Recent conversations with fellow professionals and clients have prompted me to post this message to further inform and educate you about sources for professional skincare and beauty products. Professional skincare companies manufacture and distribute their products for sale through authorized sellers, better known as licensed estheticians. The esthetician travels to the company for in-depth product training. She learns all about the product line, its features and benefits, the ingredients, how to use it, and any contraindications. She can then provide a superior service and product offering to her clients that will serve the client's interests and enhance her client's well being. Do you KNOW and TRUST the source of your professional skincare products?
What is Product Diversion?
When professional skincare or beauty products are sold by unauthorized retailers and "e tailers" the practice becomes known as product diversion. It is also referred to as the "gray market" or "parallel distribution". Not quite as scary as the "black market", but it too can prove to be harmful to your health. The practice of product diversion disrupts the established distribution between the manufacturer and their authorized, licensed sellers. "Gray market" products are not usually obtained outside of authorized sellers. They are obtained illegally through fraud. Discount stores, discount pharmacies, warehouse clubs and on-line retailers (e tailers) are more than happy to sell these "diverted goods". It's great for their bottom line. These unauthorized sellers are able to profit off the labor of the manufacturer and the authorized sellers that originally developed and supported the market for these products. It's like taking candy from a baby. The product name and reputation is established and sound. Now the "gray marketers" can sit back and profit off the original success without any real effort on their part.
How does this affect me?
The safety and efficacy of the products comes into question. Diverted products could have been tampered with, counterfeited or stolen. What about products that are old and long past their expiry date? How much have they degraded? How were they warehoused? Is it real or is it a copy? Where was it manufactured? How did the unauthorized seller obtain the products? You are not receiving value for your hard earned money when you purchase professional skincare products from an unauthorized seller. Purchasing your products from an outside source may harm your health and might put you at risk for an infection. At Facial Zen, I purchase directly from the manufacturer on a regular basis to ensure a product of the highest quality. I do not tamper with the products in my possession. I store the products safely and correctly to ensure their quality. I educate you on their use and I offer a product return service on goods purchased at Facial Zen.
