These days, when I post pictures of products, they tend to be from professional lines. But I haven’t talked about where to buy these professional products.
I never thought to write this post until a friend told me she bought something I recommended from Amazon. Ack! Gulp.
And if you’re like her, you may not know where to turn to for these products. So today, I want to discuss where you can buy them and warn you about what to avoid.
A Quick Note On Why I Show Professional Products
I show professional products because I prefer to use professional skincare on myself. It’s also because I believe professional skincare, in general, offers better performance and value than retail brands. Especially for treating problematic skin issues or aging skin.
If you have trouble-free skin, you can pretty much use anything, and retail products are just fine, not to mention easily accessible. So by all means, continue to do that if it works for you. There are many great retail products.
I also want to point out the value of professional skincare. While it isn’t cheap, professional skincare is a good value. So much in retail today is way over-priced. And prices keep going up. You get a lot more for your money in a professional product.
And the other reason I show professional skincare is that so few others do. You will find plenty of resources online and in magazines showing you the latest products in retail. But it’s harder to get to know professional skincare if you’re not a skin professional, a regular spa goer, or a patient of a dermatologist.
Because I believe this segment of the industry is worth looking into, I’d like to show you brands that you might not know about. Many professional brands fly under the radar and are underrated, simply because they do not invest heavily in marketing. They invest in product development instead, which makes more sense, right?
Where To Buy Professional Skincare
The best place to buy a professional product is from a spa or doctor’s office (dermatology or plastic surgery). Professional skincare is sold through those channels.
When you buy from a spa, doctor’s office, or independent esthetician, you are getting authentic product (something I will get to below). Plus you are getting advice about how to use the product and integrate it into your routine. This is more important than you realize, because there are so many options in a professional line. It can get confusing. Also, professional products are more potent than retail products. You will need more guidance on using them correctly.
The only drawback is that spas and doctor’s offices carry only a few lines. They’re not in the business of retailing a whole bunch of lines, like a bricks and mortar store or online retailer.
So the next best place to look is an authorized retailer online. The key word is “authorized.” Professional lines are very careful about who they allow to carry their products. Some are very exclusive. For example, Revision Skincare (a line I carry), is only sold in doctor’s offices or medical spas. It is not sold anywhere online, and if you see it online, it’s unauthorized.
Diversion In The Skincare Industry
Believe it or not, there are counterfeit skincare products floating around. Some of the biggest professional brands, such as Dermalogica, are counterfeited quite a bit.
You’ll notice that on Dermalogica products, every box has a unique seal. This is one way they ensure you are getting an authentic product. Many skincare products are packaged in boxes that are unsealed. So it’s not difficult for a counterfeiter to replace the original product.
Today’s fake skincare products, just like fake Louis Vuitton handbags, are so well counterfeited, they can look just like the real product.
Then there is the issue of freshness. In the skincare industry, there is an uncool practice known as DIVERSION. This is when products are sold by unauthorized resellers, often at a discounted price.
Where these products are obtained is sketchy. Some are rummaged out of a garbage dumpster (when a retailer or provider throws it away). So they may be EXPIRED. And maybe even very, very old. And some may have been already opened by customers (returned products). YUCK!
Many skincare products in the U.S. don’t have the expiration date printed on the packaging, so you have no idea how old the products are. Not to mention whether they’re even authentic or not.
Authorized Retailers Of Professional Skincare
The way to find authorized carriers and retailers of a professional line is to visit the brand’s website.
Some professional brands sell directly to consumers. Most don’t.
So.. on the website, you will find a link to “Find A Provider” or something worded like that on the home page. By entering your zip code, you can find out who in your local area (spa, doctor’s office) carries the line. If the brand sells through online retailers, it will also list those retailers there.
In the U.S., these are the biggest online retailers that are authorized to sell professional skincare:
There are more, but I shop from these sites the most.
Avoid Amazon, Ebay, and Discount Outlets
Don’t buy professional skincare from Amazon or eBay. It may be tempting, especially if you have Amazon Prime (free 2 day shipping). But it is highly unlikely that a professional line is selling its products through Amazon, and definitely not eBay.
The merchants on Amazon are independent sellers or worse, unauthorized resellers who may be selling DIVERTED product. Be careful – sometimes the merchant name is displayed as the brand name. Even if it looks like the manufacturer is the merchant, it probably isn’t. You could check the merchant’s site (if it has one). But it’s a hassle. Why bother? You’re much better off buying from a skin professional who will give you better service and advice.
And definitely, definitely don’t buy products from discount outlets such as Marshall’s, ROSS, or Kohl’s. Who knows where those products come from. Discount outlets pick up the stuff that no one else wants.
Remember, Diverted Product carries risk – AUTHENTICITY & FRESHNESS.
Skincare goes onto your skin. It’s not a handbag or pair of shoes. If you happen to end up with a fake handbag, nothing’s going to happen to you. You’ll be upset but fine health-wise. But if you buy a fake skincare product, can you imagine what it could do to your skin?
Don’t take chances. You should buy the freshest product you can buy. Not only will it perform better on your skin, it’s safer as well.
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