Fake beauty products cause skin reactions in customers:Items bought as original found duplicate; Bhaskar reveals first copies look identical to genuine brands

Once I bought a branded beauty product from a local shop. I thought it was original, but when I used it, I had a mild reaction on my skin. When I showed it to the doctor, they told me it happened because of that product. This is what 24-year-old Kritika Gaur from Bhopal has to say. She believed it was a branded beauty product from a local shop but when she used it, her skin reacted badly. A doctor later confirmed the reaction was caused by the product itself. Kritika’s story is not unique. Thousands of women and young girls across India are unknowingly applying fake cosmetic products to their skin. What appears to be a local issue has, in reality, become part of a nationwide racket, with counterfeit cosmetics flooding small towns and major cities alike. Many shopkeepers mislead customers by selling duplicate products that look identical to genuine ones. The packaging and branding are nearly perfect copies, but the ingredients inside are harmful and unregulated. A Dainik Bhaskar team conducted an on-ground investigation using hidden cameras to uncover how these fake products are being sold, where they come from, and how dangerous they can be. Read the full report.. Difficult to identify genuine cosmetics in market Even regular consumers often cannot distinguish between genuine and counterfeit cosmetic products. Two recent incidents reveal how easily people are deceived. Case 1: Bought thinking it was a branded foundation, but it was fake Nikita, a regular customer of cosmetic shops, shared her experience: ‘Most shops sell fake products. Sometimes, they even give used products as new.’ Recently, she purchased a foundation from a local shop, believing it was from a reputed brand. ‘The shopkeeper said it was original,’ she said, ‘but when I applied it, my skin broke out with pimples.’ A doctor confirmed that the reaction was due to the duplicate product. Case 2: Product worth ₹2,000 sold for ₹200 College student Sakshi recalled how she bought what she thought was a genuine product for just ₹200 from a local shop. ‘When I told my friends, they said it was fake,’ she said. The same product was priced at ₹2,000 online. ‘I thought I got lucky with a good deal,’ Sakshi admitted. After that incident, she now takes extra care and consults a professional makeup artist before using any product. ‘Experts can tell immediately from the texture and smell whether it’s real or fake,’ she added. Bhaskar Investigation: How fake products are being sold Case 1: Scanner’s deception – Selling duplicates claiming they’re original The investigation team first visited a cosmetics shop in New Market, Bhopal, one of the busiest shopping areas. The shop looked professional, displaying products from all major beauty brands. The reporter asked for a branded foundation. Reporter: ‘Is this original?’
Shopkeeper: ‘Absolutely, madam. We are the only shop selling original products here. You can scan the barcode on the back to verify—it goes directly to the official website.’ The shopkeeper quoted ₹2,000, while the genuine product costs over ₹4,000 online. When questioned about the price difference, he claimed, ‘There’s an ongoing offer, limited stock.’ He further said, ‘We get all our stock from Mumbai,’ adding that everything could be verified by scanning the code — a false assurance, since even fake barcodes can redirect to the official website. Case 2: Selling ‘Original first copy’ at high prices The team then visited another store and asked directly for ‘first copies’ of branded makeup. Reporter: ‘Do you have H*da B**uty foundation?’
Shopkeeper: ‘Yes, madam, here it is.’
Reporter: ‘Is this original or first copy?’
Shopkeeper: ‘This is a first copy. Who buys originals? This is the best at this price.’ He was selling the counterfeit product for ₹1,500, claiming it was an ‘Original First Copy’, indistinguishable from the real one. ‘We bring these from Mumbai and Delhi,’ he added, ‘there’s a whole market there.’ Beauty parlors also part of network A shopkeeper from New Market, who did not wish to be identified, revealed another layer of the racket. He said, No beauty parlor uses 100% original products. If a makeup artist says they’ll do full bridal makeup for ₹3,000 using all genuine products, they’re lying. They buy duplicate products from us. He explained how parlors mix original and fake items. ‘If a good primer or base worth ₹500 is used with duplicate foundation, it gives the same look as the original. This trick is very common in parlors.’ Why fake products are dangerous Dr. Ekta Sahu, a skin specialist, warned that fake cosmetics contain harmful substances like mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium — all in unregulated amounts. She said, These chemicals can cause burning, rashes, acne, eczema, and even long-term damaged. We have treated patients whose faces were burned because of fake products. Dr. Sahu explained that counterfeit items often contain high levels of parabens, which can enter the bloodstream through the skin and disturb hormones. She advised, Always test a new product behind your ear before applying it on your face. Wait a while to see if irritation occurs. Skin problems rise by 40% during Diwali Dr. Manish Khandare, Assistant Professor, Dermatology, AIIMS Bhopal, said that skin-related cases increase by up to 40% during festivals. He said, Smoke, pollution, and chemical-based decorative products cause allergies and irritation. Also, women often share makeup, increasing the risk of infection. He recommended precautions such as avoiding direct contact with firecracker smoke and not sharing makeup items. In case of burns, ‘wash immediately with cold water for 10–15 minutes and apply aloe vera gel or silver sulfadiazine,’ he advised. ‘Never use toothpaste or butter on burns.’ How to identify real and fake cosmetic products Experts say there are clear signs that can help buyers spot counterfeit cosmetics: Growing urban menace The Bhaskar investigation revealed that the fake cosmetics network is expanding rapidly, using online platforms and local distributors in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bhopal. Duplicate products of leading global brands are manufactured and supplied at a fraction of the price. Shopkeepers and even beauty parlors buy them in bulk, taking advantage of consumer trust. Doctors warn that the long-term use of such products not only harms skin but also affects internal health. Despite multiple awareness campaigns, fake cosmetics continue to thrive in the market due to weak enforcement and lack of consumer vigilance. Until stronger action is taken, the responsibility lies with consumers to remain alert, verify authenticity, and prioritise safety over cheap deals.