This is a screen shot from Amazon. Tone soap was what we have used since we got married. I used to buy it at the grocery store and then it disappeared. Then I ordered it from Amazon, but now there are only a couple listings and it’s WAY overpriced. It must be discontinued.
Now, we can no longer find Strawberry Yogurt Zone Perfect Bars. Can’t find them anywhere. I used to get them at the grocery store, too. Trader Joe’s had the best prices. I was able to order them on Amazon a few years ago. Now they are nowhere. There are a few other flavors still out there. But not the flavor we like.
The latest discontinued product that I use is my face cream. When I went to the website, I couldn’t find it. I got a chat bot box and asked if it was discontinued and the bot said yes, but there was inventory available at Amazon. Here we go again. At least it’s the same price on Amazon as it was on the manufacturer’s website.
I wrote about brand loyalty HERE.
We get used to certain brands and stick with them for decades. My mom was a loyal brand lover and believed that what she bought was THE BEST. Like Life cereal, Crest toothpaste and Best Foods mayo. I followed her example and brands. Until I got married. My husband and I discovered conflicts with our brands.
I googled why Zone bars and Tone were discontinued. It has to do with changing market preferences. In the case of Zone bars, not only was it discontinued in 2024 — a layoff of close to 200 employees happened. Tone was sold to Proctor Gamble from Colgate-Palmolive. There are many options in skin care and bar soaps aren’t as popular as they once were. People are also looking for natural products without chemicals. So good-bye Tone — after six decades.
I think there are many more choices today for all categories of household items compared to my childhood. It’s a tougher market for brands to survive. Plus, we have tons of “off-brand” items that are more affordable.
What brands are you loyal to?
What products have you used that were discontinued?
Grrr. Nothing drives me crazier than a beloved product being discontinued. I used Tone for years as well… can’t say I’m willing to pay almost three hundred bucks for it now though. That’s nuts!
I told my husband I finally found Tone. Then I showed him the price! Ha!
It seems that many of my favorite products are routinely discontinued every few years. Stuff just doesn’t stay around as you noted EA. I just try not to get too attached to any one thing in anticipation that the next time I want it, it will be gone. I can usually find a replacement that works well enough and often discover things I like even better…until they too disappear.
So true. Many items disappear but there are replacements. We have so many more choices than we did growing up.
I’m with you on the Best Foods mayo. I think one of the downsides of living a long life is outliving our favorite products. It is a blessing, even when it’s a bummer! Haha!
That’s so true! At least we have Best Food’s 😊
I am loyal to FOSSIL, because that is the brand of wallet I carry. To be more specific, I am loyal to what GOES IN my wallet: my budget. Not necessarily the brand of my wallet. I learned longgggg ago that getting attached to any one brand leads to “discontinued” disappointment.
So true! It’s surprising when something we buy all the time is discontinued. It makes me wonder if we were the only ones using the product.
Yeah. You are just buying stuff nobody else wants. That’s it. Just like me. Except that I will gladly buy the next “ingredients found in” no name brands.
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I buy what looks reasonable and affordable. Not loyal to brands at all.
I think we are much more brand loyal due to advertising when we were growing up. I think the trend is moving away from brand loyalty now.
Yes in these days of economic recession, we buy what’s good value for money
So true!
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Ah, that’s so hard. I hate having to say good-bye to a product I’ve come to rely on. But I think you nailed it that it’s a tougher market for brands to survive.
There are so many choices. Name brand, store brand, small boutique products. Our tastes and preferences change throughout the years.
Tone soap! That’s a brand I haven’t heard in a long time! I used to love the scent of that soap! I’m sorry it’s discontinued.
I am too. My husband has sensitive skin and it worked well for him. We finally found an alternative that we both like after spending a week with a friend last summer.
This is my superpower. Carpet? Discontinued. Hardwood flooring? Discontinued. Tile? Discontinued. Numerous food items I once liked are no longer available. The only thing constant is change it seems. Change for change sake in many cases. About the only brand I’m fairly loyal to is Dove. I like their mission on female self esteem and have had great results with their skin and hair products. I wish you well in your quest. 💜
Oh dear. That’s quite a list of discontinued thing. You are correct, the only constant is change!
Heinz ketchup and mustard. I order Italian Spice from Sun-of-Italy. Usually get 6 bottles at a time (to consolidate shipping cost) I use it like salt & pepper.
I am with you on Heinz ketchup. I would never use anything else. As for mustard, two years ago a houseguest brought us their favorite mustard from a NYC Jewish deli. I love it and order it from Amazon. Ba-Tampte is the name. I’ll have to try Italian Spice.
I was much more brand loyal when I was younger, and like you, followed my mother’s lead for the most part. Now, other than a few items, I buy whatever appeals to me – or is cheaper – at that moment. A lot of brands seem pretty interchangeable. The way things are going, we might be headed for a future with one huge mega-brand that we all have to buy from. 🙂
That is a thought about a megabrand. In the cold dry weather, I’m using a hand cream I got at Whole Foods, which really makes it Amazon brand.
I swear by alpha-hydroxy lotions and I’ve seen most of them discontinued until there is only one left. Pricey, but strong enough that I mix it with plain, unscented lotion. If they quit making it, I will weep buckets!!
I have never heard of alpha-hydroxy lotions before your post. Maybe I need to learn more quickly before they are discontinued?
These are acids derived from natural sources, fruit and milk most common. The one I use has lactose-based acid. You have to be sure to use sunscreen (as you likely would anyway). Cleopatra bathed in milk 5000 years ago and these acids have been used for skincare for millennia. Parts of my body get unbearably dry and itchy without it. Some people think they’re bad, but I’ve done the research and they’re safe.
Thanks for all the detailed info. Do you know why there is a movement against them? They sound natural.
Wow, you sure were loyal!!
FYI, I did’t buy the almost three hundred dollar soap for six bars. I only looked it up and showed it to my husband.
LOL, I wasn’t even thinking about that. I was just thinking how loyal you were. For me, I get tired of things and switch things out, ie soaps, sheets, milk… LOL, it can be anything. I like to changes things up. 😉
We are definitely changing things up now. My husband has super sensitive skin so soaps are crucial. When we find something that works, we stick with it.
Isn’t DOVE usually good for sensitive skin?
I think so, but my husband doesn’t like it. I don’t know why.
I don’t like DOVE either, it has a certain smell. I go through phases of liking Irish Spring, but that’s a more powerful soap.
We found a Yardley soap with oatmeal and almond that we both like. It says it’s natural.
Forgot about Yardley, yes that would be good.
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Funny you’d mention this. Just today I ordered from Amazon some Kirk’s Castile Liquid Soap. I/we can use the bar but the liquid is much better and nowhere to be found in our stores like Target or Kroger or Meijer. I’ll be bummed, like you are about Tone, if it ever goes away entirely.
I haven’t heard of Kirk’s Castille Liquid Soap. Maybe we need to try that as an alternative to Tone?
It is mild, and pleasantly scented, and used to be available on the grocery shelves. The brand has been around for over 100 years, was my father, the doctor’s, favorite soap for sensitive skin.
It sounds perfect for my husband with his sensitive cheap Irish skin!
I found your bar soap on Amazon. Six bars for $12. What a deal compared to the new Tone price! I’ll let you know what we think.