Skincare Split is an independent decant shop based in Vancouver, Canada. We buy genuine Korean skincare at retail — the same bottles you'd buy — and hand-repackage them into small sample sizes, so you can find out what your skin loves before paying full price. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands we sample; we're just fans of trying before committing. Everything below is how it actually works.
What exactly is a decant?
A decant is a small portion of a genuine full-size product, transferred by hand into a new, clean container — a 3–8ml dropper vial for serums, a small tube for creams and cleansers, a mini pump bottle for toners. The formula is the original product; only the container is ours. It's the same idea fragrance lovers have used for decades to try expensive perfumes.
Are your products authentic?
Yes. Every sample is decanted from a genuine, full-size product purchased through retail channels — we never buy grey-market bulk or "refill" liquids. You'll always see the full ingredient list and the full-size price on each product page, so you know exactly what you're trying and what committing to it later would cost.
How fresh are the samples, and how long do they last?
Samples are decanted in small batches close to when you order, in clean containers, with caps sealed for transit. Because a decant has been opened and transferred, we recommend using it within 6 months of receipt and storing it away from heat and direct sunlight — which is comfortably longer than it takes to know whether a product works for you.
Why does a sample cost more per ml than the full size?
Fair question — it does, and that's true of every sample and decant service. Each vial has its own container, label, careful hand-filling and leak-proof packing. What you're really buying is certainty: spending $4 to find out a $30 product breaks you out is a much better deal than spending $30 to learn the same thing.
Can I return a sample?
Because samples are personal-care items, all sales are final — standard for decanted cosmetics, for hygiene reasons. But if your order arrives damaged, leaked, or never arrives, email support@skincaresplit.com within 14 days and we'll replace or refund the affected items, your choice. Details in our Refund Policy.
Can I fly with these? (Yes — that's the point.)
Every Skincare Split sample is far under the 100ml carry-on liquid limit, so your entire routine fits in the quart-size security bag. Full-size K-beauty bottles — 150ml toners, 200ml cleansers — can't fly carry-on at all. A full 5-step routine in samples weighs less than one full-size toner.
Are the ingredient lists exact?
We publish the full INCI list for every product and update them regularly. One honest caveat: manufacturers occasionally reformulate without notice, so the list on the maker's current packaging always takes precedence over ours. If you have allergies, double-check the manufacturer's latest list and patch-test first — good advice for any skincare, sample or not.
What does "fungal-acne safe" mean on your quiz?
Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) is a skin condition aggravated by certain oils, esters and ferments. Our quiz can filter to products whose ingredient lists pass a strict fungal-acne safety check. Most people don't need this filter — if you've never heard of it, you can safely ignore it.
How much is shipping, and are there customs charges?
US orders ship tracked from Canada: $4.99 flat, free over $30 USD, typically arriving 5–12 business days after the 1–3 days we take to decant and pack. Customs processing is handled in transit — no surprise charges at your door. Full details in our Shipping Policy.
How does the skin quiz work?
Eight quick questions about your skin type, concerns and sensitivities. It matches against the real ingredient data of every product we stock and builds a complete routine — cleanser to sunscreen — sized to try. No sign-up needed. Take it here.
How do I reach you?
General questions: contact@skincaresplit.com · Order issues: support@skincaresplit.com. We're a small operation and answer everything ourselves, usually within a business day.