The counterfeit market isn't limited to just handbags and designer clothing anymore, fake makeup and fragrance sales have been on the rise. Though websites like eBay and Amazon do their best to regulate the sales of fake products, counterfeits by MAC, Urban Decay, Benefit, and Estée Lauder, among other luxury brands, tend to slip through the cracks. Not only are you buying an illegal product, but you also expose yourself to some serious health risks. Rather than a healing blend of aloe and vitamin E, many counterfeit goods contain beyond-harmful ingredients like cyanide, arsenic, rat poison, urine. Some of these fakes are incredibly realistic. Picking out a fake product might be hard for a beginner makeup fan, and the temptation for a bargain version of a popular product might be too hard to resist for some.
HOW TO SPOT COUNTERFEIT BEAUTY PRODUCTS?
NOTE THE PRICING
You should always buy your products from one of the brand's licensed retailers, but we admit a good sale is pretty hard for us to resist. Most brands will regulate pricing on their products, for example, $5 Chanel mascara likely isn't the real deal.
CHECK THE LABEL
Counterfeit products will often have uneven fonts, misspelled words, inconsistent patterns, and incorrect shade names printed on the label and leaflets, so make sure to cross-check the item with the one on the brand's official website. If your product features a "peel-to-reveal" stickers, which can be peeled back to show the full ingredient list, that's a sign it's genuine.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE PACKAGING
Fake products are stored in lower-quality plastic or metal casings, often paired with ill-fitting mirrors and sponge-tipped applicators. The name of the shade should be printed on a sticker as opposed to the box.
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS
It also has an alarming number of potentially infection-causing bacteria that can lead to scarring, burning, and disfigurement. It’s well documented that unclean makeup around the eyes can lead to eye infections.
If you buy a product and suspect it’s a fake after using it, immediately stop using the product. If a rash appears, avoid scratching it and clean the skin with soap and water.
You can use petroleum jelly, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream to soothe the affected area.
The LGA said some of the chemicals found in these copycat products could cause chemical burns and skin rashes.