
Consumers have been urged to be vigilant when purchasing ‘high-end’ leading brands of beauty products on sale through certain outlets such as markets and websites at Christmas.
Christmas is a time when counterfeit cosmetic products, which can be harmful to human health, have been identified in Ireland.
The warning from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), the medicines’ watchdog, who said last year that a significant quantity of 728 products of counterfeit and imitation cosmetics were detained.
The majority of these products consisted of eye shadows and lip products, and subsequent tests identified that some contained harmful substances such as arsenic and lead.
Some of these products were purchased online from websites based outside of the EU and sold to Irish consumers online and through social media.
They were also found in some trade shows and at markets throughout the country. Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner and Urban Decay were among some of the counterfeit cosmetic brands which were found to contain these illegal substances in 2017.
Emer O’Neill, Cosmetics Product Manager, HPRA, said:“We can’t emphasise enough the need for consumers to exercise caution and to be vigilant when purchasing cosmetics this Christmas. While it may be tempting to avail of cheaper prices, counterfeit products could cost you your health.
"Unfortunately, the Christmas season is generally the peak time of year for rogue sellers of counterfeit products, which are often found when purchasing products online or from temporary stalls or outlets."
Ms O'Neill added that consumers should be wary that the dangers of cheaper products are unknown, with some potentially containing "toxic" ingredients.
"Shoppers are strongly urged to apply common sense and to ask themselves; if a product seems very cheap, is it really likely to be the genuine article? The danger of counterfeit products is that their quality and safety is not known”, she said.
“It is extremely concerning that highly toxic substances, such as arsenic and lead, have previously been detected in some products.
“Prolonged exposure to both of these banned substances can severely damage health causing potential harm to the brain and kidneys, among other organs. The suppliers of these products are unconcerned about the health of the consumers who purchase them.
"If you are unsure, suspicious, or if a product is much cheaper than in a high street store or pharmacy, the HPRA strongly advise against taking the risk.
"Legitimate products are always the safest option. Beauty brands usually list their licensed retailers on their websites and this is the best way for consumers to ensure that they are purchasing a legitimate cosmetic product.”
HPRA advice on how to spot a counterfeit cosmetic;
The HPRA always advises consumers to: