April 21st, 2018

Cosmetic counterfeits=poison!

​Buying products online can be a TOXIC situation. A recent report (Jan 2018) by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (link here) states that ALL of the cosmetic products that they tested were counterfeit. One hundred percent or 13 out of 13 products bought off of consumer websites like Amazon and Walmart were not authentic.

And if that were not bad enough, according to testing by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the tested cosmetics had hazardous substances, including cyanide, arsenic, mercury, lead, urine, and rat droppings. Is it worth your health to get a tenner or a twenty off?

With the consumer push for fresher and organic skincare, buyer beware when buying your organic products off Amazon. How can you protect yourself? In short, don't buy from third party sellers. Only buy from legitimate distributors. Excerpting the report:

According to consumer protection organizations and government agencies, consumers can take the following steps to try to limit the risks of buying counterfeit goods online.

1. Locate the listed retailer on the product page and determine whether it is a third party. “Fulfilled by” does not mean “Sold by.”
2. Look for external consumer trust–building features, such as a mailing address or telephone number, real-time customer service, customer reviews, or third-party accreditation that can be verified through the accreditor.
3. Buy products only from authorized retailers, such as official brand stores. If uncertain whether a retailer acquired its product from a legitimate distributor, ask for verifiable information from the retailer about the source of the goods.
4. Be aware of pricing. While some counterfeiters may try to legitimize their merchandise with realistic prices, others may attract buyers with low prices. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
5. During checkout, ensure your payments are submitted via a website beginning with https:// and look for a lock symbol in your web browser.
6. After receiving an item, look for signs that it may be counterfeit, such as irregular brand markings; missing “use by” dates, safety seals, or markings; and missing warranty information. Verify the item’s serial number by checking the manufacturer’s website.
7. If you suspect that you have purchased a counterfeit product, notify the brand owner and contact the place of purchase. Also, report the counterfeit at http://www.iprcenter.gov/referral. To report an unsafe consumer product, visit http://www.SaferProducts.gov. According to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, word-of-mouth is the best way to spread information about illegitimate products as well as sources of safe, affordable, and legal alternatives. For further information, consult http://www.stopfakes.gov

At Skinwise Rx, we carry authentic products. We promise no added urine, arsenic, lead, mercury, cyanide, or poop (of any kind). Support your local businesses and buy from those that promise to sell the true product. We are authentic distributors of Epionce and Obagi Medical Skincare.

#authentic #hardpass #poison #trustedseller @skinwiserx