In 2018, US beauty and personal care products had sales of approximately $ 89.4 billion. In 2021 the Sales in the U.S. cosmetics market are expected to reach $ 17.2 billion and is projected to grow by 5.09% annually through 2025.
Many factors contribute to the rapid growth of the US cosmetics industry. The growing demand for natural products and the increase in online retail options are helping to further accelerate this growth.
However, the booming cosmetics industry creates the perfect breeding ground for counterfeit cosmetics. Although e-commerce websites officially prohibit the sale of counterfeit products, The counterfeiting of luxury products is now a “highly profitable enterprise”. according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Evidence of the importance of the problem is the seizure of counterfeit beauty products and their products by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 2020 seizure of more than $ 300,000 in counterfeit makeup products The company, posing as Kylie Cosmetics, was started by reality TV star Kylie Jenner.
The rise in counterfeit cosmetic products is problematic for both consumer wallets and their health. Given its size, both consumers and cosmetics manufacturers need to consider the scale of the counterfeit cosmetics industry and develop best practices to eliminate their threat.
What is fake makeup?
As the name suggests, “fake makeup” aims to replicate high-end products that are sold at a heavily discounted price. While the products generally look like their branded products, they are typically of lower quality, have a lower shelf life, and contain potentially harmful ingredients.
Manufacturers and suppliers try to reassure customers that the imitation products work as well as the original products. You can even try to pass the fake as the original. While the product may be similar to the original with nearly identical packaging, the formula is usually below average for the authentic product.
The problems with fake makeup
The popularity of social media and e-commerce has made it easier than ever for counterfeit manufacturers to distribute their products through mainstream channels. Indeed after the Organization for economic cooperation and developmentCosmetics are one of the most commonly produced and distributed counterfeit products in the world.
The majority of harmful cosmetics are made in China and shipped around the world through third-party websites such as eBay, Amazon, and Alibaba. Counterfeit cosmetic products are usually made in non-sterile, unsanitary, illegal laboratories that do not meet the safety standards of legitimate products.
Fake makeup side effects
Counterfeit makeup can contain toxic chemicals and high levels of heavy metals that can cause long-term and potentially irreversible damage. You could lead to it too severe infections and allergic reactions.
Laboratory tests where some fake eyeliners, mascaras, lip glosses, and foundation contain arsenic, mercury, and lead. For example, Researchers found 15 times the lead in a MAC lipstick tint, and a counterfeit Jaclyn Hill eyeshadow kit contained four times the amount of lead than an authentic product.
Although their severity varies, fake makeup side effects include infection, rashes, swelling, and sometimes chemical burns. Even if you don’t suffer serious harm from counterfeit cosmetics, the laundry list of harmful ingredients can be enough to keep people from using them on their bodies.
Makeup brands
Counterfeiting is not only a problem for consumers, but also for cosmetic brands and their retailers. Counterfeit products and their distribution create serious problems for businesses in terms of brand awareness, consumer confidence, customer loyalty, and revenue decline.
Counterfeiters are essentially stealing brands, depriving brand owners of the revenue they are entitled to after spending years and dollars on product research and development. They also steal the goodwill of trusted brands by making much cheaper versions that unauthorized dealers sell through “black” or “gray” markets.
How to spot fake makeup
As the number of fake makeup is increasing day by day, it is important to watch carefully. Here are some methods or indicators for detecting counterfeit cosmetics.
- Product packaging: Although the packaging appears to be identical, counterfeit makeup products are often slightly different from the authentic brand with barely noticeable label differences or slightly unmatched color tones. Even the smallest discrepancy is a sign of a counterfeit product.
- price: A significantly lower price for the authentic product is an important red flag for any counterfeit product.
- quality: Often times, the products of an imitation brand have a strange aroma or a lower consistency or texture than the product of the original brand.
- Seller’s location: As mentioned earlier, you can usually find counterfeit products at dodgy or unauthorized retailers, including garage sales, shopping malls, and online marketplaces.
- Special offers: Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The bottom line is do your homework. Careful research and Read product reviews If you want to get acquainted with unethical products, you can spot fakes. If you are unsure about the authenticity of a product, don’t buy it.
How to Combat Fake Makeup
There are several ways that consumers and makeup brands can crack down on counterfeit makeup. One way to do this is to read the product reviews to identify them the best skin care and makeup products. If a vendor has repeated negative reviews or reviews that seem suspicious because they all contain almost the same language, don’t buy from that seller.
Be safe by purchasing products that are sold and shipped directly from Amazon.com rather than third parties. You can also check websites like Review meta and Fakespotthat can help you identify fake reviews. Train yourself to become a skilled consumer and avoid potential toxins.
Global beauty brands, including Estée Lauder and L’Oréal, have dedicated legal teams specifically focused on keeping counterfeit goods out of the market. Unfortunately, smaller brands may be less protected. Online technology platforms such as Red dots have successfully eliminated counterfeits sold on hundreds of marketplaces.
Cosmetics can be some of the most harmful counterfeit products due to the potential threat to public safety and health. Manufacturers are not legally required to register their cosmetic companies or submit their product formulations to the FDA. Under the The FDA’s Voluntary Cosmetics Registration Program (VCRP) cosmetics manufacturers and distributors can submit information about products currently being marketed to U.S. consumers.
If you experience a serious reaction (such as rash, redness, burn, hair loss, headache, infection, or illness) after using makeup or a cosmetic, report it to the FDA, especially if you need medical attention. You should also report problems with a cosmetic product, such as: B. a bad smell, strange color, other signs of contamination or foreign matter in the product.
