The Hidden Dangers of Counterfeit Cosmetics – What You Need to Know
- willowandbirchsale
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
The beauty world is booming and with it, unfortunately, so is the rise in counterfeit cosmetics. A recent investigation by WHICH uncovered a deeply worrying truth: at least two-thirds of cosmetic products purchased from third-party sellers on popular platforms like Amazon, eBay, TikTok Shop, and Vinted were likely to be fake.
These weren’t obscure or unknown brands either. The fakes included products from names many of us know and trust: Charlotte Tilbury, The Ordinary, La Roche-Posay, and Maybelline.
At first glance, they looked genuine. The packaging was almost identical, the prices weren’t suspiciously low, and many had hundreds even thousands of positive reviews. But closer inspection revealed big red flags: different logos, fonts, scents, textures, and more worryingly, no safety markings or traceability.
Why You Should Be Concerned.
Counterfeit cosmetics aren’t just disappointing they can be dangerous.
Because they’re made without legal oversight or proper safety checks, they often contain toxic and harmful ingredients. Previous investigations have found counterfeit beauty products containing:
Arsenic, mercury, and lead
Animal waste
Industrial chemicals like white spirit or screen wash
Worse still, many are produced in unsanitary environments, sometimes in the same spaces as other illegal or dangerous goods.
Using them puts you at risk of:
Skin irritation and infections
Chemical burns
Allergic reactions
Pigmentation issues and long-term skin damage
Consultant dermatologist Dr Aamna Adel explained:
“The best-case scenario is the product does nothing. The worst-case? It causes real harm. With unregulated ingredients like retinol or acids, the potential for irritation or chemical burns increases drastically.”
Where These Fakes Are Being Sold.
You might expect this issue to be limited to shady sellers or obscure websites, but that’s far from the truth. The investigation found fakes on:
Amazon
eBay
TikTok Shop
Vinted
Social media pages
Local markets and pop-up stalls
It’s not always easy to spot a fake, many look almost identical to the original. And because they’re sold in small quantities by individuals or seemingly “reputable” sellers, it can be easy to miss the signs.
What to Look Out For.
Here are some warning signs to help protect yourself:
🔍 Packaging feels slightly off - wrong font, spelling mistakes, or logo variation
💸 Price is significantly lower than usual (even by just a few pounds)
🧪 Different texture or smell than you're used to
🚚 No traceable seller – no website, no clear returns policy
💬 Reviews mention fake products or odd results
And remember, some sellers use fake positive reviews to mask the real ones — always read a range of review ratings.
How to Shop Safely.
✅ Buy direct from the brand or from their approved retailers
✅ Check who's dispatching the product on sites like Amazon and TikTok Shop
✅ Avoid too-good-to-be-true prices
✅ Be cautious with social media sales and local market stalls
✅ Ask questions, if a seller can't tell you where it came from, walk away
What We're Doing at Willow & Birch.
At Willow & Birch, we want to assure you: you will never find counterfeit products here.
All our products are:
💚 Handmade in small batches in our certified workshop
🔬 Backed by full Cosmetic Product Safety Reports (CPSRs)
🌱 Made with natural, ethical ingredients from trusted UK suppliers
🧴 Registered with the UK Cosmetic Products Notification Portal
🐰 Always cruelty-free and vegan-friendly
We believe you deserve complete transparency about what you’re putting on your skin. That’s why we list our ingredients clearly, avoid gimmicks, and create our formulations with care, integrity, and your wellbeing in mind.
The reality is, the counterfeit beauty market is growing fast. It’s not just a matter of brand integrity; it’s a public safety concern. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed, shop smart and ask questions.
If you ever need help verifying a product, ingredient or want to know more about skincare safety, we’re here to help.
Your skin deserves better than a counterfeit. Choose safety.
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