Beauty Resale: Can You Safely Buy Opened or Swatched Beauty?

Okay, let’s talk about the question everyone asks when they first get into secondhand beauty: “Is it safe to buy something that’s been opened or swatched?”

Short answer: Yes, if you know what to look for. Long answer: Let’s walk through it together.

At Glou, we’re all about helping you shop secondhand beauty smarter. That means not just chasing great deals, but understanding what’s safe to bring home — and what to leave behind.

👁️ First things first: What do we mean by “swatched” or “opened”?

• Swatched = a product that’s been lightly tested, usually on the hand or arm, using clean hands or using a disposable swab or freshly cleaned brush.

• Opened = a product that’s had the seal broken, but not necessarily used.

The thing is, not all “opened” beauty is the same. And not all of it is risky.

 ✅ What’s usually safe to buy secondhand (even if opened or swatched): 

1. Powder products

Blush, eyeshadow, bronzer, pressed setting powders — these are your secondhand MVPs. If they’ve been lightly swatched or gently used, you can scrape off the top layer and sanitize with a little 70% isopropyl alcohol. This is actually what makeup artists do on set inbetween clients to keep things hygienic.

2. Pencil products

Lip liners, brow pencils, eyeliners — these can be sharpened down to a fresh tip. You can also give them a quick alcohol wipe for extra safety. Easy and relatively low risk.

3. Lipsticks in bullet form

If it’s a traditional lipstick and not a liquid or gloss, you can sanitize the top layer. Use a clean makeup spatula or knife to slice off the top, and disinfect the surface with alcohol. (Just make sure the packaging is in good shape too.)

 ❌ What to be extra careful with: 

1. Creams, liquids, and glosses

This includes concealers, foundations, cream shadows, balms, and anything in a pot or with applied with a built in applicator. Once opened, these formulas can harbor bacteria — especially if they’ve come into contact with fingers or skin. If you do choose to buy, only go for items that are nearly full, gently swatched, and from trusted sellers.

2. Skincare with active ingredients

Vitamin C serums, exfoliating acids, or retinol products can degrade quickly once opened — and you don’t want to take a gamble on potency or safety. If it’s been opened, double-check the expiration or batch code first (check our last blog if you need help decoding!).

🔍 What to always check before buying used or swatched:

• Packaging: Is it clean, intact, and not leaking or broken?

• Product appearance: Any color changes, funky smells, or texture issues? That’s a red flag 🚩

• How it was stored: Ask the seller — if it’s been kept cool and out of sunlight, great. If it lived in a hot ca or in the bathroom cabinet for 2 years? Hard pass.

• How it’s been used: “Swatched once” is very different from “used for a month.”

💡 Glou’s Golden Rule: 

If you wouldn’t feel totally comfortable putting it on your face, don’t buy it — no matter how cute the packaging or tempting the price. Everyone's risk tolerance is different. Some people share food, others would never. But if you think about it, if you've ever had your makeup done at a counter or used a tester... you've used "used" beauty products before. It all depends on the handling, and type of product. Packaging you can't open, like non-refillable perfume bottles, or products you've purchased before that you know come with a seal on the tube, carry much less risk than products that can be tampered with. But there are so many honest sellers out there who have fallen victim to over-buying beauty products, so go out there and try rehoming some beauty products! There's something for everyone's risk level.

🛍️ So… can you buy opened or swatched beauty?

Yes — but not all products are created equal.

Stick with low-risk items, make sure you can sanitize them properly, and only shop from sellers or you trust. When in doubt, ask questions. Smarter beauty isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being informed. And that’s what we’re here for.

Check out our full guide to batch codes if you missed it!

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Why You Should Trust Us

At Glou Beauty, we've spent years immersed in the beauty resale space — building the first purpose-built marketplace for secondhand beauty, gathering real-world data, and working closely with buyers and sellers. Our insights aren’t just theory — they’re informed by lived experience, interviews, and behind-the-scenes knowledge from every corner of the industry. We know what works, what doesn’t, and what’s worth your time (and money). Whether you're here to rehome your stash or shop smartly, you can trust that every Glou guide is grounded in honesty, expertise, and a deep love for beauty — minus the waste.