Sometimes “buyer beware” is a real understatement. If you ever feel tempted to buy medical skincare products from anyone other than an authorized seller please consider the following…
The products sold on third-party websites like Amazon, eBay and Craigslist might have lower prices at first glance, but in fact have hidden costs, including the risk that these products are stolen, counterfeited, expired, or otherwise altered from what the labels claim.
These counterfeit products may just not be effective like the real products, or they may in fact hurt your skin in ways that could result in a bad situation where you’ll need to seek professional care to repair the damage.
Counterfeit beauty products often test positive for poisonous ingredients, according to the FBI, which warns:
• Phony skincare products often contain things such as arsenic, beryllium, and cadmium (all known carcinogens) along with high levels of aluminum and dangerous levels of bacteria. Some of these products have caused conditions like acne, psoriasis, rashes, and eye infections.
• Counterfeit fragrances have been found to contain something called DEHP, classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen.
Other perils might be less serious, but no less irksome. For instance, if the pump on a lotion breaks, you may not be able to return it to an online seller if the rest of the product is intact, but an authorized seller would be able exchange the product for you. Additionally, authorized sellers grant you loyalty points that work like frequent flyer miles, meaning you earn future discounts–a perk unavailable if you buy from unauthorized vendors.
At Risk
Using any medical-grade product without the supervision of a specialist who knows the product line puts you at risk of not getting the results you desire. An expert practitioner can tell whether you’re experiencing side effects, whether something is no longer working, and in both of cases, suggest which product to try next.
Some of the major prescription skincare brands actually maintain lists of where not to buy their products. Here’s SkinMedica’s list, and here’s the one Obagi keeps up to date.
We encourage you not to be shy about letting your esthetician know which skincare products you’re using and whether you are finding them to be effective. We can help you find the best products to reach your desired goals.
You can shop with us online and order directly from the vendors or use our order form and pick up your products curbside, or we can ship to you.
