The skincare industry has been overtaken with catchy marketing buzzwords like "all-natural," "non-toxic," and "chemical-free." It's extremely easy to become entranced with exciting words plastered over the labels of skincare products, and even easier to forget what actually matters - how a product is formulated. Marketing professionals have one job: get you to buy a product. At Stripped Beauty, our job is in the lab, making products for all skin types, tones, and genders. We're giving you a crash course in understanding how to spot marketing claims and when to take a step back before purchasing the latest trendy skincare product.
The Power of Marketing Buzzwords:
Marketing buzzwords are crafted to make you feel like you need a product; with promises of quick fixes and magical ingredients that will solve all your skin concerns, how could you not be drawn in? Our goal is always to be transparent about our products so you can make an informed decision about what you put on your skin rather than an emotional one.
The Truth About Skincare Formulation:
While buzzwords may catch your attention, the actual formulation of a skincare product determines its efficacy and safety. A product formulation is a combination and concentration of ingredients used to make a product. Cosmetic Chemists select active ingredients, carriers, preservatives, and other components that work cohesively to deliver the results you're looking for.
Why Formulation Matters More:
- Ingredient Efficacy: The effectiveness of a skincare product is primarily determined by the concentration and quality of its active ingredients. Despite the miracles a product may claim, if the key ingredients present are low-quality, or not enough of them are in the formula, the product likely will not give you the results you're hoping for. Formulation can often better indicate how a product will work than looking at a single ingredient. Skincare ingredients aren't as simple as "good" or "bad," the percentage of the ingredient, the other ingredients within the formulation, and your skin type and needs can determine whether an ingredient will or will not work for you.
- Safety and Stability: Properly formulated products provide stability and efficacy. Our skin is delicate and sensitive, and we need products with safety as their top priority to prevent skin irritation.
- Synergy of Ingredients: You can have all the flashy, popular skincare ingredients in a product, but if they don't work well together, neither will the product and your skin. Cosmetic Chemists must consider how ingredients interact to create the best possible formulation.
- Skin Compatibility: Formulation takes into account the skin's pH level and compatibility with different skin types. A poorly formulated product may be harsh or irritating, causing more harm than good.
- Scientific Research: Our products are backed by years of experience, research, and testing. Cosmetic Chemists and other experts in the skincare fieldwork to formulate products based on research studies, decades of experience in the field, and a unique understanding of our customers.
Choosing Skincare Wisely:
The ingredients on a label are a far better indicator of how a product will work than the buzzwords on the front of the bottle. Do your own research on ingredients, your skin type, and the brand's reputation to ensure your skin health. Skincare should be purchased based on understanding and research, not urgency, emotion, or fear-mongering.
Skincare is up to the individual, and what may work for one person might not work for you. When buying a new skincare product, ask yourself: what skin concern am I addressing? Was this product made with my specific skin type in mind? Do I trust the ingredients? Do I trust the brand? Skincare comes down to trial and error, but making yourself less susceptible to marketing claims can help you make informed decisions that lead to real results.