Discount department stores such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross are catching the attention of budget-conscious beauty enthusiasts. These stores offer extensive beauty product sections featuring high-end brands at reduced prices. Customers can often find discounted products from popular retailers like Sephora and Ulta. However, while some shoppers have scored impressive deals, others have encountered products that are expired or nearing their expiration date.
Certain active ingredients in skincare products, including vitamin C, retinoids, and chemical sunscreen filters, are particularly vulnerable to environmental factors such as heat, light, and humidity. Exposure to these elements can cause degradation, leading to reduced effectiveness of the product. Dr. Geeta Yadav pointed out that many skincare ingredients are "considered volatile or unstable," emphasizing that such products should only be opened when ready for use.
“There are many ingredients used in skin care products that are considered volatile or unstable, which is why [products] should only be opened for use,” – Dr. Geeta Yadav
Signs of degradation in skincare products often manifest as a color shift. Esther Olu noted that this transformation "is often indicated by a color shift from clear or pale yellow to orange or brown." Such changes can be a clear indicator that the product may no longer provide its intended benefits.
“This degradation is often indicated by a color shift from clear or pale yellow to orange or brown,” – Esther Olu
The allure of discounted beauty products is hard to resist, especially given the high cost of high-end foundations and trendy skincare items. Foundations can range from $38 to $270, while popular skincare products vary from $28 to over $200. The financial incentive is evident for many customers who are eager to save money without compromising on quality.
Social media platforms like TikTok have become a place where users share videos of their beauty hauls from these discount department stores. While some customers celebrate their finds, the absence of testers at these locations compared to stores like Sephora or Ulta means that shoppers often open packages to test products themselves. This practice can lead to further degradation of the products.
Interestingly, some items find their way into discount stores due to overstock or repackaging by brands. A Reddit user explained that when brands have excess inventory, they "cut a deal and send them to a place like TJ to recoup some money."
“When items are sent to the brand’s warehouse due to overstock, repacking, etc., the brand then cuts a deal and sends them to a place like TJ to recoup some $.” – A Reddit user
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