Counterfeit cosmetics, including luxury perfumes, have been found to contain harmful substances such as methanol and lead, prompting consumer warnings. Notably, methanol levels in some counterfeit perfumes were detected at up to 484 times higher than safe limits.
On August 14, the Korea Consumer Agency reported that an investigation by the Chungnam Provincial Police uncovered safety violations in 34 counterfeit products from overseas brands, with 11 (32.4%) exceeding safety standards for harmful substances.
The investigation included 18 perfumes, 6 hand creams, 5 lipsticks, and 5 other cosmetics such as body mist and foundation. The agency tested these products for preservatives, methanol, heavy metals, and fragrances.
Among the perfumes, methanol was detected in 6 samples at levels ranging from 73.7% to 96.9%. Considering the current allowable limit for methanol in commercial cosmetics is 0.2%, these levels exceeded the standard by 368 to 484 times.
Legitimate perfumes use ethanol as a solvent for fragrances, while counterfeit products often substitute it with the more toxic methanol to cut costs. According to the Consumer Agency, ethanol costs about 110,000 won per liter, while methanol is approximately 14,000 won, making methanol about eight times cheaper. Methanol can cause vision loss if absorbed into the body and may lead to central nervous system disorders with prolonged exposure.
Among the 6 hand creams tested, 3 contained methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), preservatives that are not permitted in cosmetics.
In the lipstick samples, one out of five contained lead at 31.0 µg/g, exceeding the safety standard of 20 µg/g. Additionally, one body mist sample showed 0.6 µg/g of CMIT, which is banned for use. Lead can cause cardiovascular issues when absorbed through the skin, while CMIT and MIT can trigger allergic skin reactions and respiratory or eye irritation at certain concentrations.
The Consumer Agency emphasized that the trade of counterfeit goods disrupts market order and infringes on brand intellectual property rights, posing significant risks to consumer safety and health.
They plan to share the investigation results with relevant authorities, including the Intellectual Property Office, and to promote campaigns to prevent the purchase of counterfeit products. Consumers are advised to be cautious of products with unclear origins or prices that are significantly lower than market rates. If a counterfeit product is purchased, consumers should stop using it immediately and request a refund from the seller.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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