Secrets from a Beauty Industry Insider #1
Alternative Title: How to Not Get Screwed Over as a Consumer
As a consumer, you are constantly under a microscope of large companies.
These companies analyze everything you do and predict your behavior (with accuracy!) to maximize their profits.
So, here are four tactics to be aware of so you don’t waste your money!
#1: Collagen
Collagen molecules are too big to penetrate the epidermis.
Thus, any topical product claiming collagen is not worth the price.
You are better off consuming collagen through your diet, and you could consider supplementing with coenzyme Q10 and hydrolyzed collagen supplement stack:
You will naturally experience downregulation of collagen and elastin production as you age.
At that point, you can consider adding retinoids, vitamin C, or glycolic acid to your routine to stimulate production topically.
#2: “Natural” Skincare
“Natural” does not mean anything.
It is not a regulated term, and it’s denotation is subjective at best.
In fact, companies commonly claim “natural” as long as ingredients retain 50% of the original molecular structure.
Thayer’s is a good example of this:
While I recommend their alcohol-free, fragrance-free witch hazel as an aftershave to reduce razor burn, I hate that they use this strategy.
And, well?
They use it because it works on you.
This language as a fear-mongering tactic to convince you that their product is “safer” than other products (which may or may not be true depending on the ingredient list).
#3: “Brightening” Products
Much like “natural”, “brightening” is also an unregulated marketing term.
For a product to actually brighten your skin, I’d want to see one or some of the following in the ingredient list:
Alpha arbutin
Niacinamide
AHAs like malic, mandelic, lactic, or glycolic acids
PHAs like gluconalactone or lactobionic acids
Azaleic acid
Vitamin C (commonly in the forms of l-ascorbic, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate)
#4: Price vs. Quality
Expensive does not mean better.
Some ingredients (like vitamin C) are difficult to stabilize, so higher price points may be justified depending on formulation.
However, retinol and acids are affordable.
You don’t need to spend >$30 on any product unless you really want to.
Further, all the brands you love are owned by the same few companies:
While you can’t get predict a formula with 100% accuracy from an ingredient list, you can still get a good gauge.
I’m telling you now - half the products sold by luxury brands are 95% the same as everyday brands.
The formulas may be slightly off, but the real difference is better packaging.
Make no mistake: more often than not, you are only paying for a brand name.
If you’re interested, you can book time with me to discuss product development and brand strategy here.
Cheers,
Note: you can book 1:1 consultations with me. Check it out here or DM me on Twitter to book with ETH
