Shopping Skin Care (Safely) Online

 

 

 

 

I consider myself a shopaholic. A buyer. A trier. A product junkie- I can’t help it! And with online shopping, I am even more enabled. My sick addiction is literally available at my fingertips, and can be completed with the click of a few buttons (in my pajamas). But this isn’t about me, this is about you…

 

 How do you know which sites are safe to buy from when it comes to skin and hair care? Which sites are authentic, certified distributors of the companies they are selling? Frequently we have patients call with frustrations to ask about products that they see online for sale that are listed below MSRP price on websites such as Amazon.com , Ebay.com , etc. We often hear statements such as “Why should I buy it through you, when I can get it for less?” -allow me to explain. I do not feel that the dangers of purchasing on unauthorized sites is fully-comprehended.

When purchasing online, you should always buy directly through the company, or a certified distributor. How do you know a certified distributor versus an illegal third party seller? When it comes to skin care, hair products, and herbal remedies I can tell you that more likely than not, sites like Amazon and Ebay, and those selling at a lesser cost are selling illegally. With lowered prices, it can be tempting to purchase from them, but it is not at all deemed as “safe” by the FDA. It is a confusing concept to accept because often times they do represent authentic products, like books, movies, clothes, furniture, etc. But when it comes to your skin, you need to avoid purchasing through these sites at all costs. The reason you’re often finding cheaper prices is because the product could be expired, watered down, or have additional chemicals added to add volume (after half of the bottle’s contents have been removed).

I always stick to buying my products through local vendors, major department stores (Nordstrom.com , Sephora.com , Blissworld.com – to name a few) and authorized online dealers. I can tell you with confidence that Dermstore.com , SkincareRX.com , Lovelyskin.com , and Skinstore.com are all safe, and authorized dealers for the companies that they represent- and they often offer free shipping. You can also contact the companies directly and ask a customer service representative if you find a site offering your coveted product (because sometimes they can be hard to find), if the site offering it is legitimate. As a former representative of a few skin care companies, I can tell you that we loved hearing from our customers, identifying local distributors for them, and identifying safe sites to purchase through. On the flip side, it was also important to be alerted of illegal sales so illegally-sold products could be removed from the websites. I say, if ever in doubt, reach out.

Your skin is the largest organ your body has, and it needs to be protected. Try to remember that all products applied are also absorbed- so choose wisely. I hope this helps, and as always please comment with any questions- I am always happy to help! Have a great day.

 

XO Annabelle