Popular feminine product brand ‘Honey Pot’ is trending because consumers noticed the company, known for its plant-based feminine hygiene products, has altered its formula.
They are black-owned and co-founded by Beatrice Dixon, who started The Honey Pot Company in 2012.
A few years ago the company faced racist trolls after Beatrice was featured in a Target ad called “Founders We Believe In”
Beatrice told Essence in 2020 that the incident has benefited the company’s growth and that the outpouring of support was incredible.
“I’m thankful for it because it kind of shows the reality we live,” Dixon said. “You know, nothing about what I said was bad. Could I have said something different? Surely I could have. But if I had to go back, I still wouldn’t choose differently.”
Fast forward to 2022, the formula has changed and people are pissed!
Social media users think the company ‘sold out’ complaining about the ‘trend’ of black-owned companies, changing things when they start to grow and leaving their core supporters behind.
The Honey Pot is doing what most black owned companies do when they reach a certain point. Market to Black People like it’s an exclusive thing and when they see how successful they become off of our culture they play into big corporations. It’s always more for gain than help.
— Paris The Alpha 4/14 (@_ParadiseParis1) May 15, 2022
and
Dear @thehoneypotcomp,
You did us so dirty. Consider this our breakup, Honey Pot. Y’all aren’t touching my coochie anymore. https://t.co/Y2vG6cE8rI
— Ronni is the Thrilla from Manila (@LovesTheWords) May 15, 2022
Honey Pot responded to the backlash on Twitter saying:
Hi! We understand seeing new ingredients on the back of your wash bottle could be confusing but we’re here to help.
We captured feedback and insights from our amazing community to build upon the formula for our washes and designed a new preservative system to uphold the quality of our washes.
Propylene Glycol, phenoxyethanol, and sodium benzoate are widely used to do just that. Phenoxyethanol has anti-microbial properties to keep products stable, and sodium benzoate supports ingredients designed for pH balancing for a longer period of time.
In addition to its antimicrobial properties, Propylene Glycol also functions as a humectant which can support the moisture profile of a product. Our washes are dermatologist-approved, kind to and safe for skin and continue to not have any added parabens, dioxides or sulfates.
Please visit our Ingredient Glossary on http://thehoneypot.co/ingredient-glossary to read about all of our ingredients and email support@thehoneypot.co with any more concerns.
With all that said, people are not buying it, users called them out for insulting their intelligence.
Saying that we’re “confused” is so condescending. We’re not confused, we’re unhappy. They changed the one thing that separated honey pot from other feminine hygiene brands. I’m sure there are other plant-based options out there. Pass on whatever this is. https://t.co/HLnbcfPV7n
— Camille (@MillAlwaysReady) May 15, 2022
and
Endometriosis is among one of the problems that cause infertility for black women & the feminine hygiene products we use can cause chronic cystic fibrosis & even endometriosis & now the main product we used to help relieve feminine problems has chemicals?! The honey pot sucks! https://t.co/EaKfXJKQIb
— lisa Phanord (@lisaphanord) May 15, 2022
and
I’ve just bought a new bottle just yesterday and you’re right, I don’t see the certified organic symbol nor do I see “No Parabens” anywhere on the bottle. . What is going on here? We need to hear from Beatrice Dixon the creator of Honey Pot.
— LaSonja S. Hill (@LaSonja_Hill) May 15, 2022
Well, Beatrice did address the issue on Instagram, saying she wanted to shoot it straight.
She shared in a video that the team has learned a lot about what consumers wanted in a vaginal wash and went back to the drawing board to change a few things.
She assures consumers that while there are new ingredients, the washes are still pH balanced even with preservatives.
Listen below
View this post on Instagram
and
Honey Pot isn’t black-owned or organic anymore ♀️
— JP (@jordanparkr) May 14, 2022
and
After seeing posts about the Honey Pot changing up the ingredients, I just went to check a new bottle & an old bottle and IM SICK we can’t have anything pic.twitter.com/RAdzMWxJuM
— Lele (@coilele) May 15, 2022
and
Yeah I’m tired of black owned companies like Honey Pot selling out. How is your story that the ancestors gave you this idea but you’re selling it to bigger companies and changing its best qualities? This happens almost every single time. It’s always about the money in the end.
— (@_KayRie) May 15, 2022
and
Trying to figure out why honey pot is trending.
1)Honey Pot is feminine products catered to Black Women
2) The ingredients changed from organic to non
3) People are upset
4) People realizing Honey Pot is also a term to lure people in to take their money
— ultrapurwater (@ultrapurwater) May 15, 2022
and
I actually have a huge issue with Honey Pot selling out. How do y’all think the rich stay rich. Not by selling property but buying it and sitting on it for DECADES/CENTRIES. This brand was just founded in 2014. BAD MOVE.
— tahjá (@tahjaserene) May 15, 2022
Even though HoneyPot made the point that the reason for changes is based on consumer research, we do know that sometimes in this industry and the beauty industry generally, formulas change to help companies to scale.
Can a startup keep original packaging and formulas and scale at the same time? Are we being excessively hard on Black-Owned brands?
(We have not confirmed that the brand has been sold, we will update as soon as we find that press release)
Comment your thoughts below!
