How to Spot Fake Skincare in Kenya: 7 Checks Before You Buy

“Is it original?” is the question we are asked most, and for good reason. Counterfeit skincare is common in Kenya – copies of CeraVe, The Ordinary, COSRX and popular brightening creams are sold online and in markets every day. At best a fake does nothing. At worst it contains unknown or banned ingredients that can burn, darken or damage your skin.

Here are seven checks you can do before you pay.

1. If the price looks too good, it probably is

Original imported skincare carries real costs: the product, shipping, duty and storage. A popular serum selling for half the normal price is a warning sign. Compare a few trusted shops before you buy.

2. Check the packaging closely

Look for blurry printing, spelling mistakes, crooked labels, colours that look slightly “off” and boxes without the usual information. Original brands are careful about packaging; copies usually are not.

3. Find the batch code and expiry date

Almost every genuine product has a batch (lot) code printed or stamped on the box and the container, and the two should match. Missing, scratched-off or mismatched codes are a red flag.

4. Look for the seal

Many products come with a foil seal under the cap or a sealed box. A broken or missing seal means someone has opened it – don't use it on your face.

5. Know how the product should look and smell

If a cream that is normally white is yellowish, a gel that should be clear is cloudy, or a fragrance-free product smells strongly of perfume, stop. Texture and smell are some of the easiest giveaways.

6. Buy from a seller you can visit

A seller with a real shop, a working phone number and a clear returns policy has a reputation to protect. Be careful with sellers who only exist in a DM and disappear after payment.

7. Ask where it came from

An honest seller can tell you where their stock is sourced. If they can't, or won't, take that as your answer.

How we keep it original at Beauty Bar by Maridadi

• Our products are imported from the UK and from the brands' home countries.
• You can see and test our stock in person at Shop 21, NextGen Mall, Mombasa Road.
• Ask us about any product on WhatsApp and we will tell you where it came from.

As our customer Winnie told us: she orders with Beauty Bar because “they are so reliable” and the products are “original and amazing”. That trust is everything to us.

Have a product you're not sure about? Send us a photo on WhatsApp 0741 138 331 and we'll help you check it. Shopping with us? Free delivery on orders over KSh 6,500 (Kenya), and same-day delivery in eligible Nairobi areas.