Terms of Use

Last updated: 18 April 2026

Welcome to Skinstore. These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your use of our website, skinstore.co.za (the "Site"), and any tools, content or services we offer, including the Build My Routine tool (the "Routine Builder") and our WhatsApp, email and online advisory services (together, "Advisory Services"). By using the Site you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

Delivery, returns and privacy are dealt with in our Shipping Policy, Return Policy and Privacy Policy respectively. Those policies form part of these Terms and are not repeated here.

1. About us

Skinstore is an online retailer of professional skincare products based in South Africa. Contact details are available on our Contact page.

2. Eligibility

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase from Skinstore. Some products we sell are suitable for paediatric or adolescent skin and may be purchased by an adult for use on a child or teenager, under that adult's supervision. By placing an order you confirm that you are at least 18 and legally able to enter into a contract with us.

3. Products, pricing and orders

We take reasonable care to ensure that product descriptions, ingredient lists, images and prices on the Site are accurate. Formulations, packaging and pricing may change from time to time; images are illustrative. We reserve the right to correct pricing errors and to refuse or cancel any order where a pricing, stock or description error has occurred. Your order is accepted only when we confirm it by email or despatch the product.

4. Product condition and expiry

Every skincare product we sell carries an expiry date or period-after-opening (PAO) marking (for example, "12M" for 12 months after first opening). We perform routine stock checks and do our best to despatch products well within their shelf life.

Responsibility for checking the condition and expiry of a product before each use lies with you as the end user. Once a product leaves our warehouse we cannot know how it has been transported, stored, or how long it has been open at your home. You agree to:

  • Inspect your order on delivery and before first use;
  • Check the printed expiry date or PAO on each product; and
  • Store products according to the manufacturer's instructions (temperature, light, closure).

If a product is expired or materially damaged on delivery, please contact us within a reasonable time and we will replace or refund it in terms of our Return Policy. We are not responsible for expiry or deterioration that occurs after the product has been in your possession.

5. The Routine Builder

The Routine Builder is an automated tool that suggests skincare products based on the information you submit. It was designed with input from dermal aestheticians and medical professionals, but it is a general guide only.

You acknowledge and agree that:

  • Recommendations are generated automatically by an algorithm working from the answers you provide. They are only ever as accurate as the information you enter; if your inputs are incomplete, inaccurate or out of date, the recommendation may not be suitable for you.
  • The Routine Builder is not a medical device, does not examine your skin, does not review your full medical history, and does not replace a professional skin analysis, medical diagnosis, treatment plan or advice from a qualified dermatologist, dermal aesthetician, pharmacist or other healthcare provider.
  • The Routine Builder cannot anticipate every possible adverse reaction you may have to a product or combination of products.
  • You are solely responsible for the products you purchase and how you use them.

Skinstore is not liable for any adverse reaction, irritation, rash, sensitisation, breakout, pigmentation change, photosensitivity, barrier damage, worsening of an existing condition, allergic response or other loss, injury, cost or disappointment suffered as a result of a product purchased on the basis of a Routine Builder recommendation.

6. WhatsApp and online Advisory Services

Our Advisory Services (WhatsApp chat, email, online skin assessments and any remote consultation we offer) are provided by qualified professionals. Advice is given solely on the basis of the information you supply and any images you share with us.

Remote advice has real limitations. Our team cannot physically examine your skin, perform in-clinic diagnostic tests, take a full medical history, or observe how a product is being used. Remote advice therefore carries more risk than an in-person consultation and does not constitute a medical diagnosis or a substitute for an in-person consultation with a qualified dermatologist or other healthcare professional.

We strongly recommend that you book an in-person consultation with a dermatologist — or at minimum a thorough online skin assessment conducted by a qualified professional — particularly if you:

  • have a history of severe allergies or anaphylaxis;
  • are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive;
  • are taking prescription medication (including oral or topical retinoids such as isotretinoin/Accutane);
  • have recently finished a course of isotretinoin/Accutane;
  • have a medical condition affecting the skin or general health (for example, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, an autoimmune disease or a hormonal disorder);
  • have recently undergone an aesthetic procedure (chemical peel, laser / IPL, microneedling, injectables) or have one planned; or
  • have very sensitive skin or a compromised skin barrier.

You agree that if you provide inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information to our Advisory Services, Skinstore cannot be held responsible for the suitability of any product recommended to you.

7. Adverse reactions and your responsibilities

Skincare products can cause adverse reactions in some users, even when used as directed and even when correctly matched to the user. Possible reactions include, without limitation: allergic reactions and contact dermatitis, rashes, itching, burning, stinging, redness, dryness, breakouts or "purging", photosensitivity and sunburn, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, barrier damage, and in rare cases more serious reactions requiring medical attention.

Skinstore does not manufacture the products it sells. You acknowledge that skincare carries inherent risk that we cannot eliminate, however carefully we curate our products and advise our customers. As the end user, you agree that you are responsible for:

  • reading and following each product's label, insert and manufacturer directions;
  • checking the ingredient list against any known allergies or sensitivities before use;
  • patch-testing a new product on a small area of skin for at least 48 hours before wider application;
  • checking expiry dates and product condition before each use;
  • providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information when using the Routine Builder or Advisory Services, including disclosing allergies, medical conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, current medications and recent aesthetic procedures;
  • seeking advice from a qualified healthcare professional where appropriate (see section 6);
  • stopping use immediately and seeking medical advice if you experience any adverse reaction.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Skinstore is not liable for any adverse reaction or other loss arising from the use or misuse of a product, whether the product was purchased via the Routine Builder, on the recommendation of our Advisory Services, or independently by you.

8. Not medical advice

Nothing on the Site — including product descriptions, blog articles, the Routine Builder, and communications via the Advisory Services — constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a suitably qualified healthcare professional before starting a new skincare regimen if you have any underlying condition or fall into any of the categories listed in section 6.

9. Account and conduct

If you create an account with us, you are responsible for keeping your login details confidential and for all activity under your account. You agree not to misuse the Site, upload harmful content, scrape the Site for commercial purposes, or use it to infringe the rights of others.

10. Intellectual property

The Site, its content, branding, product photography, copy and the Routine Builder tool are owned by Skinstore or its licensors and are protected by South African and international copyright, trade mark and other intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, republish or exploit any part of the Site without our prior written consent, except for ordinary personal shopping use.

11. Third-party links

The Site may link to third-party websites (for example brand pages or WhatsApp). We are not responsible for the content, policies or practices of those sites and including a link does not imply endorsement.

12. Disclaimers

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Site, the Routine Builder and the Advisory Services are provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy or non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Site, the Routine Builder or the Advisory Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free from viruses or other harmful components.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes any right you have under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 or any other South African legislation that cannot lawfully be excluded.

13. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Skinstore, its directors, employees, contractors and affiliates will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive or consequential loss or damage, or for any loss of profit, revenue, data, goodwill, or medical cost, arising out of or in connection with your use of the Site, the Routine Builder, the Advisory Services, or any product purchased from us.

Where liability cannot lawfully be excluded, our total liability to you in respect of any claim will be limited to the amount you paid for the product giving rise to the claim.

14. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold Skinstore harmless from any claim, loss, liability or expense (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of your breach of these Terms, your supply of inaccurate or misleading information to the Routine Builder or Advisory Services, your misuse of the Site, or your use of any product contrary to its label instructions or the advice of a healthcare professional.

15. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Site after the update constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

16. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the South African courts.

17. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Reach us via the Contact page on the Site or on WhatsApp at +27 63 639 8887.