The Pink Tax: Women Also Pay More Than Men

The pink tax is not a literal tax on pink things, the reality may be worse. Instead, products aimed at women often sell for as much as double the price of their male counterparts (even when nothing has changed except for a little pink dye).

Don’t believe us? A Times investigation found that women pay on average 37% more for identical products.

Women generally pay higher prices for personal care products such as deodorants, shampoos, and razors, often around 42% more for similar items than men’s products.

Key Takeaways

• The pink tax refers to gender based price discrimination where women pay higher prices for products and services that are substantially similar to those marketed to men.
• Women often pay around 37% to 40% more for everyday essentials like personal care items, including deodorants, shampoos, razors, and toys.
• Companies frequently justify higher prices for women’s products by citing different production costs or product features, but research shows these differences do not fully explain the price disparities.
• The tampon tax, a VAT on menstrual products, adds an additional financial burden on women, contributing to economic inequality and menstrual health challenges.
• Efforts like the Pink Tax Repeal Act and policy changes in countries such as the UK and Scotland aim to eliminate gender based pricing and improve access to essential period products.
• Choosing gender neutral products or men’s versions of personal care items can help consumers save money and avoid paying the pink tax.
• Gendered marketing and bias continue to drive price disparities, reinforcing broader issues of gender inequality and economic disadvantage for women.
• Awareness and informed consumer choices are vital to challenging the pink tax and promoting greater economic equality in the marketplace.

From razors to deodorant and even children’s toys! Body wash and women’s deodorant are also examples of personal care products where gender based marketing leads to different prices for men’s and women’s versions.

Products like razors, personal care items, and toys frequently exemplify the pink tax, where similar items differ only in colour or packaging.

Some of the big brands (such as certain razor companies) will claim that it’s because razors for women are different, more complicated, and more expensive to manufacture. Companies often use gender based marketing to justify charging more expensive products for the female consumer, even when comparable products for different genders are nearly identical.

That may seem believable at first; after all, a pair of legs has much more surface area than a face, so surely they must have to make the blades more robust, right?

Nope, that’s wrong. The technology used in razors for men and for women are the exact same. In both cases, the goal is to make a set of blades that are as sharp and with the longest lifespan possible. The only difference is the colour of dye put into the plastics in the handle.

This pattern is seen across many personal care items, including body wash and women’s deodorant, where men’s and women’s products are marketed differently but are often comparable products. We decided to put this to the test.

We’ve got a great razor and a club with 1,000s of men singing our praises; if they’re happy surely women would be too? We got our razors into the hands of both men and women and then waited to see what they said. Sure enough, they loved it!

And of course, they would be, high-quality blades are high-quality blades whether their shaving legs or a face! The pink tax affects both genders, but typically results in higher prices for women’s products.

Men can also be affected by gender pricing, sometimes referred to as the ‘blue tax’, though the pink tax is more widespread.

If you’re tired of being charged 37% more, give us a look. You’ll get a nice tin with you first delivery in which you can store the razors (no wasteful plastic cassettes). The razors always fit through your letterbox so you’ll always get them Plus with the extra bonus of regular deliveries, you don’t need to worry about forgetting to buy new ones; you’ll always have fresh blades, and for that your legs will thank you!

Some companies are beginning to address the pink tax by offering gender neutral or fairly priced products, but many still charge different prices for similar items marketed to different genders.

Introduction to Gender Based Pricing

Gender based pricing, often referred to as the pink tax, is a form of gender based price discrimination where women are charged more for consumer products and services that are substantially similar to those marketed to men.

This practice is a clear example of economic inequality, as research shows women continue to pay higher prices for everyday necessities and personal care items simply because of gender based pricing.

From personal care products to basic consumer goods, women are often faced with higher prices for items that are nearly identical to those sold to men, except for minor differences like color or packaging.

The pink tax repeal act, introduced in 2021, aims to address this issue by prohibiting companies from pricing substantially similar products and services differently based on gender. Despite growing awareness, price discrimination persists, impacting women’s wallets and reinforcing gender inequality in the marketplace.

Cost Difference Between Men’s and Women’s Products

The cost difference between men’s and women’s products is a striking example of gender based price discrimination that affects women every time they shop. On average, women pay nearly 40% more for seven commonly purchased toiletry essentials compared to men. For example, the average price of women’s shampoo is £15.22, while men’s shampoo costs just £6.11—a staggering 149% difference.

While the pink tax is less pronounced in skincare products like moisturizer and face wash, with a price gap of about 6%, the overall trend remains clear: women pay more for similar products. Companies claim that different production costs, such as adding colors or unique designs to products marketed to women, justify these higher prices.

However, research shows that these minor differences do not account for the substantial price gap, highlighting the ongoing issue of gender based pricing and price discrimination in everyday essentials.

The gender income gap means women make about 89 cents for every dollar earned by men, exacerbating the impact of the pink tax.

International Prevalence and the Tampon Tax

Gender based price discrimination is not just a local issue—it’s a global concern. In the UK, research shows that women and girls pay on average 37% more for toys, cosmetics, and clothing than boys and men. The so-called tampon tax, which is a tax on menstrual products, further illustrates this inequality.

While many countries, including the UK, have abolished the tampon tax to reduce price disparities and improve access to menstrual products, some US states still impose this additional cost, making essential items less affordable for women.

A study by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs found that women’s products cost 7% more on average than comparable men’s products 43% of the time.

The largest price difference was found in the personal care category, where products marketed to women cost 13% more on average. These findings highlight the widespread nature of the pink tax and the urgent need for policy changes to address gender discrimination in pricing.

Period Products and Pricing

Period products like tampons and pads are essential items for women’s health and menstrual hygiene, yet they are often subject to gender based pricing and additional taxes, such as the tampon tax. These products are sometimes classified as non essential items, leading to an additional tax that can add up over a woman’s lifetime.

In fact, the average woman spends over £18,000 on period-related products, making the financial impact of the tampon tax significant.

The tampon tax levies a VAT on menstrual products, contributing significantly to economic inequality for women. Some countries are taking action: Scotland, for example, now requires local authorities and schools to provide free period products to anyone who needs them.

Companies can also play a role by offering free menstrual hygiene products to employees, helping to reduce the extra cash women must spend on essential goods. For those looking to save money, choosing gender neutral products or even men’s versions of personal care items can be a smart way to avoid paying more for substantially similar products.

Expert Insights on Gender Bias

Experts agree that the pink tax is rooted in gender bias and gendered marketing, which drive up prices for products and services marketed to women. This form of gender discrimination means that female consumers often pay more for personal care items, beauty products, and other consumer products, even when the items are comparable to those sold to men.

Research shows that over a lifetime, women can pay thousands of dollars more due to these price disparities, contributing to the gender wealth gap and ongoing economic inequality.

Women could spend an estimated additional £3,000 on toiletries over their lifetime due to the pink tax. Companies often cite higher production costs or special features as reasons for the price gap, but these claims rarely justify the consistent pattern of higher prices for women.

To combat gender based price discrimination, experts recommend that consumers look for gender neutral products, compare prices, and be mindful of gendered marketing tactics. By making informed choices and demanding transparency, women can help challenge gender bias in the marketplace and work toward greater economic equality.