Many companies are selling knockoff beauty products that are marketed as name brand. Consumers are falling into the trap of purchasing products simply because they are more affordable. However, the ingredients in faux makeup are proving to be harmful and unsanitary.

Counterfeited makeup and skincare items are commonly sold online, in mall kiosks and even at flea markets. For people always looking for a bargain, these products seem like the obvious option.

People are scammed into buying a $10 eyeshadow palette originally sold for $60 or more. This seems too good to be true, and that’s because often times it is.

Several organizations are warning consumers about the ingredients in counterfeit makeup. The FBI, FDA and Homeland Security have all made statements about the harmful components in the industry of faux products.

According to the FBI, “Phony cosmetics often contain things such as arsenic, beryllium and cadmium (all known as carcinogens) along with high levels of aluminum and dangerous levels of bacteria. Some of these products have caused conditions like acne, psoriasis, rashes and eye infections.”

While the FBI and other well-known organizations are releasing harsh statements against the industry, many people are still not aware of the dangers. Mostly because it is simply not talked about in the media.

Affordability is important to many consumers when purchasing makeup and skin care products, so people are more likely to choose cheaper options. However, it is important to recognize that these items often times have ingredients such as bacteria, arsenic and other common poisons.

The quality of one’s makeup is crucial to ensure healthy and non irritated skin. Certain products are known to cause skin irritation, infection and diseases.

Foundation and concealer are applied directly to the face and if they contain arsenic they will cause horrific reactions. Eyes are generally sensitive, so when bacteria-filled products are applied infections are almost inevitable.

YouTuber, Safiya Nygaard, is known for testing faux makeup and comparing it to the original and has many videos on the topic. Some include: “Real Vs Fake Makeup Under A Microscope,” “Trying $1 Makeup From Wish” and “I Tried a Full Face Of 7-Eleven Makeup.”

Her videos show the blatant copying of packaging and branding. The unethicality of stealing and selling poisonous products are also present in her videos.

YouTubers like Nygaard spread awareness behind fake makeup. Viewers then know how to decipher real from fake products.

Nygaard says in her recent video about Wish makeup, that the danger lies sometimes lies in the packaging.

“Something I would point out as a reason to not regularly buy makeup from Wish is that most of these products I saw are fake versions of actual makeup products. And a lot of them either don’t list the the ingredients, or list the same ingredients as the makeup their counterfeiting, so, you don’t actually know what’s in it,” said Nygaard.

Her videos over the topic tend to be scientific and in depth reviews on fake makeup. She visited Japan for one of her videos where she bought Japanese dollar store makeup.

Nygaard demonstrated how cheap makeup in other countries can be just as dangerous, if not more harmful. According to The Talko, most counterfeited makeup is based out of China.

Washburn students interested in buying beauty products must be concerned of this issue, or at the very least aware. As poor college students, the concept of cheap name brand makeup is very appealing. However, once reading the ingredients, the products can become the exact opposite of appealing.

Consumers experience moments of eye pain after purchasing and applying counterfeit eye makeup, according to The Talko. Infections and diseases from seemingly safe makeup are easily avoidable.

Jennie Wilson, a freshman marketing major has an established business of her own, so she holds importance in creating one’s own work or crediting the original artist.

“I think that it is so wrong that ‘brands’ make money off of someone else’s creativity. It’s such a lazy way to make money and trick people,” says Wilson.

YouTube and online reviews demonstrate how faux makeup works. The information is out there, as well is the proof of awful elements found in fake products. Feces and poison are not things that people desire to put on their face.

Today, faux makeup is easily avoidable with the knowledge of harmful ingredients to look out for.