What's the Deal with the "Pink Tax" on Gender-Based Hygiene Products?
Let’s get real about how men’s and women’s hygiene items are priced.
Despite some next-gen brands adopting gender neutral marketing strategies, the beauty industry is still largely gender-based. “Feminine” products are typically seen in brightly colored packaging or sprinkled with glitter and floral patterns, while “masculine” products lean into hues of blue, grey or plain black.
Beyond the clear gendered distinction in a product’s appearance and even scent, many products are priced by gender as well. Traditionally, women’s products cost more than men’s products, no matter the difference in quality or quantity and this theory is known as the “Pink Tax.” This is what you see when you compare the prices of a universal product, like a razor, that costs more in a pink color than it does in the blue color for the same model.
Pink Tax is a term used to describe “gender-based pricing discrepancies in everyday items or services like razors or dry cleaning that add cost for women. It also includes a sales tax imposed on essentials for women, like menstrual products,” according to Chase Bank. In fact, the tax that is imposed on period products has its own moniker, “Tampon Tax” and it’s imposed in half of the U.S. states, the post explains.
Most recently, TikTok creator, product developer and half of ” The Lipstick Lesbians” duo, Alexis shared her experience of walking in Target and noticing that Flamingo
@thelipsticklesbians Ok, was a tad judgmental at @meetflamingo while browsing @target 😅 But I truthfully couldn’t believe that they created razors for down there. Personally for me, sticking to one razor for all my grooming needs just makes sense. It keeps things simple and clutter-free in my bathroom. I’ve found that my normal razors do a great job of handling different hair types and body areas effectively. One and done! Plus, it’s one less thing to worry about – I don’t have to keep track of multiple razors for different parts of my body. What are your thoughts? Do you think this is really necessary? Have any of you tried? I’m so curious y’all! 🤔 #thelipsticklesbians #beautytok #shaving #razor #bodycare ♬ original sound – The Lipstick Lesbians
This additional cost has been affecting women’s products since the creation of the U.S. tax system in the 1930s. You might be wondering what this means for your wallet. It is estimated that women spend an additional $1,300 USD annually due to the Pink Tax, according to Chase Bank.
To combat this, Virginia and Iowa have recently joined the list of states ending price discrimination by exempting tax on personal hygiene products, the post explains. It also notes that retail store CVS Health has also taken a stance by enacting “a 25% reduction in the price of CVS-brand menstrual products and covering the existing sales tax in 12 states.”
Feminine products, whether colored pink or not, should not be subjected to additional taxes, but we’re hopeful that with the strides being made, the tax will be eliminated completely in the near future.
For more beauty news, check out our coverage of why black-owned brands being acquired does not equate to “selling out.”
