Return policy comparison · 2026
Magazines.com vs The Skin Deep
Policy data verified July 24, 2026 by the Thrifle team
Winner
Magazines.com
A+
5.0 / 5.0 · Exceptional
The Skin Deep
C+
2.4 / 5.0 · Fair
The verdict
Magazines.com has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A+ (5.0/5.0) against The Skin Deep's C+ (2.4/5.0). It wins 3 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return window: no time limit versus 30-day window (industry standard).
Score breakdown
Five axes, 5.0 points total — the same deterministic grader behind every Thrifle policy page.
Magazines.comThe Skin Deep
Return window · worth 2.0
Restocking fee · worth 1.0
Return shipping · worth 1.0
Holiday window · worth 0.5
Transparency · worth 0.5
Key terms side-by-side
| Magazines.com | The Skin Deep | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | ✓ Unlimited (unmailed issues only) | 30 days (exchanges only, original plastic wrapping intact) |
| Free returns | ✓ Yes | No - customer pays return shipping |
| Restocking fee | None | None published |
| Return shipping | N/A - digital/subscription refund, no physical item is shipped back | Customer responsible for return/exchange shipping; cost is non-refundable and deducted from any refund granted |
| Holiday extension | ✓ None published | None published |
| Non-returnable | Issues that have already been mailed to you are not refundable - the guarantee only covers issues not yet sent | Perishable goods (food, flowers, newspapers, magazines), intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials or flammable liquids/gases, gift cards, downloadable software, some health and personal care items, sale items |
| Watch-out items | — | Any item returned more than 30 days after delivery is not eligible |
Magazines.com tip
The refund only covers issues that haven't shipped yet, so if you cancel a year-long subscription three months in, you get a prorated refund for the remaining unmailed issues, not the full amount you originally paid.
The Skin Deep tip
Only regular-priced items qualify for a refund - if you bought something on sale, you're not getting cash back even within the window, so factor that into discounted purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the better return policy, Magazines.com or The Skin Deep?
Magazines.com has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A+ (5.0/5.0) against The Skin Deep's C+ (2.4/5.0). It wins 3 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return window: no time limit versus 30-day window (industry standard).
What is Magazines.com's return window?
Magazines.com's return window is Unlimited (unmailed issues only).
What is The Skin Deep's return window?
The Skin Deep's return window is 30 days (exchanges only, original plastic wrapping intact).
Does Magazines.com or The Skin Deep offer free returns?
Magazines.com: Yes. The Skin Deep: No - customer pays return shipping.