Senti Senti: A Brooklyn Skincare Destination at Risk from Tariffs
Brooklyn, New York City — Senti Senti, a skincare boutique in Brooklyn, is making a name for itself by offering a curated selection of skincare products that are typically hard to find in U.S. stores. The majority of their inventory consists of serums, masks, and creams imported from South Korea and Japan, two countries renowned for their innovative skincare offerings.
Concerns over Impending Tariffs
As South Korea holds the top position in cosmetics exports to the U.S., recent political developments have raised concerns about a potential increase in tariffs, which could reach 25% under new trade policies proposed by the former administration. This suggestion has come after a recently announced 90-day hiatus on these “reciprocal tariffs” to allow for diplomatic negotiations.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Japan sought discussions with U.S. officials to prevent similar tariffs, peaking at 24%, from impacting their goods after the temporary pause expires.
“They are panic-buying,” remarked Marie Del Rosario, the manager of Senti Senti. “Customers are aware that significant changes are on the horizon, so they are purchasing extra supplies of their favorite products.”
Market Dynamics and Customer Behavior
In the previous year, U.S. imports of cosmetics exceeded $7.5 billion, with South Korea contributing approximately $1.7 billion of that figure. The rising interest in Korean skincare is heavily influenced by social media, where influencers have played a significant role in promoting these products.
“Our clientele typically comes in with a clear intent,” Del Rosario stated. “Many of them have learned about us through various social media platforms.”
Customer Carrie Kuiken shared her experience, stating that she often shops on behalf of her sister who resides in Seattle, sending her carefully curated lists of desired items. “She sends me like a whole list of things that she wants, and then I ship them out,” she explained.
Among Senti Senti’s best-selling products is a popular sunscreen priced at $17.99. Del Rosario warned that tariffs could elevate this price to over $20, further complicating consumers’ purchasing decisions.
Industry Impacts and Responses
The Personal Care Products Council, a representative body for over 600 beauty brands including L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble, has voiced its apprehensions regarding potential price hikes. The organization emphasized that the average U.S. consumer uses between six and twelve personal care items daily, making affordability essential.
Michelle Ranavat, founder of the beauty brand Ranavat, highlighted the complexities of the cosmetic supply chain. “The longer this uncertainty goes on, the more difficult it is for small businesses to plan,” she shared, pointing out that even though her products are packaged in the U.S., their ingredients are sourced from India. “I think the impact is gonna be pretty significant,” she added, reflecting on the likely repercussions of these tariffs.
As the situation continues to evolve, Senti Senti and similar retailers are bracing themselves for possible price increases projected to occur by late April or early May.
