How To Spot Fake Korean Skincare

Fake Korean skincare can look almost exactly like the real thing. It won’t give you the results you paid for, and some fakes have been found to contain harmful ingredients. These checks help you buy with confidence, wherever you shop.

The Price Is Too Good To Be True

This is the biggest warning sign of all. Real Korean skincare takes years of research, good ingredients and careful testing, and that costs money. A genuine product can’t be sold at a fraction of its normal price.

If a product is far cheaper than everywhere else, the ingredients are usually cheap too, and you can’t know what’s in the bottle. If you love the product, accept its price. Compare prices across trusted shops, and if one is much lower, ask the seller why.

You Can’t Reach The Seller

Buy from a seller you can talk to, who uses and knows the products and will answer your questions. If a seller can’t be contacted, or won’t explain a very low price, walk away.

The Label Isn’t Right

• Barcode: products made in South Korea usually have a barcode starting with 880. On its own this doesn’t prove a product is real, but a different number is a reason to look closer.
• Two languages: real Korean products list ingredients in Korean and English.
• Logo and print: the logo should be sharp and centered, and the printing clean. Fakes often have faded logos, thicker or uneven letters, or Korean words that are missing a letter.
• Spelling: look for spelling mistakes in the brand or product name.

The Batch Code Doesn’t Match

The batch code and expiry date should be printed or stamped on the product, not on a stick-on label. The code on the box should match the code on the bottle or tube.

The Seal Has Been Opened

Check that the box and the product’s seal haven’t been lifted, torn or resealed.

It Looks, Feels Or Smells Different

If you’ve used the product before, you know how it should be. A different color, a watery or lumpy texture, or a strong perfume or alcohol smell is a red flag. For example, Anua’s Heartleaf products have almost no scent.

If you think a product may be fake, don’t put it on your face. Contact the seller first.

Scan The Brand’s Code

Some brands add a QR code or a HiddenTag label you can scan in the brand’s own app to check the product. Not every brand has this, so it’s a bonus check rather than a must.

A New Look Isn’t Always A Fake

Korean brands often update their packaging. Purito, for example, became Purito Seoul with a whole new design. If your favorite product suddenly looks different, compare it with the photos on the brand’s official website, or ask us.

Not Sure About A Product?

Every product we sell is 100% authentic Korean skincare. If you have a question about a product, from us or anywhere else, message us and we’ll help.