When your fave product changes formulation
What do you do? Tear your hair out? Scream at the company? Gripe bitterly? Okay, I choose to gripe here. WHY? WHY? WHY?
I hadn’t realized that Marie Veronique Organics had changed the name of their sunscreens until I read a comment from Yings. She wanted to know if the new Moisturizing Face Screen Plus is the same as Creme de Soleil that I have been raving about. I knew they were revamping their website but I had no idea that they also revamped their product lines! And when I took a quick look at the ingredients, it looks like the formulation has changed slightly too as Moisturizing Face Screen Plus and Moisturizing Face Screen have 24% Zinc Oxide as opposed to 20% in the Creme de Soleil and Creme de Jour!
Newer formulations don’t always work better
I don’t know about you but it’s very annoying for me when my favorite products takes “an upgrade” and the formulation is all different. It’s all fine if the product works well, but it isn’t always the case. And sometimes, the new formulation just isn’t as good as the old. In fact, I’ve often come across similar gripes at Makeupalley where the reviewers complained about how the new formulation of a certain product is less effective and how they wish for the old formulation to remain.
Consumers are at the losing end
Of course companies will justify that the changes are for the better and sometimes, they take the opportunity to raise their prices as well. I’ve even seen prices of products gone up just because of a change in packaging. So as consumers, what can we do apart from not buying the product? Write to the company? Express our unhappiness in the forums? But can that change anything? If you’re a company reading this, I’ll like to hear your views. Why would you change your product formulation if the product has been selling well?
24% zinc oxide can be potentially too drying
Back to Marie Veronique Organics. I know they have a history of changing the names of their products but I was hoping for some explanations regarding the sunscreens. But there was nothing that I could find on their website. While most of the ingredients look the same to me, but I’m highly uncomfortable with the content of the zinc oxide going to 24% as based on experience, anything above 20% can potentially be too drying for my skin. So I’m really unsure if I want to order the product anymore even though the price is the same plus they now offer two different shades of tinted sunscreens and they can even ship direct to Singapore!
Anyway, I feel like a deflated balloon now. Just when I thought I found my HG sunscreen, they have to go change the name and formulation. Looks like I might have to go hunting for another sunscreen again. *sulks*
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Bio-essence ‘improved’ their formulation in some of their products. eg. the Marvel Mask.
It used to be easier to remove once it’s gone dry but now the formula itself is so dry that removing is extra hard. Their packaging sucks too! Twice I bought their Marvel Gel, twice the area near the opening split open and dried up the product.
Why change the formula when its already working well? New and improved formulation doesn’t always mean it will work.
I guess some companies change product lines and claim that they have “new, better, improved” products. Then guess what, they increase the prices of these “new” products. Purely commercial aka money-making tactic.
I understand the frustation!
Yes. I think it is also market pressure. The new packaging and new formula is to attract people who are yet their customers to try.
But quite true. The new products doesn’t necessarily work better.
Well that’s annoying! I agree with you. Newer formulations are not always better.
Oh that’s too bad. I agree…why change when it’s working well. I suspect in this case the material cost have gone down for them.
Contact lenses solutions are like that too. They’ll come up with something fancy and then adjust the price upwards!
But they should also know that pple are resistant to change…
Ya, I’ve tried some that worked the same but a number were less effective.
I totally agree with you! I find it really difficult to find products that work for my skin, so a change in formula would be devastating for my skin and probably my bank account!
I found sunscreens to be one of the harder products to find a HG in too!
O_O sorry to hear that! Well, a while back I read that you were using this sunscreen with the main ingredient being 20% Zinc Oxide. In the U.S., I was using Burt’s Bees all natural sunscreen, which used titanium dioxide. But I know that there is another popular natural sunscreen in the U.S., and that’s Badger. They use a 20.5% micronized zinc oxide in their SPF 30 sunscreen. Check it out here:
http://www.badgerbalm.com/p-372-spf-30-for-face-body.aspx
I’m going to purchase this before the summer gets here!
As for the last post, I just started using the BB creams but I don’t think it works any better than any other liquid foundation. In fact, it’s thicker so it’s probably more prone to clog pores. Which foundation are you currently using?
Maybe it might be possible for you to request for a sample of their new reformulated sunscreen. Since you are sort of regular with them.
Im using John masters organics now. it has 5% zinc oxide and 7.5% titanium dioxide. It’s really greasy, but it doesn’t break me out, and after a while in an air-conditioned room, it gets less greasy. Lol. it has been my fourth day using it. When it is the month of march, let see if my skin still likes it.
I’m okay with it being greasy as long as i don’t get break outs. Greasy is better than dry and wrinkly!
I have been wondering the so called improved version of products, is it another way of cost cutting or trying to “smoke” the consumers in paying more.
Yes, it’s true…very hard to find a sunscreen that’s right for our skin. I took awhile to hunt this and now, not sure if the new formulation is going to work.
Ah Badger…I just introduced this to a guy who asked me what mineral sunscreen is good. But the problem with this one is that it’s so greasy, it’s really hard to wear. So formulation is good but texture is not suitable.
If you have oily and combination skin, then you may not like it too much. If yours is dry or normal, it might still work.
I don’t use a foundation. The sunscreen I use is tinted so it sorts of doubles up as a light foundation and then I just brush on powder – mineral or compact.
Yes, that’s an idea. But I think they’ll charge me for shipping so in the end, might as well try a new bottle. I think I’ll wait this one out and see what others have to say this time.
John Masters Organics sunscreen is greasy? I thought it would be quite light. I did look at it but at that time, I wanted a full zinc oxide sunscreen so it was out of my requirement.
The bigger ones will justify using better technology and ingredients…maybe the price remains for some or they’ll up it with the new justification. The smaller ones will cut corners…and the price still remains.
ohh, they ship to sg now? -wonders how much are the shipping fees- i’ve been tempted to try their products ever since they were raved by you. hehe, i’m currently using the sunbrellas one that you intro-ed and my skin likes it alot (:
Yes, it seems so…and it’s quoted at US$12 under a certain weight. However, the formulation is different from the one I raved…so it’s not the same.
The Sunbrella – you mean the Sweetsation Therapy one?
I really dislike that formulas get changed around, especially since there seems to be little or no warning from companies that it’s happening. It’s like they have to be sneaky about it and aren’t really asking the customers what they want. Then you go to the store or w/e and are all disappointed and distraught that your favorite product is totally changed! Not good for reputation I would say. Sometimes change can be good and improve the product, but sometimes it can totally feel like it’s ruined it! ?
(Especially for SS, when it’s hard enough to find a HG one!)
On SS note:
I just ordered this SS and have been using it for about 2 days? (It took a week to get here! X_X)
http://burnoutsun.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BS&Product_Code=7000&Category_Code=zinc_sunblock
It’s 18.6% ,coated micro Zinc.
I was feeling estatic about it until I read some reviews on MUA that Zinc oxide only SS isn’t high in PPD? It was $20 all together and I am still gonna use it, but now that I am all confused about PPD/UVA and UVB protection and zinc, I don’t know what to do about SS…So confusing to find a HG one! X_X I don’t really want to go back to chemical. But I was thinking about layering this zinc one w/ it. Being that I can’t afford European or JPN SS atm.
Another alternative tinted sunscreen is Elta MD Physical SPF41. Has zinc oxide 9% and titanium dioxide. It is oil-free and paraben-free. It is not natural/organic though.
I think for skin care, might not necessarily be true that people are resistant to change. People are always on the go to find their HG nowadays. I think the manufacturers wants to “update” their product to draw those who had never tried their products before. Because anyway after that 1 tub/tube/bottle, not sure if the customers will return and how long will they stick with 1 product.
I’m not for the companies who change their products. Don’t get me wrong. Its marketing strategy.
Mineral based sunscreens do not have that high PPD compared to the chemical counterparts. It’s logical since chemical sunscreens usually have a number of active sun protection ingredients. Chemical sunscreens do have risks of inducing free radicals…so not totally risk free. Depends on personal threshold I guess…
So like I mentioned before, it depends on your preference. I choose mineral sunscreen but take Heliocare as an additional protection. Plus, I try to avod the sun. Mineral sunscreen is good enough for casual sun protection but if you head out to the beach or outdoors, then I suggest chemical ones. I use La Roche Posay for that reason.
I’ve heard of that one. I don’t mind parabens at the end of the list and it does not have to be organic but I hope the one I use do not have silicones or alcohol.
I’ll need to look up the ingredients. Thanks for pointing it out.
I guess you’re right about marketing strategy. At the end, whatever they do has to meet their corporate objectives. But still, it’s frustrating. If the product works for me, especially sunscreen, I doubt I’ll change unless a better one comes along.
Hey sesame, sorry to hear that the 24% will cause breakouts for you! I was that close to purchasing after reading your raves here. Hmm, guess my search for the perfect mineral sunscreen continues then. -_-
Anyway, I was told by MVO that I could order a sunscreen sample through their hotline, but I’ll have to pay the regular intl shipping (usd12 i think). Alternatively, they suggested that I order the product online, and return it for a full refund (except shipping) within 30 days if I didn’t like it. [Disclaimer: To anyone who wants to try this please email MVO directly for a confirmation of their return policy!] Hope this helps! (:
Okay, Marie-Veronique sent me an email to explain and it seems that the sunscreen is still containing 20% zinc oxide. Maybe it’s still okay. Tomorrow, I’ll publish the explanation so that those who use the sunscreen can read too.
I think you should try the aroma sun cream or sunsaver lotion at Petitemarieorganics.com or juliegabriel.com. I found that MV while being a brilliantly formulated product on paper, was way too drying (even the moisturizing version) The sunscreen available through petit marie have a high spf with about 18 to 23% zinc oxide yet go on seemlessly and tend to be not too drying at all. For now this is my HG. Julie Gabriel is definitely great and up and coming.
I second that, Badger is a very good sunscreen as their ingredients are safe and you can rest assure they are not harming you as you re-apply sunscreens so often. Also keep in mind its not necessary to purchase a sunscreen with an SPF higher than 30.