When you suddenly find your favorite high-end beauty products on sale online, there is a high probability that it is a knockoff. 

Unlike fake apparel, fake beauty products go directly on your skin and get absorbed into your body. It contains harmful elements that will cause irritation and allergic reactions to your skin, such as burns, rashes, and other long-term health problems. Arsenic, mercury, and lead are often found in fake cosmetics.

They are manufactured in unregulated and unsanitary factories, and not subject to rigorous safety tests that should meet the FDA standards for safety.

There is no denying that many counterfeit beauty products can be found almost anywhere nowadays. It is quite difficult to distinguish what is real and what is not, because apparently counterfeiters can imitate even the most sophisticated packaging there is. Authorities are finding it extremely hard to control the distribution of these products, as it continues to tarnish the reputation and infringe on the intellectual property of legitimate products.

With these in mind, how can we guarantee that we are buying the real thing?

• Beware of unauthorized sellers.

First of all, reselling products without proper documents is illegal. You should not buy your favorite beauty products from stores you have not even heard of. You do not know how the products are stored or whether the products are already expired.

• Avoid deals that are too good to be true.

Do not be tempted by discounts and any type of offers from retailers that you don’t know just to save a few bucks. A “sale” and “50% off” sign might be tempting, but you need to think of the long-term effects on your skin and health if you buy beauty products that have high chances of being counterfeited.

• Do your research.

If you are going to buy beauty products from resellers, it is smart to do your research first. Scrutinize every detail if you need to, to ensure the authenticity of the product. The logo and packaging give crucial clues to help determine whether the product is real or fake.

• Buy from trusted and authorized sellers only.

Surely, the safest way is to purchase your beauty products from reputable stores. For shoppers who love the convenience of buying products online, Sephora and Nordstrom Beauty is your best bet.