Health risks of buying cosmetics online

The trend of buying cosmetics online has become more and more popular. It is also one of the most purchased products. According to global measurement firm Nielsen, Americans spend more than $12 billion a year on beauty and personal care products on the internet. However, the easy purchase of cosmetics online has come with many potential health risks.

A California woman was hospitalized after being exposed to methylmercury in a Ponds brand skin cream purchased online and imported from Mexico. This Ponds imitation lotion contains more than 500 times the allowable level of mercury in a skin care product. This is not the first incident of a seemingly innocent online purchase of cosmetics branded with a reputable brand that has adversely affected consumers.
In 2018, the Los Angeles Police Department seized $700,000 in counterfeit cosmetics contaminated with animal waste and carcinogenic compounds such as arsenic. At that time, all of these products were labeled as popular brands like Urban Decay and Kylie Cosmetics.

Dr. Wendy Ng - a board-certified plastic surgeon in Orange County, California shares the reason why cosmetics can be easily counterfeited: “The cosmetic industry is less likely to be counterfeited: more regulated because those products do not necessarily have to go through federal drug testing and approval.”
In addition, buying cosmetics online may contain harmful contaminants because of non-standard and untested manufacturing and packaging processes.
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Many people get sick on their own when choosing to buy cosmetics online through online shopping channels. This not only causes "lost money" but "disability". In fact, buying cosmetics online prevents us from checking the packaging, labels and ingredients of the product with our naked eyes. This leads to a very high risk of buying counterfeit goods.

Outside the product can be the name of famous brands. However, the inside contains ingredients that are unsafe and toxic to the body such as: lack of active ingredients, reduce odor, color, add other substances, etc. When used, consumers will encounter problems. condition: severe skin damage, cosmetic allergy , even lead to facial infection; acne and large pores,... It's not uncommon to die from using poor quality cosmetics.
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To avoid counterfeit or adulterated products when purchasing cosmetics online, consumers are advised to purchase health or cosmetic products directly from the manufacturer, or may purchase products from a single supplier. prestige level. Avoid buying cosmetics and health products from unregulated online markets, and avoid companies that make one-sided claims about the success of their products.
Compare the price of the product with similar items from other manufacturers - much lower or higher can be a sign of poor quality. Also, you should look at user reviews on other websites, not just the company's product page. If there are negative reviews, see how the company responds. Consult a dermatologist before purchasing when buying cosmetics online.
Finally, after using cosmetics, if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, you need to go to a dermatology hospital for timely examination and treatment, to avoid dangerous complications that may occur. .

Reference source: .healthline.com