In a world where beauty products abound and promise miraculous results, it’s simple to succumb to the glamour of flawless makeup, shiny hair, and flawless skin. But many of these promises have less glamorous realities than glamorous ones. Manufacturers of cosmetics frequently use deceptive information and cunning marketing strategies to sell their goods, setting up consumers for disappointment and creating inflated expectations.
The beauty industry can be a minefield of deceit, with false claims and ingredients that are hidden. Words like "natural," "organic," or "clinically proven" are frequently used on product labels, but there is frequently little regulation or standardization surrounding these claims. Consequently, businesses are free to utilize them to fabricate an image of dependability and trustworthiness.
Gaining an understanding of these techniques will enable you to choose beauty products more wisely. Knowing how to read ingredient lists and spot marketing gimmicks is your best line of defense against falling for these widespread scams. Let’s examine some of the possible deceptions cosmetics manufacturers may be using on us in more detail.
Deception Method | Description |
Misleading Labels | Products often claim to be "natural" or "organic" without meeting strict standards. |
Unproven Claims | Manufacturers might advertise anti-aging effects without scientific proof. |
Ingredient Hiding | Complex names or incomplete lists can hide harmful chemicals. |
Packaging Tricks | Large packaging with little product can make it seem like you"re getting more. |
False "Clinically Tested" | Claims of clinical testing don’t always mean rigorous, unbiased studies were done. |
- Sulfate-free
- Examples
- Harm or benefit
- Examples
- We are looking for what is not there
- Examples
- Video on the topic
- How harmful substances from cosmetics and household chemicals penetrate the body
- 10 MYTHS ABOUT COSMETICS | HOW WE ARE DECEIVED?
- How cosmetologists deceive // Black list
- How to distinguish natural cosmetics from chemicals. How manufacturers cheat us
- HOW COSMETICS MANUFACTURERS DECEIVE US
- Zhanna Nuraly: How skin care cosmetics marketers deceive us
Sulfate-free
There are a lot of girls searching for shampoos without sulfates. Here, we’ll just discuss whether or not sulfates are present in shampoo compositions rather than delving into their advantages or disadvantages.
I’d like to start by briefly defining sulfates.
Sulfates, which are anionic surfactants (salts) with potent cleansing properties, create a stable foam.
Sulfate surfactants that are most widely used are:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Coco Sulfate
The majority of sulfate shampoos contain these sulfates. And this is where things get confusing:
Just because a shampoo’s packaging says it contains no SLES or SLS does not mean that it is sulfate-free.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are known by their acronyms, SLS and SLES.
However, as you can see, sulfates come in different varieties.
Certain manufacturers present their shampoo as sulfate-free by using these shortened acronyms. Additionally, this is deceitful to clients.
Examples
Let’s move on to some examples of visuals.
Firstly, I would like to draw attention to the misspelling of the word "besulfate." Yes, I might be picky, but the manufacturer ought to use proper writing.
Description of the manufacturer
Because natural shampoo contains a high percentage of plant-based silicone substitute, it nourishes and moisturizes hair. Shampoo for hair growth that awakens dormant hair follicles, encourages the growth of new, healthy hair, and fortifies them to make them shiny, smooth, strong, and elastic.
Owing to the significant concentration of organic CO-2 extracts, sulfate-free shampoo serves a restorative purpose in addition to being a deep cleansing shampoo that prevents hair loss in both men and women. prolongs the interval between shampooing, eases hair combing, reduces electrostatic tension, and is ideal for sensitive scalps and oily hair. provides a hair lamination effect.
Apply the same formula to your hair as baby shampoo for a great travel option. lightweight, easy to carry on an airplane, takes up little room, and doesn’t spread. For fine hair and to add volume to hair, use a solid shampoo.
Dandruff can be eliminated with a shampoo that is odor-pleasing, safe for daily use, and free of sulfates and parabens.
Let’s now examine the composition:
Ta-daaaam)) Its foundation is sulfate surfactant.
Next illustration.
Description of the manufacturer
Strengthening and restorative shampoo with protein, biotin, inulin and glycerin is an excellent product for daily care of the scalp and hair of all types. Unique formula without sulfates with vitamins, keratin and argan oil helps to strengthen and intensively restore weak and brittle hair. Proteins help to deeply nourish curly hair, and the composition without aggressive sulfates will help to provide a gentle cleansing effect and does not irritate even dry scalp during washing.
A bottle of thickening and nourishing shampoo for volume is a great gift for every blonde or owner of long curly hair. Using shampoo to cleanse normal and oily scalp promotes growth, softening and restoration, protection against hair loss and maintaining the thickness of fine hair. Beauty, smoothness and shine from roots to ends are noticeable after the first use.
Let’s examine the arrangement:
And sodium cocosulfate is seen here.)
One more instance:
Description of the manufacturer
This sulfate-free bio shampoo for hair growth and strengthening, enriched with hemp oil and cherry extract, is intended to rescue dry, brittle hair that is vulnerable to hair loss. Active components fortify the structure of the hair, nourish the scalp, and give it a smooth, elastic texture. The hair product’s ingredients are approved by the global standard for organic and natural cosmetics. SLS, SLES, silicones, parabens, PEG/PPG, mineral oils, petrochemicals, gluten, animal ingredients, microplastics, and artificial dyes are not present in hair shampoo.
Let’s examine the arrangement:
In this case, the manufacturer clarifies later in the description that the shampoo does not contain SLS and SLES even though it is initially stated to be sulfate-free. Furthermore, this amendment is accurate. This confusion is exactly what I alluded to a little earlier.
Here’s an illustration of a shampoo that is actually free of sulfates:
Description of the manufacturer
White tea is a potent antioxidant that can be used as a daily shampoo to fight free radicals, which are the root cause of premature aging. Sulfate-free shampoo that is extremely mild. keeps color from fading. The bark of natural soap produces a rich, creamy foam.
Let’s examine the arrangement:
There are no hidden costs because the shampoo genuinely follows the manufacturer’s instructions and is sulfate-free.
Many producers of cosmetics trick customers into purchasing their goods by using deceptive advertising, false claims, and secret ingredients. They frequently overstate the advantages, employ cryptic scientific jargon, or include extraneous ingredients to make products seem more potent than they actually are. They occasionally even conceal dangerous ingredients behind nebulous terms like "fragrance" or "proprietary blend." Because of this, it becomes challenging for customers to make wise decisions, which forces them to spend money on goods that fall short of their expectations or, worse, may be hazardous to their health.
Harm or benefit
I recommend thinking about products that can be harmful if used repeatedly over an extended period of time in this section.
Examples
Renowned Lador peeling
Description of the manufacturer
A peeling serum called La"dor Scalp Scaling Spa is intended for scalp care. The product helps people with oily hair deal with dandruff, excessive sebum production, discomfort, itching, and irritation. The product completely eliminates the chance of seborrhea by exfoliating dead cells and cleaning pores of sebum, styling product residue, and hair dye. In addition to protecting the skin, peeling helps the hair by promoting faster growth, reducing dullness and hair loss, and shielding the hair from the damaging effects of UV rays. To permanently eliminate discomfort and dandruff, use ampoules on a regular basis.
Let’s review the assurances:
- The product is suitable for those with oily hair.
There is no oily hair in the natural world. Only an oily scalp is present. To those who have oily scalps, I would advise against using this peeling. Let’s examine the arrangement:
In addition to fat-soluble silicones and mineral oil, piling also contains volatile silicones. An occlusive film is formed when dimethicone and mineral oil are present, however oily skin types do not require this kind of film because their skin naturally secretes an excessive amount of sebum.
I should also mention that the tool does not contain enough acids with a keratolytic function prior to the term "peeling." They are not present in this product.
Continue reading:
- Peeling not only takes care of the skin, but also improves the condition of the hair: accelerates their growth, helps get rid of dullness and hair loss, protects from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Mineral oil and silicones may have been added for this reason. The question then becomes, must the product be applied to the length?
This product generally begs a lot of questions.
Here’s an illustration of a thorough peeling:
This peeling has extra "goodies" for the scalp in addition to several acids that are necessary to exfoliate dead epithelium. The quality of this peeling is guaranteed.
An additional illustration of a contentious product:
Description of the manufacturer
You won’t have to worry about hair damage with the brittleness cream! The formula’s active ingredients—biotin, vitamin B5, and arginine—act as a barrier of defense, fortifying the hair daily. Style, curl, or comb it out—your hair can handle it all! protection against heat up to 230°C.
Let’s examine the arrangement:
There are additional elements in the composition in addition to the ones listed. Take Polyquaternium-4, for instance.
This is a fairly heavy polymer that adheres to itself and builds up on the hair’s surface very fast. In "heavy" styling, it is occasionally used to protect the hair as much as possible. Overpita will appear fairly quickly with continuous use of this cream, but removal will be challenging.
We are looking for what is not there
Regretfully, it also occurs that the product does not contain the components listed in the manufacturer’s description.
Alternatively, there might not be any parts that could fulfill the manufacturer’s promise.
Examples
A ceramide mask that isn’t there:
Description of the manufacturer
Complete restoration of Elseve mask 5. Rich in ceramide and priceless calendula extract, it deeply moisturizes and repairs hair all the way down. Five validated outcomes: 1. A restored tressed appearance. 2. Power. 3. Liveliness. 4. Smoothness. 5. Glow
Let’s now examine the composition:
Despite my best efforts, I was unable to locate ceramide in the mixture. In addition to priceless calendula extract. 🤷♀️ However, there are already two amino acids: serine and arginine.)
The following illustration
Description of the manufacturer
Aussie nut oil, macadamia and provitamin B5, are ingredients in Prelest Professional’s "Lamination Effect" hair mask series.• The hair structure is strengthened by the mask.• "Seals" damaged hair strands. • Does not contain SLS, parabens, silicones, or dyes in its composition; thickens hair to make it appear thicker.
We are assured by the manufacturer that the mask is silicone-free. We’ll examine the composition instead of taking him at his word on this.
As you can see, silicones are present in this instance.
It’s evident that not every cosmetic delivers on its promised benefits. Many manufacturers mislead consumers about the effectiveness or safety of their products by using deceptive marketing techniques and ambiguous promises. Whether it’s false advertising or overstated advantages, buyers frequently end up paying more for less. We must, therefore, remain knowledgeable and see past the packaging.
We can make better decisions if we are aware of common pitfalls, such as the use of buzzwords like "natural" or "dermatologist-tested." We can prevent falling for these marketing ploys by looking up brands, verifying ingredient lists, and relying on reliable reviews. It all comes down to being astute consumers and realizing that, more often than not, an offer is too good to be true.
Ultimately, exercising caution and doing our research are the best ways for us to protect ourselves. Makeup should improve our daily routines, not deceive us into spending more money. We can confidently browse the beauty aisles and select products that truly fit our needs and fulfill their promises if we put in a little effort.