It’s easy to slap on terms that sound high-end to make products seem more valuable than they are. Take, for example, the case of “cold-pressed” beauty products. While it may be argued that such products do have cause to claim that they are healthier (and possibly better on the skin), further study into their merits seem to point to a mere marketing strategy. And the difference is reflected on the price. Cold-pressed beauty products are priced higher than the regular ones.
The question is: is there really a difference? Are cold-pressed solutions always the better solutions? We at ComplexionByDesign investigated and this is what we found.
The Case of the Cold-Pressed Beauty Product
Independent manufacturers like Fytt Beauty and Kat Burki are known for having “cold-pressed” facial oils, creams and serums in their collection. Accordng to a Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist based in New York, cold-pressing enables the producer to extract the natural oils from ingredients so that the base benefits can be enjoyed in full form.
He notes, however, that while this process does get the purest extracts out, skincare products still need to add some sort of preservative so that it can stay on the shelves for longer. Otherwise, it would be an operational and production failure. There may be more of the actual extracts on cold-pressed beauty products but their expiry date might be a lot shorter.
The Process Of Cold-Pressing
Perhaps the reason why these specialized products come with a hefty price tag is the tedious process that comes with producing it. Cold-pressing is not simply putting an ingredient in the juicer and simply pouring the juice out. It involves a next-step procedure that requires a hydraulic press. This is a machine that applies pressure on the bottled extract similar to the type of environment found at the deepest parts of the sea. This stops the degradation process and allows the organic product to stay on for a few days longer. But that’s how long it can stay — just a few days, if not a week or two.
Come to think of it, it’s not really a smart way to do business, especially if you’re rolling out beauty products, right? Some companies produce “cold-pressed” creams and oils on a per-order basis, so both the manufacturer and the user can better keep track of spoilage. This is okay. If you are fine with products that have a shorter shelf life and are willing to splurge, then this may be fit for you.
Is There A Difference?
Only slight. The effectiveness of cold-pressed beauty products versus the regular ones has not really been subjected to serious study for us to make scientific conclusions.
We can make the judgment by using the logic behind cooking vegetables. When you cook the veggies, some of the nutrients might be lost, but that does not mean that they are not good for the body. Raw vegetables are good and cooked vegetables are also good. There really is only a small difference in terms of nutrients stored. But the other will be priced higher because of its “natural” appeal.
There is no hard evidence that cold-pressed beauty products are better. In the end, it all depends on your discretion — and on how much you are willing to pay.