08/06/2021
BE A WISE CONSUMER
June 7th, 2021
Over a year ago, I began selling skincare because I wanted to make efficacious, generally non-irritating skincare more accessible to the local consumers. I especially wanted to help those dealing with acne and hyperpigmentation as I had given up on my skin and only hesitantly opened that drawer in 2018 and I was so grateful for the online community, available learning resources and literature that dramatically improved my skin by guiding my skincare purchases and regimens.
Additionally, I wanted to share what I had learnt along the way, since we spend our hard-earned salaries on skincare and can often import something unsuitable or fall prey to local marketing.
I wanted us to be more intentional with our pocket.
Today I saw an online advertisement which promoted a product that, as a tired consumer and not a competitor, I found unethical, sad and questionable.
They claimed that a basic face oil serum, retailing at almost $350 was going to "Clear , Hydrate and Brighten skin" the buyer's skin.
How???
Studies on these oils weren't conclusive. So they may help with hyperpigmentation and acne, but the product lacked star ingredients that were supported by clinical research.
Oil is an occlusive, hydration deals with water. Oils can maintain moisture..so how was this product hydrating? Were the oils being combined with oil soluble ingredients that definitively brighten or lighten skin through tyrosinase inhibitors? Were the oils acting as emollients in a moisturizer?
There was no ingredient list for the customer to peruse. There were no listed percentages of what they deemed their star ingredients.
What actives would actually target those skin concerns?
The details on the website generic photoshopped images, generic testimonials and an easy to use payment gateway. The latter is great.
Consumers need to demand better.
For years I would've foolishly wasted money on products like that, I'll admit years ago I purchased from that company. Big shocker neem oil irritates skin and acne especially without an SPF.
While I certainly learned some marketing tips today, and I don't say this to affect anyone's bread and butter, they were selling impossible dreams and taking advantage of desperate persons, especially during a pandemic. I myself still manage my hormonal acne and the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so I understand how customers can be vulnerable to such marketing. I've hesitated to begin accutane or spironolactone during this pandemic, but those are the only things that will stop my hormonal acne.
I laugh and cry when I see companies proudly promoting walnut and coconut shells for facial scrubs to fight acne, dark marks, keratin pilaris and large pores. Spoiler alert: Acne deals with sebum production and scratching your skin with sharply ground shells don't remove acne, don't affect the over-production of melanin and actually worsens hyperpigmentation.
When I close a sale I'm glad for the profit but I also build relationships with customers because people usually see results in 6-12 weeks and no longer hate their skincare or mirror. A skincare routine should be something you enjoy, it should be something that's sustainable and logical. For those reasons, I don't feel like I'm cheating people and I get to share all that I've learnt in my journey as well.
Providers in Trinidad and Tobago need to stop taking advantage of those who don't know better. Capitalism is great for trading a product or service for money, but it's unethical when people intentionally mislead others.
