Shoppers buying perfumes, make-up and skincare products for Christmas are being warned about dangerous fakes after tests uncovered harmful chemicals, including mercury, lead and methanol.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) launched its Face the Fakes campaign on 30 October 2026 after Trading Standards tested 50 seized counterfeit beauty products.
Of those tested, 20 failed safety checks, with potentially harmful or prohibited substances found in skincare, make-up and fragrances.
That’s four in ten of the products tested. However, these were already seized counterfeit goods, not a random selection of beauty products being sold in shops.
The findings were announced as part of the Face the Fakes campaign, supported by the British Beauty Council.
What dangerous chemicals were found?
The tests identified several potentially harmful substances, including mercury, lead, nicotine, methanol and hydroquinone.
Mercury was found in counterfeit skincare, lead in make-up and nicotine in fake perfume. Methanol, a toxic form of alcohol, was also identified in counterfeit fragrance.
Exposure to some of these substances can cause serious harm. Mercury and lead can affect the body’s organs and nervous system, while methanol poisoning can damage eyesight.
The IPO also warns that fake cosmetics may contain undeclared ingredients or be made in unhygienic conditions.
Possible health problems include skin irritation, allergic reactions, chemical burns and eye injuries.
The difficulty is that fake products can look almost identical to genuine ones. You cannot tell what chemicals are inside simply by looking at the box or bottle.
More young shoppers are buying counterfeit beauty products
Separate research from the IPO shows a sharp increase in young adults knowingly buying counterfeit beauty and hygiene products.
Its 2025 counterfeit goods research found that 20% of 18 to 24-year-olds who bought products in this category had knowingly purchased fakes, compared with 6% in 2023.
Price is a big reason why people turn to counterfeits.
The same research found that half of people who had knowingly bought counterfeit cosmetics and toiletries said they would choose a cheaper brand if fake products weren’t available.
With expensive perfumes and make-up featuring on Christmas wish lists, it’s worth knowing what to look for before buying a bargain.
How to spot fake perfumes and make-up
The IPO has published new guidance on avoiding fake beauty products.
Although it’s aimed at businesses, much of the advice is useful for anyone buying cosmetics online or in shops.
Here are five checks worth making.
- Check who you’re buying from. A product listed on a well-known marketplace isn’t necessarily sold by the brand itself. Look at the actual seller’s details. Where possible, buy directly from the brand or an authorised retailer. Some brands list approved stockists on their websites.
- Don’t rely on a cheap price. An unusually low price can be a warning sign, but the IPO says some counterfeit products cost only slightly less than genuine ones. A normal-looking discount doesn’t prove something is real.
- Be careful with online adverts and reviews. A professional-looking website, attractive photographs or hundreds of five-star reviews don’t guarantee a genuine product. Check the seller independently and be wary of pressure to buy quickly. Our guide explains how to spot fake reviews when shopping online.
- Check the packaging and ingredients. When your order arrives, look for missing ingredients, spelling mistakes, blurry printing, missing batch numbers or missing company details. If something looks or smells different from what you’d expect, don’t use it.
- Look for the company responsible for the product. Cosmetics sold in Great Britain must have a designated UK Responsible Person, with their required details shown on the label. This is the person or business legally responsible for making sure the product meets safety rules. Missing details could be a warning sign, although counterfeiters can copy genuine-looking labels.
These checks can help you spot potential problems, but none can guarantee a product is genuine.
The IPO says buying from legitimate, trusted suppliers is the best way to reduce the risk.
Skint Dad says:
There’s nothing wrong with looking for a discount on Christmas presents, especially when branded perfumes can cost a small fortune.
But there’s a difference between finding a genuine bargain and taking a chance on a product that might be fake.
If an expensive perfume is outside your budget, consider a smaller genuine bottle from a trusted retailer, an official gift set or a cheaper fragrance sold under its own brand.
Compare the prices and stick to what you can afford.
A cheaper genuine alternative is a much better choice than risking your money on a counterfeit just to get a designer name on the box.
What if you’ve already bought a fake beauty product?
If you suspect you’ve bought a counterfeit perfume, cream or make-up product, don’t use it or give it to someone else as a present.
Keep the product, packaging, receipt, order confirmation and seller’s details.
Contact the seller or online marketplace, explain your concerns and ask for a refund.
According to Citizens Advice’s guidance on counterfeit goods, shoppers in England who buy fake goods are legally entitled to a full refund within 30 days of paying.
You may still have rights after 30 days, so don’t assume it’s too late to complain.
If the seller refuses to help, you may be able to recover the money through your bank, credit card provider or payment service, depending on how you paid.
You can also report suspected counterfeit sellers to Trading Standards. In England and Wales, the Citizens Advice consumer service can help on 0808 223 1133.
Reporting a seller could help prevent somebody else from buying the same products.
If you’ve used a suspected counterfeit and think you may have been exposed to something harmful, seek medical advice. The NHS has guidance on suspected poisoning, including when to get urgent help.
