When it comes to buying skincare products online, two major players stand out – Skinstore and Dermstore. Both retailers offer a wide selection of professional skincare brands at discounted prices.
But which one should you choose for your skincare needs?
Here is a detailed comparison of skinstore and dermstore to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Skinstore | Dermstore |
| Founded | 1996 in UK, 2008 in US | 1999 in US |
| Brand Selection | Luxury, international skincare | Clinical, clean beauty |
| Prices | 20-25% off MSRP | 20-25% off MSRP |
| Rewards | 5-10% back in credit | 5-10% back in credit |
| Shipping | Free on $49+ | Free on $49+ |
| Returns | 60 days | 60 days |
| Website | Modern, easy to navigate | More educational, dense |
| Mobile App | iOS and Android apps | No app |
| Ownership | Private | Owned by Walgreens |
Overview Of Skinstore And Dermstore
Skinstore and Dermstore are both popular online destinations for buying clinical skincare products.
Skinstore first launched in the UK in 1996 and opened its US website in 2008. It carries over 200 skincare, makeup, haircare, and body care brands with new products constantly being added. Some key brands available are Decleor, Elemis, Erno Laszlo,SkinCeuticals, Obagi, NuFace, and Murad.
Dermstore was founded in 1999 and features over 300 beauty brands. It offers medical-grade skin, hair, and body care products. Some popular brands sold by Dermstore include SkinMedica, EltaMD, iS Clinical, SkinCeuticals, and Revision Skincare.
Both retailers offer products that are 100% authentic and ship from the US. They also have licensed estheticians and skin experts on staff to provide advice if needed.
Comparison Between Skinstore And Dermstore
Pricing and Discounts
When it comes to pricing, both Skinstore and Dermstore offer products at 20-25% off MSRP on average. They regularly run promotions with discounts up to 50% off on select items.
Skinstore has daily deals with deep discounts on certain products each day. They also offer value sets that bundle full-size and deluxe samples at a reduced price.
Dermstore runs weekly deals called Weekly Wow with new discounted products each week. They also have value kits and occasionally offer extra discounts with coupon codes.
For the best deal, look out forsitewide sales on both sites around major holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Overall pricing is very similar between the two retailers.
Rewards Programs
Skinstore Rewards is a free loyalty program that gives 5% back in store credit for each purchase. After spending $300, you reach VIP status for 10% back. They also reward customers on their birthday and Skinstore anniversary.
Dermstore Rewards is also a free program that earns you 5% back in credits, extra discounts, free gifts, and free shipping. You need to spend $300 in a year to reach Platinum status for 10% rewards.
The rewards programs are very comparable. But Skinstore might be slightly better for the birthday gift and store anniversary bonus.
Shipping and Returns
Skinstore offers free shipping to the US and Canada on orders over $49. For orders under $49, there is a $4.95 shipping fee.
Dermstore also provides free shipping to the US and Canada on $49+ orders. Otherwise, shipping is $5.95 for orders under $49.
Both sites ship products quickly in 1-5 business days. They pack items well to prevent damage and ship using trusted carriers like UPS and FedEx.
For returns, Skinstore and Dermstore both provide a 60 day window to return most products if you are unsatisfied. Some exceptions like hair care have a shorter 30 day policy. The retailers offer easy online returns with pre-paid shipping labels. Once received, you get a refund in 3-5 business days.
The shipping and return policies are very similar between the two retailers.
Website Experience
Skinstore and Dermstore both have user-friendly website interfaces that make shopping easy. Products are logically categorized by concern like anti-aging, acne, dryness, etc. There are also expert tips and buying guides to help you select products.
Skinstore has a cleaner, more modern look and feel to their website. The product pages contain helpful information like full ingredients lists, what the items are formulated without, and product reviews. They also have an online skin profile quiz you can take to find personalized product matches.
Dermstore’s website is more text heavy with detailed product descriptions and usage tips. The product pages highlight key ingredients and show clinical studies and awards earned by the brand. They also have a very comprehensive solution center with guides for every skincare need.
Overall, Skinstore offers a smoother browsing experience. But Dermstore provides more in-depth product information and education.
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Brand Selection
In terms of brand selection, there is considerable overlap between Skinstore and Dermstore, but some unique differences as well.
Here are some skincare brands sold at both retailers:
- SkinCeuticals
- SkinMedica
- Obagi
- iS Clinical
- EltaMD
- Neocutis
- Replenix
- Jan Marini
- Revision Skincare
Some major skincare brands found only at Skinstore include:
- Elemis
- Erno Laszlo
- REN Clean Skincare
- Murad
- Kate Somerville
- Dermalogica
Key skincare brands sold only at Dermstore include:
- Dr Dennis Gross
- Peter Thomas Roth
- First Aid Beauty
- Eminence Organic
- HydroPeptide
- Neova
As you can see, there is a lot of overlap, but some unique choices depending on which site you shop at. Skinstore offers more international luxury skincare brands while Dermstore focuses on clinical and clean beauty brands.
Professional Services
Along with skincare products, both retailers offer some professional skincare services.
Skinstore provides customized skincare routines through their Skin Profilers program. You fill out an online questionnaire and upload photos, then get matched with products best for your skin issues and goals.
Dermstore also has an expert program called Derm Consult. You answer survey questions and add photos. Then a licensed esthetician reviews your case and provides skincare recommendations.
The professional consultation services are very similar. Skinstore claims to use machine learning technology for more accuracy while Dermstore touts their team of board-certified dermatologists. But both offer an easy way to get personalized skincare advice and product suggestions from the comfort of home.
Specialty Department
Along with general skincare, Skinstore and Dermstore both have a few specialty departments worth noting:
- Skinstore Men: A dedicated section for men’s grooming with shaving creams, beard oils, face washes and more.
- Dermstore Beauty Vault: Carries premium makeup and beauty tools not available in the regular store.
- Skinstore Sunscreen Shop: Huge selection of sunscreens with over 170 options from reef-safe to tinted physical formulas.
- Dermstore Haircare Shop: Extensive collection of professional hair products for all hair types and concerns.
So if you are looking for men’s skincare, high-end makeup, sun protection, or hair products, make sure to browse the specialty shops.
Mobile Apps
Skinstore has iOS and Android mobile apps that make shopping on your phone easy. You can browse products, access your account, track orders, and more. Dermstore currently does not offer any mobile apps. So Skinstore is more convenient for shopping on the go.
Also Read: Comparison Between Ilia And Beautycounter.
Pros And Cons Of Skinstore and Dermstore
Here is a quick rundown of the main pros and cons for each retailer:
Skinstore
Pros:
- Wide selection of luxury skincare brands
- Modern and easy to navigate website
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Good rewards program with extra bonuses
- Large sunscreen department
Cons:
- Limited selection of clean/natural brands
- Fewer detailed product descriptions
Dermstore
Pros:
- Broad assortment of clinical and clean beauty brands
- In-depth product information and education
- Specialized haircare shop
- Derm Consult program for personalized advice
Cons:
- Website is busier and text heavy
- No mobile shopping apps
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Dermstore sells 100% authentic and genuine professional skincare and beauty products. They are an authorized retailer for all the brands they carry. Dermstore has been selling luxury clinical skincare online for over 20 years with a reputation for exceptional customer service. You can shop with confidence knowing you will receive real products.
Dermstore is highly reputable and one of the most trusted online skincare retailers. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau with reviews praising their excellent service. Dermstore is frequently recommended by dermatologists and beauty publications as a go-to source for medical-grade skincare products. They stand behind their products with easy returns if you are unsatisfied.
SkinStore is headquartered in Oxfordshire, UK, where their business first began in 1996. SkinStore opened their US website in 2008 and have warehouses located in Kentucky and Nevada to service US orders quickly. Products ship directly from their US warehouses to deliver quickly to customers all over the country.
Dermstore is owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance, one of the largest pharmaceutical retailers worldwide. Dermstore was acquired by Walgreens in 2013 but continues to operate as a standalone company specializing in premium skincare. The backing of Walgreens allows Dermstore to offer great perks like free shipping and rewards while providing excellent access to top skincare brands.
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Verdict
When choosing between Skinstore and Dermstore, consider which selection of brands appeal to you and if you value a more educational versus convenient shopping experience.
Skinstore is ideal for those seeking luxurious, international skincare brands in an easy-to-use modern interface. Dermstore excels at providing a wide range of clinical brands complemented by thorough product information.
Both retailers offer discounted prices, excellent customer service, and high-quality products. For the best access to top skincare brands at reduced prices, you can’t go wrong shopping with either Skinstore or Dermstore.
Consider trying out both to take advantage of new customer discounts and rewards.