DS Sourav
Fake cosmetic products are widely sold in super markets in the capital and other parts of the country under the labels of foreign and local brands. Experts, sending cautionary messages said that regular use of such fake cosmetic products can potentially cause skin cancers as they reportedly contain harmful chemicals.
Experts warn that many of such beautifying fake products allegedly made of toxic chemicals can have fatal effect on health with longtime use. It was learnt that most of the factories making fake cosmetics are situated on the outskirts of the capital, namely, Companyganj, Zinzira, Kalindi of Keraniganj area, Chawkbazar, Begombazar, Rahmatganj, Kamalbagh, Khazi Dewan, Islambag, Debidas Ghat, Boro Katra, Choto Katra and Kamrangirchar areas.
Fake beauty products like face creams, face powder, soap, lotion, shampoo, snow, body lotion, body powder, face-wash, lipstick, nail polish, liquid makeup remover are being openly sold in most of the city shopping centres. The manufacturers are using labels of reputed international and local brands including Lakme, L’Oréal, Kiss, Dove, Clear, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Garnier, Johnson and Johnson, Nivea, Unilever on their fake products to cheat customers. Sarwer Alam, executive magistrate of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), said, “Some unscrupulous businesses are involved in manufacturing and selling fake cosmetics in the name of selling genuine foreign brands.”
“It is also very difficult for ordinary consumers to differentiate between authentic or genuine and fake beauty products,” he added. “After stocking such fake products those products are later distributed to Chawkbazar, the capital’s largest wholesale market, for sale. When contacted, Dr Lutful Kabir, Associate Professor of Department of Pharmaceutical Technology at University of Dhaka, told Bangladesh Post, “The chemical ingredients of beauty products infiltrate into our bloodstream and enter into various glands under our skin. With the help of some chemical technicians such unscrupulous traders produce such harmful substandard products”
“Cosmetics those are adulterated or made using toxic chemicals are harmful for the human body. These can even cause deadly skin diseases or even lead to skin cancer. Being the main consumers of cosmetics, women are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of fake beauty products,” he added. Professional beauty experts Salma Akter warned about use of such beauty products.
She said, “Cosmetics can also cause acne and other contemporary damages. You'll usually be fine if you're diligent about removing your makeup at the end of the day and immediately after their use. However, certain oils in many cosmetics can penetrate outer layer of the skin and cause or worsen existing acne.” She also suggested that routine practice of skin care using high quality makeup products can help prevent negative reactions on the skin. Fake products will leave permanent damages to the skin and hence lead to an irreparable loss to health.
The fake cosmetics under the names of reputed local and international brands are now being sold even in reputed shops in uptown super markets. Customers tend to buy such fake products as they are relatively cheaper yet wearing international brands which undoubtedly brings confidence of customers. The substandard cosmetics and toiletries items are sold publicly as the customers cannot immediately differentiate between fake and real products. Taking the advantage of lack of efficient monitoring by law enforcement agencies, a section of unscrupulous businessmen are producing and selling those fake and substandard beauty products in a bid to earn hefty profits.
According to skin disease specialist Enamul Bari, “These cosmetics, made with harmful chemicals, can cause serious harm to skin and hair instead of serving the purpose of enhancing beauty. These substances can cause itching, hair loss, swelling, loss of pigment and even skin cancer.”
