5 Tips to Confidently Buy Authentic Skincare Products Online

5 Tips to Confidently Buy Authentic Skincare Products On-line

2/23/2016

Do you want a great deal on professional skincare products, but are nervous to shop on-line? On-line shopping is an amazing gift to the busy women. There is nothing better than pulling up the drive way of your house after a long work day to see a nice Amazon.com package waiting for you. The package provides a great experience since the pride and accomplishment in that "Yes, you can work 40-50 hours a week and remember to "pick up" the dance toe shoes for the performance next week." However, when it comes to what we put on our faces a heightened level of reassurance, reliability and authenticity is required and shopping on-line doesn't always provide that. We've heard the scary skincare Online shopping horror story about receiving an expired or sub-par or even damaging product disguised as a beloved product at a discounted rate.

In this blog, I share 5 tips to confidently shop on-line for skincare products to ensure you receive the high quality professional product you expect. Please note this article does include affiliate links.

1. Check online Vendor Authenticity

The absolute and BEST way to know whether or not the products you're purchasing online are authentic is to purchase directly from the source.

Problem: As I am sure you know, most professional grade skincare products aren't sold directly to the end consumer. Most companies sell to Licensed Estheticians and under normal circumstances you will purchase the correct products from her/him directly. But when it comes to restocking online, most local Esthetic practitioners don't have a way to sell you products online. So what's a busy gal do?

Solution: Each professional company has a list of Authorized Online retailers. All you have to do to find the Golden List is to contact the company and request a list or simply "Google" (your favorite) Skin Care Authorized Online Retailers, usually the link to the exact page is listed within the first few search results that are provided.

The benefits of buying from an authorized dealer/retailer are:
1 - Guaranteed Quality & Authenticity of the product formulations
2- Product Claims, Refunds etc remain intake - for the most part, you are able to return items or dispute adverse reactions. Be sure to ask the vendor about their return policy or any guarantees.

Here is a Link to the Dermalogica Authorized Retailer Page as an example.

2- Purchase Only what You know

Tip #1 : If it's your first time using a product, DO NOT Purchase it online.
If you've never use a product before, there're some major advantages to getting the product through an Esthetician. He or she will be able to direct you on how to use the products properly to get the best results for your skin. Also, bonus is, if for some reason you experience any issues you can discuss them with the professional who sold it to you.

Tip #2: If you are a long time user of the product and just need a refill Online stores are a great options. As soon as your product arrives, whether it is from an Authorized Online Retailer of your particular product or not, check to ensure the product is not expired or approaching expiration. The obvious way to check this is the look at the use by or expiration date on the outer packaging of the product. However, if you are indeed purchasing "second" hand, this date isn't always visible and with some vendors you cannot always trust the date that is printed. Compare the contents of the newly purchased item to one of your nearly used tubes of product, ensure the texture, colors and the smell is all the same. Compare the ingredient list of both products to ensure they are the same.

Tip #3: Test the products before diving right in.
Whether you have used the product previously or not, be sure to do a patch test. Just in case, an ingredient has changed or the product is breaking down, perform a 24 patch test before you put the product on your face. Place a small amount of the product on the inner part of your forearm and leave it overnight. If there isn't any reaction use the product as directed.

3-Read the Reviews

I am sure this one is a no brainier, but read the product and vendor reviews.

My personal Tips to ensure Reviews are Authentic:

I personally won't buy anything of significant cost that doesn't have at least 10 quality reviews.
It is weird to me if there isn't at least 2 reviews that aren't great. Negativity usually indicates reality, I mean really, there is no product that gets 5 Stars every time no matter how great it is.
One thing I do like about Amazon.com or even a Vendor's Facebook page is you can ask a question from the reviewer(s). If they reply to your questions, I feel that's a clean unbiased response about the product.

4- Customer Service trumps Costs

Get to know the person behind the online store.
At the end of the day, there is a person behind an online store. When you purchase online, you are helping a business that employs a person.

Visit the Online Store social media accounts. If they are posting regularly, you will quickly be able to see if they are a "Man" or a Machine based on the information they have been posting. Is it timely, relevant and personal or just product driven?
Ask the Store a question and await a prompt response. And don't take it easy - ask them why they aren't listed as an Authorized Brand Retailer or exactly how they obtain the products they are selling. A great and confident vendor will respond promptly and honestly to gain your trust and your buniness.

5-When in Doubt - Don't do it

You are a 30 something year old women that easily ( or seemingly so) conquers children, work and a social life, don't let the pressure of trying the next big skin care breakthrough cause you to act irresponsibly. If you have completed tips 1-4 of this article and still are a bit uneasy about purchasing your skincare products on-line there is a reason and DO NOT ignore it. If your gut is telling you the deal on this miracle drug is too good to be then it probably is. Simply, save up your dollars and visit your local Esthetician to get the refills or special treatments.

There are a couple "UnAuthorized Retail" websites that I work with and trust to purchase my professional skincare products.

For lower ticket items I will order from Amazon.com but I am VERY careful to read the reviews and ONLY purchase products I have previously used.
For more expensive serums or professional supporting products I order from iDerma.com

I hope this information is helpful, if you have other tips to add to this list, please leave a comment below.

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