Once upon a time, there was a bustling beauty industry, with new products being introduced every other day. Women (and some men) all over the world clamored for these products, eager to get their hands on the latest miracle cream, foundation, or mascara. However, as with any industry, there were some who sought to profit from the craze in unethical ways. This is the story of the grey market goods in the beauty industry. The Advice Sisters warned readers about diversion and gray market goods way back in 2008 and we revised the story in 2020.
In some cases, it is easy to tell if you have purchased a diverted or grey-market product. The packaging might be slightly different, with a word misspelled or scratched out, no expiration date, etc. If the price is too good to be true, it probably isn’t the real thing. But people who diver products or make fakes are quite skilled at making you think you’ve gotten the real thing when you haven’t.
Not What They Seem:
These goods were typically purchased in bulk from wholesalers in countries where they were sold at a lower price. They were then shipped to other countries, where they were re-packaged or put into old but original containers. Then these are sold as the original brand for slightly less than the actual one. These goods were not authorized for sale in these new markets, meaning they were not tested for safety or efficacy. In fact, they often contained lower quality or counterfeit ingredients, posing a risk to the health of those who used them.
Nancy’s Story:
Consider the story of a consumer I’ll call “Nancy.” Nancy was browsing an online beauty store and was excited about seeing a luxury shampoo that she liked and at a lower price than most places. She placed an order and eagerly awaited its arrival.
However, after using the product a few times, Sarah noticed that her hair was brittle and her skin was becoming red and irritated. She went to a dermatologist who informed her that the product she had been using contained harmful ingredients not meant for human use, including dishwashing detergent and Formaldehyde. In fact, the shampoo Sarah purchased unknowingly put her health at risk to save a few pennies.
From that day on, Nancy made sure to only buy products from authorized retailers such as her salon, or the company website, even if they were more expensive. She also spread the word to her friends and family about the dangers of grey market goods in the beauty industry. Slowly but surely, more people began to understand the risks, and demand for these products decreased.
What To Do With a Diverted Product:
First of all, don’t use it!
If you have purchased professional salon products outside of a salon, and find that you have purchased diverted goods, bring back the items to the store, and tell the manager that you are aware that the items are grey market goods. Show your concern. Tell the manager you will tell others about the situation in that store.
If you purchase online, contact customer service. Some places will take back grey market goods. I hate to suggest it, but if you can’t return it, dump it! Your health is worth more than a bottle, jar, or tube of beauty products!
Also, you can share what you have just learned from reading this post and others who might not be aware of this issue. Ask your favorite bloggers not to direct you to non-authorized sites for these types of items. If they don’t respond, switch your readership! Advicesisters.com is happy to have you here.
The Bottom Line:
I wish I could say that things in the beauty industry have improved. They have, a little, but sadly, there are still diverted and grey market goods everywhere. It’s up to you to be an informed consumer. If you want to get the most out of your health and beauty please be careful to purchase only products that are tested for safety and efficacy and authorized for sale in the markets they are being sold in. That is why advicesisters.com will generally point you to an official website for a product. We do this as a courtesy to you. But we aren’t compensated for the link unless we disclose it as a sponsored link or post.
