"It's So Cheap, It's My Favorite" ... Counterfeit Perfume Found With Methanol Up to 484 Times the Safety Limit

Korea Consumer Agency Investigates Safety of 34 Counterfeit Products

Hazardous Substances Such as Methanol and Lead Found in 11 Products

Methanol concentrations up to 484 times higher than the safety standard have been detected in counterfeit perfumes of famous overseas brands, which are mainly distributed through social networking services (SNS) and online platforms.

On August 14, the Korea Consumer Agency announced that it had investigated the safety of 34 counterfeit cosmetics products from well-known foreign brands that were seized by the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency. The results showed that 11 products (32.4%) contained hazardous substances, such as methanol and lead, at levels exceeding safety standards.

Counterfeit perfumes from famous overseas brands. Korea Consumer Agency

The investigation included 18 perfumes, 6 hand creams, 5 lipsticks, and 5 other cosmetics such as body mist and foundation. Among these, six perfumes were found to contain methanol at concentrations ranging from 73.7% to 96.9%, exceeding the permissible standard (0.2% or less) by up to 484 times.

While genuine perfumes use ethanol as a solvent to dissolve fragrances, counterfeit cosmetics often use highly toxic methanol to cut costs. Methanol can cause vision loss if absorbed into the body and may lead to adverse effects such as central nervous system disorders after prolonged exposure.

Other counterfeit cosmetics were also found to contain hazardous substances. Out of the six hand creams tested, three contained both methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), which are preservatives banned in cosmetics. The maximum detected levels were 15.1 μg/g for CMIT and 5.7 μg/g for MIT. One lipstick was found to contain 31.0 μg/g of lead, far surpassing the safety limit (less than 20 μg/g). Additionally, one body mist contained 0.6 μg/g of CMIT.

Exposure to CMIT and MIT above a certain concentration can cause allergic skin reactions as well as irritation to the respiratory system and eyes. Lead can impede children's development and cause cardiovascular issues, among other health problems.

The Korea Consumer Agency stated, "Counterfeit cosmetics are likely to lack verified safety of their main ingredients and adequate hygiene management during manufacturing." The agency emphasized that, as these products come into direct contact with the skin, consumers should avoid purchasing them. It warned that products priced excessively low compared to typical market prices may be counterfeit, urging consumers to exercise caution. The agency also stressed that counterfeit products from unclear sources should be discontinued immediately and disposed of.

Consumers are further advised to purchase products only from official brand websites or certified retailers. If buying via SNS or online shopping malls, they should always check the seller’s information and customer reviews.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.