BRAND EYE OPENER: Loreal Makeup Remover Vs Maybelline Makeup Remover

This is a comparison between the Loreal and Maybelline eye and lip makeup removers. But this post is more of an eye-opener as to how big brands are befooling customers and ripping us of money.

Exactly a month ago when I was reviewing L'Oreal Paris Dermo Expertise Eye and Lip makeup remover, I did some research on other similar products in the market. I discovered that L'OREAL and MAYBELLINE makeup removers have EXACTLY THE SAME INGREDIENT LIST, except a number mentioned in the beginning of the list.

I could not figure out what that number was and how only that number made the two products different. So I called up the L'Oreal Customer Care toll free number mentioned on the Makeup Remover bottle (1800-22-3000). The customer care rep confirmed a few details as to why I needed that information and then told me the number is for company's internal purpose. I was told a unique number is assigned to every product's ingredient list . She was still unsure and said she will get back to me.

The next day I received a call from Maybelline India from Mumbai, yes you heard it right, I was promised a callback from L'Oreal and I received a callback from Maybelline India.

To those of you who feel equally surprised, let me tell you that Maybelline is owned by L'Oreal. It was taken over by L'Oreal back in 1996. Even I was not aware of it till that day :)

Now let's take a look at the ingredient list for the L'Oreal Paris and Maybelline Eye and Lip Makeup Removers and compare:

IDENTICAL INGREDIENTS
(L) L'OREAL PARIS DERMO EXPERTISE EYE AND LIP MAKEUP REMOVER
(R) MAYBELLINE EYE AND LIP MAKEUP REMOVER

Before that day, I was biased towards L'Oreal even though it is much costlier than Maybelline. I have heard Maybelline eye makeup irritates eyes and I had never felt any irritation with L'Oreal products. Also, I have used Maybelline waterproof lip pencils which darkened the outline of my lips and I stopped using. But in this case you can see, the INGREDIENT LIST IS IDENTICAL.

Now my question is, why are they being sold as two different brands and at two different prices? Maybelline eye and lip makeup remover comes in 40 ml (Price INR 125) and 70 ml (price INR 215) packings and L'Oreal Dermo Expertise Gentle Makeup Remover comes for INR 425 for a 125 ml packing. When I calculated per unit rate, obviously L'Oreal is much costlier. Recently, the price for the Maybelline makeup remover has also been increased from INR 190 to INR 215 (for the 70ml pack).

I have used the L'Oreal Makeup remover and have read many reviews for the Maybelline makeup remover. Some said L'Oreal makeup remover is more effective as a small amount is enough to remove even stubborn makeup.  I use the L'Oreal one. While some other women swore by the Maybelline one. They mentioned that the Maybelline makeup remover is less oily and works better than the L'Oreal one.

My mind says, unless there is a difference in the % amount of certain ingredients, the two products are identical. And even if there is a difference in the composition, WHY IS IT THERE in the first place? And if that is the case, why is there a compromise in quality for a few extra bucks for which they are selling the L'Oreal Makeup Remover. All the brands in the market are ultimately owned by only a few BIG WHALES, it's just that we as customers are not aware and paying them all the money they open their big mouths for.

Thanks for reading and feel free to share your views on this in the comments.