Women have been fighting for equality for many years. Current law changes have been causing an outrage among women, and it seems that it doesn’t stop there. It seems that women have been being overcharged for beauty products. Products that men can buy at a much lower price. This up-charge is known as “The Pink Tax” and it is very real, and very ridiculous. Today we are going to take a look at how this is happening right under your nose.
The Study
Dehydrated skin can result in issues like eczema and rosacea. Skin hydration is important, this is why we buy skin care products like moisturizer. Dermatologists from Massachusetts General Hospital compared the prices of 110 facial moisturizers from 3 online retailers, Amazon, Target, and Walmart. The results were shocking, as women targeted moisturizers cost more than the products made “for men.” On average, women’s products cost around $3.09 more per ounce. The researchers used three marketing variables, Language, container color and graphics, and container shape, to classify each product into one of two groups. Of the 54 moisturizers marketed as “for men”, 47, or 87 percent, contained the word “Men” in the label. Making it clear that the product was made “for men,” however, the examination of the women’s products went very differently. Of the 56 products marketed to women, only THREE were actually labeled “for women.” Although the total weight of all of the products were about the same, the women products were still, on average, over $3.00 more per ounce than the men products.
It’s Not Just Moisturizer
Skin care products are not the only way that women are getting charged more. Plus sized women’s clothing seems to have a serious up-charge, while men’s plus sized clothing items do not. This issue exists with disposable razors, deodorant, even health and safety items like vitamins and infant car seats. If you’re having a baby girl, you can expect to shell out more for a pink car seat.
What Can We Do?
So, do we just buy men’s products now? Well, we don’t have to. You can totally buy men’s products if you want to save some cash, but some men’s products have a strong masculine scent that some of us just don’t want to sport, and that’s fine. If you don’t want to buy products that have masculine scents, there are tons of unscented products that don’t have “The Pink Tax” mark up. You can also visit “Ax The Pink Tax” to help end this ridiculous mark up on the products that you love. This website has tons of information about the pink tax, including a pink tax calculator to help you figure out how much YOU have been overcharged in your lifetime.
The pink tax is just another hurdle that we as women must conquer to reach our goal of equality. Just because our packaging is pink, and our products smell pretty, does not mean that we should have to pay more. Women have been fighting against things like this for a long time, and it’s about time that this comes to an end. Women are getting tired of being treated differently. They are tired of taking the back seat. If you are tired of paying more for your products, share this article with your friends and #AxeThePinkTax.
