New Delhi: One in four households in India have faced issues with cosmetics they purchased in the past three years, according to a new survey conducted by community social media platform LocalCircles. Of these, 15 per cent respondents also experienced allergic reaction or severe ailment due to cosmetic use.
The survey saw the participation of 9,119 respondents.
A report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) earlier had also found that 40 per cent of fairness creams used mercury, while 60 per cent of lipsticks tested had presence of heavy metals, including chromium (toxic) and nickel. The CSE report said 32 fairness creams, 30 lipsticks, a few lip balms and a few anti-aging creams were tested for the presence of harmful chemicals.
The LocalCircles survey also found that three out of 10 households faced issues with purchasing ‘authentic’ products. Of these, 12 per cent respondents bought fake cosmetics online, while 22 per cent purchased them in stores.
The survey also noted that only 55 per cent of 9,732 respondents who received counterfeit cosmetics online were able to return it. And only 35 per cent of respondents who purchased fake products from stores were able to return it.
The Delhi Police had last year busted a factory manufacturing counterfeit Lakmé makeup products in August last year.
This nationwide survey, conducted across 305 districts in India, received more than 37,000 responses. Of these, 48 per cent participants were from tier 1 cities, 27 per cent from tier 2 cities and towns, and 25 per cent respondents were from tier 3 and 4 towns and rural districts.
Of the respondents, 61 per cent were men and 39 per cent women.
LocalCircles helps citizens and small businesses elevate issues for policy and enforce intervention. The group also said it enables the government to make policies surrounding citizens.
Also read: From Lakshmi to Lakmé — story of India’s first cosmetic brand, envisioned by PM Nehru