Seven in ten women admit they don't understand many of the beauty industry's buzzwords
A poll of 2,000 women - commissioned by skin, hair, and nail supplement, Vitabiotics Perfectil - saw almost three-quarters (72%) admit they don't understand much of the scientific terminology used in the beauty industry despite seven in ten saying they are regularly drawn in by it.
“Coenzyme” (68%), microneedling (48%), and “free-radical” are among the most baffling beauty terms polled – with 43% unaware that the latter is a molecule in the environment that can cause damage to the skin.
The poll also found that two in five (41%) are unsure about what hyaluronic acid really does, while one in three said the same of micellar water.
Less than 62% knew that selenium is used to support healthy hair and nails – with wrong answers for its uses including something that removes nail polish, a serum to support flyaway hairs, or a liquid to pump up the lips.
Meanwhile, 42% didn't know what a peptide is – with many instead believing it’s an underwater current – rather than a string of amino acids which can help to make proteins.
Despite all of this, 69% have bought a health or beauty product without fully understanding the words on the label – with half of those chalking this up to trust in the brand.
“The health and beauty industry is based on scientific advancements, but that means there are often a lot of buzzwords and terms that aren’t always obvious,” said a spokesperson for Vitabiotics.
“All of the buzzwords show the research and science that has gone into that product, allowing people to feel they can trust the product. But this can mean it’s confusing, and we want to help people have a better understanding of the terms to ensure they are doing the right thing for their skin and appearance.”
One widely recognised beauty buzzword however is collagen, with 90% of women aware that this helps to support skin strength, and aids elasticity and hydration.
The poll also found that when it comes to choosing which beauty products to buy, 46% rely on good reviews, while one in five rely on friend recommendations – and 13% have been persuaded by a beauty influencer.
Regardless of the confusion that buzzwords in the beauty industry cause, 26% of women believe the use of buzzwords is important, to show how the beauty industry is constantly growing in scientific development.