Mercury, lead and methanol have been found in counterfeit beauty products seized across the UK, Trading Standards has said.

There is a rising problem with fake beauty products, with scammers selling copies of popular and expensive brands. Cosmetics, skincare and perfumes are now among the watchdog’s most commonly investigated fakes.

Tests found 13,200 parts per million of mercury in one skincare product, high levels of lead in lipstick, eyeshadow and contour products, nicotine in perfume and a counterfeit fragrance made up of about 80% methanol , a toxic alcohol that can cause serious poisoning.

About 20% of 18- to 24-year-olds who bought beauty products last year knowingly bought counterfeits, up from 6% in 2023, according to the latest Intellectual Property Office (IPO) counterfeit goods tracker.

Counterfeit products are more likely to contain harmful substances because they do not have to undergo health and safety tests or contain accurate ingredient lists.…