Pink Tax in 2025: Why Are Women Still Paying More?

In 2025, you’d think we’d have left gender-based pricing in the past. But pink tax – that sneaky extra cost put onto products marketed towards women – is still alive and practised. If you’re a woman aged 18-24, chances are you’ve noticed it, whether it’s in the price of razors, deodorant, or even basics like shampoo and shower gel.

So, What is the Pink Tax?
The pink tax isn’t an actual tax, but it might as well be. It refers to the higher prices charged for women targeted products that are essentially the same as those sold to men, just in pink or flowery packaging that is marketed towards directly women and usually in ‘women sections’ of stores. A razor for men might cost £5, while the women’s version (with the same number of blades) costs £7. Why? Because it’s marketed to women.

How Does This Affect Young Women?
For women, this can feel like an added financial burden. Many young women are juggling university fees, rent, and trying to start their careers, so paying more for everyday items just because they’re in pink packaging feels unfair. Over time, these extra costs can add up, eating into budgets that could be spent on more important things.

Why Is the Pink Tax Still Around in 2025?
Despite growing awareness, companies are still banking on gendered marketing to drive up profits while we still live and survive in a patriarchal society. Some brands argue that women’s products have additional features, but in most cases, the differences are purely cosmetic. The lingering idea that women are willing to pay more for “luxury” versions of basic products keeps this concept alive where this isn’t even the case in most scenarios.

What Can Be Done About It?
The good news is that awareness is half the battle. Many young women are choosing gender-neutral products or switching to men’s versions to dodge the extra cost and they work the exact same. There’s also increasing pressure on governments to crack down on this practice and push for pricing transparency.

At the end of the day, the pink tax might not disappear overnight, but being informed and making savvy shopping choices can help level the playing field, one razor at a time.

Written by Ava Allen Images from Pixabay and Unsplash