How can cosmetics brands use H010 to stop counterfeits and protect consumers?

A Which? investigation found that 67% of cosmetic products from third-party sellers were likely counterfeit. These fakes are not just inferior products. Lab testing has found counterfeit cosmetics containing arsenic, lead, mercury, and dangerous levels of bacteria.

For beauty brands, this is a safety crisis. When a consumer has a reaction to a counterfeit mascara or foundation, they blame the brand on the label, not the counterfeiter who made it.

Why cosmetics are heavily targeted

Beauty products combine high margins, strong brand recognition, and lightweight packaging that is easy to replicate. Counterfeiters have access to the same printing technology and materials as legitimate manufacturers, and AI-generated product photography lets them create convincing marketplace listings without even handling a physical product.

The problem spans every sales channel. Counterfeit cosmetics appear on Amazon, TikTok Shop, eBay, and Vinted. The FDA estimates 20% of online cosmetics are counterfeit. And the EU's product safety alert system now lists cosmetics as the top category for dangerous product flags.

How H010 protects cosmetics brands

Holographic tamper-evident labels

Each H010 label uses patented holographic technology that cannot be economically replicated. The label is destroyed on removal, so it cannot be transferred from a genuine product to a fake. For premium cosmetics, the holographic element also reinforces the brand's quality positioning.

Instant consumer verification

A customer scans the label with their smartphone camera. No app needed. They see immediate confirmation that the product is authentic, along with any information the brand chooses to share: ingredients, usage guidance, batch details, or loyalty rewards.

Unique codes per unit

Every product carries its own unique identifier. Mass-copying a single code is detected when duplicates are scanned. This gives brands real-time visibility into where genuine products are being purchased and where fakes may be circulating.

Analytics dashboard

Scan data shows brands where and when products are verified. Spikes in scans from unexpected regions, or codes scanned far more often than units produced, flag counterfeiting activity for investigation.

Example: a premium skincare brand on multiple marketplaces

A premium skincare brand sells through its own website, Amazon, and selected retailers. Each product carries an H010 holographic label. On packaging and listings, the brand prompts customers: "Scan to confirm this product is genuine."

When a cluster of scans from a particular marketplace returns no verification match, the brand's team knows counterfeit listings have appeared. They act quickly, armed with data showing the geographic concentration and timing of the issue.

Authentication as brand experience

For beauty brands, the scan moment is also a touchpoint. Verification can include product tutorials, ingredient transparency, shade-matching tools, or access to a loyalty programme. Authentication becomes part of the premium experience rather than a hidden security measure.

Protect your brand and your customers. See how H010 works.