Why Buying Skincare from Online Sites Can be Risky
Working at a fast food restaurant, as a 17 year old, was definitely an interesting experience. One afternoon, I had the opportunity to converse with one of our delivery drivers who recounted how his truck, filled with supplies, had been broken into that week. The amusing thought that someone trying to sell packets of ketchup and boxes of hamburger patties led me to say this out loud - only for him reply with in all seriousness, that one time it did happened and they found raw hamburger patties being sold from the trunk of someone’s car.
Fast forward to today, shopping online has become a go-to for many of us due to the convenience it provides. Skincare, make-up and hair brands have been fighting the sale of their goods from unauthorized site as long as I can remember. This has been going on as long as I have been working in the industry. Stolen, expired and counterfeited products are being sold every day online. Unauthorized sellers attain these goods by what we call diversion.
Diversion means unauthorized entities sell products outside of established distribution channels, making it easier than ever for counterfeit goods to find their way into unsuspecting consumers' hands. When purchasing skincare products online from big online retailers, there is a possibility the products that are sold come from unauthorized distributors, and no guarantee that they are authentic, expired or even unopened.
When it comes to shopping for skincare products, Let’s take a closer look at why buying skincare from online sites can be risky.
Counterfeit Products
One of the major risks of buying skincare products from online sites is that the products may be counterfeit. These products are often disguised as name brands and fool thousands of shoppers each year who believe they are buying legitimate cosmetic products. In addition to being counterfeit, they are considered illegal and pose a risk to your health because they contain dangerous bacteria and other harmful substances.
Stolen Products
Another risk of buying skincare products from online sites is that these items could be stolen goods. In some cases, thieves will steal items from stores (like we have been seeing lately) and then sell them on online sites or other similar sites at a discounted price. While this may seem like a good deal, keep in mind that you have no idea where these stolen items come from. So, even if you get a good deal on a “steal”, you might end up paying for it later in terms of skin damage and health risks.
Expired Products
Investing in a skincare product past its expiration date could lead to unwanted consequences, such as the potency of active ingredients being compromised and even bacterial growth. When it comes to your skin health, make sure you always reach for products inside their current expiration date! I have personally seen top selling brands, with their old brand logo, being sold around town.
Verifying Authenticity Is Difficult
Lastly, it can be difficult to verify the authenticity of a product before purchasing online. Many sellers will claim their items are genuine when they aren’t or use stock photos instead of actual pictures of the product itself so buyers don’t know exactly what they are getting until after they purchase it. This lack of transparency can make it hard to determine exactly what kind of product you are getting, whether it’s authentic or not .
Overall, buying skincare products from online sites can be risky. The best way to avoid this problem altogether is by only making purchases directly on brand websites, at authorized retail locations or from your local esthetician (shopping at local small business, puts money back into your community). This way, you can ensure that your skincare purchases are safe and authentic every time!
Till next time!