Women Budget for Beauty During the Credit Crunch

9 Oct 2008 08:00 Africa/Lagos

Women Budget for Beauty During the Credit Crunch

LONDON, October 9/PRNewswire/ -- Purse strings are tightening up and down the country as the credit crunch hits home and a recent survey of 3,500 women aged 16 to 60 reveals it is affecting their beauty choices. In response to the downturn, female consumers are turning to affordable classic brands like Pond's that they trust, can perform a number of functions and contain simple but essential ingredients.
Changing Trends

- The survey by PONDS on current UK beauty buying habits showed
that on average women use 3 products as part of their daily skincare
regime. In a month, across the country, they spend GBP14 on skincare
products, with women in Northern Ireland spending the most at an
average of GBP25 and women in the South West just GBP10.

- 35% of those surveyed across the country are now spending
less than GBP5 a month on their skincare regime, which equates to 16p a
day. A third spend between GBP5 to GBP10 a month or 30p a day, with a
further 20% paying out up to GBP20 a month or 60p per day. The
remaining 15% spend over GBP20 a month.

- Furthermore beauty product buyers are moving away from
science-based or trend led ingredient fads and back towards trusted
brands containing simple ingredients. From the women surveyed, 53%
would purchase a product with a few simple ingredients while only 9%
were attracted by the latest technology or scientific ingredients.

Versatile Products
Therefore any products which can perform more than one task and reduce spend is popular with the cash conscious consumer. Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser is perfect as it provides just this in a versatile cream that gently soothes and comforts whilst providing deep cleansing and moisturising. It costs just GBP3.99 and can be used in a multitude of ways such as a moisturising face mask to hydrate parched skin, a cleanser for soft, supple skin and even removes the most stubborn of eye make-up including waterproof mascara. If using in all three ways a pot will last up to a month saving pounds on buying three different products.

"Sales of the Pond's Regener-Activ range has increased by 39% compared to the same period in 2007. Customers are able to purchase an entire anti-ageing routine of four products for under GBP30." Says Peter Reynolds, Marketing Manager for Pond's. "Pond's is one of the oldest and most trusted brands and therefore provides both reliability and affordability."

Pond's is seen as an affordable, trusted brand and in the survey a third said that it was the most nostalgic and trusted product to them.

All products in the Pond's Regener-Activ range contain micro-capsules of marine collagen and pro-retinol designed to act from the inside out to help stimulate natural skin cell renewal and skin radiance. The microcapsules help transport pure anti ageing actives to the deeper layers of the epidermis. This range includes the Day Treatment SPF15, GBP6.49, the Deep Night Treatment, GBP6.49, Anti-Age Skin Perfectioning Serum, GBP9.99 and the Eye Contour Cream, GBP6.99.

With a unique heritage of understanding women's beauty needs, Pond's remains a beauty ritual for millions of women throughout the world.
For more information visit http://www.pondsinstitute.co.uk

Pond's is available in branches of Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Wilkinson and independent pharmacies nationwide.

Notes to Editors
Pond's sales figures provided by one of the largest health and beauty retailers in the UK.
Survey conducted by 72 Point, figures available on request.

Source: Pond's
For further information on Pond's, images or samples please contact: Katie O'Brien or Michelle Ganner at Neville McCarthy Associates Tel: +44(0)20-7940-2900, E-mail: katie@nevillemccarthy.com .