Complaint Review: ROYAL LABS NATURAL COSMETICS INC - Johns Island South Carolina

Back in 2011, I contacted Royal Labs to manufacture a natural and organic skincare line for me. After several calls, I trusted that Royal Labs would be the best lab to do the job. I submitted ingredients that I wanted used in my custome formulation, only to have these ingredients disregarded. I then had products samples sent to me for testing and review. After adjusting the formulation, my products went into production. However, when I received my products, they were three lotions labelled as a clenaser, night cream and mask. I did not receive the products I originally requested and I  began contacting Royal Labs Project Manager, Nicole Duncan informing her that I had issues with some of the products.

Ms. Duncan assured me that my products were made using the highest quality and to the highest standard and that the complaints I was receiving were due skin compatibility issues with the products, which were normal. For over a year and a half, I sent emails to Royal Labs informing them on the issues that I was having with the products. After  a year and a half complaining, I finally was able to schedule a meeting with Peggy Lieber. Peggy Lieber insisted that the products were excellent and wonderful and that the defective products with mold and red stuff growing out of them was something she could not explain. Peggy Lieber stated that it was normal for the products to turn from the white color I purchased from her to a brown or beige color. After explaining to Peggy that I had products that were changing colors and scents and some that were not packed in one box, she assured me that was okay, although I explained to her that it looked like the products may have been made from two batches.

Peggy Lieber then began to brag and say that she manufactures thousands of products and this has never happened to her, I was the first. Peggy Lieber than stated that she would give me 500 free products to compensate me for the 2500 she sold me that were defective. I explained to Peggy that we needed further testing and replacement of some of the ingredients. After a couple of days, Peggy Lieber returned and stated that the products were defective because of me. Peggy Lieber claimed that I failed to store my products in a climate controlled environment. Peggy Lieber falsely accused me of storing products at Shipwire after I sent her emails form company representatives and told her that my products were never stored there.

After final research and speaking with two chemist and a scientist, it has been discovered that Peggy Lieber and Royal Labs sold me defective products and the mold growth I was experiencing was due to inadequate preservation and it’s typically accelerated at elevated temperature and the more water and favorable ingredients in the product the more risk for microorganisms growth. Both sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are effective against mold growth if they are used at the right levels and the end product has a pH below 6.0,  ideally close to 5.5. The reason is that both sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate need to convert to their respective acid forms, which are actually effective against mold. They are known to be very weak against bacteria.

Every product needs to be properly preserved to combat potential microbial growth (bacteria, yeast and mold) and there is a routine test that determines preservatives efficacy and it’s called challenge test. In principle, the millions of microorganisms (bacteria, yeast and mold) are introduced into the product and their decrease is measured every week for a period of 4 weeks (this may be repeated one more time for a total of 8 weeks). The readings tell you how the preservation system is “dealing” with them.  The Pass/Fail end result is determined according to the guidelines of PCPC (Personal Care Products Council).

I believe that rash/bumps reported to Royal Labs may have been caused by essential oils present in the formulation. Essential oils are well known irritants and many individuals have allergic reaction to them. They are also known as photosensitizers, which means they increase skin sensitivity in presence of UV light.

Further test results confirmed that the product in question did not have enough preservatives and was formulated with microbial ingredients.

Peggy Lieber  claim that the shelf life of her products  was two years, proved to be false because 92% of the ingredients used in the product had a shelf life of 1 year. Peggy Lieber and Royal Labs sold me products that were defective and I highly advise that this company be thoroughly researched and investigated before conducting any business with.