Buying beauty products online without getting fakes

Beauty is one of the categories where counterfeit and expired stock is most common online. A few habits make it much less likely you will end up with one.

Buy from authorised sources

Beauty-focused stores like Nykaa source directly from brands or authorised distributors. On marketplaces, look for the brand’s official store or a seller marked as authorised, and be wary of prices far below every other store.

Check the details when it arrives

• Manufacturing and expiry dates, or a period-after-opening symbol
• Batch code printed on both the box and the product
• Sealed packaging and an intact safety seal
• Importer details and MRP sticker for imported brands

Know the return rules

Most stores do not accept returns on opened beauty products for hygiene reasons, but will replace items that arrive damaged, expired or wrong if you report it quickly. Take photos as soon as you open the parcel.

Tip:Patch-test new skincare on a small area first, especially active ingredients like retinol or acids.