How to distinguish original Korean cosmetics from fakes

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Korean cosmetics have been at the peak of popularity for more than one year. And if there is demand, then there are unscrupulous manufacturers who find it very profitable to fake them. Together with an expert, we found out how to recognize a copy.

What products are most often faked?

There is no point in counterfeiting little-known brands, so these are luxury bestsellers or popular mass market.

Now, dealers are so skillfully counterfeiting products, even protective holograms, that it is difficult to identify them with an asterisk. Especially if you have never used the original product or at least not held it in your hands. But there are basic techniques that will help you not to become a victim of scammers. Let's explore them together.

What should alert you?

• The absence of the country where the product was manufactured. The manufacturer's address and official website must be indicated on the packaging;
• Packaging made of low-quality plastic;
• Low print quality. Letters and signs must be clear, not blurred or erased by touch;
• The packaging of a fake is usually duller, with a yellowish tint, while the original is bright;
• The lid is not tightly closed or is completely loose;
• A pronounced chemical and unpleasant aroma. Heterogeneous textures.
• Barcode. In Korean products, it starts with the numbers 880. Nowadays, products manufactured in other countries are often sold as Korean cosmetics;
• There should be a translation in Ukrainian on the label itself or on a separate sticker. This indicates that the product has passed certification;
• If there is a QR code, it should work. Don't be lazy to scan it;
• An error in the name of the product, brand, or its absence. For example, this is the case with fake CP-1 shampoos. CP-1 is not a brand, but the name of the line. The manufacturer is Esthetic House;
• The absence of a protective membrane against leaks or its poor quality is most often a sign of a fake;
• If it is a cream or patches, the spoon for applying the originals is usually packed in a protective film;
• The expiration date on Korean products is indicated in this order – YYYY.MM.DD.

What documents should the seller have?

Declarations of conformity regardless of whether the seller has an offline store or not. They are issued for each batch of imported goods and confirm that the product has passed customs certification. Therefore, it is safe, of high quality and can be sold in Ukraine. It must be marked with the EAC signand information for consumers is printed on it: name, information about the manufacturer and importer, composition, instructions for use, date of manufacture, shelf life and conditions, precautions.

The original declaration must have the distributor's blue seal.

You can always ask the seller to send the declarations electronically or attach copies to the order.

How do brands try to protect themselves?

They use holographic stickers. They confirm not only originality, but also compliance with storage and transportation conditions.

They apply a QR code, by scanning which you can verify the authenticity of the products on the brand's official website.

They often update the packaging and design. It is possible that the product in the packaging you purchased was released 5 years ago. This should raise suspicion.

Some brands, for example, have recently modified the QR code. Now part of the code is hidden under a protective layer that needs to be erased. And they have introduced another innovation – when reading it, it indicates whether this code has been read by someone else. Thus, you can be sure that it is not a fake and that no one has erased the protection before you.

And on some packages there is even a unique number by which you can track the path from the manufacturer to the buyer on the official website.

But, unfortunately, not all brands use these protection measures yet.

Where do fakes come from and what consequences can they lead to?

The main part of fakes is made in China, not in sterile conditions. The quality depends on the manufacturer's honesty.

At best, you will not see the expected effect and will mistakenly assume that Korean cosmetics are not suitable for you. At worst, you will get an allergic reaction or burn, as low-quality and toxic substances are often used in the production. In 2016, for example, a girl was hospitalized with a severe allergy to fake Nature Republic aloe gel.

Therefore, order products only from official representatives who value their reputation and your health, and do not run to dubious sellers on online platforms for the lowest prices.