Durham Council warns consumers about buying counterfeit designer cosmetics online (19 December 2016)

Durham Council has issued a warning to consumers about the potential health risks involved in buying counterfeit cosmetic products.

The council’s consumer protection service has issued the warning, having received reports of a number of people believed to be based in the county selling suspected counterfeit cosmetics on social media sites.

The council says that certain branded beauty products are becoming increasingly popular and are sold online legitimately, sometimes on social media sites by third parties at significantly reduced prices.

However, checking the authenticity of a product seen online is more difficult than buying in shops, as consumers cannot gauge the look and feel of what they are purchasing.

Some social media sites use generic stock images to deceive consumers into believing they are buying the real items.

Laboratory tests have shown that fake cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara, lipgloss and foundation have in some cases been found to contain toxic levels of chemicals and harmful substances such as arsenic, mercury and lead.

All of these can cause allergic reactions, such as skin irritation, swelling, rashes and burns, as well as leaving the user with longer term health problems.

Some of the products the council has been notified of are even alleged to contain glue, urine and rat faeces.

Durham Council’s head of environment, health and consumer protection, Joanne Waller, said:

“Product safety and the health and wellbeing of County Durham residents are our top priority.

“The products we are being told about are substandard and present a clear risk to the user as well as deceiving customers.

“I am very concerned at the apparent lack of concern from some traders, who are selling cosmetic products which could contain harmful ingredients and could cause severe injury.

“These products are made to be used on the skin and without being tested, they could cause serious complications to the unsuspecting user.

“We shall continue to advise traders on their responsibilities and will consider enforcement action if we discover make-up products being sold which are fake and potentially harmful.”

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