Counterfeit beauty products found to contain mercury, lead and methanol

ITV News reports tests of products seized by Trading Standards found mercury in one skincare product, lead in lipstick and eyeshadow, nicotine in perfume, and a counterfeit fragrance that was around 80% methanol. Citing an Intellectual Property Office tracker, it says 20% of 18- to 24-year-olds who bought beauty products in 2025 knowingly purchased counterfeits, up from 6% in 2023.