According to LESLIE S. BAUMANN, M.D. “Only about 30% of patients buy refills from their doctor for second purchases, and just 15% purchase products from their doctor the third time around. Why is this? It is likely the convenience and the low cost that drive patients to purchase from sources other than their physician or aesthetician. This desire to save money carries significant risks. Many of the products online are expired or counterfeit, or are old containers refilled with a different formulation. Patients should be cautioned to only buy products from a source they trust.”
You can read more about the source article here.
After reading this article I was reminded of a recent experience while shopping at Northlake Mall in Charlotte, NC. I had passed through the fragrance section of Macy’s and remembered that I was running low on my favorite perfume. Directly outside of the Macy’s entrance (inside the mall) is some kind of an outlet fragrance store that was running a promotional sale on certain items. I stopped in and sure enough they had all the same brands and many of them were buy-one-get-one half off. After I finished my appointment at the Apple Store (thank you Genius Bar Geniuses) I decided to do a further comparison between Macy’s and the fragrance outlet store. I stopped and talked to one of the helpful brand reps in the fragrance section and asked her what the difference was and why I shouldn’t go look for a deal next-door. She informed me that when the fragrances expire they send them back to the manufacturer and they often end up being resold to these types of vendors. I didn’t know fragrances (perfume and cologne) expired! I guess I could try to save $10-15 but do I want something that smells slightly different than what I’m looking for and do I want that expired product on my skin? No!
You can use this comparison for skin products too; sure you can probably find an item that’s $5, $10 or even $20 cheaper, but at what risk? Is it a counterfeit product? Is it expired? Is it going to cause an adverse reaction on your skin? These are all things to consider when choosing where and from whom you buy your skin care from.
We’ll leave you with a quick guide for buying skin care products this summer and beyond.
Dos:
- Consult with a Licensed Medical Aesthetician or qualified skin care professional
- Be willing to spend a little extra for the sake of your long-term health and appearance
- Ask questions!
Don’ts:
- Self diagnose
- Skimp to save money
- Buy expired products
- Avoid counterfeit products (check labels, look for typos or low quality packaging)
For a full list of skin care products offered at Riva please visit our Skin Care Products page. Have a product you’re looking for and don’t see? Maybe you have a general question. No problem! Visit our Contact Us page and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.