Sometimes that great online deal you found on makeup or cosmetics really is too good to be true. When not purchasing from a certified seller of a product, you could be exposing yourself to dangerous and disgusting ingredients included in the counterfeit – arsenic, lead, and rat droppings just to name a few.
These knock-offs are often sold on eBay or Amazon for a fraction of what the true items go for. While buying off-brand sunglasses or purses may seem like no big deal, keep in mind that your skin could actually be absorbing some of the gross ingredients from the counterfeit. You really don’t want to use personal products when you don’t know where they are being manufactured.
Ways to Spot Knock-Off Packaging
Luckily, there are some ways for you to identify counterfeit cosmetics and avoid being duped.
- Avoid packaging with off-colors or slightly different patterns. Many knock-offs go for colors that are a bit lighter than the real thing or include the same shapes but in a different direction.
- Pay attention to the label. Most well-known cosmetic brands have easily identifiable logos. Spot counterfeit logos by looking for different fonts, uneven sizes, or even misspelled words.
- Compare with the brand’s website. It’s pretty easy to find a photo of the packaging either on the brand’s website or a certified seller like Sephora or Ulta. Pay close attention to any clear plastic pieces, color combinations, and whether or not applicators are included. These are all alterations that counterfeit brands frequently make.
- Read between the lines. In some knock-off brands, the details printed on the packaging are off. Look for incorrect translations, strange directions, or even miscalculations in size between ounces and grams.