In the last few years, counterfeit cosmetics and personal care products have increased drastically. From fake lipsticks to fake shampoos, duplicate face creams to duplicate facial masks – the list seems endless. Nowadays, roadside shops, markets, and even retail shops are flooded with counterfeit versions of cosmetics.
For example, in the city of Delhi, some of the major counterfeit hubs of fake cosmetics are Janpath, Central Market in Lajpat Nagar, Sadar, Palika market, etc. You can easily find here cheap copies of famous international cosmetic brands at very low prices. Similarly, there are many other spots in other cities where you can easily find counterfeit cosmetics.
Current facts and figures related to counterfeit cosmetics
The counterfeit cosmetics industry is growing at fast pace and here are some shocking facts which prove the same:
- In 2016, fake perfumes and cosmetics had a share of 5% of the overall global seizures. Source- OECD.
- Counterfeit cosmetics contain harmful chemicals like lead and mercury. Source- Web
- In February 2018, police in the US found US$700,000 worth of knock-off Kylie Cosmetics products in 21 locations throughout Los Angeles. Source: Cosmeticsbusiness.com
- Social media now contributes to more than 50% of black-market cosmetics sales. Source: Cosmeticsbusiness.com
Negative impact on the manufacturers and consumers
Counterfeit cosmetics lead to a monetary loss of the manufacturers. Counterfeiting takes away a major chunk of profits from the companies. Moreover, counterfeiting leads to a tarnished brand image which takes years to build up.
Many big cosmetic brands have taken strict anti-counterfeiting measures to fight fakes. This comes in the form of added costs and puts a financial burden on the company which is already suffering from fake products.
Every day, we come across numerous reports and news from different corners of the world on the harmful effects of counterfeit cosmetics. Since fake cosmetics contain toxic chemicals, they lead to different types of skin allergies, infections, etc.
Anti-counterfeiting solutions from Holostik
Holostik provides customized anti-counterfeiting, smart packaging, and supply chain solutions to the cosmetic and personal care industry. Our products not just help in preventing the sale of counterfeits but also help in monitoring the company’s supply chains.
Our anti-counterfeiting solutions are incorporated with high-security features like holography, tamper-evident and digital authentication technologies which makes it impossible for counterfeiters to breach our security standards.