Menthol is another key ingredient in Miel Organic’s Rosemary Mint line, and while it can be irritating, it’s also found in many skin and hair care products, says Dr. King. “Many people tolerate menthol just fine, especially in less sensitive areas. For most people, the scalp is not a very sensitive area of skin,” she tells Allure, but anyone with skin conditions on the scalp should use it with caution. “If you apply something with menthol to areas where you have dandruff or seborrhea or something like that, it can certainly cause stinging or irritation,” says Dr. King.
Another ingredient in Mielle’s formula, nettle extract, has come under scrub attention as a possible cause of scalp irritation and hair loss, Dr. King tells Allure. “Nettle is a stinging plant with tiny needles in the leaves and stems that can cause urticarial dermatitis (burning, stinging, itching, dermatitis, hives) through the ingestion of inflammatory chemicals like histamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and formic acid,” Dr. King explains. “Some research suggests that nettle may promote hair growth, but I wonder if the extract could cause a reaction in the same way that nettle does.”
Amid growing concern, some users have pointed out that as the brand’s popularity grows, counterfeit Miel Organic products with unverifiable ingredients are being sold on Amazon and eBay. In response to the surge in counterfeit products, the company has posted a disclaimer about the issue on its website. “We are aware that there are unauthorized vendors selling counterfeit Miel products on Amazon and eBay,” the online shipping policy states. “We are aware of this issue and have alerted our valued customers, retailers and distributor partners that we are actively working to resolve the situation.”
When Allure asked Miel directly what steps it has taken to remedy the counterfeiting issue, a Miel brand rep responded, “While we can’t comment on specific legal strategies, Miel is working with our retail partners to address and minimize this challenge facing every industry. To ensure consumers are purchasing authentic Miel products online, it’s important for them to make sure product listings clearly state ‘Sold by Miel Organics’.”
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Monique Rodriguez addressed the hair loss claims in a video posted to the company’s Instagram page on Sept. 8. She emphasized that the brand’s products are “made with healthy ingredients and formulated to deliver safe, effective results.”
