Fake beauty products contained mercury and methanol in Trading Standards tests
Of 50 seized counterfeit cosmetics tested, 20 failed on safety grounds. The Intellectual Property Office has launched a campaign telling shoppers what to check and how to report a suspect product.
One counterfeit fragrance tested by Trading Standards was around 80% methanol, a toxic alcohol that can be absorbed through the skin or breathed in, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) says. A fake skin-lightening cream held 13,200 parts per million of mercury, the equivalent of 1.32%.
Those were among the results of tests on 50 seized counterfeit cosmetics, covering skincare, make-up and fragrance, published by the IPO on Monday as it launched a campaign called Face the Fakes. Twenty of the 50 failed on safety grounds.
What the tests found
- Mercury: the skin-lightening cream above. Mercury is prohibited in cosmetics of this type, and the IPO says repeated contact through the skin can damage the kidneys and nervous system.
- Hydroquinone: 8.1% in one skin-lightening cream. The IPO says it is prohibited in cosmetic skin-lightening products in the UK and, with repeated use, can cause patchy lightening and ochronosis, a blue-black skin discolouration that may be permanent.
- Lead: high levels in several lipsticks, eyeshadows and contour products, including 40 mg/kg in one contour kit. Lead can build up in the body, and the IPO says it is a particular risk for children and during pregnancy.
- Methanol: the fragrance above. The IPO says serious poisoning can damage the nervous system and eyesight, with a possibility of permanent blindness.
- Nicotine: found in a counterfeit perfume, although it is prohibited in cosmetics.
Who is buying them
Buying fakes on purpose is rising among younger shoppers. In the IPO's latest Counterfeit Goods Tracker, published on 17 September 2026, 20% of 18 to 24-year-olds who bought beauty products in 2025 said they knowingly bought fakes, against 6% in 2023. Of everyone who bought counterfeit cosmetics and toiletries, 71% did so online.
Cosmetics, skincare and perfumes are now among the ten counterfeit goods Trading Standards investigates most often. In July, the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit and Greater Manchester Police seized 1,666 counterfeit hair products, including extensions, shampoo and conditioner, from a warehouse in Manchester.
How to check before and after buying
The IPO's advice starts with the seller, not the platform. On a marketplace or social site, look past the listing to who is actually selling, and where possible use a trusted retailer, the brand's own website or an authorised seller.
A discount alone does not mean a product is fake, but an unusually low price can be a warning sign, as can pressure to buy quickly. Polished pictures and five-star reviews are not enough either. Look for ingredients, company details and contact information.
When the parcel arrives, the packaging should show an ingredients list, batch number, company name and address and any safety warnings. Missing details, blurred print, spelling mistakes, or a smell or texture that seems wrong are all reasons for doubt.
If you suspect a fake, do not try it. Keep the product, packaging, receipt and seller details, and report it to Trading Standards. More advice is on the SafeGlam website, which the campaign points shoppers towards.
