Seized counterfeit cosmetics have been found to contain lead, mercury and other potentially harmful substances - and are getting more common.

Testing of seized goods by Trading Standards found 13,200 parts per million of mercury in one skincare product, and high levels of lead in lipstick, eyeshadow and contour products.

It also reported evidence of nicotine in perfume and a counterfeit fragrance made up of around 80% methanol.

Trading Standards also now report that cosmetics, skincare and perfumes are among their 10 most commonly investigated fakes, with 40% of seized cosmetics containing potentially harmful substances.

One raid in Bolton saw officers seize £2m worth of counterfeit goods, including perfume, cosmetics, clothing and vapes at a factory in a commercial building.

Another raid by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit and Greater Manchester Police seized 1,666 counterfeit hair products in July from a warehouse in Manchester, including hair extensions, shampoo and conditioners.

Meanwhile, the Intellectual Property Office's (IPO) latest Counterfeit Goods Tracker said that around 20% of 18 to 24-year-olds who bought beauty products last year knowingly purchased counterfeits.

That figure has risen from 6% in 2023, according to figures from the government agency.

In response to the rise in sales of counterfeit cosmetics, the IPO has launched a Face the Fakes campaign, working with content creators and the beauty industry to raise awareness of the potential harms of counterfeit beauty products.

Helen Barnham, head of enforcement engagement at the IPO, said: "These findings show why counterfeit beauty products can pose such serious risks to consumers.

"Products can look remarkably convincing, but behind the packaging they can contain dangerous substances that have no place in the cosmetics people use every day, and can be made in appalling, unhygienic conditions."

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Independent toxicologist, Rani Ghosh, added: "When you hear that mercury has been found in face cream, lead in make-up or nicotine in perfume, it raises serious questions about what is going into these products and how they are being made."

The toxicologist said: "Counterfeit beauty products can look incredibly convincing.

"You cannot tell from the packaging what chemicals are inside, how the product has been made, or what risk it might pose.

"That is why knowing where your beauty products come from matters."

(c) Sky News 2026: Lead, mercury and nicotine found in seized fake beauty products