Counterfeit cosmetics risk people's health, economy

Counterfeit and low-quality cosmetic products sold in markets, discount stores and online, a growing grey economy business, are imperiling the health of consumers and harming the country's economy, according to sector representatives.

"Counterfeit cosmetic products can contain dangerous and strong chemicals which can severely harm a person's health," the president of the Turkish Dermatology Association, Güneş Gür Aksoy, told daily Hürriyet.

"People who use these products may be exposed to cancerogenic substances, have allergic reactions and become sensitive to sunlight. Such products may create extra sensitivity on skin and cause eczema," she said. 

Some products that claim to be sun protective does not protect the skin but, on the contrary, lead to skin burns, according to Aksoy. 

Although the Health Ministry and experts continuously warn consumers about the health risks of counterfeit and low-quality makeup products, millions of people every day keep using lipsticks, mascaras, eyeshadows, blushes and other products they buy from markets, discount stores and online.

Fake products make up more than 10 percent of the market, according to Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products' Exporters Association (İKMİB) chairman Murat Akyüz.

"I focus more on online sales rather than the ones in street markets because online they put photos of the original products but send people counterfeits. And this does not have any penalty," he said.

"Consumers accept this because they do not want to spend time on it. But this encourages sellers to make even more counterfeiting," he added. 

"I believe it is for the benefit of consumers if the Health Ministry also starts this practice as soon as possible in our country,"...