What will happen if you use a fake mask? How to distinguish between real and fake

Facial masks come into contact with the skin, so it is extremely important whether they are safe. So what will happen if you use a fake facial mask? How to tell whether a facial mask is authentic or fake?

What happens if you use a fake mask?

1. Masks containing hormones can cause dermatitis and high blood pressure if used for a long time

Long-term use of facial masks containing hormones can lead to dermatitis and hypertension

CCTV revealed that a girl developed acne after she stopped using a facial mask she bought online. After testing, it was found that the mask contained hormones, even 6,000 times higher than the standard. Long-term use will not only cause dermatitis but also high blood pressure.

2. Excessive heavy metal content in anti-freckle masks causes black hair on the face

After Ms. Wang bought the freckle removal mask, she saw results after two days of use. However, after two months of use, the effect became slow and less obvious. Her skin even looked sick. Not only did the spots on her face reappear, but black hair also began to grow on her face. According to doctors' analysis, the cosmetics used by patients are likely to contain excessive amounts of heavy metals such as mercury and lead, or corticosteroids.

If the facial mask you buy contains mercury, it will cause harm to the human body if it exceeds a certain standard. Mercury will irritate the skin and have a great impact on the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as memory loss and insomnia. In severe cases, it can also cause kidney damage.

3. Long-term use of fake Korean facial masks is harmful to your health

The Korean Patent Office has cracked down on a counterfeit facial mask den in South Korea, and more than 100,000 facial masks produced by this den have been sold to China. According to investigation, the counterfeiting den has produced 266,000 facial masks, of which more than 100,000 have been sold to China.

The addition of phenoxyethanol and other ingredients is harmful to the human body. The outer packaging of the fake mask is no different from the genuine one. The authentic mask being imitated contains adenosine, an ingredient with anti-wrinkle function. However, the fake mask not only does not have this ingredient, but also contains phenoxyethanol and other preservatives that are harmful to the human body.

4. Fake facial masks purchased online contain fluorescent agents that can cause cancer

Fake facial masks purchased online contain fluorescent agents that can cause cancer

A Ms. Zhang bought facial masks on Taobao in order to get a bargain. She bought masks that were more than half the original price and stocked up. Nothing happened during use, but she accidentally placed the mask next to a nail lamp and found that the mask turned blue under the light.

5. The mask emits blue light under fluorescent light

Ms. Zhang felt something was wrong and thought there must be something in the mask. It was later discovered that it contained a fluorescent agent. The fluorescent agent reflects light blue fluorescence, which after neutralizing with the skin color, makes the skin look radiant and bright, but it may cause skin allergies at the mildest and cancer at the worst.

How to distinguish true from false

According to industry insiders, the more popular a cosmetic product is on the market, the more stores there are selling this brand online, and the more counterfeit products there are. An investigation by the China Quality Caravan Promotion Association found that, currently, when purchasing cosmetics online, one should be wary of several types of "fakes".

1. Products with particularly low prices

Generally speaking, products that lure netizens into buying by using extremely low prices usually have problems.

2. Selling fake goods mixed with real ones

During use, if you find that the product you purchased is slightly different from your previous experience, you must take it for identification, because it is possible that the store owner is selling a mixture of real and fake products.

3. Diluted or adulterated products

For example, some perfumes or skin care products may not feel thick enough when used, because they may have been diluted before being sold. For example, some perfumes have similar smells, but their ingredients are made of chemical materials.

To sum up, it is still recommended that you go to the brand’s official mall or buy directly in the store, and never believe in products with particularly cheap prices. Brands like SK2, Estee Lauder, Marumi, Zangmeiren, Shiseido, etc. all have their own official shopping malls. Although the prices are not as cheap as Taobao, the quality is guaranteed because they are official and the same as those in the counters.