How do I recognise fake cosmetics and perfume?
There has always been a lively trade in fake products and counterfeit goods. This has happened for a very long time at markets or by sellers who sell directly to consumers. With the advent of the internet, the market for fake cosmetics and perfume has become much bigger. There is also much more money to be made in them. As a result, the products are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from the real thing and the sellers of fake products are becoming increasingly clever. But there are ways to distinguish real from fake, and we will go into this in more detail below.
First of all, you may wonder why it is important to use a real product. Sometimes a fake can be much cheaper and work just as well in your opinion. So why not save yourself money by buying a cheap imitation product? The main reason, of course, is that it is illegal. It is against the law to knowingly buy counterfeit products. This is not enough reason for some people not to do it, but it is something that should be taken seriously.
The most important reason for you as a user is: You don’t know exactly which ingredients have been used to make the counterfeit. This is very important! Cosmetics and perfume from well-known brands are always extensively tested and approved; all kinds of tests have to be passed before a product is allowed on the market. This guarantees you as a consumer that the product you are using is safe and that it actually contains the ingredients mentioned on the label. Fake products do not have these guarantees, so you have no idea what you are putting on your skin or spraying on your body. That can be very dangerous. You may be allergic to a particular substance or very strong chemicals may have been used that could affect your health. These kinds of risks are many times greater if you deliberately buy a fake.
Another important aspect is the way in which products are tested. Nowadays, there are many regulations regarding the testing of cosmetics, especially in the area of animal testing. If it is important to you that the products have been produced in a humane way, without cruelty and without testing on animals, you want to be sure that this is respected. If you buy a fake product, you may be partly responsible for some animal testing, but you can never completely rule it out. Well-known cosmetic brands are extensively evaluated on this and often have to justify themselves. So you can use guaranteed “Cruelty Free” products.
But how can you be sure that the products you buy are authentic? How can you be sure that a seller on an online marketplace is not misleading you by sending a fake product? There are a number of ways to do this. First of all, it is a good idea not to let yourself be led astray by deals that seem too good to be true. Most of the time it is. A lot of cosmetics are pretty much fixed priced. If you suddenly come across your favourite perfume at half price, you may wonder why. It is then wise to be extra vigilant. With “new” products of your favourite brand, always check whether they really exist. Sometimes counterfeiters are very creative in making these kinds of products.
Check the packaging carefully. Of course, cosmetic brands are also aware of the problem of counterfeiting. That is why we always supply packaging with a factory seal. If this is broken, you can no longer be sure that the contents have remained unchanged and you should contact the seller or supplier. Also check that the logo and the box are exactly correct and correspond to the pictures on the internet. Sometimes counterfeiters try to escape prosecution by making an item slightly different and then claiming it is their own brand.
If in doubt, it is also a good idea to contact the seller. If you buy from a trusted webshop or large shop, they will have no problem helping you with your questions. If you buy a product from a private person on an online marketplace, always ask for the receipt or proof of purchase. That gives some extra security.
It is good to mention that not only large web shops or companies can help you with authentic cosmetics and perfume. There are also smaller companies that can help you with interesting deals on cosmetics. For example, there are companies that sell the same products in many different countries. If the product is cheaper in one country than in another, there are smart traders who import these products. This means that you can receive the packaging in a different language, but buy it at a cheaper price. Of course, this must be clearly stated in advance.
Of course, it is always a good idea to read the reviews of the seller you want to do business with before you make your purchase. Consumers who have gone before you have already shared their experiences. If a seller gets a lot of negative reviews, for example doubts about the authenticity of products, you can look for another shop. This way, you avoid being saddled with a fake product, whether you like it or not, with all the consequences that this entails.
