Website Sells Used Cosmetics At Discounted Prices
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Buying things used or second-hand is a great way to save money, and now, that includes cosmetics.
But do the potential health risks outweigh the savings?
"I thought, that's a little alarming and strange, but of course I want to try it," customer Kendall Rae said.
Rae is talking about her first experience with Glambot, a website that buys and sells used cosmetics.
"This [make-up] was extremely discounted, and it was cool to be able to buy something like this that I wouldn't normally be able to," she said.
Glambot sells make-up at least 20 percent below retail. They buy it from people who have products they don't like, don't use or simply don't want anymore. The website accepts specific brands that are at least half-filled and not expired.
"It looks brand new, there's not even a smudge on it," Rae said.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
"We try to provide a safe platform for them to buy discounted, authentic high quality make-up," Glambot CEO and founder Karen Horiuchi.
Horiuchi is Glambot's founder. She says there's strict quality control and authentication before a product is accepted for re-sale. And then there's stringent cleaning.
"We do use different alcohol solutions and other oil emollients and clean the outer container," Horiuchi said, "and we also remove the top layer of the product so it's virgin product."
"You're like, there's no way this is used or hasn't been cleaned," Rae said. "It looks new, smells like the company's does."
The company puts a distinctive seal on the cleaned make-up so can easily tell if it's been cleaned and inspected. And while there are lots of positive product reviews, not everyone's had a good experience, and dermatologist Dr. Howard Sobel also has concerns about using pre-owned make-up.
"I know some of these products they're cleaning with alcohol, they're heating the products, but that's not really sterilizing," he said.
Dr. Sobel adds there's also potential for bacteria on a product. However, Horiuchi points out that sharing make-up is common for women, usually without consequence.
"People have had make-up put on for weddings, other events, when they have a makeover at physical stores," she said, "so Glambot is actually that, but better."
"Most of the time, nothing's gonna happen. You're not going to have a problem," Dr. Sobel said. "It's just that person that does have a problem. So is it worth the chance? I'm going to leave it up to you."
Glambot does not re-sell all cosmetics. They don't sell items like mascara, lip gloss or anything with a wand or multi-use applicator, as well as opened bottles of skin lotions or creams.
