'They could break you out and cause irritations': The risks of counterfeit MAC make-up from China being sold to unwitting consumers



Make-up artists have warned against the risks of counterfeit designer cosmetics that are flooding e-commerce sites.

Tampa-based make-up artist Holly Whitis told ABC Action News that because counterfeit products’ ingredients are unknown, ‘[they] could break you out. It could cause irritations, allergies that you may not know that you have.’

The warning comes as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is investigating major counterfeit make-up manufacturing rings to try and shut down the issue from its root.

On the rise: Counterfeited high-end cosmetics, like those purported to be MAC, have become a growing issue

MAC cosmetic imitations, in particular, are finding themselves on eBay and Amazon, the news station reported.

An investigation found that counterfeit products are manufactured in China, and when worn, present the opportunity for consumers to experience intense allergic reactions. They often appear so convincing that it is sometimes incredibly difficult to tell the difference between what’s real and fake.

Much of the fake make-up being sold is offered to consumers at a discount – but not by much.

While a real tube of MAC lipstick retails for approximately $15, ABC Action News found imitations priced at just 2 dollars less – for $13.

Reporters traced the lipstick’s wholesale structure all the way back to a Chinese website that was selling the lipsticks for less than one dollar.

A representatives for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Shane Folden, said: ‘When you buy a legitimate product, you have the confidence that the manufacturer is held to certain standards. When you buy a counterfeit item, there’s absolutely no guarantee. . .

Real or fake? It is very difficult to tell which cosmetics are genuine, experts say

‘Your ultimate goal is to work your way up and disrupt the organizations that are responsible for manufacturing.’

The investigation located many of the counterfeit products on eBay, but says that some can be found on Amazon as well.

Amazon said that it does not tolerate counterfeit goods and destroy counterfeit stock if it ever lands in one of their distribution warehouses.