I originally posted a warning about the expired moisturizer in the April Birchbox. I spoke with a representative from BeFine at the Cosmoprof North America Trade Show earlier this week to find out exactly what had happened as many members on Makeup Talk as well as those on my Facebook wall were affected.
Out of all the box combinations that month 14 box variations contained the expired moisturizer and due to the members of MUT I was able to contact Birchbox about the problem whom in turn contacted BeFine within 48 hours of my initial email to them. Unfortunately not everyone who had the expired product were contacted by Birchbox or did not contact Birchbox about it; many are probably unaware of the problem to this day.
BeFine was exhibiting at Cosmoprof in Las Vegas and I had the chance to speak with Mike, managing director of BeFine, to find out exactly what had happened.
BeFine Fine Food Skin Care launched in 2006 after Florence Sender realized that there was a missing link in the beauty industry. Having a background in the food business she turned food into a skin care company that we now know as BeFine.
The mistake that happened in the April Birchbox was the result of human error. A manager who worked in the warehouse had accidentally sent out the packets without checking the expiration date but as soon as BeFine was notified of the problem from Birchbox (thanks to the members of MakeupTalk informing me and I in turn contacted Birchbox and encouraged them to contact Birchbox) they took steps to rectify the situation with Birchbox members which included offering to send members replacement products and offered a deep discount on full size products to those affected. Unfortunately, many Birchbox members who were affected may not have realized that they were among those who received expired products as only 500 replacements were issued. If you received the BeFine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 from Birchbox as a sample in the April 2012 box you can still contact BeFine for a replacement. My suggestion is to take a screenshot of your account showing you received the BeFine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 that way they know you were indeed among those affected.
Mike also informed me that they had an independent laboratory test the products for effectiveness after the Birchbox incident and the results of the test came back as the product still being safe and effective. I know this won't satisfy some people who are worried about using an expired product however if you DID use the product and didn't realize it was expired then rest assured you're fine.
Again, those affected by the Birchbox-BeFine expired Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 you can contact BeFine for a replacement at [email protected].
