Benefits of cosmetics
While some people believe that cosmetic and personal care products are a recent invention, discoveries of their use and widespread benefitsgo back thousands of years. Today, Europe’s 500 million consumers use them to protect their health, enhance wellbeing and boost their self-esteem.
Functional benefits
Cosmetics contribute to wellbeing and healthy lifestyles. Our hands carry pathogens from contaminated sources; so simple tasks such as washing hands with soap can help prevent serious illness. Indeed, multiple studies have shown that the leading causes of child mortality in developing countries, diarrhoea and respiratory infections, can be prevented by hand washing with soap. The use of toothpaste, particularly when containing fluoride, reduces the prevalence of dental caries. Toothpaste reduces plaque and tartar, which can lead to tooth damage and gum disease. Beyond health, there are economic advantages to dental care: there is strong evidence that the benefits of preventing tooth decay far exceed the costs of treatment. Indeed, if we assume that, without toothpaste, total expenditure on oral health would be 5% higher, the total benefits of using toothpaste (in terms of avoided costs) would be approximately €26.5 billion by 2020.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the only established exogenous causal factor for melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs of the body. Consistent and optimal use of sunscreen may prevent the incidence of melanoma. A study carried out between 1992 and 2006 and reported in ‘Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomised trial follow up’ in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2011) examined the cancer rates of two groups of adults aged between 25 and 75 years old. One used sunscreen daily and the other did so at their discretional frequency. It was found that invasive melanoma was reduced by 75% for approximately 15 years after trial cessation in the group that applied sunscreen daily.
Emotional benefits
Beyond physical health, cosmetics can help to improve our mood, enhance our appearance and boost our self-esteem. They can also help to exhibit personal style and, as such, are an important means of social expression. In a study by FEBEA, over 60% of respondents claimed that cosmetics have a positive impact on well-being, image, self-confidence and mood, with a large proportion (+40%) also identifying benefits in terms of social life, love life, family life, professional life and health.
A studypublished byIKW, the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association, assessing the self-perception of adolescents and young adults, found that 73% believe body and beauty care is very important in their lives. Moreover, 85% feel safer when they use cosmetics products, and 63% feel more attractive when they do so.
A study by the Renfrew Centre Foundation found that women wear make-up because they like the way it makes them look (48% of respondents), and because cosmetic use makes them feel good (32%). Indeed, multiple studies have found that wearing cosmetics can improve people’s self-confidence and self-image.
TheLook Good Feel Better (LGFB)charity isdedicated to improving the self-esteem, confidence and well-being of women and teenagers undergoing cancer treatment. The charity is supported by over 50 leading companies and brands from the cosmetics industry. LGFB helps to improve self-image and appearance through free group and self-help skincare and make-up workshops. The service is available in 26 countries worldwide and over 1.87 million people have been supported to date. Amajorresearch project by LGFBhighlighted that 97% of respondents felt more confident after attending a LGFB workshop and that the effects of this are enduring, with 96% of respondents still feeling more confident three months later (out of 2,000 beneficiaries contacted).
Maintaining and extending benefits of cosmetics
All cosmetic products and their ingredients are governed by the comprehensive and stringent European Cosmetics Regulation to ensure they are safe for use. The Regulation dictates the colours, UV filters and preservatives that are allowed for use in cosmetics, which ingredients are restricted for certain types of use or by percentage, and which may not be used at all. Every cosmetic product must also be assessed for safety by a qualified professional safety assessor and this takes into account how the product is made, how it will be used and by whom.
Furthermore, all cosmetics made available in the EU must display a complete list of ingredients and have the same name in all countries: this helps consumers identify products with ingredients to which they know they are sensitive. The ingredients must comply with European requirements and use the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, known as INCI. Read about understanding the labelfor further detail.
Innovation in our industry is never static. Constantly evolving consumer expectations with regards to product attributes and safety means new products or iterations are always in development, increasingly geared towards personalised solutions for individual skin and hair types, for instance.
Innovation to shelf: The story of cosmetic product development
FAQs
Offer to find the answer
When you don't have the answer to part, or all, of a client/potential client question, the best way to handle it is to offer to look up or find out this information. Tell the client you don't know, but you will find out. Try to give them a timeline for when you will have an answer.
What to reply when you don t know what to reply? ›
Instead of panicking about your lack of words, take a deep breath and respond with the following: Be honest: “To be honest, I don't know the answer to that question, but I am interested in learning.” Clarify the question: “I don't quite understand what you're asking. Could you rephrase the question, please?”
How do you respond to an interested customer? ›
Here are some of the tips to follow when crafting your response.
- Respond as fast as possible.
- Start by appreciating the customer.
- Ensure you answer all the questions in the inquiry.
- Avoid adding jargon and unnecessary details.
- Inform them that you are available for any other inquiries they may have.
To start off in the right direction, you need to explain your understanding of the product — what does it do, who uses it and how. Make sure that the interviewer is in agreement with your understanding of the product. You want to make sure that you understand the question clearly and it's defined properly.
How to handle a customer who wants a product we don t offer? ›
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide how you want to handle clients who ask for a service you don't offer. You can tell them “no,” and let them seek out an answer on their own. Or you can tell them “no,” and offer valid recommendations and ideas. Imagine how your clients would react to both situations.
How do you tell a customer that the product is not available? ›
Here's what you should say: “We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. We've experienced an unusually high number of orders and have run out of inventory.” Just be brief in the apology. Focus mostly on how to make things right, whether it's an immediate refund or links to similar products that are available.
How to respond if customer is not satisfied with the product? ›
Apologize and reiterate your understanding of the issue. Clearly outline your plan to remedy the situation. Thank the customer again and offer follow-up information. Check to see if the customer is happy with the result.
How do you tell customers that their needs Cannot be met? ›
Always begin by asking for the reason for the request and then explain why the request cannot be met. Takeaway: Don't start rudely or with a curt denial. Always make sure that your customers feel that they are being heard, and offer well-processed replies.
How do you respond to a simple text? ›
Professional answers to "How are you?" texts need to be warm but also a little formal.
- I'm doing really well. Thanks!
- Everything is coming along great. Thank you!
- Fantastic. Thanks for asking! ...
- It's Monday, but I'm hopeful. How about you?
- It's been a good Friday. ...
- Making the most of the day!
- Excited for the weekend.
How to Never Run Out of Things to Say (If You Blank Out)
- Practice saying what's on your mind. ...
- Ask something personal. ...
- Focus on the conversation. ...
- Stop trying so hard. ...
- Watch their feet to gauge their interest. ...
- Use things around you to inspire new topics. ...
- Refer back to something you talked about before.
Thank you so much for taking the time to send this! Everyone here at (business name) loves to know that our customers enjoy what we do. We're glad that you loved (product, service, experience, person etc.). We are always trying our best to make your experience memorable, and we're glad that we've achieved it!
How do you respond when a customer wants or needs attention? ›
Overarching principles for communicating with customers
- Be open and honest. ...
- Be grateful for their effort. ...
- Be courteous, not scripted. ...
- Don't make promises you can't keep. ...
- Show understanding. ...
- Find their real need. ...
- Offer workarounds. ...
- Give an honest explanation.
When the prospect says, “I'm not interested.” You respond with, “I'm not trying to see you anything today. I'd like to give you a resource so that in the future when you consider this, you'll have some insights and options.”
What is the best way to respond when a customer asks a question about a product and you don t know the answer quizlet? ›
The best way to respond when a customer asks a question about a product and you don't know the answer? Admit that you don't know the answer and take the customer to a coworker or supervisor that can help them.
How would you handle if you were unsure of what a customer was asking? ›
Sales Example
(Solution) I'm comfortable answering questions to the best of my knowledge and then saying something like, 'You know what, I'm not certain about that, but I will get you an answer by the end of the day. ' Then, I would follow up and answer the customer within my promised time frame.
What would you do if a customer asked you a question about how to complete a DIY project and you didn t know? ›
If a customer asked you a question about how to complete a DIY project and you didn't know the answer, what would you do? Be completely honest with the customer and tell him that you do not retain all the knowledge necessary to complete a DIY project.
What to do if a client asks you a personal question? ›
It is most important not to be defensive of these questions. They are not only legitimate, but as a consumer the client has the right to know about your professional experience. These types of questions should be answered directly followed by inquiry of the client regarding doubts they may have about your expertise.
