Counterfeits - what’s the harm?
First up though, why does buying a counterfeit beauty product matter? They may look, smell and feel similar to the real deal, but are sold at a cheaper price. So what’s the harm? Last year the UK Intellectual Property Office’s (IPO) campaign, Choose Safe Not Fake, highlighted how the lookalike packaging of counterfeit beauty and hygiene products can be hiding some very unsavoury and unsafe ingredients.
Testing carried out on a selection of counterfeit products revealed that they contained carcinogenic ingredients such as beryllium oxide and harmful heavy metals (arsenic, lead and mercury). Samples also contained rodent urine and equine (horse) faeces, pointing to the unsanitary conditions in which counterfeit products can be produced.
Fake products won't have gone through a safety assessment which is required for all legal cosmetic products in the UK and are unlikely to contain the same thoroughly and scientifically assessed ingredients as legitimate products. Moreover, legal cosmetic products must be manufactured under strict levels of cleanliness to avoid contamination. It is why fake products have been found to contain microbes and debris from unclean premises and equipment which could be harmful to health.
Dr Emma Meredith, a Pharmacist and Director-General of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) said: “Counterfeit cosmetics and personal care products may look like the brands we all love, but the packaging is where the similarity ends. They may have been produced by criminal organisations whose sole motivation is profit, not your safety or enjoyment. It means that you’re paying for a product that won’t work in the way you want and could pose a serious risk to your health.”
Beware of counterfeits on social media
Social media platforms have become a popular place to shop online. They can offer a fun way to explore new cosmetics and personal care products - but as with any online purchase, it’s not always easy to tell whether what we’re buying is the real deal. What’s more, the IPO’s research suggests that our purchase decisions on these platforms can be swayed by social media influencers that we’ve come to trust. Last year its survey of men aged 16-60 revealed that nearly one in three (31%) had been influenced to buy counterfeit products by social media endorsements, with fashion, accessories, jewellery and cosmetic products being the most popular product categories.
Dr Emma Meredith said: “While you may trust the people you follow online, you certainly can’t trust any counterfeits that may be offered for sale. Unlike legitimate products, it is highly unlikely that counterfeit cosmetics and toiletries will have undergone any safety testing. It means they could contain literally anything, disguised with a pleasing scent. This Safer Internet Day we’re highlighting the risks of buying counterfeits online, as well as the tell-tale signs that what you’re buying is too good to be true.”
How to spot a counterfeit online? Six tell-tale signs
1. Heavily discounted prices - If the product is being offered at a very cheap price, the chances are that it’s an untested and unsafe look-alike that’s not worth the potential cost to your health.
2. ‘Flash sale’ social media ads - Beware of ads promoting ‘flash sales’ for heavily discounted products. This is a technique counterfeiters commonly use to make you rush into buying without thinking first.
3. People who post but don’t interact - Look out for people who spend lots of time posting about products for sale on social media, but invest little to no time engaging with other community members. It’s a common counterfeit tell.
4. Social account not connected to the brand website - Fake social accounts selling counterfeits may well contain the original brand name. If you’re in any doubt, head to the brand website and click back to its social media account.
5. Poor quality website - Exercise caution around websites with poor spelling and grammar or no way to contact customer services. If you’re unsure, look for reviews in forums and blogs. People will often warn others of illegal sites.
6. Unverified influencer - While being verified by a social media platform is no guarantee that an influencer isn’t selling counterfeits, it provides reassurance that if a purchase is too good to be true, you can report it to the platform who can take swift action to address this.
How to report a counterfeit
If you see or suspect counterfeit products being sold on a website or via social media, contact Crimestoppers and tell them exactly what you know. They will pass this on to the appropriate organisation for investigation. All information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Read more
Should I care about counterfeiting? (www.thefactsabout.co.uk)
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group (A-CG)
