The French Beauty Industry Federation (FEBEA) is sounding the alarm over a significant increase in counterfeit cosmetics, particularly dupe perfumes, during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and the Christmas season. These fake products, often marketed on platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, pose serious health risks as they frequently bypass stringent EU and UK safety and regulatory standards.
This surge in dangerous goods is reflected in EU alerts, which reached a record 4,137 in the past year, with cosmetics topping the list at 36% of all notifications. Worryingly, 97% of these flagged cosmetics contained BMHCA, a synthetic fragrance banned for its links to reproductive harm and skin irritation. This data, released in April, highlights a clear danger to consumers, especially younger demographics targeted by these illicit operations, and underscores the challenge businesses face in protecting their brand integrity.
UK consumer group Which? also found that 67% of 34 cosmetic products purchased from third-party sellers on platforms like Amazon, eBay, TikTok Shop, and Vinted were likely counterfeit. These fakes, some deceptively convincing, were found to contain formulations that differed from genuine products, such as a Charlotte Tilbury setting spray with an altered scent. The FEBEA's call for consumers to choose verified, compliant products from approved channels is crucial, but the widespread availability and convincing nature of these dupes present a substantial hurdle for both regulators and legitimate businesses.
