Why my Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks cost less when I use a US freight forwarder

The brightening hype I couldn't ignore

For months, my social media feed has been flooded with those distinct, cooling hydrogel patches. I kept seeing the Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks everywhere, promised as the ultimate solution for dark circles and tired eyes. Since the success of their original serum, these masks have become a US viral sensation. However, living in Australia, I noticed they are surprisingly difficult to find on local shelves without a massive markup.

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I wanted to see if the brightening claims—powered by tranexamic acid and niacinamide—were worth the effort of sourcing them from overseas. My interest peaked when I realized that even with shipping, the price gap between US retailers and local resellers was significant.

Comparing the Australian cost to US retail

When I looked at the prices in February 2026, the difference was startling. In the US, a pack of these masks retails for a fraction of what boutique importers in Melbourne or Sydney are charging. By choosing to shop US store sites directly, I found I could save nearly 40% on the base product price. This price gap is what initially led me to look into more efficient ways to get my skincare fix without the local premium.

My experience with US-exclusive stores

I started my search at Sephora US and the official Topicals website. These stores often have the best stock levels and exclusive bundles that we just don't get here. I've found that the best way to ensure I'm getting the authentic product is to buy from the source. To do this effectively, I needed a tax-free US address to avoid paying state taxes on top of my purchase.

How I use a freight forwarder to skip the markup

Because most US beauty retailers don't offer direct shipping to Australia—or if they do, the rates are astronomical—I rely on a freight forwarder. By using comGateway, I can send my packages to a warehouse in Oregon (which is tax-free) and then have them bundled and sent to my home. This international shipping service makes the process feel as seamless as ordering from a local shop.

Check our guide on Read more: Beating the Great Barrier of out-of-stock notices for Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks for more tips on snagging these when they go out of stock.

A step-by-step guide to my checkout process

If you are new to this, here is the step-by-step guide I follow. First, I sign up to get my US address. Then, I head to the Topicals website and enter that address at checkout. Once the warehouse receives my masks, I use the shipping calculator to see my final costs. This helps me decide if I want to add more items to my shipment to maximize the international shipping rates.

You can view the full step-by-step guide on the comGateway site to see exactly how the logistics flow from the warehouse to your door in Australia.

Why I chose proxy shopping for my latest order

I ran into a common problem when trying to buy from certain US stores: my Australian credit card was declined. Some retailers like Sephora or high-end beauty boutiques often block international cards or orders sent to forwarding addresses. This is where I found the BuyForMe service to be incredibly helpful.

Instead of giving up, I used the BuyForMe service, which is essentially proxy shopping. I simply tell comGateway what I want, and they buy it on my behalf using a US domestic credit card. This is the safest way to guarantee my order doesn't get cancelled by picky US payment systems. It’s an assisted purchase that takes the stress out of the transaction.

The logistics: Weight and shipping estimates

To help you plan your own haul, I’ve put together some estimates for the Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks based on my recent shipment. Knowing these details helps when checking international shipping fees.

Because these are light, they are perfect for "add-on" shipping. I usually wait until I have a few skincare items before I trigger the international shipping from the warehouse.

Navigating Australian import tax in 2026

One thing I always keep in mind is the import tax. In Australia, the GST (Goods and Services Tax) of 10% applies to most low-value imported goods. Usually, your freight forwarder will help manage this at the point of shipment or upon arrival. Even with the 10% tax added, I still find that the total cost of buying from the US is lower than the local Australian retail prices for trending brands like Topicals. I always factor this in when I estimate shipping cost totals.

By taking advantage of proxy shopping and consolidated shipping, I've managed to keep my skincare routine high-end without the high-end local price tag. It's all about knowing how to navigate the US market from our corner of the world.