Key points:
- What counterfeit skincare is and why it’s more common than you think.
- How to minimize your risk of buying dupes when shopping online.
- How to gain exclusive discounts on luxury skincare products.
When I say the word “knockoff” or “dupe” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Designer fashions? Handbags? Those are two of the top categories, but did you know that skincare devices and luxury skincare products are knocked off too? When I say “knock off”, I’m not referring to competing formulations, as all products have competitors. Skincare dupes are products that are illegally labeled, packaged, and sold as the product you intend to buy. Dupes are more common than you may imagine, especially when shopping online.
COMPETING SKINCARE FORMULAS vs. DUPES
- Competing formulas are sold by legitimate skincare brands; dupes are from unidentified brands and are misleadingly labeled as a premium product.
- Competing formulas have a similar ingredient-range or are formulated to achieve similar anti-aging results; dupes contain low-grade ingredients that may damage your skin.
- Competing formulations cost a fraction of the price; some dupes cost the same price, and some cost significantly less.
- Competing formulations are new and unopened; dupes are counterfeit, or authentic but damaged, expired, recalled, or used.
- Competing skincare devices undergo testing for efficacy, quality assurance, and safety; dupes have no testing, may not be effective, and may damage your skin.
SKINCARE KNOCKOFFS ARE MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK
According to a 2023 global survey, 68% of consumers have purchased a counterfeit product in the past 12 months. In the survey, 39% of the fakes were online purchases. If I had to guess, I imagine that almost 100% of fake skincare products are purchased online. The survey also found that women are more likely to be duped, as we’re more likely to comparison shop.
It’s not just random websites and dropshipping retailers selling fakes. An exposé in Wirecutter identified counterfeits on online retailers we trust, including Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and Shein. I say all of this as a verified first-party online retailer for a range of premium Korean skincare products. I must also mention that most skincare and beauty product dropshippers are legitimate. In fact, dropshipping is how many international brands introduce their products to new markets. This knowledge helps you when shopping for absolutely anything online.
6 WAYS TO SPOT A FAKE SKIN CARE PRODUCT
Counterfeit retailers often use the luxury brand’s product images. Or they create images that are so similar you may not question a product’s legitimacy until it arrives. There are always a few differences upon arrival. Below are 6 ways to minimize fake product purchases and identify fakes once they arrive.
1. Don’t Rely on Reviews: Illegitimate brands pay for fake purchases and fake reviews, even on marketplaces such as Amazon. So, don’t rely on reviews alone.
2. Explore the Store or Click the Seller Byline: Retailers such as Amazon allow sellers to create a shop or storefront. Brands and legitimate first-party partners almost always create a storefront so that you can view their full product catalogue. If they don’t have one, it’s a red flag.
3. Product Description States “Authentic”: Stating that the product is “authentic” isn’t a priority for legitimate brands or approved first-party retailers. However, “authentic” differs from confirming that a seller is an “authorized reseller”. With the rise in fake anti-aging products, many first-party retailers state that they’re authorized to sell.
4. In-Person Verification: Unfortunately, you may not identify a fake until you see it in person. Key external indicators include slightly different bottle color, font, font size, logo, ingredients, or no logo or listed ingredients. Physically, the weight, color, smell, and consistency of the product are always different.
5. Verify the Lot Number: Visit CheckFresh to look up the lot number (aka. batch number or batch code). If a code doesn’t generate, it may be a dupe. Or you may find that a product is authentic but expired or recalled.
6. Purchase from Trusted First-Party Partners: Buying directly from the brand or verified first-party resellers eliminates the risks above. Premium brands, nationally or internationally, are very selective about who they partner with.
THERE’S A REASON WHY LUXURY SKINCARE PRODUCTS COST MORE
When it comes to revitalizing, restoring, and repairing your skin, the products that perform cost more. They’re formulated with premium ingredients with proven efficacy.
- Evidence: Luxury skincare brands invest in scientific research and clinical studies to test and verify the efficacy of their products.
- Elevated Actives: Premium brands source pure natural actives, create concentrated extracts, and formulate signature reparative compounds.
WHY YOU CAN ALWAYS TRUST THE PRODUCTS I SELL
As a Master Esthetician of over 25 years, my success relies on the efficacy of the devices and products I use and sell. If I sold knockoff skincare products or devices that didn’t work, I wouldn’t retain my clientele. Like most estheticians, I’m extremely picky. I can’t tell you how many products come across my desk, but few live up to my standards.
Here’s my process for verifying product efficacy:
1. I begin by reading the active ingredients and analyzing the brand’s evidence-based research.
2. If I like what I see, I test the product on myself before testing it on clients.
3. If a product works on me, I test it for multiple months on clients with different skin types.
4. When I see a gap in the market, I formulate and test topicals and devices to sell as part of my signature skincare brand CBE Botanicals.
HOW TO FIND DISCOUNTS ON LUXURY PRODUCTS
Purchase luxury skincare kits and keep your eye out for holiday discounts and seasonal sales. You can also subscribe to brand and reseller newsletters and programs to receive exclusive discounts and free gifts. This includes the CBE Rewards Club!
When products are on sale, I don’t suggest purchasing more than a year’s worth at a time. This minimizes the likelihood of skincare products expiring. It also minimizes your loss if your anti-aging routine changes.
JOIN MY REWARDS CLUB TODAY!
Shop with confidence at Christine Byer Esthetics! Join the CBE Rewards Club for $10 in cash rewards each month, 10% off CBE Botanicals products, and exclusive BOGO events, flash sales, contests, and prizes. Membership includes access to the Rewards Club Lounge, where you can ask me your most pressing skincare questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t online retailers have strict counterfeit policies?
Yes, retailers such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart have strict counterfeit policies. When fakes are identified, they immediately ban the seller. The problem is that the seller often sells again under a new name, or they are already selling under multiple accounts.
Do skincare dupes work?
Counterfeit skincare products are low-grade products. It’s unlikely to deliver desired results or even general skincare benefits. Worst of all, the ingredients may damage or degrade your skin barrier. The best-case scenario with fake devices is that they don’t work; the worst case is that they burn or severely damage your skin.
What to do if you buy a dupe?
Gather as much documentation as possible and report the fraud. In this case, your order invoice and photo or video evidence.
- Contact the seller for a refund.
- Report the fraud to the online marketplace.
- Dispute the charge due to fraud with your bank or credit card.
- Submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Submit a claim to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- Notify the brand owner/product manufacturer.
