FAKE NEWS

Bogus beauty products for sale online are surging. LARA OWEN finds out how to spot them

- LARA OWEN

SCROLL through social media and you will eventually be offered a luxury serum for £9, a cult mascara for half its usual price or a “limited-time” fragrance deal.

It can feel like a small victory, but in reality, it may be something far more dangerous.

Counterfeit beauty is one of the fastest-growing corners of the fake goods market. According to the Government's Intellectual Property Office, the purchase of counterfeit cosmetics and toiletries online saw an increase of 6% at the end of 2025.

"Counterfeit beauty products might look like the real deal, but that's where the similarity stops," warns director general of Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) Dr Emma Meredith OBE. "Behind the copycat packaging, you could be buying something that doesn't work and could even put your health at risk."

Every genuine cosmetic sold in Britain must meet the requirements of the UK Cosmetics Regulation, which covers everything from ingredient safety to manufacturing conditions. Each product must undergo a rigorous safety assessment by a qualified professional and list a UK-based "Responsible Person" on its packaging.