Understanding Product Variations and Reformulations

Users may notice multiple versions of what appears to be the same product on SkinSort. This is usually because the product has different variations or has been reformulated.

Here’s a quick guide to help explain the difference.

What Are Product Variations?

Product variations are different versions of a product that are intentionally sold under the same product line or name. While the overall product is similar, certain details may differ depending on the variation.

Color Variations

Products may come in different shades or colors, especially makeup products like foundations, lip tints, blushes, or concealers. Different colors can have slightly different ingredient lists due to added pigments.

Example:
A lipstick in “Cherry Red” may have a different formula than the same lipstick in “Nude Beige.”

Flavor Variations

Some products are sold in multiple flavors. These variations often contain different flavoring agents, fragrance ingredients, or extracts.

Example:
A lip balm in “Vanilla” may contain different ingredients than the “Mint” version.

Type Variations

Brands sometimes release multiple types within the same product family. These may target different skin types, finishes, or concerns.

Example:
A makeup remover may have nourishing, pore-clarifying, brightening, or moisturizing types.

Region Variations

A product sold in one country may not be identical to the version sold in another region.

This can happen because of different cosmetic regulations, ingredient restrictions, manufacturing locations, and market preferences.

Example:
A moisturizer sold in Japan may have a different ingredient list than the version sold in the US or EU.

What is a Reformulation?

A reformulation happens when a brand changes the formula of an existing product.

This means the product itself has been updated, and the ingredient list may differ from older versions.

Brands reformulate products for many reasons, such as changing texture or finish, removing or adding ingredients, complying with regulations, or rebranding or relaunching products.

How Reformulation Differ from Variations

The key differences are:

Product Variation:
1. Multiple versions exist at the same time
2. Differences are intentional between variants
3. Often sold simultaneously

Reformulation
1. The old formula is replaced by a new one
2. The formula itself has changed over time
3. Usually replaces the previous version

Because ingredient lists can vary between product variations and reformulations, users may sometimes notice differences in ingredient analysis or match scores across listings that appear similar.

If you believe a product listing is outdated, incorrectly grouped, or missing a variation or reformulation, feel free to click the Suggest Edit button on the product page or contact our support team at [email protected] with details such as:

• Product name
• Product variation (shade, flavor, type, etc.)
• Region of purchase
• Photos of the packaging and ingredient list

Providing these details helps our team verify information more accurately and keep product listings as up to date as possible for everyone.