Counterfeit Cosmetics Flooding Social Media, Methanol Levels 484 Times Higher Than Safety Standards

Recently, counterfeit cosmetics imitating famous international brands have been circulating at low prices on social media platforms. Some of these counterfeit perfumes have been found to contain methanol levels up to 484 times higher than safety standards.

The Korea Consumer Agency reported on August 14 that an investigation into 34 counterfeit cosmetics seized by the Chungnam Provincial Police revealed that 11 products contained harmful substances, including methanol and lead, exceeding safety limits.

The investigation included 18 perfumes, six hand creams, and five lipsticks. Among these, six perfumes showed methanol levels ranging from 73.7% to 96.9%, which is 368 to 484 times higher than the current allowable limit of 0.2% for methanol in cosmetics.

While genuine perfumes typically use ethanol as a solvent for fragrances, counterfeit products often resort to using toxic methanol to cut costs. Methanol absorption in the body can lead to vision loss, and prolonged exposure may result in central nervous system disorders.

Harmful substances were also detected in hand creams. Of the six products tested, three contained the banned preservatives methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), with levels reaching up to 15.1 µg/g and 5.7 µg/g, respectively. One body mist also showed CMIT levels exceeding safety limits.

In one lipstick, lead was found at 31.0 µg/g, surpassing the safety standard of less than 20 µg/g. Both CMIT and MIT can cause allergic skin reactions and respiratory or eye irritation at certain concentrations. Lead exposure can also lead to growth inhibition and cardiovascular diseases.

The Consumer Agency urged consumers using counterfeit cosmetics with unclear sources to stop using them immediately and dispose of them. It also emphasized the importance of purchasing from certified retailers, such as official websites or stores, and being cautious of products priced significantly lower than the market average, as they may be counterfeit.