Close Menu
Technology Mag

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Epic just won its Google lawsuit again, and Android may never be the same

    July 31, 2025

    DJI won’t sell you an Osmo 360 in the US — but these retailers will

    July 31, 2025

    Reddit wants to be a search engine now

    July 31, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Subscribe
    Technology Mag
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    • Home
    • News
    • Business
    • Games
    • Gear
    • Reviews
    • Science
    • Security
    • Trending
    • Press Release
    Technology Mag
    Home » How to Spot Counterfeit Beauty Products on Amazon
    Gear

    How to Spot Counterfeit Beauty Products on Amazon

    News RoomBy News RoomJuly 8, 20254 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Email

    You’d expect your pimple patches to heal blemishes, not cause them. But when you’re buying beauty products on Amazon, there’s a risk you’re getting more than you bargained for.

    And you wouldn’t be alone. According to a 2023 study from Michigan State University, nearly seven in 10 consumers were fooled into purchasing counterfeit items online. That same year, Amazon reported blocking more than 700,000 attempts by “bad actors” trying to open new storefronts and seizing more than 7 million counterfeit products worldwide.

    While knockoff sneakers might pose minimal safety risks, fake skin care and makeup are a whole different story. These products come into contact with your skin and can cause irritation, allergic reactions, chemical burns, or more serious health issues. According to the Personal Care Products Council, counterfeit cosmetics can come laced with carcinogens like arsenic, beryllium, and cadmium, as well as dangerous levels of aluminum, mercury, and bacteria. So, how do you protect yourself without giving up online shopping altogether?

    Here’s how to spot fake beauty products on Amazon (ideally) before they touch your face. For more smart shopping advice, check out Here’s What the FDA Label on Your Personal Care Products Means.

    Start With the Source

    On Amazon, the same product might be sold by more than one vendor. Your safest bet is sticking to products sold by the brand’s official storefront. Sometimes the product is shipped and sold by Amazon.com. While not foolproof, it’s the second-best option, considering Amazon takes responsibility for the inventory it fulfills.

    Amazon allows independent vendors to list and sell products on its platform, and while many are legit, counterfeiters love this loophole. Click on the third-party seller and look at its storefront. If it’s empty, oddly named, or redirects to nowhere on Google, move along.

    Vet the Seller Like It’s a First Date

    You’d Google a Bumble match before meeting up; apply that same energy here. Run a quick search. If a third-party seller has no presence outside Amazon or is filled with one-star complaints, that’s your cue to swipe left. Look for a legitimate website, positive reviews across various platforms, and clear contact information or customer service details. In this economy, we might love a mysterious man with no socials, but a mysterious seller is giving catfish.

    Read Between the Reviews

    Amazon via Simon Hill

    Screenshot of Amazon Reviews section

    Amazon via Simon Hill

    Beware of fake reviews. Reviewer Simon Hill put together a complete guide to help you spot them, but here are a few red flags to look for:

    • A very high percentage of five-star reviews.
    • Lack of detail in reviews and vague praise.
    • Generic review titles like “Nice product” or simply “Awesome.”
    • Mentions of competing products.
    • Wording similar to other reviews.
    • Poor grammar and spelling mistakes.
    • Multiple reviews on specific dates (especially if there are long gaps between them).
    • The “Customers also bought” section contains unrelated products.
    • Glowing reviews with one small negative that isn’t a deal-breaker.
    • Explaining away cons.

    Inspect Before You Apply

    Counterfeit packaging can be scarily accurate, but there are still tells: off-color logos, misspelled ingredient lists, weird textures or smells, and broken safety seals. If you’ve purchased the product before from a reputable source (like Sephora or directly from the brand), compare it to an old tube. When in doubt, toss it out.

    Check the lot code, which is a sequence of numbers and letters printed on the product’s bottom, side, or crimp. Manufacturers use these to track inventory and flag counterfeits. You can often compare your code with one from an authentic product or plug it into a checker tool on the brand’s website. If the code is missing or different from what you’d expect, it’s a hard pass.

    If You’ve Been Duped, Report It

    If you suspect a product is counterfeit or unsafe, report it directly to Amazon. The online retailer should start an investigation and issue a refund, and may take the product down. You can also leave a detailed review to warn other shoppers, and consider filing a complaint with the brand directly.

    Final Tips and Advice

    Stick to Amazon’s curated storefronts, like Premium Beauty and Professional Skincare, where sellers are vetted and products are often sourced straight from the brand. You’ll also see badges like “Amazon’s Choice” or “Best Seller,” which indicate trusted picks, though again, those aren’t guaranteed.

    If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. But with a little vigilance, you can enjoy the convenience of Amazon without the counterfeit drama.


    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleMicrosoft’s Copilot Plus features might arrive on desktop PCs later this year
    Next Article The M3 11-inch iPad Air heavily discounted for Prime Day

    Related Posts

    In a Rut? Here Are the Best Sexy Gifts to Get You (and Your Partner) Revved Up

    July 31, 2025

    The Asus Chromebook CX14 Is a $429 Laptop That Isn’t Horrible

    July 31, 2025

    Google’s Newest AI Model Acts like a Satellite to Track Climate Change

    July 31, 2025

    This Smart Basketball Tracks Data About Every Shot. It Could Be Headed to the NBA

    July 31, 2025

    How Apple’s New Spotlight Compares to Raycast

    July 31, 2025

    15% Off Theragun Promo Code for August 2025

    July 31, 2025
    Our Picks

    DJI won’t sell you an Osmo 360 in the US — but these retailers will

    July 31, 2025

    Reddit wants to be a search engine now

    July 31, 2025

    Tim Cook says Apple is ‘open to’ AI acquisitions

    July 31, 2025

    Everything You Wanted to Know About China’s Auto Industry Takeover

    July 31, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Don't Miss
    News

    Apple shipped its 3 billionth iPhone

    By News RoomJuly 31, 2025

    Apple has been the target of a fair amount of criticism over the past year,…

    Trump Ends Tariff Exemption for Small Packages

    July 31, 2025

    Apple says Trump’s tariffs are adding another $1 billion to its costs

    July 31, 2025

    US Senator Urges DHS to Probe Whether Agents Were Moved From Criminal Cases to Deportations

    July 31, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    © 2025 Technology Mag. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.