Unlicensed Cosmetics Products Pose Toxic Risk

Personal care and cosmetic products produced under unhealthy conditions, often referred to as black-market goods, pose a direct threat to human health. According to data from the Ministry of Health Turkey Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, of 1,328 products inspected in 2019, 801 were found to be non-compliant with regulations, while 38 products were classified as unsafe. Commenting on the issue, İbrahim Zengin, Chairman of the Board of Giz Cosmetics, drew attention to the fact that counterfeit products may contain carcinogenic substances and that such products cause both physical and psychological trauma. According to the Ministry of Health Turkey Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, 1,328 products were inspected in 2019 by the Cosmetics Inspection Department. In the study, 489 products received approval as 'technically compliant', while '801 products were found to be non-compliant with technical regulations'. According to technical inspections conducted every three months, 38 products were identified as unsafe. Producer companies were fined a total of TRY 1,459,981 on the grounds of non-compliance with technical regulations. Together with other fines imposed under regulations, this amount reached a total of TRY 1,679,981. In addition to the fines, many products were subjected to withdrawal and destruction procedures.

"Consumers are being misled by cheap pricing tactics"

These products, which threaten public health and are defined as 'black-market production', are offered to consumers either as counterfeits of well-known brands or as unknown brands. Products put on the market by unscrupulous manufacturers attempting to gain customers through cheap pricing policies may contain chemical substances that threaten human health. Experts constantly draw attention to the dangers of personal care and cosmetic products manufactured in unhealthy production facilities and released to market. These products, whose composition is unknown and which may contain carcinogenic substances, can irritate skin and be the cause of numerous skin diseases, particularly eczema. Beyond the physical problems they create, such products also bring psychological trauma.

"Attention should be paid to products with large price differences"

İbrahim Zengin, Chairman of the Board of Giz Cosmetics, one of Turkey's largest manufacturers of cosmetic and makeup products, stated that counterfeit cosmetic products can cause serious damage to human health and offered the following assessment on the issue: "In recent years, currency fluctuations have affected the prices of cosmetic products. Rising prices encourage consumers to opt for low-priced cosmetics. At this point, consumers need to act consciously and make the right choice. A product that sells on average for TRY 200 is unlikely to be sold for TRY 20. Consumers should be aware that products sold cheaply with large price differences are counterfeit. Another point concerns cosmetic and personal care products that are unknown, with unclear manufacturers. Products that have not proven themselves on the market and whose production facilities are unclear should also be avoided. Products from companies that have proven they produce cosmetics and personal care products that are harmless to human health and that have quality certificates should be the first choice."

"Counterfeit products may contain carcinogenic substances"

"We do not know what substances are added to black-market products. These substances may have allergic side effects," said İbrahim Zengin, "Counterfeit cosmetic products manufactured by unscrupulous individuals can cause many diseases. Counterfeit products may contain carcinogenic substances. Because they are used on the body's most sensitive areas, they can invite numerous skin diseases, particularly eczema. Problems from counterfeit products can go as far as vision loss. There is also a psychological aspect to the problems experienced. People experiencing various problems such as vision loss and irreversible skin damage also experience psychological trauma. To avoid all these problems, choosing reliable and established brands when purchasing personal care and cosmetic products is the best choice." he said.