Luxury cosmetics: the must or a scam?

By wetretrjyu
04/04/2022
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For the Slow Cosmétique Label, despite its high selling prices, “luxury” cosmetics do not really keep their promises. Quite the contrary.

Anything but Noble Petrochemical Ingredients

A lot of dreams, emotions, but what is really hiding behind the dreamlike and chic packaging of so-called luxury cosmetics? While the promise of these beauty products sells dreams, the real composition is indeed often disappointing, noted the Slow Cosmétique association by studying twenty so-called “luxury” products, between their price and their claims.

According to the analyzes of this association born in 2013 and advocating true luxury residing in artisanal know-how and the nobility of local ingredients, “luxury” cosmetics really do not keep their promises. First observation: all the references analyzed contained one or more petrochemical ingredients that were anything but noble.

Formulas made up of 70% inert and inexpensive ingredients

Luxury cosmetics: beautiful packaging that hides content that is not always luxurious – © PearlWinchester

Worse still: these ingredients are often the very heart of the product. Thus, 17 products out of the 20 studied placed at the top of the formula at least one petrochemical and/or plastic ingredient: petrochemical oils, fatty alcohols, synthetic polymers and/or silicones.

These inert and cheap materials constitute the major part (more than 70%) of the formulas of these cosmetics. In other words, “the composition of a 'luxury' segmented cosmetic corresponds neither more nor less to the 'classic' structure of a conventional cosmetic,” explains the association.

Admittedly, one or more more noble "flagship" ingredients are highlighted by the brands, but these are in the minority within the formula. This is disappointing when brands constantly highlight both exclusivity and the notion of excellence in their communication and packaging. to offer real luxury products.

Ingredients problematic for health and the environment

What's more, in terms of ecological and health impact, the result is no better: 18 of the 20 references also contained at least one ingredient posing questions in terms of health or the environment. Is this still acceptable to consumers? "At the end of 2021, the majority of consumers no longer want star active ingredients drowned in petrochemicals; these are the majority ingredients that must be natural, noble and beneficial", estimates the association.

Nowadays, "luxury in beauty must be embodied in all the ingredients and value the human, rather than betting everything on flashy marketing," says Julien Kaibeck, founder of the Slow Cosmétique label, which currently brings together 250 craftsmen. exception.

Faced with artificial “luxury” cosmetics, the Slow Cosmetics Label invites “more meaning in our bathrooms”.