The internet has taken bargain shopping to a whole new level as shoppers are usually able to find really great deals on a lot of their favorite beauty products. Granted, these super great deals aren’t on the actual brand’s website, but rather on sites like Amazon, Jet.com and eBay. And this my friends, is where the problem sets in. Consumers need to be aware that if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. And when it comes to buying discounted skincare products, there could be a hidden cost: your face.

Increasingly, shoppers eager to get their favorite skincare, makeup and hair products are scouring the Internet to find them at a significantly lower price. The low prices are so tempting on these products that shoppers simply can’t turn them down. However, according to several news sources, many of them are a counterfeit version of the real thing. The majority are made in China, sent to the U.S. in bulk quantities and then bought through online wholesale marketplaces, where they are re-distributed to unreliable sites. Because they’re manufactured outside of registered channels of distribution, the laws differ between countries and there is such a high frequency of trading, it has become nearly impossible for the government to keep track of these instances. These imitations/expired/bad products are flooding the market and unsuspecting people are convinced they are buying the real thing. However, the quality and performance of such products is far below the that of the original.

So what’s the big deal?

1. The Products May Be Expired
Much like consuming food past its expiration date, there can be serious risks associated with using beauty products that shouldn’t be on the shelves anymore. Outdated products could cause an allergic reaction or the chemical composition could be disrupted. Dermatologists are now reporting an alarming rise in the number of women with skin conditions triggered by the use of counterfeit and/or out of date beauty products. These reactions can range from acne and swelling to more serious skin conditions, such as psoriasis or burns.

2. You Really Don’t Know What You Are Getting
While the U.S. has a list of what ingredients are permissible and in what amounts, some countries haven’t established these guidelines. So if you’re purchasing a product from a retailer that isn’t authorized, there’s a good chance it was manufactured in a country where potentially toxic contents are allowed. The US also has stringent safety testing guidelines in place before any beauty product can be sent to consumers that counterfeiters do not abide by.

3. You Won’t Be Covered by The Manufacturer
If you purchase discounted products from unauthorized such as Amazon, eBay, and Jet, should you have a reaction or just don’t like the products, you’re stuck with them! Had the same products been purchased from an authorized retailer, you would be a happier customer!

Bottom Line
Counterfeiting and selling old or expired product is a big problem. Not only can it tarnish the reputation of the actual brand, but also puts the end consumer at great risk

Remember that if something appears too good to be true, it probably is.

To keep your skin safe, purchase your Theraderm products from www.theraderm.net or by visiting an authorized dealers found on our website.