It’s a serious issue. A great deal of the makeup products sold on eBay are fake or illegally obtained, and some are potentially harmful to human health.
And many of these fake products come from China, as was the case for the more than $1 million in fake MAC cosmetics sold by a Florida woman who was caught, and has now been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. As part of her sentence, she was also ordered to pay MAC $961,744.75.
Tina Oleszczuk, 45, of New Port Richey, sold the counterfeits over a two-year period through her company Cozmetic Delights LLC, to wholesalers, and via eBay, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. The products were bought and shipped from a source identified only as “Lory,” in China.
According to eBay, MAC cosmetics have been identified as one of largest groups of items likely to be counterfeited and sold online. More than 29,000 MAC makeup items are currently listed on eBay, but these are not via authorized sellers, and many are likely to be counterfeit.
According to a statement put out by MAC and posted on 10News in Florida, “We would like to explain that our products are distributed for sale only at our authorized retail store accounts (including certain direct TV sales), free-standing stores, and e-commerce sites. Products sold to our authorized accounts are genuine MAC.
“If a retailer is not one of our accounts, we have no control over the merchandise that they sell. Further, we have no way of knowing how they obtained our products. Therefore, we are unable to assume responsibility for unauthorized representation of our product,” the statement said.
A Carcinogenic Danger
Manhattan dermatologist Whitney Bowe said counterfeit cosmetics may contain carcinogens or heavy metals that can cause damage with repeated exposure. “For example, some counterfeit cosmetics have been shown to contain beryllium, a known carcinogen. Beryllium can cause local irritation, ulceration, granulomas,” she wrote via email.
Counterfeit cosmetics have also been demonstrated to contain mercury.
“Mercury compounds are readily absorbed through the skin and they can slowly accumulate in the body. They may cause allergic reactions or skin irritation on the way in, but sometimes they bypass those reactions and simply accumulate within the body,” she said. “Chronic exposure can affect taste, hearing, lead to blurred vision, and brain damage.”
In addition, counterfeit perfumes have been shown to contain bacteria and even urine, Bowe wrote.
What to Do If You Have a Reaction to Counterfeit Makeup
According to Whitney Bowe: “First, try to find the culprit and cease using it immediately. Make an appointment to see your dermatologist, but while waiting for the appointment you can consider using an over-the-counter cortisone cream to help calm any itching and the associated redness caused by inflammation and irritation. If you see pus or feel pain, then avoid cortisones and use an antibiotic ointment instead. Also use gentle cleansers and then apply moisturizers that are fragrance-free to help the skin heal and restore the healthy skin barrier.”
EBay Sellers and MAC Products
Gsdtrading has been selling products on eBay since May 2015. The MAC products listed on this seller’s eBay store are sold at a price slightly below what you would pay in store or through an authorized online retailer. On July 30, the seller had listed large quantities of MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, “more than 10 available/64 sold,” and large quantities of MAC Haute & Naughty Lash mascara, and liquid MAC foundations. The mascara, which retails at Macy’s for $22, is listed by Gsdtrading for just $12.99, with free shipping.
