancel entirely at any time. It’s possible to pause your subscription for up to 90 days at a time.
Shipping and Refund Policy
The Honest Company ships orders across the United States and Canada, though beauty products and organic infant formula can’t be delivered to Canada. Currently, shipping is free for all orders.
Returns are accepted for qualifying purchases within 90 days of your order date. To be eligible for a return, you must send items back to the company in unopened, original condition.
Promotional items or those marketed as Final Sale are excluded from returns, as are all products shipped to Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii. If your return is accepted, you will have your full purchase reimbursed, minus any shipping fees.
You can get in touch with the company to start this process or answer any further questions at (888) 862-8818 or support@thehonestcompany.com.
Analysis of Customer Reviews
There are 14 reviews of the Honest Company on HighYa, and they average 1.4 stars. Consumer Affairs reviewers have a more positive perspective, as the brand averages 3.4 stars after 41 reviews. Here are the biggest takeaways from their comments.
Compliments:
- A great resource for diapers and wipes
- Subscription programs are convenient for baby products
Complaints:
- Some users received defective products
- Orders occasionally arrive with opened products
- Slow customer service responses
- Shipping times not always accurate
- Missing products in orders are common
The Bottom Line
Jessica Alba’s product line of eco-friendly goods for both parents and babies delivers on some of its selling points but comes up short in other categories.
The brand claims to offer an alternative to toxic products that damage the environment, but only some products are certified organic or contain all-natural ingredients.
We were able to find similar products to what The Honest Company sells from other retailers, often at a lower price point. Likewise, customer reviews are mixed on whether this brand delivers in regards to quality and customer service experiences.
One thing that sets the Honest Company apart is its diaper subscription program. The company offers a range of cute prints that break up the monotony of traditional disposable diapers, and it’s easy to adjust your delivery frequency or the diaper size to keep up with your growing baby. Just keep in mind that these diapers aren’t a free pass from an environmental perspective.
It’s worth shopping at The Honest Company if you take its better-for-you claims lightly and keep in mind that similar products are available elsewhere—they just might not be quite as cute.