WARNING: Birchbox + Befine - EXPIRED products!

Apr 20, 2012

Yasmin K.

I posted about this the other day on my Facebook and did a follow up on the matter on my blog however I felt that this info needs to get out as some people might not get the email from Birchbox or overlook it. The problem affects 14 of the 32 box variations which means it's possible that almost half of Birchbox subscribers are affected by this problem.

http://zadidoll.blogspot.com/2012/04/warning-birchbox-befine-expired.html

It came to my attention a few days ago, which I in turn contacted Birchbox about, that several of my members at Makeup Talk received the Befine products with expired dates. In the case of SPF it's VITAL that you do NOT use the product if it has an expired date because SPF does indeed lose effectiveness over time.

Several other members also contact Birchbox about it and were awarded 100 points (which is a $10 Birchbox credit). Some of the email replies from Birchbox staff stated that the Befine products sent out were supposed to have been new and made for Birchbox by Befine, obviously this was not the case as many of my members received the Befine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 with expiration dates dating back to 2009 or 2010. So shame on Befine for sending expired products to Birchbox in the first place.

The boxes affected are boxes 4, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31 and 32. That's 14 box combinations with expired product.

Befine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 [4] [8] [9] [10] [15] [16] [22] [23] [24] [27] [28] [29] [31] [32]
Befine Exfoliating Cleanser [8] [9] [15] [16] [23] [27]
Befine Gentle Cleanser [4] [10] [22] [24] [28] [29]
Befine Night Cream [31] [32]

Personally I did not get a box with Befine products in it, my own box was box 3 so I did not get the following email but it was shared in the Makeup Talk April Birchbox thread.

Dear Birchbox Customer,

It has come to our attention that a small number of the Befine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 samples included in our April boxes may have passed their expiration dates. Please check the stamp on the outside of your packet of Befine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15. If your sample has expired, we advise you not to use the product, as the SPF is not guaranteed to be effective after the stated expiration date.

If you received an expired sample of the moisturizer, we would like to deposit 100 Birchbox Points in your account. Please complete this survery by April 27 to request the points award; your account will be updated by May 1.

We take pride in sending you high-quality products from great brands, typically their newest and best selling products. This situation is unacceptable and not representative of the Birchbox standard for product quality. We are working with Befine to determine the root cause of the error, and we deeply apologize for this experience.

All the best,
Hayley and Katia
Co-founders of Birchbox

Kudos to Birchbox for looking into the matter and resolving the problem by offering 100 Birchbox points (which is a $10 credit) to those who were affected but UNFORTUNATELY not all those affected may respond to having to fill out a survey. Still this is why Birchbox has awesome customer service because they WILL look into the matter and do something about a problem that affects potentially thousands of customers unlike other companies who brush off the problem (like Eco-Emi when they sent out expired chocolate... a consumable product... in the October 2011 and in November 2011 boxes).

Hopefully this experience will put into place a quality control check so in the future Birchbox warehouse staff CHECKS for expired dated on food products and items that contain SPF or Vitamin C (since that is another ingredient that doesn't have a long shelf life).

So if you received any of the Befine products this month from Birchbox CHECK YOUR EMAIL. If you didn't get an email from Birchbox today EMAIL them ASAP at info@birchbox.com. I would highly recommend that ANY product you buy or receive that you check for expiration dates.

Apr 21, 2012

Krysten H.

I've looked all over my box and can't find an expiration date anywhere... where is it?

Apr 21, 2012

Yasmin K.

I'm not entirely sure since I didn't get any Befine items. I'm asking those who did to post a picture which I'll share once I get it. :D It's suppose to be on the back of the Befine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Apr 22, 2012

Yasmin K.

Looks like the images are too large to post so here are the links from my Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=393338260699090&set=a.393338177365765.99406.148648338501418&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=393338744032375&set=a.393338177365765.99406.148648338501418&type=3

Apr 22, 2012

Amanda R.

It is stamped on the right side of the product (on mine anyway). It is VERY TINY! You may be able to feel it better that you can see it! Seriously! Hope this helps! (=
http://sweetsoutherntalk.blogspot.com/

Sep 18, 2012

Elle I.

I found this interesting. It's funny cause I purchased some befine products at rite aid (mint facial cleanser and heating clay mask) and I was super stoked to find Befine being sold there. Even more excited after the kit I bought rang up 1/2 off. Score!! No, not really... I got home and opened the package as soon as I could. Opened it up and gave myself a facial. As I did this I went through the packaging. I found a coupon inside for some amount of $ off another Befine product. I looked up at the expiration date and it had expired in 2009! Wtf?! It's 2012! Tried contacting befine Numerous times and always got an answering machine... Yes, a machine, not a voicemail... And needless to say, I never got a call back.