How to check perfume and cosmetics

Why it matters

Fake perfume and make-up are not only a waste of money. Because nobody controls what goes into them, they can irritate the skin or contain contaminants. If you suspect a product is fake, do not put it on your skin or near your eyes.

The box and the wrapping

• The cellophane is tight and neatly folded, with small, clean seams rather than loose plastic or thick glue lines
• The box is made of firm card with sharp, even printing and no spelling mistakes
• The brand name, product name and size are printed in the brand's usual fonts
• The ingredients list and the legal text are present and readable

Genuine testers are real products in plain packaging marked “Tester” or “Not for sale”. They are not fakes, but they are sold without the usual box and sometimes without a cap.

Batch codes

Most perfumes and cosmetics carry a batch code, a short code of letters and numbers printed or embossed on the box and on the bottle or tube itself.

• There is a batch code on both the box and the product
• The two codes match each other
• The code is printed or engraved cleanly, not on a sticker that peels off
• A batch code lookup site gives a production date that makes sense for the product

The bottle, sprayer and cap

• The glass is clear and even, without bubbles, seams or wobbly lettering
• The liquid level and colour look right for that fragrance
• The sprayer gives a fine, even mist, not a squirt or drip
• The cap is heavy, fits snugly and lines up with the bottle
• The tube inside the bottle is thin and cut to the right length

The scent itself

Fakes often open with a sharp smell of alcohol, then fade quickly. A genuine fragrance changes as it dries and lasts much longer. Compare on a paper strip with a tester in a store if you can, rather than on your skin.

Photos to take for a check

1. 1The front of the box and the bottle
2. 2The batch code on the box
3. 3The batch code on the base of the bottle
4. 4The sprayer and the cap
5. 5The cellophane seams, if the box is still wrapped