Mercury, lead and methanol found in counterfeit beauty products seized across UK

Copies of popular cosmetics and skincare products more likely to contain toxic substances, Trading Standards warns

Mercury, lead and methanol have been found in counterfeit beauty products seized across the UK, Trading Standards has said.

There is a rising problem with fake beauty products, with scammers selling copies of popular and expensive brands. Cosmetics, skincare and perfumes are now among the watchdog’s most commonly investigated fakes.

Tests found 13,200 parts per million of mercury in one skincare product, high levels of lead in lipstick, eyeshadow and contour products, nicotine in perfume and a counterfeit fragrance made up of about 80% methanol, a toxic alcohol that can cause serious poisoning.

About 20% of 18- to 24-year-olds who bought beauty products last year knowingly bought counterfeits, up from 6% in 2023, according to the latest Intellectual Property Office (IPO) counterfeit goods tracker.

Counterfeit products are more likely to contain harmful substances because they do not have to undergo health and safety tests or contain accurate ingredient lists. Surveys by Trading Standards found that nearly three in four people who bought counterfeit cosmetics and toiletries did so online.

The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit and Greater Manchester police seized 1,666 counterfeit hair products including hair extensions, shampoo and conditioners in July. Another raid in Bolton by Trading Standards officers uncovered £2m worth of counterfeit goods, including perfume, cosmetics, clothing and vapes at a production facility in a commercial property.

Trading Standards tested a cross-section of 50 seized counterfeit cosmetic products and identified potentially harmful substances. Mercury is being increasingly found in skincare, and repeated exposure through the skin can damage the kidneys and nervous system.

Some counterfeit makeup including lipsticks, eyeshadows and contour products were found to contain high levels of lead, which can damage the brain, nervous system and kidneys, with particular risks for children and during pregnancy.

Rani Ghosh, an independent toxicologist, said: “Some reactions to unsafe cosmetics may be visible, such as irritation, swelling or changes to the skin. But what concerns me as a toxicologist is what you might not see. Substances such as mercury and lead can affect the body internally and those effects may not be immediately obvious.

“Counterfeit beauty products can look incredibly convincing. You cannot tell from the packaging what chemicals are inside, how the product has been made or what risk it might pose. That is why knowing where your beauty products come from matters.”

Helen Barnham, the head of enforcement engagement at the IPO, said: “These findings show why counterfeit beauty products can pose such serious risks to consumers. Products can look remarkably convincing but, behind the packaging, they can contain dangerous substances that have no place in the cosmetics people use every day, and can be made in appalling, unhygienic conditions.

“Counterfeiters exploit the names and reputations of brands that consumers know and trust, while bypassing the rigorous safety standards that legitimate businesses work hard to meet.”

The IPO is launching a campaign called Face the Fakes, working with content creators and the beauty industry to highlight the harms of counterfeit products.

Millie Kendall, the chief executive of the British Beauty Council, said: “The UK beauty industry puts enormous care, creativity and expertise into creating products that people love and can use with confidence. Safety and trust run right through our industry, from the brands developing products to the retailers and professionals bringing them to consumers.

“Counterfeiters trade on the reputation and creativity that brilliant beauty businesses have worked hard to build, without putting in the same care or meeting the same standards. We are proud to support Face the Fakes and stand alongside businesses across our industry to help consumers buy beauty with confidence and keep fakes out of their beauty bags.”