How to buy authentic luxury skincare on Amazon

Before you buy: check the seller

Every Amazon product page shows who ships the item and who sells it, near the Add to Cart button. These can be different. The safest pattern is an item sold by Amazon, or sold by the brand's own account. Many luxury brands have a store page on Amazon, reached from the brand name link near the product title; buying from a listing you reached through that store is a sensible default.

If the seller is a third party you do not recognize, click the seller name and read the seller profile and recent feedback before buying. A price far below what the brand charges elsewhere is a reason to look harder, not a reason to buy.

1. 1

   Open the product page and find the ships from and sold by lines.

2. 2

   Prefer sold by Amazon or sold by the brand.

3. 3

   Click the brand name link and confirm the product appears in the brand's store.

4. 4

   For third-party sellers, open the seller profile and read recent feedback.

5. 5

   Compare the price with the brand's own website price.

6. 6

   Check the return policy shown for that seller before you order.

Read the listing details

Compare the listing with the brand's own product page: the product name, size in ml and fl oz, and the packaging photos should match. For example, Shiseido lists Future Solution LX Legendary Enmei Ultimate Renewing Cream as a 50 ml jar that comes with a spatula, and SK-II lists Facial Treatment Essence in a 7.7 oz size. If a listing shows a size the brand does not sell, or photos that do not match, be cautious.

Pay attention to whether the listing is a refill, a set or a travel size. A refill pod looks different from a full jar, and Shiseido's Total Protective Cream SPF 30 in our guides, for example, is listed as a refill. Our refills explained and mini vs full size pages help you read those listings.

When the box arrives

Inspect the package before opening the product. Most luxury cartons are sealed, often with cellophane or a sticker seal. Jars commonly have an inner seal or a freshness seal; Shiseido mentions removing a freshness seal when inserting its refill pods.

• Outer seal intact and not re-glued.
• Clean, sharp printing on the carton, with no spelling errors.
• A batch code printed or stamped on the carton and on the container, and the two match.
• A period-after-opening symbol, such as 12M, on the carton or container.
• An ingredient list on the carton.
• Inner seal or freshness seal intact.
• Texture, color and scent consistent with the brand's description.

Batch codes and the period-after-opening symbol

A batch code is a short string of letters and numbers the maker uses to track production. It is usually stamped or printed on the bottom of the carton and on the jar or bottle. On a genuine product the codes are normally present on both and match. A missing, scratched-off or mismatched code is a warning sign.

The period-after-opening symbol, an open jar icon with a number and M, tells you how many months the brand suggests using the product after opening. It does not prove authenticity on its own, but it should be there on luxury skincare. Our page on whether skincare expires explains both markings.

Note.Do not use a product whose seal is broken, whose batch codes are missing or do not match, or whose texture or smell seems off. Keep the packaging and contact the seller or Amazon about a return.

If something looks wrong

Brands can usually confirm whether a batch code is valid if you contact their customer service with the code and a photo. Keep the receipt or order confirmation.

1. 1

   Stop. Do not open or use the product.

2. 2

   Photograph the carton, seals, batch codes and the shipping label.

3. 3

   Contact the seller through your Amazon order page.

4. 4

   Request a return or refund through Amazon's return process.

5. 5

   If the item was sold by a third party and you do not get a response, use Amazon's customer service options for the order.

Before you use a new jar

Even a genuine product can disagree with your skin. Patch test on a small area for a few days before using it on the face, as described in our patch test guide. If you have a skin condition, or notice stinging, burning or redness, stop and ask a dermatologist. Store the product away from heat and direct sun once it arrives; see how to store luxury skincare.

To compare products before buying, our guides list sizes and price per ml: the Shiseido Future Solution LX guide, the SK-II guide and the La Prairie guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is luxury skincare on Amazon real? Listings sold by Amazon or by the brand's own account are the safest. For third-party sellers, check the seller profile and feedback before buying.

Where should I buy Shiseido or SK-II on Amazon? Use the brand's store link from the product page and check that the item is sold by Amazon or the brand.

What does the batch code tell me? It identifies the production batch. It should be present and match on the carton and container; the brand can usually confirm it.

Is a much lower price a red flag? It can be. Compare with the brand's own price, and check the seller and packaging carefully.