Spending Habits of University Students on Skincare Products: Evidence from Manila, Philippines

Abstract

Proper skincare entails a daily regimen that cleanses, corrects, hydrates and protects our skin from external and internal elements. These are done alongside annual visits to a dermatologist and monthly visits with a certified skin care professional.  Alongside the increasing demand in skincare products, it must be taken into account that the amount spent on these products are higher compared to basic necessities such as food and clothing. When it comes to beauty and general appearance maintenance, women often feel like there is no limit to how much they can spend.  People afford to spare a significant amount of their money for the skincare products that will work best on them. Spending habits for skincare products vary from one woman to another. Working women usually invest more on skincare than stay-at-home women. Additionally, it is also a fact that female young adults spend more money on skincare products compared to female teenagers. In general, women are willing to allot significant amount of their monthly budget for their skin maintenance because their physical look is highly important to them. This is in line with the fact that they feel more comfortable when they have good-looking skin. In a society where there is a standard to beauty, one’s perceptions and ideals on beauty and skincare is guided by media influence, shaped by different expectations on beauty, and anchored on self-awareness.