The Truth About Gendered Skincare and Why We're Over It!
Walk into most stores and the divide is hard to miss. On one side, soft pastels, floral scents, and “delicate” promises. On the other, matte packaging, earthy tones, and labels stamped with words like “extreme” or “power.” This is what the skincare aisle has become. Not a space to understand your skin, but a place to be marketed to based on assumptions about your gender.
At Coco Chiloso, we’re not here for it.
We didn’t build this brand to fit into the beauty industry’s old categories. We built it to challenge them. Because the truth is simple: your skin doesn’t care about marketing. It cares about hydration, nourishment, and consistency.
Let’s talk about why gendered skincare is outdated, ineffective, and frankly, irrelevant.
A Marketing Strategy, Not a Skin Solution
The notion that skincare should be gendered is a relatively recent invention. For much of history, people used what was accessible, such as oils, plant extracts, and water-based infusions regardless of gender. There was no “for him” or “for her,” just ingredients that worked.
That changed in the twentieth century when marketers realized they could increase profits by splitting the market. Rebrand a single formula into two packages, give them gender-specific scents and textures, and suddenly you’re selling twice as much. The differences are mostly aesthetic. The formulas? Often indistinguishable once you get past the label.
Skin Isn’t Binary
From a biological standpoint, men’s skin tends to be slightly thicker and oilier than women’s due to hormone levels like testosterone. But this is a generalization, not a rule. And it has far less influence than other factors such as:
- Genetics
- Age
- Climate and environment
- Stress levels
- Diet
- Skin history
- Product usage
A woman with oily, breakout-prone skin will likely benefit from the same ingredients and formulations as a man with those same concerns. Yet traditional marketing would have them shopping in separate aisles. That isn’t skincare science. That’s segmentation for sales.
When You Read the Label, the Truth Comes Out
If you’ve ever compared the ingredient list on a “men’s” cleanser and a “women’s” one, you already know what we’re about to say. There is usually little to no meaningful difference. You’ll find the same cleansing agents, humectants, emollients, and active ingredients just repackaged. What often does vary:
- Fragrance
- Texture (assumed preferences around feel or finish)
- Packaging color and design
- Price
In some cases, the women’s version even costs more. The term for that? The pink tax.
What We Offer Instead
At Coco Chiloso, we create Body Care for Every Body. Our products are gender-neutral because they are concern-focused. We prioritize hydration, barrier support, and skin health, not stereotypes. Our formulas are designed with coconut-derived ingredients and botanical extracts that support skin integrity across all types and identities.
We believe skincare should be inclusive, uncomplicated, and based on what your skin actually needs.
Whether you’re dealing with dryness, irritation, or dullness, we formulate for real-life skin. The kind that gets exposed to Arizona heat, late nights, aging, stress, and everything in between.
How to Choose Products That Work Without the Labels
If you're ready to leave gendered marketing behind, here's how to shop smarter:
- Know your skin’s needs. Dry? Sensitive? Acne-prone? Focus on these traits first.
- Read the ingredients. Look for proven actives that address your concerns.
- Skip the stereotypes. A product’s color or scent should not determine its efficacy.
- Prioritize consistency. No matter the product, results come from regular use.
Your routine should reflect your skin, not your gender identity.
A More Honest Approach to Skincare
Skincare doesn’t need to be dramatic. It needs to be dependable. Our customers tell us they’re drawn to Coco Chiloso because they’re tired of being marketed to in ways that don’t reflect who they are or what they care about.
We’re proud to create products that are clean, effective, and uncomplicated. Products that work for people, not personas.
If you’re over gendered skincare, you’re not alone. A growing number of people are choosing body care that speaks to real needs, not marketing gimmicks. That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Because when it comes to skincare, the most radical thing you can do might just be to ignore the label and listen to your skin.
Shop our collection of all-inclusive gender-neutral body care at cocochiloso.com