How counterfeit cosmetics containing dangerous levels of arsenic are being sold online

Rat droppings, human urine and arsenic – just some of the substances found in fake beauty products which police say are putting consumers’ lives at risk.

Make-up, perfume, electrical hair stylers and sun cream are among the counterfeit goods being highlighted by the City of London Police in a campaign bearing the slogan “wake up – don’t fake up!”.

While they are both fake and both mislead the public, counterfeit cosmetics pose a very real danger. They often contain high levels of harmful materials. For example, fake versions of cosmetics by MAC and Benefit have been found to contain up to 19 times the legal level of lead. While a counterfeit bag and counterfeit lipstick are both fake, the lipstick is far more dangerous. It can possibly contain arsenic, mercury, copper and cadmium.

Checking the authenticity of a product is more difficult when shopping online since consumers cannot gauge the look and feel of a product before making the purchase. Police said stock images of well-known products also tend to be used online, which deceive consumers into believing they are buying the real deal.

Fake electrical products such as hair curlers, dryers and straighteners are not subject to the same rigorous safety tests as genuine items and so the bogus product is often dangerous.

This can result in electrocution or the item overheating and catching fire, and these faulty items risks inflicting burns on their users as well as putting homes and lives in danger.

Police said laboratory tests have shown counterfeit perfume often contains poisonous chemicals including cyanide and even human urine. Fake cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss and foundation have been found to contain toxic levels of chemicals and other harmful substances such as arsenic, mercury and lead.

All of these can cause allergic reactions, such as skin irritation, swelling, rashes and burns, as well as provoking long-term health problems.

Counterfeit make-up is often produced in unsanitised factories and there have been cases where rats’ droppings and poison have also been found in the fake cosmetics.

Fraudsters have also been known to produce counterfeit sun cream and advertise it as well-known household brands. This often offers no protection against harmful UV rays which could lead to long-term skin damage, as well as containing substances which cause irritation to the skin.